Fawns are on the way! - Muley Fanatic Foundation Southeast

Quarterly Newsletter : Q1 2015
Fawns are on the way!
Did you know? The Wyoming Game & Fish Department (WGFD) strives for a population of 564,150 mule deer across the state, but the last statewide estimate was 374,400.
That’s just two-thirds, or 66% of the objective. Ouch. That’s why the funds raised and volunteer hours put
in by Muley Fanatic Foundation members are critical at this point in time to try to get our mule deer herds
rebounding and growing toward the objective. However, it’s not all bleak news. The abundant moisture
received in 2014 offered additional forage and
stronger winter habitat for mule deer across the
state, resulting in fewer winter kills and the prospect of more fawns! So as we continue into
2015, we’ll continue to put the money where it
matters most — on the ground helping our deer!
Speaking of getting the money out there, that’s
precisely what the Southeast Wyoming Chapter
did in February. The Appropriations Committee
and general members reviewed eleven project
proposals and were able to allocate $35,850 toward new and innovative research, habitat improvement, and supporting our youth. We also received status updates from projects funded in 2014
and have provided that information here for all to
enjoy. February also brought along some good ice
fishing weather, and MFF’ers had a blast volunteering as mentors to help teach the Forever Wild Families participants a thing or two about luring up
some rainbow trout. (We gotta do something outdoors till hunting season gets here!)
And, speaking of hunting season, the WGFD recently held public meetings to discuss potential changes
to season dates. This serves to remind us all that
resident applications for big game tags need to be submitted to the WGFD by May 31, 2015. But, until the
Fall weather comes, there’s Spring to enjoy and our 3rd Annual Banquet to plan! We look forward to seeing you there. Mark your calendars for November 21st, 2015– it’s an event not to be missed!
2015 Membership Drive
First, the MFF headquarters team would like to thank ALL MFF'ers for a very successful 2014 year! Your efforts to further the
MFF mission have been nothing but superb!! Without each and every volunteer putting forth the time and hard work, and
each and every supporter contributing in ways that they can, this foundation would not be nearly as successful as it has been.
So pat yourselves on the back, shake each others hands, give hugs or whatever suits your fancy and pop a cold one!! YOU ALL
DESERVE IT! Again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
In order to continue the great success of our organization, we’re driving forward into 2015 with the goal to increase our membership base and thereby increase our opportunity for success in helping our mule deer herds. We’d like to take this moment
to remind readers that annual foundation membership has not been included with 2014 banquet ticket purchases due to the
effects that would have had on the funds raised for each chapter and their local projects.
However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t become a member! Quite the opposite - right now is your opportunity to join or
renew your Annual Membership for $35. Currently the membership includes: a MFF Old Timer knife ($45 value), a calendar
(while supplies last), and a "MFF'er" decal. Not only will you be helping grow our foundation and further the MFF mission
with your contribution, you’ll get an awesome new knife and a decal to proudly display your support!
If you are unsure at all about your current membership status, please contact us by phone or email and we’ll gladly let you
know. We strive to reduce costs of postage for reminders, membership information, etc. and use free social networking instead. Your membership is extremely important to maintain this foundation and for it to continue it's success, so we ask that
you “Do The Right Thing” and join our team in 2015!
Why is this happening??
Well, that’s the very question the Deer Elk Ecology Research
Project aims to answer! As we continue into 2015 we’re
getting closer and closer to kicking off the initial phase of the
one-of-a-kind D.E.E.R. Project. The ultimate goal of all of our
recent raffles and giveaways is to fund the first leg of this
enormous project, which is $476,355, due on November 1,
2015. This study aims to help us determine the most prominent causes behind our severe mule deer decline, and in doing so, also identify the most effective ways to help focus our
conservation efforts and bring them back! So let’s combine
our efforts for the cause and Do The Right Thing and get this
project funded!
Click on the
picture to
WATCH!
February Micro Kimber Giveaway WINNERS!
