CLEARFIELD, Utah – February 20, 2026 – The Mule Deer Foundation (MDF) presented several distinguished conservation awards to key supporters of the MDF and Blacktail Deer Foundation, in addition to making a difference in their respective fields of conservation, hunting and habitat work. The Distinguish Hunter Advocacy Award, Miles Moretti Conservation Champion Award and the Distinguished Private Land Stewardship Award, were presented Friday night at the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo’s Conservation Night Banquet. The awards and awardees are as follows.
The first to be recognized was Jeff Crane, who received the 2026 Mule Deer Foundation, Distinguish Hunter Advocacy Award. Mr. Crane, a nationally respected conservation leader who has spent his career shaping America’s outdoor traditions, has served as the President and CEO of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation since 2002. For over two decades, Jeff has successfully maneuvered through Washington, D.C. to support the tradition of hunting as a way of life. He is a well-known and trusted expert to the U.S. Congress on hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting policy.
In addition, to playing a pivotal role in landmark conservation victories, Crane has grown the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus into the largest bipartisan, bicameral caucus on Capitol Hill and is the only individual to serve on every iteration of the federal Hunting Advisory Council, advising Interior and Agriculture leaders on behalf of sportsmen and women nationwide.
The second awardee of the evening was Mr. Brian Wakeling, Game Management Chief from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, receiving the 2026 Miles Moretti Conservation Champion Award. A research biologist and seasoned wildlife leader, Wakeling’s career has been defined by hands-on conservation and commitment to mule deer and habitat management across the West. From his early work as a biologist for Arizona Game and Fish Department, to serving as Chief of Game Management in both Arizona and Nevada, and currently as Montana’s Game Management Bureau Chief; Wakeling has spent decades guiding science-driven wildlife policy and management.
Lastly, Wakeling has championed partnerships, from state and federal agencies and conservation organizations like the MDF to protect habitat and ensure the future of mule deer throughout their range. In Montana Wakeling works hard to successfully bring sportsman, outfitters and landowners to the table to find common ground in wildlife management.
The final award of the evening was for the Mule Deer Foundation – Distinguished Private Land Stewardship Award, presented to Utah Speaker of the House, Mike Schultz. Schultz is one of Utah’s most dedicated private land stewards. Nearly half of the land supporting mule deer in the West is privately owned, and regrowing herds depends on private landowners. For almost two decades, Mike has made extraordinary investments in restoring his lands to support mule deer across both summer and winter range, by converting low-producing farm ground back to native habitat, improving springs and water developments, expanding sagebrush communities, and aggressively controlling invasive and noxious weeds. These efforts have more than doubled mule deer on his property and have created positive externalities onto adjacent public lands.
Schultz’s work exemplifies incredible private land stewardship and how working lands can contribute to thriving wildlife habitats.
MDF was honored to highlight the incredible achievements of these awardees and hopes to inspire current and future generations to be big voices in conservation and lead by examples as these individuals have.
About Mule Deer Foundation
The Mule Deer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the conservation of mule deer and their habitat. Through science-based management, partnerships, and community engagement, MDF works to enhance wildlife populations and maintain healthy, connected landscapes for future generations.
For more information about the Mule Deer Foundation or to become a member and support, visit www.muledeer.org.
Read the full article here
