Mule Deer Foundation Breaking Records with sales of State Auction and Raffle Hunting Tags

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) has announced that in 2010 there were 129 State Auction and Raffle Hunting Tags sold for a record $1.84 million. The tags were sold at MDF's National Convention (Western Hunting and Conservation Expo) in Salt Lake City, Utah, in February and at several local banquet events. These tags are highly prized by big game hunters throughout North America. No other conservation organization has matched MDF's record in dollars or diversity of tags sold in 2010. The previous record was 175 tags which sold for $1.66 million in 2008.

MDF, in partnership with eleven different state wildlife agencies and the Jicarilla Tribe, sells big game hunting tags to provide much needed funds for the management of mule deer, black-tailed deer, elk, bison, antelope, turkey and other game species. Over 93 percent of the money either goes back to the state wildlife agency for management programs or is spent on habitat projects.

Highlights in 2010 included the sale of a Utah Statewide Mule Deer Tag for an all-time high of $260,000. Arizona's Statewide Mule Deer Tag sold for a record $177,000. Colorado's Statewide Deer Tag sold for a record $130,000. The New Mexico Big Game Enhancement Package sold for $130,000 and included five hunting tags which consisted of a mule deer, elk, oryx, antelope and ibex. The unique California Golden Opportunity Grizzly Island Tule Elk Tag sold for $32,500.

Beginning in November of 2010, MDF will once again be selling the 2011 Auction and Raffle Tags at our fundraising events. If you are interested in bidding on a tag or buying a raffle ticket, log on to www.muledeer.org for event dates and locations. The Web site is updated frequently so keep checking for a fundraising event near you. Many of the higher valued tags are sold at MDF's National Convention which will be held in conjunction with the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City, Utah, February 3-6, 2011.

About MDF (www.muledeer.org)

The Mule Deer Foundation is a national non-profit 501(c)3 organization, with over 12,000 members. MDF's mission is to ensure the conservation of mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitats. MDF is dedicated to restoring, improving and protecting mule deer habitat (including land and easement acquisitions) resulting in self-sustaining, healthy, free ranging and hunt-able deer populations; encouraging and supporting responsible wildlife management with government agencies, private organizations and landowners; promoting public education and scientific research related to mule deer and wildlife management; supporting and encouraging responsible and ethical behavior and awareness of issues among those whose actions affect mule deer; and acknowledging regulated hunting as a viable component of mule deer and black-tailed deer conservation.

For information about the Mule Deer Foundation please call 888-375-DEER (3337).