Introducing The Blacktail Deer Foundation

The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) today announced significant strides in expanding its conservation work on black-tailed deer and their habitat. MDF has dedicated thousands of man-hours, funding, and conservation work to both Columbia black-tailed deer and Sitka black-tailed deer.

In 2022, MDF hosted a Black-tailed Deer Summit to evaluate current conservation efforts for the species. During the summit, partners discussed the needs and future of black-tailed deer conservation. It became evident that greater attention and focus were necessary. Additionally, MDF has seen growth in membership, increased funding for specific projects, and expanded sponsorship opportunities. As a result, we are excited to announce the formation of a new conservation organization: The Blacktail Deer Foundation.

“I am excited to help lead an effort that introduces a new conservation partner, the Blacktail Deer Foundation, into the conservation community,” said Greg Sheehan, President and CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation. “Going forward, I believe our members, volunteers, stakeholders, and staff will embrace this new organization, and I look forward to connecting with our new supporters who recognize the importance of black-tailed deer herds, just as we do with mule deer herds in our Foundation.”

The Blacktail Deer Foundation is starting off strong with a dozen "boots on the ground" conservation projects and more than $6 million of dedicated funding in black-tailed deer range conservation funding that has already begun or is in planning stages. With this announcement comes field biologists, fundraising staff, and 11 active chapters across California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. Another 32 new chapters of the Blacktail Deer Foundation have also been chartered.

The Black-tailed Deer Foundation will allow us to shine some light on these coastal subspecies that have been living in the shadow of their mule deer cousins for too long,” Jim Heffelfinger said.

“When I created the Mule Deer Foundation's Mission Statement in 1988, it was simply to give back to mule deer, black-tailed deer, and their habitats,” said Emmett Burroughs, founder of the Mule Deer Foundation. “Now, enhancing the life and habitat of black-tailed deer herds will become a key focus of our original charter, through the creation of the Blacktail Deer Foundation. The Mule Deer Foundation will remain dedicated to the conservation of mule deer and their habitats.”

After the success of MDFs Team Blacktail Initiative a year ago, plans for a more permanent solution to black-tailed deer conservation began. The Mule Deer Foundation intends to utilize our successful fundraising and conservation organizational structure as a model for how the new entity will be organized. The Blacktail Deer Foundation will seek to capitalize on the grassroots chapter building, on the ground conservation projects, and localized fundraising efforts the Mule Deer Foundation has perfected over the last 30 years.

“As a West Coast native and Oregon resident for over 30 years, I grew up hunting Black-tailed Deer, and they remain near and dear to my heart. Having hunted with my dad in the past and now with my daughters, I am thrilled to see the creation of the Blacktail Deer Foundation,” said Jordan Davis, Chairman of the Mule Deer Foundation. “I am confident that the Mule Deer Foundation will continue to lead in the restoration of western landscapes for Mule Deer herds, while also driving efforts to protect and enhance Black-tailed Deer in their Pacific coastal habitats.”

In forming the Blacktail Deer Foundation, we aim to employ our organizational model of localized chapter support and conservation initiatives combined with lean decisive leadership where the deer always come first. The Mule Deer Foundation already has tremendous success in our chapters within black-tailed deer range and we look to continue that success under this new banner.

The Mule Deer Foundation and Blacktail Deer Foundations are the only conservation groups in North America dedicated to conserving mule deer and black-tailed deer and their habitat. MDF and BDF are strong voices for hunters, wildlife management, and conservation policy issues. To join BDF and get involved in your state please visit: www.blacktaildeer.org, email THubbs@muledeer.org, or call 1-801-973-3940.