Mule Deer Foundation - Talking Mule Deer Podcast

Welcome Back! MDF Talking Mule Deer is back on the airwaves in 2023. The last 15 months have been a crazy time at MDF and a lot has happened in our quest to conserve black-tailed and mule deer and it's time to bring you all up to speed. This episode's Guest is MDF's President & CEO, Joel Pedersen, who visits with Steve and Jodi about the exciting times at MDF including a record setting mule deer tag. We cover the latest with MDF's conservation program, which has expanded rapidly, and highlight the wins MDF has had over the past year and upcoming events which will make 2023 an even better year. 

We are excited to have host of Skullbound Chronicles on CarbonTV, after a long absence! Jana is a Life member of MDF, a MDF Ambassador, and a newly appointed Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’ Game Commissioner. Those that have attended the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo will also likely recognize her from her hosting duties in recent years, or her painted or beaded skulls, donated to raise funds for conservation efforts.   We spend time catching up on Jana's move to CarbonTV, her dedication to supporting veteran organizations, promotion of women in the outdoors, her new role with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks’, and a whole lot more! 

Spring has sprung, and Talking Mule Deer is back with President/CEO Joel Pedersen, who takes time to discuss his first Western Conservation and Hunting Expo as the leader of MDF, and talks in-depth about the first annual Mule Deer Summit that was held at the WHCE. Big dollars were raised at the show, and Joel talks about how MDF will be utilizing those funds to accomplish work on the ground across the mule deer habitat range.  We also take a few minutes to talk to MDF Outreach Coordinator JJ Hinton about how we are utilizing digital media, and specifically social media, to expand the reach of our organization in the future.

Into 2022 we are racing, headed full steam into the Western Hunting & Conservation Expo! We get WHCE Director Ray Crow and MDF President/CEO Joel Pedersen on the record, talking all things Hunt Expo. WHCE is a huge fundraiser for wildlife conservation across the West, and we've got some new events, changes, and a breakdown of how MDF utilizes funds raised towards work on the ground that directly affect mule deer habitat. As he approaches his first anniversary as the head of the organization, Joel briefs us on how the organization is doing, and some changes being implemented under his watch. Don't miss the chance to learn more about how MDF is changing the landscape of West.

Just in time for your holiday travels, for our final episode for 2021 we are spending time checking our lists, and reviewing the work being accomplished in Wyoming. We chat with one of the newest MDF Biologists, Habitat Partnership Coordinator Nicole Reed on her work in WY and CO, and WY Regional Director Shawn Blajszczak gives an update on how to get your hands on some special edition Wyoming Whiskey, and other initiatives in the state.

As the year draws to a close we are headed to Arizona, to get updates on how GPS collar data is being utilized to determine how the Mule Deer Foundation accomplishes its project work. Lucas Olson, MDF/Arizona Cooperative Wildlife Biologist is a GIS and mapping specialist, giving us a rundown on how GPS collars are driving the next level of research on mule deer migration and habitat use, while Jackson Miller MDF/Arizona Cooperative Mule Deer Biologist shares how the data being collected, turns into projects on the ground.

Today we are headed to Nevada to check in on the status of the mule deer herd with Nevada Department of Wildlife Director and President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Tony Wasley and Game Division Chief Mike Scott. Tony and Mike spend time discussing project work occurring in Nevada, how these projects are financed through auction tags, MDF Chapter Rewards, and grant funds provided by partner agencies. Any conversation about habitat health in Nevada also has to include the status of feral horse populations in the state.

With Montana archery seasons already in process, and the rifle season racing up, we are going in-depth with MT Game Management Bureau Chief Brian Wakeling, and MDF’s MT Regional Director Chris Fortune. Brian details how weather conditions across the state will affect hunting opportunities, particularly the drought conditions and wildfires this summer, and Chris gets granular about how MDF is working to ensure a healthy herd in MT.  

