8.31 John Stallone talks with Southwest Regional Director of MDF Terry Herndon on Mule Deer 

Think about what the world was like in 1988. Mule deer had been extremely abundant; right up until the winters of 1983-84. Across the West, the record snowfall lingered long into spring and early summer. Many mule deer and black-tailed deer perished; mostly starving for lack of food covered by snow and from cold temperatures.

A few years later, Emmett observed that mule deer populations had not rebounded from this die-off. Many factors contributed to mule deer not coming back; loss of habitat, predators, poaching, highways crossing through the middle of transitional ranges, and subdivisions being built on winter ranges. State wildlife agencies were busy trying to grow more elk and dealing with endangered species issues.

On top of that, funding to state wildlife agencies was in decline. Mule deer management, which had been a staple of most fish and wildlife agencies, was taken for granted. It was as if mule deer, which were at one time ‘the’ premier big game species, were no longer worthy of prominence.

Emmett gathered together a few of his close friends and acquaintances and asked them to think back at how much they had taken mule deer for granted. He challenged them with the famous words, “We must give something back to mule deer and black-tailed deer.”

In July 1988, the Mule Deer Foundation was incorporated as a 501(c)3 wildlife conservation organization. Founded in Redding, Calif., the original Board of Directors developed the mission statement of MDF. “The mission of the Mule Deer Foundation is to ensure the conservation of mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitat.” As with many wildlife conservation organizations, MDF started having banquet fundraising events to raise money for projects benefiting mule deer.

During their first year, MDF raised money with a Founding Benefactor Program. The first fundraising banquet was held in Redding with 400 people in attendance, and with over $55,000 being raised. Emmett became the first Executive Director and Chairman of the Board – a position he held for two years before stepping down. Find a fundraising banquet near you.

In 1992, MDF held its first National Convention at Bally’s Hotel & Casino in Reno, Nev. The convention drew many new members and local chapter committees to celebrate what had been accomplished for mule deer. The convention was a great success, and 37 new life members signed on to give something back to mule deer. The national headquarters moved to Reno, Nev., that same year and remained there until 2006, when it was relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah. Plan to attend the next MDF National Convention.

In 1995, MDF began publishing Mule Deer magazine. The magazine started out with 36 pages and became an instant success. The magazine expressed both the beauty of mule deer and the problems they faced. Mule Deer magazine gave the organization more stability and exposure than it had experienced in several years.

From 1995 to 2004, MDF experienced highs and lows as a conservation organization. Although for many years the organization struggled to raise money, MDF persisted by always staying true to their original mission.

In 2004, the Board of Directors acted to right the MDF ship and move forward in a bold and aggressive way. Pa