Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) and its corps of volunteers work hard to ensure the conservation of mule deer and blacktail deer and their habitats. MDF is a non-profit 501(c) 3 wildlife conservation organization headquartered in Reno, Nevada. Formed in 1988, MDF now has over 10,000 members and approximately 65 chapters nationwide who support its grassroots efforts. Through chapter fundraising events, MDF volunteers raise thousands of dollars to help fund habitat and conservation projects throughout the West.

MDF's goals center on restoring, improving and protecting mule deer habitat, which result in self-sustaining, healthy, free-ranging, and huntable mule deer populations. MDF achieves its goals through partnering with state and federal wildlife agencies, conservation groups, businesses and individuals to fund and implement habitat enhancement projects on both public and private lands. MDF projects are reviewed and recommended by state-based Technical Advisory Committees (TAC), which consist of representatives from state and federal natural resource agencies, university wildlife management departments, and the MDF state chair (volunteer position) and regional director.

MDF supports scientific research and is a co-founder of the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Alliance. The Alliance uses public communication and outreach activities to promote better understanding of CWD, and supports strategies that effectively control the disease to minimize its impacts on wild, free-ranging deer and elk populations.

MDF also implements conservation education programs such as our Youth Days in California to educate the public on hunting, wildlife management and overall respect and enjoyment of our natural resources.

MDF is dedicated to the following goals:

* To restore, improve and protect mule deer habitat (including land and easement acquisitions) resulting in self-sustaining, healthy, free ranging and huntable deer populations;

* To encourage and support responsible wildlife management with government agencies, private organizations and landowners;

* To promote public education and scientific research related to mule deer and wildlife management;

* To support and encourage responsible and ethical behavior and awareness of issues among those whose actions affect mule deer;

* Acknowledge regulated hunting as a viable component of mule and blacktail deer conservation.