We support the NGPC’s 2022 decision to create a Pine Ridge Mule Deer Conservation Area (MDCA).  Although we are eager to do our part for mule deer conservation, we are also dismayed that it throws a wrench into your deer hunting plans.

For well over a decade, we have been aware of the tentative status of western mule deer populations.  The fact that Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) experts consider mule deer populations to be fragile and/or declining motivated us to extend our suspension of mule deer hunting through the 2024 season. Because we know there’s more to giving mule deer a break than taking whitetails out for a drive, we are hopeful that our initiative can make a positive impact on local MDCA herds.

There is no doubt that muleys are an iconic symbol of western Nebraska deer hunting.  Visiting hunters tell us that they have come from as far away as Virginia and Michigan to pursue the muley and we want to be able to accommodate them.

Unfortunately, the NGPC 2022 Big Game Recommendations and Harvest Report states that the “Mule deer harvest has declined greatly from record and near record levels in many western deer management units in recent years”.

Ominously, the NGPC report also noted that  “the decline in buck harvest and populations has been faster than anticipated.”  Hunter data  for the 2022 season shows mule deer buck and antlerless harvests declined  overall by 11.3% and 22.9% respectively.**

So how did our Pine Ridge MDCA hunters fare in the 2022 season? 

Harvest data for the 2022 season suggests it was a tough year for the MDCA’s 1,200 license holders.  Just a little more than one third of the license holders harvested a deer.  A total of 270 bucks and just 4 antlerless only mule deer were harvested. Whitetail hunters fared even worse with just 141 bucks and 39 antlerless whitetail deer harvested.**  We’re hoping for a better year in 2024!