Understanding Deer Migration and Habitat
We all know that deer move a lot across our vast western landscapes and that seasonal habitat like winter range is a critical part of their annual lifecycle. These movements, often called migrations, can be obvious or not so obvious depending on time, route, and number of animals using a certain area. Historically, deer managers relied on professional observation and historic records to identify these movement and migration routes but lacked specific information on how many animals used certain routes, how the routes were used by moving animals, and how animals reacted to impacts to these routes. However, over the last decade, scientific knowledge has increased dramatically about how significant migrations are to the health of mule deer and black-tailed deer herds.
Policy Development and Conservation Efforts
Conservation efforts to improve big game migration corridors and seasonal ranges in the West took a major leap in February 2018, when then-Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke signed Secretarial Order 3362 at MDF’s Western Hunting and Conservation Expo. In the first two years of the SO 3362 implementation, the U.S. Department of the Interior and partners like MDF facilitated 73 projects across 11 states with more than $47 million being invested from federal and matching grants in state-identified priority research projects, data analysis and mapping assistance, habitat-related projects, and other activities. Even more work has happened on the ground since the first progress report was released in 2020.
MDF’s Leadership and Initiative in Habitat Conservation
Shortly after SO 3362 was signed, MDF created its Winter Range and Migration Corridor Initiative, to assist with the implementation of the order and to partner with agencies, landowners, and others to ensure conservation of these important areas. MDF has been a leader in both the policy efforts to implement the secretarial order as well as coordinating habitat conservation and restoration efforts. Making sure that mule deer and black-tailed deer have quality habitat in the areas where they need it the most throughout the year will always be a top priority for our organization. Since the inception of the Winter Range and Migration Corridor Initiative, MDF has received over $2 million in grants to help with capacity and on-the-ground projects.
Restoring Sagebrush Steppe in Central Nevada
By: Karina Puikkonen March 30, 2026 In the remote heart of central Nevada, Little Fish Lake Valley stretches for more than 40 miles, bordered by north–south running mountain ranges. The […]
Wildlife Funnel Fencing Innovation in Central Idaho
The Idaho-Montana border is a migratory hot zone. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) has collected years of collared data from elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and moose moving across this area. It is well-known that the Beaverhead mule deer herd crosses the border each spring to summer in Montana and then returns to Idaho each fall to winter around the Lemhi Valley. This remote part of the state includes small towns with private lands surrounded by public lands, making wildlife crossings on Highway 28 a dangerous endeavor for wildlife and drivers.
Federal Ammunition Continues Conservation Partnership with Mule Deer Foundation
Federal Ammunition and the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) announced the continuation of their long-standing conservation partnership supporting mule deer, black-tailed deer, and the habitats they depend on across the West.
Mule Deer Foundation Shares Western Hunting and Conservation Expo Recap and New “Vanishing” Focus for Organization
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