The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF), with continued support from the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Outdoor Fund, is advancing efforts to improve wildlife habitat across lands vital to mule deer survival. Building on a decade-long partnership, a recent $350,000 grant from the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Outdoor Fund will allow MDF to expand conservation work across multiple states to build habitat resilience that sustains wildlife.
This investment from Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Outdoor Fund plays a critical role in MDF's ability to secure and implement match funding at ratios of up to 6:1 through extensive partnerships with federal and state agencies. This translates into landscape-scale impacts that strengthen mule deer herds and improve hunting opportunities.
"Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's are known for helping outdoor enthusiasts prepare for their outdoor adventures," said Greg Sheehan, President and CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation. "And for over 50 years, Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's have been industry leaders in supporting conservation that sustains big game species and enhances recreational opportunities. The Mule Deer Foundation is proud to share these same values."
With this grant, MDF will focus on improving grassland and shrubland habitats across Great Plains states and southern Idaho where fences, invasive grasses, and wildfire have significant impacts on mule deer habitats. MDF anticipates improving or restoring 20,000 acres of mule deer habitat and modifying 25-30 miles of wildlife-friendly fencing through this investment. This work will provide broader ecological benefits to a wide range of wildlife species that depend on these landscapes, including mule deer, pronghorn, sage-grouse, other upland birds, and waterfowl.
Private landscapes provide critical winter range, transitional habitat, and essential connectivity between public lands. By focusing on restoration and improvements to agricultural lands, MDF removes barriers to wildlife movement and contributes to healthier landscapes.
The Great Plains and sagebrush ecosystems of the western U.S. are of vital importance not only to mule deer and other wildlife but also to our human connection with the West. This strategic partnership ensures that conservation investments are applied where they can achieve the greatest impact for mule deer and outdoor traditions that depend on healthy western landscapes.
The Mule Deer Foundation is proud to partner with Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's, and their customers across the nation as we work together to ensure the future of mule deer across the West. For more information about the Mule Deer Foundation's conservation initiatives, please visit www.muledeer.org.
About the Mule Deer Foundation: The Mule Deer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the conservation of mule deer, black-tailed 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.