2021 Range-wide Status of Black-Tailed and Mule Deer with Jim Heffelfinger and Joel Pedersen - Season 4 Episode 10   We are excited to bring you the 75th episode of Talking Mule Deer, and we could not think of better guests than MDF President/CEO Joel Pedersen, and Arizona Game and Fish Department Wildlife Science Coordinator Jim Heffelfinger to talk about the 2021 Range-wide Status of Black-Tailed and Mule Deer produced by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Mule Deer Working Group. This episode goes in-depth on how the working group functions, and how the 24 different states and provinces that make up the group use their deer population data to develop the annual report. The team explores why it is a challenge to make blanket assessments on mule deer decline, and how a majority of states are seeing stable or growing populations. We also talk about some of the variables we are seeing this year with drought, fires, and disease that may impact future populations.

This episode of Talking Mule Deer features Brigham Young University wildlife researchers telling us about their mule deer studies in Utah. Brock and Randy, both avid mule deer hunters, are professors in the BYU Wildlife Ecology Lab and landed at the university 13 years ago when they applied for the same job—and both got hired! Brock and Randy discuss one of their early projects evaluating fawn mortality in the Monroe permit area by collaring fawns shortly after birth. This project gave them insights into how predation, along with habitat health that maintains body condition in does, correlate to overall survival. BYU graduate student Tabitha Hughes details her work on both elk calves and mule deer fawns that has continued to other herds, including the Cache Valley as well as her current study area in the Book Cliffs area of Utah. We wrap up by hearing how Randy and Brock hope to use the data to understand how habitat conservation and restoration projects are impacting overall mule deer populations.

This episode of Talking Mule Deer features our conversation with the co-founder of Public Land Tees, Sam Soholt. Sam tells us about how he got his start in the outdoor industry as a photographer and videographer, and about his modified school bus that he used as his base to hunt and raise awareness about public lands with an active social media presence. His journey to learn about conservation issues led him to come up with the Conservation Crossing tee - buy the shirt and you also get an annual membership to MDF and four other conservation organizations. Sam lives in North Dakota, and we loop in our own Marshall Johnson to talk about the projects that he has helped coordinate in the state to improve mule deer habitat and provide hunter access to private lands.   Marshall tells us about the cooperative efforts for conservation and to enroll landowners in the North Dakota Private Land Access to Sportsmen (PLOTS) program, with funding from an Outdoor Heritage grant, private companies like Bobcat/Doosan, chapter volunteers, and support through the ND Petroleum Council. We wrap up talking about the big picture conservation efforts that MDF is doing and how people can get involved through becoming a member, volunteering, participating in events, and even purchasing a Conservation Crossing tee!

New MDF President/CEO Joel Pedersen – Season 4 Episode 5 – April 14   Today we have our first Talking Mule Deer conversation with the Mule Deer Foundation’s new President/CEO, Joel Pedersen. Joel tells us about how he grew up hunting and fishing with his family and how a chance encounter on a boy scout camping trip in New Mexico led him to become a wildlife biologist. He describes his educational path and his early years in the wildlife profession before heading to the National Wild Turkey Federation where he worked for 22 years. We hear about various programs Joel was involved with including NWTF’s forest stewardship, conservation policy, and outreach campaigns, as well as strategic planning and organizational development efforts. We then transition to hear about what excited Joel about the opportunity to work for MDF and how Talking Mule Deer helped him prepare for the interview and the job. Joel describes his first weeks at MDF and how he’s spent the past month getting to know the staff and fully understand the work that is going on. He talks about his priorities in continuing to build fundraising opportunities as well as growing membership and helping to develop volunteer leadership. We wrap up by talking about MDF’s conservation projects on the near horizon with new grant funding and project work that is lining up for on-the-ground habitat restoration efforts this summer. We hope you agree that the future of MDF is in good hands!

