The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) announced today that it is donating $150,000 to the MidwayUSA Foundation to support youth shooting sports programs across the country. This year’s funding will support 70 shooting teams in 13 different states where MDF is active. Funds are raised by Mule Deer Foundation chapters through special “M.U.L.E.Y.” rifle raffles and matched by MDF headquarters. This is the fourth year that MDF has dedicated funding for youth shooting programs in an effort to ensure the future of our hunting and shooting traditions.
“We are proud of the support that MDF members give to these critical youth shooting programs. It’s our duty to ensure that kids who want to learn to shoot have the resources that they need to enjoy our shooting sports in a safe learning environment,” commented Miles Moretti, President and CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation. “With the growth of our M.U.L.E.Y. program we’ve been able to create more excitement for the M.U.L.E.Y. rifle sales and also to develop high quality youth conservation and education efforts in our chapters. Donating to the Team Endowments at MidwayUSA Foundation is the best way we know to make a difference for our young competitive shooters.”
The MidwayUSA Foundation was started in 2007 by Larry and Brenda Potterfield with the mission of providing sustainment funding for youth shooting teams. Working together, MDF and MidwayUSA Foundation have now donated close to $1 million to these programs. In addition to the fundraising efforts, MDF chapters often participate in “Adopt-a-Team” programs where the chapters take the youth shooters under their wing and help them gain visibility in the local area by inviting them to MDF activities and banquets. The team members are able to see the passion that mule deer hunters have for the shooting sports and conservation and build connections with MDF’s great volunteer network.
About MDF
The Mule Deer Foundation is the only conservation group in North America dedicated to restoring, improving and protecting mule deer and black-tailed deer and their habitat, with a focus on science and program efficiency. MDF is a strong voice for hunters in access, wildlife management and conservation policy issues. MDF acknowledges regulated hunting as a viable management component and is committed to recruitment and retention of youth into the shooting sports and conservation. Get involved at www.muledeer.org or call 1-888-375-3337.