When it comes to mule deer hunting, seeing is everything. Wide open basins, high country ridge lines, and rolling sagebrush flats all share one thing in common: they make is easy for deer to disappear. Spotting a buck before he can spot you could be the difference between a punched tag and an excuse.
That’s why glassing is so important. Not just the act itself but the gear, your binoculars, spotting scopes, rifle scopes are as important as how you use them. Whether you’re just getting into the game or you’re refining advanced spotting techniques, your optics and how you use them matter.
Contrary to the past where these exclusive tags have been all but unattainable behind a pay to play auction system in 2025, we are hosting an open raffle with a price tag that makes this opportunity available to all who are interested. This tag was open residents and non-residents alike.
Wildfire is a powerful and often misunderstood force on the Western landscape. For mule deer, fire can be both a threat and a benefit. While flames may scorch winter range, destroy cover, and reduce food availability in the short term, fire also plays a regenerative role—creating lush, nutritious vegetation that deer depend on.
Understanding how wildfires affect mule deer habitat is critical to long-term conservation efforts. As wildfires increase in size and frequency, land managers and wildlife professionals must carefully weigh the risks and benefits to ensure mule deer populations remain healthy and resilient.
Anyone who has tried a venison and barley soup or stew knows that those two ingredients go together like peas and carrots.
Barley and venison soups and stews are a part of what gets me through the long winters up here in Canada.
When it comes to it though, despite being great, there is more to barley than just soups and stews!
As the hot afternoon sun beat down on my face, a burning bead of sweat rolled its way down my forehead and found its way into my eye. It was a very unseasonably warm mid-May afternoon in Idaho. I had just hustled home from work, jumped into my camo ninja suit, and practically ran up the mountain to my honey hole, where I hoped to bag a late season gobbler. It was hot and dry, and to be honest, I was very much doubting the likelihood of success.
f you’ve spent any time on the eastern prairie breaks or the steep ridges of western Montana, odds are you’ve crossed paths with mule deer. They’re woven into the landscape here. To we fortunate few who have invested in this land these critters are not just as a game animal, but a part of what makes the West wild. Like a lot of things in Montana, their story is one of peaks, valleys, and a changing environment.
I was recently sitting in the backyard, enjoying a tequila cocktail my wife made that sported a Tajin rimmer (for those of you who may not know, Tajin is a versatile Mexican chili, lime, and salt seasoning blend). I quickly found that I had sipped my way around the whole glass, removing any trace of the rimmer well before the cocktail was finished.
With tag draw results coming in across the West, odds are some of you are holding onto a hot tag and plotting your fall adventure. Whether it’s your first time chasing high country bucks or you’re a seasoned veteran heading back to your favorite canyon, the right gear can make all the difference between a successful, enjoyable hunt and a miserable slog. Lucky for you, you’ve landed in the right place; at the Mule Deer Foundation, we not only care about conserving the species we all love, but we also live this lifestyle 365 days a year.
