Habitat work in Montana’s Premier Mule Deer Unit
The Mule Deer Foundation’s plan for habitat improvement in Montana’s Mule Deer unit 270.
Project Details
The Mule Deer Foundation, in partnership with the US Forest Service, is beginning a multi-year habitat improvement project in Montana’s Hunting District 270. The project is beginning with 900 acres of treatment in 2024. The initial project phase is located up the East Fork of the Bitterroot River in the Tepee Creek area. To reduce extreme fire risk, improve wildlife habitat, and protect residents, this area must have active forest management. This project also is in a trophy mule deer unit, so while we are working on wildfire resiliency, MDF will also be creating Mule Deer habitat and key foraging areas.
While many think of unit 270 as a premier draw unit in Montana for Mule Deer, and correctly assume the habitat must be pristine, there is always room for improvement.
MDF Project Manager Alex Elantri said,
“It’s true this area is full of Mule Deer, but there are also Elk, Bighorn Sheep, and Moose. Helping remove overstocked trees and hazardous fuels will create better habitat for Mule Deer and other big game. This wild fire fuels treatment, in addition to future prescribed fires will ensure that unit 270 remains the game-rich unit it is known as today.”
There are also human concerns as this project is near the Springer Memorial Community.
“Given the fire risk here, its clear action is needed both for human and Mule Deer interests. Getting good work done on the ground will help protect our community and the wildlife we all care about” said Alex.
Good Luck!
Good luck this fall. Send pictures or stories from the field to Web@muledeer.org to be featured on our website or in our magazine. If this article, or any of our articles helped you become a better conservation steward, join the Mule Deer Foundation. Click here to join: https://muledeer.org/product-category/membership/
Trevor J Hubbs https://www.instagram.com/trevorhubbs/
Trevor is the Communications Manager for the Mule deer Foundation. He grew up hunting and fishing the eastern edge of the Ozark mountains for quail, ducks, and bucks. Trevor is a contributor for “Fur, Fish, and Game”, Lethal Minds Journal, Strung Magazine, and Shooting Sportsman among others.
