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Hey everyone, I'm on the board for the Mule Deer Foundation Phoenix Chapter, our banquet is coming up this Friday at the Phoenix Elks Lodge: 14424 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix AZ. Near the 51 freeway and Greenway, we have a project coming up every weekend in March throughout AZ. We are committed to making a positive impact on the Mule Deer herd in AZ. Doors open at 6 pm, you can contact me personally for tickets or find them online at: http://www.muledeer.org/node/2166 . Lots of good stuff to win, hope to see you there! Josiah Richards Ross Outdoors Cell: 602 908 2757

This past weekend I had an opportunity to participate in a fence modification project in the northern part of Unit 21. I participated as a member of the Mule Deer Foundation, but I understand that the Arizona Antelope Foundation and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation may have also had a hand. AZGFD was there as part of the Adopt-A-Ranch Program, and USFS personnel were onsite to direct activities as well. I apologize if I left out any organizations. Over the course of a little more than a day, more than 30 volunteers modified or removed several miles of fencing. Our primary goal was to remove the bottom wire from the fences and replace them with smooth wire lifted to 18” off the ground. We also dropped the top wires down to 42.” Research shows that these dimensions provide deer and pronghorn the best opportunity to make it under or over a fence as the circumstances may require. We also installed several H-braces and tightened all of the existing wires. At one point, a group of us broke off and removed an entire corral that impeded access to a nearby tank. I took my little girl along so that we could enjoy some daddy/daughter camping time. Several others brought children too, and it was a great family activity. All in all, it was a great day. I didn’t take many photos, but here’s a few I snapped. Making ‘smores around the campfire: Posing at the worksite (note the CWT hat): Getting down to work: Receiving instruction from those in the know: