Push Your Limits. Earn Your Shot. Join the 2026 TOUGH BUCK at the Western Hunt Expo
The Tough Buck is back, and it’s tougher than ever.
Held February 14, 2026, during the Western Hunt Expo in Salt Lake City, Utah, this one-of-a-kind event blends elite fitness with the grit and determination it takes to be a backcountry hunter. Created in partnership between MTNTOUGH and the Mule Deer Foundation, the Tough Buck is designed to test endurance, strength, and mental toughness, the same traits that define a true mule deer hunter.
This isn’t just a workout. It’s your shot at the best odds on earth to win a world-class mule deer hunt in Sonora, Mexico, with MX Hunting.
How It Works
The Tough Buck is capped at 510 participants, each pushing through a mountain-inspired workout that will challenge even the most seasoned outdoorsmen and women. Complete the workout, and you’ll earn an entry into the Tough Buck Hunt Giveaway a chance to win a fully guided, once-in-a-lifetime Sonoran mule deer hunt, complete with outfitting, meals, lodging, and trophy care.
Finish strong, and you could be heading south for a bucket-list adventure in one of the most legendary mule deer destinations on Earth.
More Than a Workout
This event is where fitness meets fieldcraft, a place where hunters, athletes, and conservationists come together to test their limits and celebrate the spirit of the backcountry. Every drop of sweat fuels MDF’s mission to conserve mule deer, black-tailed deer, and the habitats that sustain them.
Each participant becomes part of something bigger, a growing community that believes in giving back to the resource and living the hunting lifestyle year-round.
Sponsor a Wave
Want your brand to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the toughest hunters in the West?
The Tough Buck is organized in 17 sponsored waves, each hosting 30 participants. As a Wave Sponsor, your company will get direct exposure to your group of athletes, exclusive branding opportunities, and a chance to offer prizes, incentives, or even join your team in the workout.
Each wave sponsorship includes:
- Exclusive engagement with your 30-athlete group
- Recognition on event signage and announcements
- Access to your participant list after the event
- A required $500 prize giveaway, giving one athlete in your wave a 1-in-30 chance to win
At just $3,000 per wave, it’s one of the most impactful ways to build loyalty and visibility in the hunting and fitness community.
For sponsorship inquiries, contact:
📧 Brittany Sylvester – MDF Manager of Corporate Partnerships
📞 [email protected]
📧 Weston Paul – MTNTOUGH Director of Business Development
📞 [email protected]
Title and Co-Title Sponsorships
For brands looking for maximum impact, Title ($50,000) and Co-Title ($25,000) sponsorships offer premium placement across all Tough Buck marketing and media. This includes top-tier logo exposure, on-site banners, digital storytelling, and exclusive access to event content.
Your brand will be front and center, across social media, signage, and every announcement during the event.
Ready to Test Yourself?
Whether you’re an athlete, hunter, or someone who just loves a challenge, the Tough Buck Workout is your chance to prove your grit, give back to conservation, and maybe, just maybe, earn your way to Sonora.
Only 510 spots are available. Finish the workout. Earn your entry. Take your shot.
https://mtntough.com/pages/tough-buck
Sign up soon — this event will sell out fast.
