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The communication staff of the Mule Deer Foundation partnered with our conservation experts in the field to test seven different packs built for hunting to see which held up the best in which environment and which was our overall favorite and pick as the best packs for mule deer hunting.
December has come again. The season started with such promise, full of aspirations for massive antlers fitting perfectly in the empty space on the wall. A winter of deer steaks and chili enjoyed while retelling the story of conquest, of trials and tribulations that lead to the meal before you. A summer spent practicing with your rifle and optics, buying the newest “must have” gear, and watching every Mule Deer hunting video on the internet lead to a September full of deliberate scouting and combing the fields and sage flats for your target buck in anticipation of opening day.
The Mule Deer Foundation thanks Colorado voters for rejecting Proposition 127, which would have banned the hunting of mountain lions and bobcats throughout the state. Colorado voters affirmed a strong belief in the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation and asserted their desire for Colorado’s wildlife to be managed by wildlife professionals, rather than through citizens initiatives.
When heading out for your first western hunt, there are a million things to prepare for. We often focus on the gear we need, what type of tent, what kind of pack, and the list goes on and on. Part of the prep phase is picking your rifle and heading to the range to get practice in. We often do this from a fixed, stable position. These stable positions will be nearly impossible during a western hunt due to terrain and the speed at which opportunities often happen. With that in mind, here are three positions you should practice shooting with and why:
During hunting season at the Mule Deer Foundation, the staff becomes obsessed with gear. The office is bubbling with debates over any type of gear, from brands of water filters to wall tents. When applicable, we try to publish these debates for the reader to consider when making purchasing decisions during hunting season.
Today, we are discussing which boot is best. This debate has multiple facets, from cost to break-in period to overall comfort and, finally, regionality. We recognize that there is probably no one boot that’s best for all scenarios, but we’ve done our best to decipher which is the closest.
In the MDF Employee Spotlight Segment the Mule Deer Foundation would like to call attention…
Pupusas are El Salvadorian stuffed corn cakes served with curtido and salsa roja, traditionally stuffed with beens, cheese and pork. We have taking this incredible south/central American favoirite and given it a Mule Deer Foundation spin using some of the roast cuts from our favorite critter. These are a great item to make ahead, wrap in foil and have waiting for you back at camp to warm up after a long day in the field. Pupusas also freeze incredibly well if your looking for a quick dinner to pull out when time seems to slip away. The curtido is a El Salvadorian version of slaw that cuts through the richness of the cakes and is definitely a must with these. And the smoked tomato salsa is my favorite way to use up those sweet summertime tomatoes. We keep this on hand during the summer for all sorts of uses, its sure to become one of your go to faves.
Coloradans stood up for science and sound wildlife management by voting against Proposition 127,” Dan Gates, chairman of the opposition group Colorado Wildlife Deserves Better, said in a statement Wednesday morning. “This result reflects the voices of those who recognize the importance of letting wildlife experts, not the ballot box, guide decisions on the conservation of Colorado’s big cats.”
A detour down the Mule Deer Highway known as the Alzeda highway through the most beautiful landscape in the world”
This Olympic Mountain Blacktail with Blackberry Drizzle recipe is amazing when smoking venison with a fruit or nut-based wood like apple, cherry, oak, or pecan. Searing to medium in a cast iron skillet in butter with garlic and fresh rosemary sprigs is a great alternative if you prefer not to smoke. When smoking, my go to for blacktail is a 50/50 mix of apple and pecan, and here’s how I do it:
All you need to know about western style hunting for the non-resident.
Skunk pig is the wonderfully unique colloquial term used to describe the North American native species, collard peccary also called a Javalina. The name skunk pig refers to a gland on their back with can emit a powerful oder in extreme circumstances.