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Wildfire and Regeneration: How Fire Shapes Mule Deer Habitat

Written by Mule Deer Foundation on . Posted in Conservation & Project Updates, News & Announcements.

Wildfire is a powerful and often misunderstood force on the Western landscape. For mule deer, fire can be both a threat and a benefit. While flames may scorch winter range, destroy cover, and reduce food availability in the short term, fire also plays a regenerative role—creating lush, nutritious vegetation that deer depend on.

Understanding how wildfires affect mule deer habitat is critical to long-term conservation efforts. As wildfires increase in size and frequency, land managers and wildlife professionals must carefully weigh the risks and benefits to ensure mule deer populations remain healthy and resilient.

Member Stories: Killing Big Gobblers After Work

Written by Mule Deer Foundation on . Posted in News & Announcements, Stories & Member Voices.

As the hot afternoon sun beat down on my face, a burning bead of sweat rolled its way down my forehead and found its way into my eye. It was a very unseasonably warm mid-May afternoon in Idaho. I had just hustled home from work, jumped into my camo ninja suit, and practically ran up the mountain to my honey hole, where I hoped to bag a late season gobbler. It was hot and dry, and to be honest, I was very much doubting the likelihood of success.

Mule Deer in Montana: Range, Ecology, and Why They Matter

Written by Mule Deer Foundation on . Posted in Conservation & Project Updates, Impact & Metrics, News & Announcements.

f you’ve spent any time on the eastern prairie breaks or the steep ridges of western Montana, odds are you’ve crossed paths with mule deer. They’re woven into the landscape here. To we fortunate few who have invested in this land these critters are not just as a game animal, but a part of what makes the West wild. Like a lot of things in Montana, their story is one of peaks, valleys, and a changing environment.

Grilled Tajin-Lime Wild Turkey

Written by Mule Deer Foundation on . Posted in News & Announcements, Stories & Member Voices.

I was recently sitting in the backyard, enjoying a tequila cocktail my wife made that sported a Tajin rimmer (for those of you who may not know, Tajin is a versatile Mexican chili, lime, and salt seasoning blend). I quickly found that I had sipped my way around the whole glass, removing any trace of the rimmer well before the cocktail was finished. 

Boots, Packs, and Layers

Written by Mule Deer Foundation on . Posted in News & Announcements, Stories & Member Voices.

With tag draw results coming in across the West, odds are some of you are holding onto a hot tag and plotting your fall adventure. Whether it’s your first time chasing high country bucks or you’re a seasoned veteran heading back to your favorite canyon, the right gear can make all the difference between a successful, enjoyable hunt and a miserable slog. Lucky for you, you’ve landed in the right place; at the Mule Deer Foundation, we not only care about conserving the species we all love, but we also live this lifestyle 365 days a year.

Public Lands MATTER for Mule Deer!

Written by Mule Deer Foundation on . Posted in News & Announcements, Stories & Member Voices.

“The Mule Deer Foundation values America’s public lands, essential for our hunters’ access to pursue mule deer and black-tailed deer in the West. We are concerned about the Senate’s reconciliation bill provision mandating that potentially millions of acres would be sold or transferred, as it lacks transparency and public input. We urge a thoughtful, transparent process that safeguards our hunting heritage while addressing land management challenges.”

Mediterranean Venison-Falafel Burgers with Feta and Tzatziki

Written by Mule Deer Foundation on . Posted in News & Announcements, Stories & Member Voices.

This recipe was years in the making. I visited Jordan in 2019, and one of the many highlights from my trip there was a falafel shop in Amman that sold the best falafel sandwiches I’d ever tried. It really put the falafel shops back home to shame. As I watched the talented man whipping up and frying dozens of falafel at a time, I thought to myself, falafel are good on their own, but wouldn’t they taste fantastic with meat?

The First Mountain Man and the Mule Deer. 

Written by Mule Deer Foundation on . Posted in News & Announcements, Stories & Member Voices.

This encounter marked the first documented scientific description of the mule deer by Euro-American explorers. While Indigenous peoples across the American West had hunted and lived alongside mule deer for centuries, the Lewis and Clark journals provided the first written account of the species for the expanding field of American zoology. This documentation description would continue throughout the journey as more of these creatures were brought in, and Lewis would later start referring to them as mule deer. That’s how they came to be known by the name we know them by today.