Roger Burg Kemmerer, Wyoming
Josh Tatro Pinedale, Wyoming
Elwood Birch Green River, Wyoming
Paul Wyant Green River, Wyoming
Gayle Anderson Arlington, South Dakota
Andrew Villarreal Decatur, Alabama
Jason Radakovich Rock Springs, Wyoming
Jeff Harber Boulder, Wyoming
Sean Paxton Anthem, Arizona
Levi Guzman Green River, Wyoming
Craig Jones Canon City, Colorado
Bryant Birch Green River, Wyoming
Candy Evans Green River, Wyoming
Sportsmen’s Reception
Once again, the 2015 Wyoming Sportsmen’s Alliance Reception was a great night
among sportsmen and women in Cheyenne. Governor Mead attended the annual event, held this year at the Little America Hotel, and provided insightful comments regarding how teamwork among our organizations and working through
the process with the state legislature can help secure the future of our public
lands. We had great representation for MFF by members of both the Southeast
Wyoming Chapter and the Southwest Wyoming Chapter, in addition to a full staff
of the Wyoming Game & Fish Department. It was a wonderful opportunity to
come together to show generous support for the hard work and efforts in the
legislature and for the conservation for our wildlife.
Thank you Catherine and Neil Thagard as well as Joy Bannon from the Wyoming
Wildlife Federation for the hard work putting this event together and for all you
do for sportsmen and the Wyoming Sportsmen's Alliance.
Robert Ashton Inver Grove, Minnesota
John Alexander Marbleton, Wyoming
Dave Embry Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Dian Faigl Rock Springs, Wyoming
Lee Wells Rock Springs, Wyoming
Debbie Harford Daniel, Wyoming
Tamara Minard Green River, Wyoming
Gretchen Behunin Rock Springs, Wyoming
Dan Miskulin Rock Springs, Wyoming
Dale Hildebrant Rock Springs, Wyoming
Shawn Christenson Worland, Wyoming
Joey Terrill Rock Springs, Wyoming
Ben Celensik Rock Springs, Wyoming
Project Application Deadline
The first round of applications for project funding were due on January
31, 2015 and were evaluated by the Appropriations Committee on February 17, 2015. The second application deadline is July 31, 2015. Applications received by the July deadline will be reviewed at the August
meeting (August 18, 2015) which will begin at 6:00 pm sharp in the
Trout Room at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department Headquarters. One important piece of information to remember is that, even
though our Appropriations Committee will vote on the funding of each
proposal, comment on each proposal is welcome from anyone, and we
encourage folks that are submitting the proposals to attend the
meeting to help provide additional information and/or answer questions that may arise with regard to your proposal. It is important to us
that we see a large variety of proposals and hear from people individually about their unique proposal. While there are a ton of good causes
out there that could certainly use additional support, it is paramount to
the Southeast Wyoming Chapter to fund proposals which most closely
follow our Mission Statement.
You can send an email to
[email protected] for a project application.
STOP POACHING Sign Campaign
The past hunting season has seen a high number of poaching cases
both locally and statewide. Call the Stop Poaching Tip Line at 1-877WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847). Tips may also be reported online at http://
wgfd.wyo.gov/ Informants can choose to remain anonymous and may
be eligible for a reward for information leading to an arrest.
So, if you feel the same way we do about poachers, please give us a call
and let’s talk about putting a sign up in your area. We have contacted
the authorities in charge of signage along roadways and have been provided with set procedures to follow— we cannot place signs along state
highways, but other roads are available. Or, we can place the sign on
your property, maybe right where your deer herd winters.
The best part is, if you choose to sponsor a sign for $250 we can put
your name or business name on the sign so everyone will know who is
supporting wildlife in our area. The lower sign in the picture has a "Sign
Furnished By" area where we can place a decal with your name on
it. We will do all of the leg work with the appropriate county entity, dig
the hole, and install the sign. So please contact us at [email protected] or call Megan Rutherford at (307) 631-1250 if
you are interested in being part of the solution.
YOUR NAME HERE!
