Montana

The Great Basin Decline: A Mule Deer Crisis in the Making

If you want to understand the pressure mule deer are under these days, don’t look to the Rockies or the high sage basins of Montana — head straight into the heart of the Great Basin. This sprawling region covers much of Nevada and western Utah, and while it may look vast and empty, for mule deer it’s ground zero for one of the most dramatic population declines in the West.

Venison Steak and Watercress Bánh Mì

Vietnamese bánh mì are definitely in the running for my favorite sandwich of all time. They have that perfect balance of sweet and savory, soft and crunchy, meaty and herbaceous… I just can’t get enough. That’s why I make them at home quite often, and like to change up what I put on them on the regular.

Where the Deer Stand:

Following the WAFWA (Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Associations) conference here’s what we know about mule deer and black-tailed deer populations.

Conservation Tags and What They Fund

Every hunter who purchases a license or tag plays a part in conserving mule deer. Conservation tags, and the revenue they generate, are the lifeblood of state wildlife agencies and the foundation of mule deer management across the West. 

Field-Tested and Foundation Approved: Badlands Gear Joins the Mission

At the Mule Deer Foundation, we’re proud to work with corporate partners who not only believe in our mission but build gear tough enough to support it in the wild. One of those partners is Badlands Gear—a brand known for rugged reliability, innovative design, and a relentless focus on performance in the backcountry.

Bison Steak Salad with Blistered Cherry Tomatoes 

This quick and easy recipe is bursting with flavor and makes for an excellent, well-balanced lunch or dinner. The recipe can easily be doubled to serve more people as well. 

Field Judging Mule Deer: How to Score Before the Shot

There’s a moment every mule deer hunter lives for. You’re glassing a far ridgeline, the sun just tipping over the peaks, and you catch movement. A buck. Big-bodied, ears alert, antlers catching light. But the question starts burning right away: How big is he? And more importantly — is he the one?

Rifle vs. Bow: Choosing Your Weapon for the West

f you’re planning a mule deer hunt out West, one of the first big questions you’ll face isn’t where to go — it’s what to bring. Rifle or bow? It’s a decision that shapes your entire hunt: when you’ll be in the field, how close you’ll need to get, and even how likely you are to notch that tag.

I’ve hunted mule deer with both — and both have their place. But they demand different mindsets, different skills, and different kinds of grit.

MDF Employee Spotlight!

Wildlife of the west are facing increasing threats to their continued existence. Grace understands the importance of protecting this wildlife and the habitats that they rely on. She is passionate about ensuring that future generations can spot a mule deer in the sagebrush sea. Or see a herd of pronghorn run freely across the landscape. It’s up to all of us to work together to give back to the landscapes and wildlife that are an integral part of our American identity

Tricer: Redefining Backcountry Hunting

In the backcountry, gear either works or it slows you down. That’s why Tricer was created by hunters who needed lightweight, durable, and reliable gear that performs in real hunting conditions.

El Ciervo Diablo Spicy Venison Burger

Every once in a while, I like to masochistically challenge myself by eating something stupidly spicy. I’ve never truly understood why I (and many others) get these cravings which provide nothing but hurt… Must be something broken in our brains!

I got that desire recently, which happened to coincide with a strong hankering for a burger. Smashing my two desires together into a spicy-as-all-get-out burger would allow me to get two birds stoned at once, so to speak.

Prepping for Archery Deer Camp

It’s two nights before the Spring turkey season, and I’m trying on my lucky camos for the first time since deer season. The holidays have come and gone, and my gut is…larger. I suck it in but my arms are shaking, straining like I’m gripping matter and antimatter, trying to get the brass button to go inside that tiny buttonhole. Dang.