Mule Deer Foundation Announces Hunter Drawn for New Mexico’s Lieutenant Governor’s Deer Tag

Las Cruces, New Mexico: The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) is pleased to announce the winner of the 2020 New Mexico Lieutenant Governor’s Deer Tag Raffle is Tony Bender of Lebanon, Oregon. Bender is an avid hunter, supporter of MDF and is extremely excited for the opportunity to return to New Mexico to hunt across the state.

“I had a good feeling, a tingle if you will, and I haven’t stopped smiling since I got the news” said Bender.

New Mexico has an active mule deer conservation program working to restore habitat and rebuild populations of this iconic game species. Funds generated from the raffle have been used to support MDF’s mission in New Mexico as well as a variety of projects that will benefit deer in the state. Specific habitat improvement projects include the removal of encroaching pinyon pines and juniper, development of water resources and guzzlers, and continuation of a migration corridor research program.

The Mule Deer Foundation works closely with the New Mexico Game and Fish Department to administer the raffle drawing. “The Mule Deer Foundation appreciates the opportunity to partner with New Mexico Game and Fish Department on offering this tag to raise much needed funds for mule deer conservation in the state,” commented Miles Moretti, MDF President/CEO. MDF is able to market these tags across the country through the organization’s vast network of contacts with hunters, which helps to increase the revenue generated for the Game and Fish and MDF to fund projects benefiting mule deer.

“This has been a difficult year for so many of us, but we were overwhelmed with support for this raffle and set a new record for ticket sales thanks to people from across the nation” noted Colleen Payne, MDF’s Regional Director for the state of New Mexico. “These programs are a unique way for state agencies to raise revenues for their mule deer conservation efforts and to allow lucky hunters the opportunity to hunt throughout the state for some of our great mule deer. Every person who bought a ticket directly contributed to conservation in New Mexico.”