Mule Deer Foundation Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 4th, 2024
CONTACT: Trevor Hubbs ([email protected])
The Mule Deer Foundation Launches The Blacktail Deer Foundation.
The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) has dedicated thousands of man-hours, funding, and conservation work to Columbia blacktail deer and Sitka blacktail deer, and today it announced significant strides in expanding its conservation work for the subspecies.
In 2022, MDF hosted a Blacktail Deer Summit to evaluate current conservation efforts for the species. During the summit, partners discussed the needs and future of blacktail deer conservation. It became evident greater attention and focus were necessary. With MDF’s significant growth in membership, in funding, and expanded sponsorship opportunities over the past year, the timing was perfect for the launch
“I am excited to help lead an effort that introduces a new conservation partner, The Blacktail Deer Foundation, into the conservation community,” said Greg Sheehan, President and CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation. “Going forward, I believe our members, volunteers, stakeholders, and staff will embrace this new organization, and I look forward to connecting with our new supporters who recognize the importance of blacktail deer herds, just as we do with mule deer and their habitat.”
The Blacktail Deer Foundation started off strong with a dozen “boots on the ground” conservation projects and more than $6 million of dedicated funding in blacktail deer range. Mule Deer foundation redirected current assets to focus on blacktail deer, including field biologists, fundraising staff, and 11 active chapters across California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. Another 32 new chapters of The Blacktail Deer Foundation have also been chartered.
“When I created the Mule Deer Foundation’s Mission Statement in 1988, it was simply to give back to mule deer, blacktail deer, and their habitats,” said Emmett Burroughs, founder of the Mule Deer Foundation. “Now, enhancing the life and habitat of blacktail deer herds will become a key focus of our original charter through the creation of the Blacktail Deer Foundation. The Mule Deer Foundation will remain dedicated to the conservation of Mule Deer and their habitats.”
After the success of MDFs Team Blacktail Initiative a year ago, plans for a more permanent solution for blacktail deer conservation began. The Mule Deer Foundation intends to utilize its successful fundraising and conservation organizational structure as a model for how the new entity will be organized. The Blacktail Deer Foundation will seek to capitalize on the grassroots chapter building, on the ground conservation projects, and localized fundraising efforts the Mule Deer Foundation has perfected over the last 30 years.
“As a West Coast native and Oregon resident for over 30 years, I grew up hunting blacktail deer, and they remain near and dear to my heart,” said Jordan Davis, Chairman of the Mule Deer Foundation. “Having hunted with my dad in the past and now with my daughters, I am thrilled to see the creation of the Blacktail Deer Foundation and I am confident the Mule Deer Foundation will continue to lead in the restoration of western landscapes for mule deer herds, while also driving efforts to protect and enhance blacktail deer in their Pacific coast habitats.”
In forming the Blacktail Deer Foundation, MDF aims to employ our organizational model of localized chapter support and conservation initiatives combined with lean decisive leadership where deer always come first. The Mule Deer Foundation already has tremendous success in its chapters within blacktail deer range and plans to continue that success under this new banner.
About the Mule Deer Foundation and Blacktail Deer Foundation:
The Mule Deer Foundation and Blacktail Deer Foundation are the only conservation groups in North America dedicated to conserving mule deer and blacktail deer and their habitat. MDF and BDF are strong voices for hunters, wildlife management, and conservation policy issues. To join BDF and get involved in your state, please visit: www.blacktaildeer.org, email [email protected], or call 801-973-3940.
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What the Conservation Community is saying:
“I think it is brilliant to have a separate focus for those who are passionate about blacktails. I am certain The Blacktail Deer Foundation will thrive and help conserve these species in the Pacific Northwest and in Alaska”
– Jana Waller, Skull Bound Chronicles/Carbon TV
“I am excited for the formation of the Blacktail Deer Foundation and the targeted conservation of this majestic species in the Pacific Northwest where our company operates and has a particular passion for black-tailed deer.”
- Bruce Pettet, President and CEO of Leupold Optics
“The Blacktail Deer Foundation will allow the same successful, focus-based approach used for mule deer to blacktail deer for on-the-ground project implementation and conservation policy issues.”
– Steve Belinda, Chief Conservation Officer, MDF
“Blacktail Deer are as unique as the compelling places they live, needing the advocacy, priority and commitment that will come with an organization solely dedicated to the future of Blacktail Deer. The formation of the Blacktail Deer Foundation is great news for Blacktail Deer and all of us who love them. Kudos to the Mule Deer Foundation for being the founder of this effort.”
– Randy Newberg, Hunter and Conservationist
“As a lifelong advocate for black-tailed deer, I am excited at the creation of the Blacktail Deer Foundation, to provide needed emphasis on these deer, focused on habitat improvement opportunities, education, and public involvement for these deer.”
- Jim Baichtal, MDF Alaska Regional Coordinator and Alaska Board of Game Commissioner
“The Blacktail Deer Foundation will allow us to shine some light on these coastal subspecies that have been living in the shadow of their mule deer cousins for too long”
- Jim Heffelfinger, MDF Science Advisor
Black-tailed Deer Foundation – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the Black-tailed Deer Foundation (BDF)?
The Black-tailed Deer Foundation (BDF) is a subsidiary of the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) often referred to as a “division.” BDF will be the division MDF uses to provide mission delivery for the two species of black-tailed deer (Sitka and Columbia). This approach will allow for the same focus driven approach MDF uses for mule deer.
- Why was the BDF created?
BDF was created to give MDF and its partners, volunteers, and other stakeholders interested in specific black-tailed deer conservation a focus for better effectiveness and efficiency. Black-tailed deer have been in MDF’s mission since it’s inception in 1988 and because mule deer have a much larger geographic area and interest, most attention and focus has been on mule deer. Following a black-tailed deer summit in 2022 hosted by Leupold and Stevens, Inc with other black-tailed deer stakeholders and MDF partners, it was apparent that MDF needed to step up its efforts for black-tailed deer and a new approach was warranted. BDF will provide structure to focus on those issues and areas where black-tailed deer need it most.
- What is the purpose/goals of BDF
BDF’s purpose is to deliver conservation to black-tailed deer similar to the way MDF delivers it for mule deer. Being cousins, the two species of black-tailed deer (Sitka and Columbia) inhabit different geographic areas and ecosystems than mule deer and the conservation needs.
- How is BDF structured?
BDF is a division of MDF and therefore shares the same board and staff as MDF. Chapters and membership will be separate but complimentary to MDF. BDF will initially not have a printed membership magazine, but an online/digital one. Your membership to BDF is separate from your membership to MDF.
- Is membership in MDF and BDF the same?
No, membership for BDF is separate from your membership with MDF.
- How do I join the BDF?
Membership can be obtained by visiting the Black-tailed Deer Foundation website –www.blacktaildeer.org or calling 801-973-3940. Membership is $35/year and 1, 3, and 5-year membership are available at this time.
- Where are black-tailed deer found?
Black-tailed deer are found in four states AK, WA, OR, and CA and consist of two distinct sub-species – Sitka in AK and Columbian in WA, OR, and northern CA. (Both species are also found in the west coast of Canada). These deer inhabit the coastal rainforests and mountains of the western part of WA, OR, and northern CA. They are found in SE AK, Prince Willam Sound, and the Kodiak Archipelgo in AK. Black-tailed deer are smaller than their mule deer cousins in body size and antlers and have other distinguishing physical features. Sharing the same scientific name, Odocoileus hemionus, black-tailed deer are often confused as a cross between a mule deer and a white-tailed deer but that is false. Black-tailed deer and mule deer do hybridize where ranges overlap making proper identification very difficult.
