Utah

Dilly Steelhead and Rice Salad

This is an easy and refreshing salad that makes for the perfect light dinner or lunch. I used steelhead, but any pink-fleshed fish will do, including any type of salmon or trout. You could even make it with canned salmon in a pinch. 

Don’t sleep on the lemon zest, as it adds a brightness to this dish that will be missing otherwise. If you don’t have a zesting tool or a rasp, use a vegetable peeler to carefully remove the peel without including much white pith, then mince it finely with a knife. 

I made the garlic optional in the salad, as it adds a punchiness and light heat that may not be up everyone’s alley. I’m always good for it, though!

Addressing Fragmented Landscapes: Roads, Fences, and Development

From supporting wildlife crossings to retrofitting fences and improving habitat, MDF is helping mule deer move safely across the lands they’ve relied on for centuries.

Win Sonora, Mexico Mule Deer Hunt

The Mule Deer Foundation is proud to share an incredible opportunity for those who dream of hunting the legendary giants of Sonora, Mexico. Known for producing some of the biggest mule deer bucks in North America, Sonora offers the perfect combination of rugged desert landscapes, prime winter rut timing, and expert local guides who know exactly where to find world-class animals.

Behind the Scenes: How the Mule Deer Foundation Works for Hunters

That’s where the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) comes in. You might know the name. You might have gone to a banquet, read the magazine, or thrown a few bucks in the raffle. But what you might not know is just how much MDF does every single day to protect the deer, the ground they walk on, and the hunting lifestyle we live for.

Decoding Mule Deer Body Language: What Bucks Are Telling You

Spend enough time around mule deer, and you realize they’re not just animals fading into the brush — they’re talking. Not with words, of course, but with posture, movement, and subtle signs that can tell you exactly what they’re thinking — if you know how to read them.

Whether you’re lining up a stalk on a high-country buck or just watching a herd from across a canyon, understanding mule deer body language can give you a major edge. It’s the difference between blowing your chance or slipping in close for a clean shot. It’s the difference between a deer that disappears and one that hangs around just a little too long.

Habitat Work Means More Deer in Your Spotting Scope

Ask any seasoned hunter what makes for a great mule deer season, and you’ll likely hear the same answers: good weather, time to scout, a solid tag — and deer. Lots of deer.

What some hunters overlook, though, is that seeing more mule deer doesn’t just come down to luck or draw odds. It comes down to habitat — and behind that habitat, there’s often a crew of conservationists, biologists, and volunteers working to make the ground better for deer and the people who hunt them. That’s where the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) steps in.

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.

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?