The Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Muley Fanatic Foundation will host Mule Deer Days at the Sweetwater Events Complex in Rock Springs May 2-4. Admission to the event is free, and the hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Game and Fish is hosting an information booth and fun activities for youth on Friday and Saturday. Numerous outdoor and sporting goods vendors have partnered with the Muley Fanatic Foundation for this event.
Despite road closures and blustery conditions, the inaugural event, held last March in Rock Springs netted $436,559.22 for mule deer conservation projects. The funds were distributed to various wildlife conservation projects by a special project allocation committee. Funds raised this year will follow suit.
Informational seminars will highlight critical topics facing wildlife managers today. Some topics of note include an update on Wyoming Range Mule Deer by long-time Game and Fish biologist Gary Fralick. An update on chronic wasting disease research in the Wind River region by University of Wyoming biodiversity student Tucker Russell. Green River Fisheries Biologist will provide information on the fishery at Flaming Gorge Reservoir and discuss upcoming regulation changes aimed at improving the condition of the fishery. The complete seminar schedule is available here. Live2Hunt star Cody Robbins also will provide presentations highlighting his sporting adventures.
Game and Fish will provide educational and interactive activities for kids and adults, available Friday and Saturday only. These activities include an indoor archery range staffed by volunteers from Bowhunters of Wyoming. Attendees can test their marksmanship at the air rifle shooting trailer or participate in a wildlife crime scene investigation activity hosted by personnel from Game and Fish’s world-class forensics laboratory. The Wyoming Game Wardens Association will be running the Poach Coach, where attendees can learn how to report suspected wildlife crimes to the Stop Poaching Hotline, and wardens might share some wildlife crime stories. A full list of activities is available here.
Information and entertainment aren’t the only things to be gained by attending. Youth will be eligible to enter free raffles for four rifles and four Wyoming lifetime game bird, small game, fishing and conservation combination licenses. In order to qualify for the lifetime licenses, a youth must have 10 years of residency in Wyoming, per state law, and apply in person at the small hall during the event. Raffle prizes for adults include a 2024 Ford Bronco and 200 gun raffle. Those tickets may be purchased online.
Be sure to check out all related activities, including a ladies-only dinner on Thursday night and a cooking demonstration by “The Flip-Flop Guy.” For more information and tickets to those events, visit the Mule Deer Days website.