2015 Project Allocations — Round 1
The Appropriations Committee met on February 17th to discuss the allocation of funding to 11 different
project requests. After a few project presentations and much discussion about all of the project proposals, the funds were allocated. The following list is where your hard earned dollars are being spent in
SE Wyoming. In the coming months, when you are fishing, camping, or hunting in these locations you will
be able to see real changes being made for our youth and local deer herds.

$6,000 to the US Forest Service to install gates across roads seasonally closed for winter in the Snowy
Range. These gates will restrict access to critical mule deer winter range and fawning grounds, reducing stress caused by unauthorized traffic. This project is part of the overall WGFD Mule Deer Initiative
in the Laramie Region.

$850 to the Society for Wildlife Forensic Science Conference to become a conference sponsor and
have the Southeast Wyoming Chapter MFF logo included on the event T-shirts. Cheap advertising for
the Muley Fanatic Foundation through another organization working toward the cause!

$1,500 to the Laramie County 4-H Shooting Sports group to purchase a portable air rifle and pistol
range to be used at their rapidly growing Albin, WY location. (This project was funded with the 10%+
of funds reserved for youth focused projects.)

$5,000 to the University of Wyoming, Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit to support the
Chokecherry Wind Farm Research Project. This project will study the effects of wind farm development on mule deer, including gathering data from before, during, and after construction.

$10,000 to the University of Wyoming, Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit to support the
Baggs Mule Deer Research Project. This project will study both doe and buck mule deer migrations,
habitat use, and how their travel is affected by different types of fencing. This will be the first project
to study buck mule deer in Wyoming.

$5,000 to the Wyoming Game & Fish Department to fund the Pennock Mountain habitat improvement project. While concern was expressed that some of the habitat improvements proposed in this
project would benefit elk in the area, it was agreed that the majority of the work would benefit mule
deer in a very highly used habitat area. Some of the treatments include cheatgrass removal, reclamation of user created roads, irrigation improvements and reseeding.

$7,500 to the Bureau of Land Management to fund
the Barrett Ridge, Big Creek, and Methodist Creek
Transitional Habitat Treatment Project. This is a
high profile project, partnered with numerous other conservation organizations contributing funding
to perform several different type of habitat treatments to improve mule deer transitional range.
Southeast Wyoming Habitat Projects Moving Forward
Project update provided by Ryan Amundson, Statewide Habitat Biologist—WGFD—March 23, 2015
The Muley Fanatic Foundation has provided funding for several projects in Southeast Wyoming, and the Wyoming Game and
Fish Department (WGFD) wanted to give you an update on a couple of them that are in the works.
Spike herbicide application on 800 acres on the Big Creek Ranch, located in the southern end of the Platte Valley, will be completed in the next couple of weeks. A fixed wing applicator was selected late last fall, and unfortunately snows kept us from
getting Spike applied at that time. The herbicide is slow releasing, and will take up to 3 years for full effects to be
seen. Thinning of mountain big sagebrush and Wyoming big sagebrush will help release nutrients and favor antelope bitterbrush found on the project site. Antelope bitterbrush has long been considered one of the mule deer’s favorite spring and fall
transition range and winter range forage species. The herbicide rate selected should thin sagebrush by about 50% on the site
and favor understory grasses and forbs in addition to antelope bitterbrush.
ZN Ranch, located just south of I-80 in the Platte Valley, completed
almost two miles of riparian fencing on Rattlesnake Creek last
fall. The area is utilized extensively by mule deer as they migrate
from Elk Mountain to Halleck Ridge and North Platte River for winter. The three wire, wildlife-friendly fence was built to create a 100
acre riparian pasture that will be utilized in a short duration/high
intensity grazing scheme with the ranch’s cattle. This grazing method should help riparian woody species re-establish, and improve
herbaceous plant species health and vigor that should benefit both
mule deer and livestock. Over 200 willows were sprigged into the
creek banks in May 2014, and appear to be doing well so far. The
willows will help provide some stream bank stability, as well as a
forage source and hiding cover for mule deer. In October 2014, we
attempted to conduct a prescribed burn on Sheephead Mountain
and associated bottomlands along Hat Creek on the ZN Ranch, and
unfortunately failed. Fuel moistures in targeted mixed mountain shrub habitats used by mule deer in transition periods had
recently spiked with a small storm event, resulting in shrubs and grasses that would not burn. We spent three days and almost $18,000 attempting the project, with no significant results to share. That’s the nature of the beast when working with
prescribed fire, and we sure can’t afford to have too many of these failed attempts. As I am writing this update, the ZN Ranch
is attempting to burn Sheephead Mountain again, and is having much better luck this Spring. Extremely mild weather has
opened up the burn window about 6 weeks earlier than we had expected. We will keep you posted on our progress.
