Joey hosts this episode exploring the Wyoming Range Mule Deer Research Project, led by Dr. Kevin Monteith and his team at the University of Wyoming. The conversation focuses on a newer part of the long-running research effort: capturing and collaring mule deer fawns to better understand fawn survival, doe-fawn relationships, migration, and the challenges young deer face during their first year.

Annette, Stevie, and Lindsay share their firsthand experiences joining Kevin's research team in the field. Annette earned the opportunity through a Muley Fanatic Foundation Glammed Up auction, giving the group a rare chance to see what goes into hands-on mule deer research.

They describe hiking through Wyoming habitat while using telemetry equipment to locate fawns and following strict, permitted protocols designed to keep the animals safe. That includes minimizing handling time, collecting samples efficiently, and using nearby vegetation to help reduce human scent before returning the fawns to their hiding places.

The group recalls several memorable moments, including locating a set of collared triplets, re-collaring fawns, learning that one animal was presumed dead, and assisting with the capture and sampling of a newborn fawn. Beyond the science, the experience gave them an even greater appreciation for mule deer does, the challenges of raising fawns, and the importance of quality habitat and migration routes.

It's a behind-the-scenes look at mule deer research and the people working to better understand what these animals need to survive and thrive across Wyoming's landscapes.

Joey and Chris are back with a field recap from two days assisting the Monteith Shop's mule deer research in the Wyoming Range. Their work focused on fawn captures, a key part of understanding mule deer survival, reproduction, genetics, and how harsh or mild winters impact the herd.

They explain how collared adult does, implant transmitters, satellite location "clusters," and telemetry help researchers locate birth sites and newborn fawns. Once found, each fawn is carefully processed for data like weight, measurements, and genetic samples before being safely returned.

Tuesday brought a tough challenge with doe 338, who was believed to be carrying rare triplets. A premature VIT release led to a long, cold, steep hike, but with updated data and help from Ollin Company's Starlink setup, the team eventually found and processed one fawn later confirmed as hers.

Wednesday went more smoothly, with Joey helping process a set of twins after a clearer VIT signal and birth site. The episode also highlights Ollin Company's live social coverage and the bigger picture of the Monteith Shop's research, which has been tracking mule deer in the region since 2013. Thank you to Ollin for the fantastic coverage.

Joey, Janet and Chris sit down with Breanna Ball with The Wyldlife Fund—a nonprofit partner created in 2019 to help fill funding gaps for Wyoming Game and Fish priorities, with 90% of funds going to on-the-ground work. Breanna shares how the fund has grown from about $500,000 raised in 2020 to over $4.4 million last year, and how that support turns into fast, measurable conservation wins.

They talk wildlife crossing projects, including how roughly $1 million in support helped strengthen a federal grant application. Breanna also explains the Red Desert Fence Initiative, prompted after severe 2022–23 pronghorn losses that were made worse by fences and highways. She walks through how research and prioritization tools guide where fence conversions happen, what it can cost, how quickly projects can move, and what "opened habitat" really means.

The episode also covers pooled migration fund projects, how private foundations and matching federal dollars multiply impact, ways listeners can donate, and upcoming Mule Deer Days events and seminars featuring the Unwired documentary.

Don't miss Mule Deer Days 2026 — March 13–15, 2026. Mark your calendar and come be part of the biggest weekend for mule deer, conservation, and the hunting community.