Idaho Conservation Efforts with MDF state habitat coordinator, Jessie Shallow – Season 4 Episode 3  Today we are talking with one of the new conservation staff for MDF, Jessie Shallow, who works through MDF and Idaho Fish and Game to coordinate habitat restoration projects in mule deer migration corridors and winter ranges identified within the Idaho State Action Plan. Jessie contributed the “Conservation Continues” story in the January issue of MDF magazine, but our conversation allows us to learn more about her background and the work she’s doing in Idaho. Jessie is born and raised in the state and did her graduate research on mule deer habitat use for nutrition throughout the year. We talk a bit about what she learned in that research and how that translates into the work that she is now doing for MDF on habitat restoration. For example, Jessie led a project that converted 23 miles of fence to wildlife-friendly fencing in a project that was supported in part through grants from the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. We also talk about efforts to construct funnel fencing to new overpasses and underpasses for wildlife crossings over highways. We wrap up talking about projects planned for this summer including an aerial spraying project with the U.S. Forest Service in the Lemhi Valley to fight the invasion of cheatgrass into the priority area. Jessie lets us know that there are likely to be some great volunteer opportunities this summer and we look forward to MDF members once again being able to get actively involved in making a difference for mule deer on the ground.

MDF Magazine Redesign with Chet Hervey of the Northwoods Collective, and MDF’s COO Brian Fienhold  On this episode of Talking Mule Deer, we are visiting with the folks behind the recent redesign of the MDF Magazine that hit mailboxes last month. Brian Fienhold, MDF’s Chief Operating Officer describes how the relationship with the Northwoods Collective began and we hear directly from Northwoods Collective managing partner Chet Hervey. Chet describes his company and the work that they have done with other wildlife conservation organizations and in the hunter recruitment, retention, and reactivation efforts. We hear about the vision that they brought to the table for the magazine redesign and what some of the new layout offers as far as content, outstanding photography, and readability. Brian tells us how the move to a quarterly magazine, rather than the six issues a year in the past, will help provide value to members through greater content diversity and increased total page count per issue – and how we hope the new design will help us build membership, and provide even more member benefits. We wrap up by hearing from both Brian and Chet about the future of MDF Magazine as well as other outreach tools including an updated website design, all with the intention of building the MDF brand and the work the organization can accomplish on the ground.

It’s been awhile! Hunting season and conservation projects kept us away from recording a podcast at the end of last year, but we’re hitting 2021 running with our favorite repeat guest, Miles Moretti. Today’s Talking Mule Deer podcast takes a look back at some of MDF’s accomplishments for 2020, even with the many curveballs that were thrown our way. We hear about the conservation and stewardship projects that MDF was involved in that were still able to happen. We also go over some of the congressional and administrative wins that we saw in 2020, including the Great American Outdoors Act, ACE Act and the finalized categorical exclusion for mule deer habitat restoration projects. Next, we talk about on conservation policy in the states and federal government as well as the on the ground habitat projects we will be working on in 2021. We wrap up talking about our 2020 hunting experiences and also talk about the changes to the Talking Mule Deer podcast and the MDF magazine for the coming year.

2020 Rangewide Status of Black-tailed and Mule Deer– Season 3 Episode 16 – August 17 Steve and Jodi visit with Jim Heffelfinger from the Arizona Game and Fish Department and Miles Moretti, President/CEO of MDF, about the recently released 2020 Range-wide Status of Black-tailed and Mule Deer. This report produced by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ (WAFWA) Mule Deer Working Group provides an overview of the current black-tailed and mule deer population status and general abundance trends. Intended for and compiled by deer experts for WAFWA’s 24 states, territorial, and provincial agencies, this report is the “state-of-the-state” update and provides important information and insight for management of deer populations. Jim and Miles explain some of the complexities and nuances of how biologists collect the information that goes into deer management decisions and how this information is meant to inform decisions and is often controversial and misunderstood. The discussion covers a few select states important for mule deer and also includes how MDF uses this information and the relationships with the state agencies to help focus our habitat work and to maximize MDF’s conservation impact for deer.

