Mule Deer Foundation Applauds New Federal Investments in Big Game Migration Conservation

February 23, 2026
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The Mule Deer Foundation is firing on all cylinders, applauding the Biden Administration's fresh federal cash infusion into the MABA 250 initiative—a bold push to supercharge the Western Big Game Seasonal Habitat and Migration Corridors Program. CEO Greg Sheehan didn't mince words, stressing that sustained investments in habitat connectivity and migration routes are non-negotiable for keeping mule deer herds thriving across the rugged Western landscapes. This isn't just feel-good conservation talk; it's a strategic $20 million-plus commitment (building on prior funding) aimed at mapping and protecting over 250 key migration corridors spanning 11 states, from Montana's high plains to Nevada's desert basins. Think high-tech collar data from collared deer guiding everything from fence modifications to highway underpasses—real-world fixes to human sprawl that's been fragmenting these ancient pathways for decades. Digging deeper, this move underscores a rare bipartisan win in wildlife management, echoing the 2019 America the Beautiful Act's momentum and even pulling support from ranchers, hunters, and enviros alike. For the 2A community, the implications are profound: healthy mule deer populations mean robust hunting seasons, which fuel conservation funding via Pittman-Robertson excise taxes on firearms, ammo, and archery gear—over $1.1 billion annually to state wildlife agencies. When bucks are bouncing across intact corridors, tags sell out, license dollars flow, and public lands stay open for ethical harvest. It's a virtuous cycle where Second Amendment exercise directly bankrolls habitat heroes like the Mule Deer Foundation, countering urban encroachment that could otherwise lock up access under the guise of protection. Skeptics might eye federal overreach, but this targeted investment sidesteps that by partnering with locals, proving hunter-led groups can steer the ship without surrendering ground. Bottom line? This is 2A synergy in action—your trigger time tomorrow depends on corridors secured today. If you're a Western hunter, join the Mule Deer Foundation, advocate for these programs, and keep the pressure on for science-driven conservation that keeps gates open and herds strong. The deer—and your right to pursue them—thank you.

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The Mule Deer Foundation is firing on all cylinders, applauding the Biden Administration’s fresh federal cash infusion into the MABA 250 initiative—a bold push to supercharge the Western Big Game Seasonal Habitat and Migration Corridors Program. CEO Greg Sheehan didn’t mince words, stressing that sustained investments in habitat connectivity and migration routes are non-negotiable for keeping mule deer herds thriving across the rugged Western landscapes. This isn’t just feel-good conservation talk; it’s a strategic $20 million-plus commitment (building on prior funding) aimed at mapping and protecting over 250 key migration corridors spanning 11 states, from Montana’s high plains to Nevada’s desert basins. Think high-tech collar data from collared deer guiding everything from fence modifications to highway underpasses—real-world fixes to human sprawl that’s been fragmenting these ancient pathways for decades.

Digging deeper, this move underscores a rare bipartisan win in wildlife management, echoing the 2019 America the Beautiful Act’s momentum and even pulling support from ranchers, hunters, and enviros alike. For the 2A community, the implications are profound: healthy mule deer populations mean robust hunting seasons, which fuel conservation funding via Pittman-Robertson excise taxes on firearms, ammo, and archery gear—over $1.1 billion annually to state wildlife agencies. When bucks are bouncing across intact corridors, tags sell out, license dollars flow, and public lands stay open for ethical harvest. It’s a virtuous cycle where Second Amendment exercise directly bankrolls habitat heroes like the Mule Deer Foundation, countering urban encroachment that could otherwise lock up access under the guise of protection. Skeptics might eye federal overreach, but this targeted investment sidesteps that by partnering with locals, proving hunter-led groups can steer the ship without surrendering ground.

Bottom line? This is 2A synergy in action—your trigger time tomorrow depends on corridors secured today. If you’re a Western hunter, join the Mule Deer Foundation, advocate for these programs, and keep the pressure on for science-driven conservation that keeps gates open and herds strong. The deer—and your right to pursue them—thank you.

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