Conservation
A Mule Deer Foundation project brings new growth to struggling aspen stands that serve as crucial transitional range for Wyoming’s Platte Valley mule deer herd.
Wildfires are an inevitable part of the western landscape, shaping ecosystems and influencing wildlife behavior. For mule deer hunters, understanding how burn areas and regrowth stages affect deer movement and feeding patterns can make the difference between a successful hunt and a long, fruitless trek.
I am an avid outdoorsman and conservationist who grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This region and our way of life instilled in me a deep appreciation and passion for wildlife and wild places. I consider myself fortunate to work, recreate, and raise a family along the boundary of the American West and the Great Plains. Whether I’m managing a habitat project, fighting fires with the local VFD, or pursuing big game, I’m driven by a desire to leave things better than I found them—ensuring that my daughter and future generations can enjoy the same opportunities and landscapes that I have.
Mark you calendars for February 14, 2026 for the TOUGH BUCK Hunt Giveaway Workout, where fitness meets backcountry grit at the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City.
MDF’s Randy Morrison has a very personal and professional purpose as a California conservationist.
Healthy deer populations depend on healthy forests and good deer habitat is complex. You may be wondering, “what do mule deer have to do with wildfires?” Turns out, quite a bit.
Working within local communities like Burney, California allows the Mule Deer Foundation and USDA Forest Service to accomplish active forest management projects.
Local partners and volunteers contributed to a very successful fence removal project along a big game migration corridor in Arizona.
On the dry ridges outside Tucson, AZ hunters know that a year of poor rainfall can turn a once familiar hunting ground into an unfamiliar puzzle. Traditional glassing spots may come up empty, and the basins that normally hold deer can feel barren. But those who adjust their strategy now hyper focusing on scarce water sources, higher elevation forage, and subtle changes in deer movement can still find success even in tough years.
Removing extra trees and vegetation can create healthier forests that provide better habitat for wildlife like mule deer and help prevent catastrophic wildfires.
From supporting wildlife crossings to retrofitting fences and improving habitat, MDF is helping mule deer move safely across the lands they’ve relied on for centuries.
Colorado’s conservation story relies on the cooperation of Mother Nature and state and agency partners.