Throughout the winter months, we went to the field several times and collected
fresh deer fecal pellets and shrub leader samples from treated and untreated
mule deer-preferred shrub species in the Sheep Mountain area west of
Laramie. This should provide us with information about preferred vegetative
species in winter deer diets so that we focus our habitat restoration efforts on
the deer’s preferred forages going forward. Shrubs that have burned with recent wildfire events will be analyzed to look at nutritive content and compared
with shrubs that have no recent history of treatment (fire, mechanical or other). We will share this information with you as labs return the information to
us. Deer observed this winter in the Sheep Mountain area appeared to be in
very good condition and were not having to fight deep snows to forage.
Mother Nature made us look like “Top Gun Habitat Managers” in 2014. Vegetation growth and recovery, following a couple
really tough moisture years, was excellent and mule deer fawn ratios increased accordingly in many areas. Moisture does not
cure all, and we still need to address many aging mule deer habitats that are long overdue for some form of treatment so that
they may fulfill both short and long term nutritional requirements of mule deer. Thank you to MFF for your continued support
of our habitat enhancement efforts in southeast Wyoming. We’ll keep you posted with pictures and data from our projects as
they are completed.
Chokecherry Project
Courtesy of Hall Sawyer of WEST-Inc.
South-central Wyoming is known for two things: mule deer and wind. As wind power projects begin to make their way into this
part of the state, it is important to understand how such development might affect seasonal ranges, migration patterns, and
fitness of mule deer. To date, no studies of how mule deer respond to wind-power development have been conducted. The
Chokecherry and Sierra Madre Project Area, located just south of Rawlins, will soon be home to the largest wind farm in the
nation. Up to 1,000 turbines will generate nearly 3,000 megawatts of renewable energy. To help address potential impacts to
mule deer, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Western Ecosystems Technology (WEST) Inc., and University of Wyoming
(UW) plan to collect a variety of movement, distribution, and fitness data on mule deer before, during, and after construction
of the Chokecherry wind facility. Given the size and extent of
this wind project, the proposed deer study will extend through
2021 to ensure data are collected during all stages of construction. Together, the BLM, WEST, and UW hope to build a collaborative and long-term research project that will help improve
mule deer management in Wyoming and across the West.
Thanks to the help of the Muley Fanatic Foundation (MFF:
Southeast WY Chapter), the research team was able to conduct
the first annual helicopter survey in February of this year to estimate abundance. Stay tuned for more information on this project. We thank MFF for their support, and look forward to working with MFF on this and other projects to sustain Wyoming’s
mule deer herds. For more information on this project contact
The Chokecherry project area is located south of
Rawlins and supports both migratory and resident
Kevin Monteith ([email protected]) or Hall Sawyer
mule deer.
([email protected]).
Researchers with WEST, Inc. and University of
Wyoming recently recaptured mule deer and
equipped them with GPS collars to collect movement and distribution information before windpower development begins.
Fine-scale GPS data will yield a wealth of information on
activity, movement, migration, and survival. Pending
available resources, researchers hope to continue monitoring performance of these individuals through all stages of construction.
The above video was produced with the help of the Mule Deer Foundation, Muley Crazy Magazine, the Wyoming Game & Fish
Department, local outfitters, and private businesses (just to name a few); it details the plight of the mule deer across the west
and highlights what other organizations and individuals are also doing to try to help recover our mule deer populations.
