CLEARFIELD, Utah, June 4, 2026 – The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) has been awarded $2.9 million from the State of California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) to implement a large, multi-year fence removal and modification project that will improve big game connectivity in northeast California. MDF will partner with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service to improve areas identified as important seasonal habitat for mule deer, pronghorn antelope, and elk, including a migration corridor and critical winter range.
MDF is committed to improving habitat conditions for ungulates in Northern California, and this grant from the WCB greatly accelerates the work that can be done. The partnership has already identified 61miles of fencing that will be removed or converted to a wildlife-friendly design, to reduce the entanglement risk from historic fence designs and reconnect fragmented habitat for safe passage during big game migrations.
“We are grateful that the California Wildlife Conservation Board supports wildlife-friendly fencing needs that are directly tied to the long-term health of local mule deer herds,” said Randy Morrison, Director of Conservation Operations, West Coast for the Mule Deer Foundation. “Establishing this connectivity supports healthy wildlife populations while also meeting the working land needs of ranchers who rely on these public lands.”
Historically, the high desert plains and seasonal wetlands also provided suitable habitat for raising cattle and sheep, and large tracts of public and private lands support the local ranching industry. Outdated livestock fencing can be a major obstacle to wildlife movement across the Modoc Plateau. While many of these fences must remain in place for active grazing allotments, the identified removals and modifications directly support ungulate movement patterns mapped by CDFW.
“Improving habitat connectivity is a key part of California’s broader conservation strategy,” said Jennifer Norris, Executive Director of the Wildlife Conservation Board. “By partnering with the Mule Deer Foundation, CDFW, and the Forest Service, this project removes critical barriers and reconnects landscapes so mule deer, elk and pronghorn can move freely. We are proud to support a cooperative effort that safeguards big game populations while respecting the needs of working lands.”
MDF, in partnership with CDFW and the Forest Service, will lead implementation, monitoring, and adaptive management efforts throughout the 2026–2029 project period. Additional funding will be sought to expand this work across the California/Oregon border to further enhance habitat connectivity and support big game movement across a broader landscape. These efforts build on MDF’s 2025 impact, which included 149 fencing miles removed or modified, and 537,195 acres and 129 mule deer herds benefitted across the West.
About the Mule Deer Foundation
The Mule Deer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the conservation of mule deer, black-tailed deer, and their habitat. Through science-based management, partnerships, and community engagement, MDF works to enhance wildlife populations and maintain healthy, connected landscapes for future generations.
About the Wildlife Conservation Board
Established in 1947, the Wildlife Conservation Board protects, restores and enhances California’s spectacular natural resources for wildlife and the public’s use and enjoyment. WCB works in partnership with Tribes, conservation groups, government agencies and the people of California to safeguard biodiversity and expand access to nature.
Conservation Media Contact:
Karina Puikkonen
385-449-7060
karinap@muledeer.org