Pre-Season Prep with Amy Ray and Chris Belinda – Season 3 Episode 15 – August 3 Hunting season is just around the corner with archery hunts starting in just a few weeks, so this episode of Talking Mule Deer focuses on how to get ready for your hunt – particularly through the eyes of two friends from the East who come West to hunt. Amy Ray is the owner of Sisterhood of the Outdoors, a business that offers women’s only hunts across the country including a number of mule deer, elk, and pronghorn hunts. Chris Belinda (yep, you probably recognize that last name) has been a taxidermist in Pennsylvania for 35 years – he also happens to be Steve’s brother so he’s had some experience traveling West for big game hunts. We talk about the gear to pack that we’ve learned is crucial, how you can scout your hunt unit remotely or in person, and other things you can do to get ready for your hunt. Chris offers a wealth of information about what you can do to be prepared when you decide to mount your trophy. We also provide some resources to understand what you need to consider as far as Chronic Wasting Disease, courtesy of the CWD Alliance, and also encourage checking information about COVID-19 restrictions in the state you are traveling to including potential quarantine considerations.

Relive Talking Mule Deer's first “live” podcast from Wednesday, July 22 in coordination with the final vote on the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) by the U.S. House of Representative . Join Steve and Jodi while they visited with their guests - MDF President Miles Moretti, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation President Jeff Crane, and Wildlife Mississippi Executive Director and Chair of the Boone and Crockett Club’s policy committee James Cummins, as the vote happened and ultimately passed 310-107. The bill will now head to the President for signature to become law.  This is a huge legislative win for the conservation community and one that has been fought for decades.   The GAOA will permanently fund Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) at its authorized level of $900 million per year for land conservation as well as state and local parks. In addition to LWCF funding, the GAOA authorizes significant funding ($1.9 billion/year) over five years to address the backlog in maintenance on federal public lands.   We also visited about the recently released report Wildlife for the 21st Century: Volume 6 report that was released last week by the American Wildlife Conservation Partners where conservation funding was the first of 10 key wildlife policy issues.    

Fourth of July Kickoff with MDF Director of Field Operations, Mike Laughter – Season 3 Episode 13 – June 30 As we head into the July 4th holiday weekend, Jodi and Steve talk to MDF’s director of field operations, Mike Laughter, to get an update on our field events and fundraising opportunities. Mike fills us in on what regional directors are doing with their chapters under state public health orders, and how they are working back into events and field work as some states have loosened restrictions. He tells us about a recent project he participated in that is monitoring fawn mortality in northern Utah. We also hear about the great prizes in the MDF Ultimate Giveaway – a fundraising project he helped launch several years ago – and how you can help support MDF by buying tickets for the Giveaway before the end of July. We wrap up our conversation by telling you the Top 10 Talking Mule Deer episodes, by number of downloads, and we each give our thoughts on a few of the episodes that didn’t make the Top 10 that we think our listeners should go back and download. This includes a rabbit-hole conversation on the recent passing of the Great American Outdoors Act by the Senate and the urgent need to let your U.S. Representative know that passing it in the House is imperative to the future of conservation.

The Boone and Crockett Club’s CEO, Tony Schoonen – Season 3 Episode 12 – June 18 This week, we are pleased to welcome our partner in conservation, Tony Schoonen the Chief Executive Officer of the Boone and Crockett Club. Tony gives us a little bit of the Club’s history and how it was founded by Theodore Roosevelt in 1887. He explains how the Club was started by “people of influence” and the bylaws today continue to have just 100 regular members, along with a strong group of professional members, who help steer policy and priorities for the Club. Tony also talks about the Boone and Crockett records program and how that was established not just to honor the largest animals, but also a science-based process to evaluate the health of ecosystems and the wildlife that live there. From there, we discuss Boone and Crockett’s Hunt Fair Chase program and the fundamental ethics of fair chase hunting, as well as their new Poach and Pay program that is intended to increase detection and prosecution of poaching. These efforts also help to protect the image of all ethical hunters. We wrap up talking about the 30th Big Game Awards program and the Boone and Crockett National Collection of Heads and Horns at the Wonders of Wildlife Museum in Springfield, Missouri. Tony and Miles Moretti wrap up by talking about the overall health of mule deer and that, while there are concerns like Chronic Wasting Disease, that there are still outstanding mule deer bucks being harvested in recent years.