By: MDF Staff
The Mule Deer Foundation is proud to provide an update on one of our flagship habitat restoration efforts in Northern California — the Crossroads Mastication Project, located near Burney in the Lassen National Forest. This project is a powerful example of how proactive habitat management can benefit mule deer populations while also protecting communities and improving forest resilience in fire-prone landscapes.
Project Overview
The Crossroads Mastication Project is taking place on public land managed by the Hat Creek Ranger District of the Lassen National Forest. The work is focused on restoring eastside pine and oak woodland ecosystems that have become overgrown due to decades of fire suppression, conifer encroachment, and fuel buildup. The project spans 1,966 acres of mastication treatments and an additional 148 acres of grapple piling, covering a total footprint of over 2,100 acres.
Why It Matters for Mule Deer
The primary objective of this project is to improve habitat for mule deer. In the dry pine and oak woodlands of this region, dense understory growth and shade from overgrown trees limit the availability of forage such as native grasses and forbs. By using mastication — a method of mechanically shredding thick vegetation and ladder fuels — the project opens up the forest floor, allowing sunlight to reach the ground and stimulate the regrowth of critical deer browse.
In addition to boosting forage, these treatments help mule deer by increasing their ability to move through the landscape and by reducing the risk of large-scale, high-severity wildfires that can destroy crucial habitat in a single season.
Progress to Date
As of June 2025, the Mule Deer Foundation and its partners have completed approximately 900 acres of mastication treatments. Crews have been working since the summer of 2024 and are on track to complete the full treatment area by December 2025.
This project is particularly important because it lies within the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) — an area where residential neighborhoods and recreation areas sit adjacent to public forest lands. By reducing fuel loads in these areas, the project is not only improving wildlife habitat but also helping to safeguard homes, lives, and recreation areas like Burney Falls and Lake Britton from the threat of catastrophic wildfire.
Looking Ahead
The remaining 1,066 acres of mastication and 148 acres of grapple piling will be completed in the coming months. These treatments will continue to improve mule deer habitat while also strengthening the overall ecological health of the forest. The work also enhances defensible space, making it easier for firefighters to safely and effectively manage wildfires if and when they occur in this high-risk region.
As we wrap up this project by the end of 2025, the Mule Deer Foundation will continue monitoring the area and identifying future opportunities for restoration to ensure long-term benefits for mule deer and other native species.
Thank You to Our Partners
This project wouldn’t be possible without the collaboration of the Hat Creek Ranger District, local contractors, and the commitment of MDF staff and supporters. Together, we are making a measurable impact for California’s mule deer and the communities that share their habitat.
Join Us in Making a Difference
The Crossroads Mastication Project is just one of many habitat efforts led by the Mule Deer Foundation across the West. From forest restoration to migration corridor protection, every acre we improve puts more deer on the landscape and protects the future of mule deer hunting and conservation.
If you believe in this mission — if you care about wild deer, wild places, and real results — we invite you to join us.
Join MDF!
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