Platte Valley Mule Deer Initiative meeting
WGFD Laramie Region Newsletter — FEBRUARY 2015
The Laramie Region WGFD hosted the annual Platte Valley Mule Deer Initiative meeting in Saratoga on Feb. 26. A few
highlights from the meeting include:
Population management: The Platte Valley mule deer herd is estimated between 10,000 and 11,000 animals. The 2015
hunting season will mark the third year of limited quota in the Platte Valley. With that, hunter success increased to 57
percent in 2014. Hunter satisfaction increased to 62 percent, up from 57 percent in 2013 and just 46 percent in 2012.
Predator management: Attempt to increase mule deer recruitment and survival by reducing predation from mountain
lions and black bears by liberalizing hunting seasons, and by removing coyotes.
Habitat: Completion of several projects, including 13 miles of fence conversion and two spring developments on Bureau
of Land Management lands; one mile of fence conversion in the French Creek area; Established burn units, mowed burn
lines and attempted a prescribed burn on the ZN Ranch in October 2014; Fencing riparian areas and willow sprigging on
the ZN Ranch; Completed 200 acres of aeration and seeding, aspen pre-treatment monitoring, and soil samples for Spike
application on the Big Creek Ranch.
Travel Management: The U.S. Forest Service reported that travel management has been completed across most of the
Brush Creek-Hayden District. The Bureau of Land Management is working on the northwest area.
Muley Fanatic Foundation also fanatic about Game and Fish’s Forever Wild Families program
CHEYENNE – Some Wyoming families are not only getting their first chances to hunt and fish, they’re getting the gear to do it
thanks to the Muley Fanatic Foundation’s Southeast Wyoming Chapter. Attendees at the chapter’s recent banquet in Cheyenne were encouraged to donate outdoor gear for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Forever Wild Families program.
“We thought we’d get a few items, but we’re overwhelmed at the response,” said Megan Rutherford, co-chair of the chapter.
She said many of the 600 attendees donated useful outdoor items from rifle scopes to fishing rods to camo clothing. “The
attendees donated so much gear (320 items) we had to bring a trailer in to transport it to the Game and Fish,” Rutherford added. “It was really quite impressive.”
The items are part of the “Camo Cache,” the equipment storehouse for the Forever Wild Families program. The program introduces families to hunting, fishing and the outdoors through volunteer and Game and Fish mentors and equipment provided by
manufacturers, retailers and generous individuals like Muley Fanatic Foundation supporters. In its first three years, the program
has introduced and provided multiple opportunities to learn to hunt and fish to 33 families totaling 164 participants in the
Lander, Cody and Laramie areas.
“The program continues to center on relationship-building within our communities connecting people to their land, food, water
and nature,” said Tasha Sorensen, program coordinator. She says survey tools revealed that purchasing all the necessary gear
could pose a barrier to continuing hunting and fishing in the outdoors.
“As Forever Wild Family participants head to the field or lake, they are properly outfitted from the Cache, increasing the likelihood they will feel comfortable and enjoy the experience,” Sorensen said.
She said the donated gear becomes the property of the families upon completing one year in the program. Following that, as
they either grow out of it, such as children’s clothing, or upgrade equipment, they are encouraged to donate it back for new
program families.
“Support from groups like the Muley Fanatic Foundation are a key reason the Forever Wild Families has had a great start in
Wyoming and is being planned in other states, too,” Sorensen said. Donated items will be handed out at the next Forever Wild
Families event by the Muley Fanatic Foundation.
“Building this relationship between our conservation organizations and new hunters, shooting sports participants and anglers is
a win-win situation,” Sorensen said.
The Southeast Wyoming Chapter is also collecting Camo Cache donations at Cheyenne Gun Traders and Sportsmen’s Warehouse in Cheyenne. Some members have also donated their mentoring skills to the program. Game and Fish is hoping to add
more mentors to the program and help promote Wyoming’s outdoor traditions. “The Game and Fish will help match your skills
and interests to the needs of participants,” Sorensen said.
