Empowering Chapters
Chapter Rewards funds could be used by Chapters, MDF Partners, or MDF Staff to support conservation projects that help contribute to the MDF mission. Chapter involvement in identifying potential projects, developing proposals, and assisting with implementation is a key part of the success of MDF at the local level. These Chapter projects are also a great way to publicize MDF’s conservation efforts to members, the public, and MDF conservation partners.
Collaborative Proposal
Proposals for the use of Chapter Rewards program funding should be developed in coordination with MDF Regional Directors, MDF Conservation staff, State Chairs, and chapter committees to ensure that proposals support the MDF mission at the local, regional, or national level and across the range of mule deer and black-tailed deer. We have developed Program Guidelines to clarify how the Chapter Rewards program works and things to keep in mind when developing and submitting a project proposal.
or click on any of the states to see more in-depth information on your area
Navigating Access Challenges Without Cutting Corners
Between checkerboard land ownership, changing property boundaries, increased hunting pressure, and growing development across the West, getting to public land often requires as much planning as the hunt itself. Recent debates over corner crossing in Montana and other western states have only highlighted how complicated access has become. While courts and legislatures continue to sort out the legal questions, hunters should remember one simple principle: know the law where you’re hunting and err on the side of respecting private property. Laws surrounding public access vary from state to state and continue to evolve.
Hunting Pressure and How Mule Deer Respond
Every hunter has a story about the buck that seemed to disappear overnight.
You glass him feeding on an open hillside for three evenings straight. Opening morning rolls around, another truck parks at the trailhead, and suddenly that buck has vanished. It can feel like he evaporated into thin air.
The truth is, he probably didn’t go very far. He just became a different deer.
Why Mule Deer Hunting Is About More Than Antlers
I’m going to say this the way it’s been rattling around in my head for a while now: we’ve made mule deer hunting smaller than it used to be.
Not physically, if anything, I am covering more country than ever. But in how we define success. In how we talk about it. In what we choose to celebrate.
Somewhere along the line, “trophy hunting” got reduced to inches of antler and a number you can type into a caption.
And that’s a problem.
Combating Cheatgrass to Support Mule Deer on Colorado’s Eastern Plains
MDF has supported more than 8,800 acres of targeted cheatgrass removal treatments in Colorado since 2024.