While not strictly a habitat improvement, modifying or installing wildlife-friendly fencing allows deer and other wildlife to move more freely across the landscape along their traditional movement corridors. Working with private landowners and on public land grazing allotments, MDF has prioritized the removal of old fences that are blocking movement, particularly woven-wire fencing. In many cases, those fences are replaced using wildlife-friendly fences that allow for easier passage by a wide variety of animals. Fencing height, smooth bottom wires, “lay down” fences, and wire spacing are all options for a wildlife-friendly fence that also works for landowners. Working with our partners, MDF has removed over 100 miles of fence in the past decade and replaced much of that with wildlife-friendly fencing. Our chapters have embraced these projects as an opportunity to get their hands dirty making a tangible difference for our deer.
Latest on Wildlife-friendly Fencing
In June 2024, the Mule Deer Foundations conservation staff began a multi-partner and multi-state project to address fence entanglement concerns for mule deer migrating between Idaho and Utah.
In partnership with the The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Mule Deer Foundation and other collaborators are excited to shape conservation initiatives, utilizing the third volume in a series of new big-game…
The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) has added two key conservation staff positions in California to support the growing habitat projects being coordinated by the organization. Over the summer, MDF has engaged in…
On Saturday August 20, the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) was inducted into the Arizona Outdoor Hall of Fame by the Wildlife for Tomorrow foundation that supports the Arizona Game and Fish Department.…