Families and mentors interested in participating in or contributing to multiple, high-quality experiential opportunities in
hunting, fishing and the shooting sports are encouraged to contact Sorensen at (307) 777-4536 or [email protected].
-WGFD-
Listen to our radio spot about MFF and FWF by clicking HERE!
Mentors Needed!
Come share your outdoor skills and experience by teaching
local families who have a burning desire to learn! The WGFD
is seeking additional volunteers to act as mentors for these
families, especially as spring weather and longer days com
upon us. Please contact Tasha Sorensen at (307) 777-4536 or
[email protected] for more information or if you’d like
to volunteer!
A big shout out to Cheyenne Gun Traders who supports the
Forever Wild Families Camo Cache endeavor. Helping families
learn about the outdoors that would not otherwise be able to
learn about hunting and fishing is a big deal. Because of Cheyenne Gun Traders generosity, the Camo Cache program will
have 26 new items in inventory for the families to pick from.
Thank you Cheyenne Gun Traders and all other donors to the
program!
Getting outside in Wyoming Winter
A great time was had by all who attended the Forever Wild Families ice fishing day on February 7th at
Granite Reservoir. Laramie Region WGFD personnel and volunteers from Laramie Peak Anglers joined our
fellow Muley Fanatics to share their knowledge and skills with luring fish up through the ice. It could’ve be
considered a “typical” Wyoming winter day, and while the 50 mph wind gusts sent equipment and sleds
flying, it wasn’t nearly strong enough to discourage the anglers. In the end, what mattered most was that
the sun was shining, the fish were biting and the hot dogs were cooked to perfection! Thanks to WGFD for
organizing the fun event!
MFF Southeast WY Chapter
3rd Annual Banquet
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Little America Hotel, Cheyenne
Tickets will go on sale in the 2nd quarter of 2015. We had a SOLD OUT crowd last year, so be sure
to get your tickets early — you don’t want to miss out on yet another OUTSTANDING event!
Give us a call or shoot us an email to get your name promoted loud and proud as a partner in
conservation by sponsoring one of the night’s many games and activities! You can sponsor a
table for up to 10 guests, or choose to have your company’s logo on a banner displayed around
the room. What about showing your support for veterans? Or for getting youth involved in our
proud heritage? We have many different sponsor opportunities to choose from to match your
individual promotion goals, and best of all, your TAX DEDUCTIBLE donation goes to support our
mule deer herds right here in Wyoming!
MFF SE WY Chapter is proud to be a recipient of the Wyoming State Bank 2015 Giving From the Heart grant. The
program has become an annual event for the bank, where they award grants to different local organizations in the
community. They accept applications throughout the year and, when Valentine’s Day comes around, they take the
opportunity to celebrate the day by giving back. A very sincere Thank You goes out to Wyoming State Bank!
If you’d like to get more involved, please join
us for one of our next membership meetings.
April 21st
May 19th
June 16th
Time
6:00 pm - Membership Meeting
Location
Trout Room @ Wyoming Game & Fish Dept.
Upcoming Events
5400 Bishop Blvd, Cheyenne
We’re ALWAYS looking for volunteers!
For the most current updates, be sure to follow us on
Facebook by clicking on the small icon below. You can
also find more information about Muley Fanatic Foundation events throughout the state by visiting the headquarters website or by contacting us through phone or
email.
http://muleyfanatic.com
April 18: Denver Chapter 3rd Annual
Banquet—Denver, CO
May 9: 10 Country Chapter Inaugural
Banquet—Lander, WY
Mark Your Calendar!!!!
Saturday, November 21st—
Southeast Wyoming Chapter 3rd
Annual Banquet at Little America in
Cheyenne, WY
Southeast Wyoming Chapter Co-Chairs:
Megan Rutherford (307) 631-1250
Tony Rutherford (307) 631-1418
[email protected]
Green River Headquarters: (307) 875-3133
[email protected]
[email protected]
April 11: Kemmerer Chapter 4th Annual
Banquet—Kemmerer, WY
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