News from the Field

Aspen Regeneration on Wyoming’s Snowy Range

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. 

MDF Employee Spotlight!

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.

Faces of Forestry: Randy Morrison

MDF’s Randy Morrison has a very personal and professional purpose as a California conservationist.

Three Numbers That Define Federal’s 7mm Backcountry

Federal Ammunition has recently launched a ground-breaking long-action hunting cartridge focused on 7mm/.284 heavy-for-caliber bullets, raising the bar for what a non-magnum, centerfire rifle hunting load can achieve. Three numbers quickly back the innovation behind it: 20, 170 and 3,000.

On Location: The Crossroads Project Part 3

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.

On Location: The Crossroads Project Part 2

Working within local communities like Burney, California allows the Mule Deer Foundation and USDA Forest Service to accomplish active forest management projects.

Clearing the Way for Wildlife in Northern Arizona

Local partners and volunteers contributed to a very successful fence removal project along a big game migration corridor in Arizona.

Brew Coffee, Support Conservation: Hunting Day Coffee Company Partners with the Mule Deer Foundation

The Mule Deer Foundation is proud to announce our partnership with Hunting Day Coffee Company, where 30% of profits go directly to MDF’s mission of conserving mule deer, black-tailed deer, and their critical habitats.

Where Do They Go? Locating Mule Deer in Drought Years

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.

On Location: The Crossroads Project Part 1

Removing extra trees and vegetation can create healthier forests that provide better habitat for wildlife like mule deer and help prevent catastrophic wildfires.

Win Sonora, Mexico Mule Deer Hunt

The Mule Deer Foundation is proud to share an incredible opportunity for those who dream of hunting the legendary giants of Sonora, Mexico. Known for producing some of the biggest mule deer bucks in North America, Sonora offers the perfect combination of rugged desert landscapes, prime winter rut timing, and expert local guides who know exactly where to find world-class animals.

Habitat Work Means More Deer in Your Spotting Scope

Ask any seasoned hunter what makes for a great mule deer season, and you’ll likely hear the same answers: good weather, time to scout, a solid tag — and deer. Lots of deer.

What some hunters overlook, though, is that seeing more mule deer doesn’t just come down to luck or draw odds. It comes down to habitat — and behind that habitat, there’s often a crew of conservationists, biologists, and volunteers working to make the ground better for deer and the people who hunt them. That’s where the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) steps in.