The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) is excited to share a recap of the 20th anniversary of the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo, held at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah, in February. Co-hosted and organized by MDF and Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife (SFW), the Expo saw one of its highest-performing years in 2026.
As far as attendance goes, 2026 resulted in another record-breaking year over the four-day event. With nearly 600 exhibitors, another record was reached as the entire Salt Palace Convention Center was completely full. With record attendance numbers also came record revenue from attendee admissions, and over $8 million in auction proceeds that will benefit wildlife in many western states. An additional $2.6 million was generated from 200 of Utah's most sought-after limited-entry big game permits at just $5 per application. Funds from these permits go back into Utah for wildlife conservation projects like Utah's Watershed Restoration Initiative (WRI), for example.
"It never ceases to amaze me how each year we seem to outdo the year before, and I've been planning this show with SFW for 20 years," said Ray Crow, MDF's Hunt Expo Director. "I can't thank the hunting, conservation, outdoors, and community enough for their participation in this event that we put so much sweat and tears into. Not to mention all the partners including the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and other Western wildlife agencies for issuing permits to raise revenues for conservation in Utah and across many Western states and Canada. It's a collaborative effort of many to bring so many resources to this thing called conservation that we all care deeply about," Crow added.
Building on the momentum of the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo, the Mule Deer Foundation introduced a bold new national campaign aimed at confronting one of the most pressing challenges in Western wildlife conservation. Centered around the message "The Vanishing Icon of the West," the campaign reflects both the significance of mule deer to the American West and the growing urgency to restore their numbers across the landscape. An all hands-on-deck strategy to help keep cherished mule deer from further vanishing across our landscapes.
MDF President and CEO Greg Sheehan stated, "The phrase Vanishing Icon of the West started out as the title for our winter 2026 magazine, but we soon realized that it truly encompassed everything we're doing to improve habitat and increase mule deer herd numbers. We've used the term 'Icon of the West' for some time, and it felt like it was time to share our concerns with our members and the public about keeping mule deer from further vanishing across their ranges. Everything we do at MDF is to keep as many thriving deer on the Western landscape as possible, and the data shows that we're in for a challenge. This Western big-game species is one of the few whose numbers in most of their habitats are consistently lower than they were 10, 20, or even 40 years ago."
Sheehan emphasized, "We've seen conservation efforts improve elk, antelope, bison, and sheep numbers over the past century. Now it's time to apply that same focus to mule deer. They do need our help, and we are the organization to do it. But with great goals comes the need for resources, awareness, and education, and that is really what 'The Vanishing Icon' is all about."
While the Expo is critical for funding mule deer conservation projects across the West, its proceeds and projects also benefit many other Western big game species. The best way to be part of this renewed focus to reverse the decline of this iconic species is to become a member, donate, or volunteer with MDF, as it is the only national organization in North America solely dedicated to the restoration, conservation, and management of mule deer and black-tailed deer populations and their habitat.
The organization premiered its new national campaign on its Expo booth in February.
About Mule Deer Foundation
The Mule Deer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the conservation of mule deer and their habitat. Through science-based management, partnerships, and community engagement, MDF works to enhance wildlife populations and maintain healthy, connected landscapes for future generations.
For more information about the Mule Deer Foundation or to become a member and support, visit www.muledeer.org.