How We Conserve

GOOD CONSERVATION LEADS TO GOOD HUNTING AND MDF’S EFFORTS WILL HELP ENSURE OUR WESTERN DEER HERDS AND OUR HUNTING HERITAGE ARE MAINTAINED INTO THE FUTURE.

We know that habitat is the key to successful conservation of mule deer and black-tailed deer – other issues matter, but prioritizing habitat improvements will make the biggest impact for our deer populations. As a result, this has been a top priority for MDF for many years, however, we also need to be smart about targeting our limited resources to the most important areas. This allows us to avoid being diverted by “random acts of conservation kindness” that might not have the coordinated, landscape-level approach necessary to make a bigger difference on the ground.

Through overarching initiatives, MDF is using science to focus our efforts on the actions that will provide maximum conservation impact with the financial and volunteer resources and expertise we have. In addition to on the ground habitat work, MDF actively engages in the public policy process with our federal, state, and nonprofit partners to coordinate actions that benefit wildlife and their habitat.