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Muley Fanatic Foundation
Latest News
- The Wyoming Governor’s Big Game License Coalition Deer Committee recently approved $62,150 to Wyoming deer projects. Funds were raised from the sale of Wyoming Governor Licenses in 2020. MFF is a Member of the Coalition and Joshua Coursey sits on the Deer Committee. Please go to the Raffle Page to participate in the Governor License Raffle and help fund more projects in 2022.
- Joshua Coursey, MFF President/CEO, has been chosen for the new Wyoming Wildlife Task Force to represent Sportsmen and Sportswomen. The task force idea was announced to the WY Game Commission by WGF Director, Brian Nesvik, during the November Commissioner’s meeting. In December, 18 individuals were selected to make up the group and in January 2021 this task force was made public. This group of legislators, government leaders, and other citizens will help investigate top wildlife issues in the state of Wyoming.
- The Muley Fanatic Foundation and The WYldlife Fund are partnering up for a golf tournament on July 31st in Buffalo, Wyoming to raise funds for the I-25 Wildlife Crossing Project. Stay tuned for more details. If you would like to participate in helping with this project, click here to enter into a raffle that supports the project.
- To date, MFF has allocated $84,000 in 2021 from the sale of Wyoming Commissioner Licenses. These funds were allocated (payment completed) to a variety of projects lead by the Monteith Shop at University of Wyoming and Haub School of Environment & Natural Resources. These projects include the Wyoming Range Mule Deer Project, Rose Petal Project, Antelope Research Project, Bighorn Sheep Research Project, and a variety of other research projects that includes mule deer. Separate from these projects, $10,000 was committed to the I-25 Kaycee Area Crossing Project north of Buffalo, Wyoming. These proceeds were donated to The Wyldlife Fund for that project.
- The Muley Fanatic Foundation donated four (4) Tapco brand solar powered LED flashing deer crossing signs to the City of Green River on February 24 to raise awareness for motorist safety and as a notice in specific areas of possible deer crossing presence on the roadway.These 30″x30″ signs are solar powered with LED lighting around the perimeter of the sign, with the lights continually flashing and providing for a highly visible reminder of possible deer crossing. MFF worked with the City of Green River and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to identify priority areas within the city limits for optimum placement in areas of high wildlife traffic collision reports.MFF purchased a total of 16 of these signs at a cost of $2,600 each, of which 8 will be placed in Sweetwater County and the other 8 in the area in and surrounding Manila, Utah.The City of Green River requested two sets (4 signs) to be placed in a high deer crossing area along Uinta Drive, between Monroe and Upland Way, and the second set to be placed at a yet to be determined location by the City of Green River.
- Currently there are 6 Chapter Banquets (one virtual) scheduled for 2021. In 2020, 11 fundraising events were cancelled due to Covid. This year many were cancelled due the unknowns and their annual banquets are usually scheduled early in the year. With the time and efforts beginning months prior to the banquet, these chapters had no choice but to cancel. Some chapters have chosen to schedule for later than usual in determination restrictions will be lifted. Visit the Chapter Page to see if which ones are in your area.
- With the recent completion of a 2021 Wyoming Governor’s License Raffle, the Muley Fanatic Foundation has provided a check for $40,950 to the Wyoming Game & Fish Department which will be allocated through the Wyoming Governor’s Big Game License Coaliton for a multiple number of mule deer projects in 2022. We would like to thank everyone that participated in this raffle and the support for mule deer conservation!
PROJECTS TO NAME A FEW…
The on-the-ground projects wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and time put forth by the many MFF Volundeers! The Chapter Committees spend countless hours for the MFF Mission. Each MFF Chapter retains 70% of their net funds raised each year through a standard banquet event or other fundraising mechanisms. Those Chapter Committees then gather and vote on local projects that fit the mission. In addition to the Chapter efforts, the Muley Fanatic Foundation Headquarters raises funds as well through events and raffles that are then allocated to certain projects. Since the inception of MFF, over $3 million has been put to projects. Muley Fanatic Foundation received the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ 2018 Outstanding Citizen Contributor Award in July 2018.
Putting the 'U' in Hunt
The Muley Fanatic Foundation (MFF) has organized a program “Putting the ‘U’ in Hunt” for the last 9 years. This program is a partnership with the Wyoming Game & Fish Commission to receive Complimentary Commissioner Licenses for youths with life-threatening illnesses. The youth recipients are usually found by word of mouth due to the HIPPA Law. From 2012-2018, MFF averaged 4 to 6 youths each year, in 2019, with the assistance of the Holy Pursuit’s Dream Foundation and the Hunt for Hope organization, MFF received 17 youths to hunt in Wyoming! The two organization’s have continued to help, in the fall of 2020, MFF sponsored 18 youths (see the breakdown below). In 2021, it appears MFF will be sponsoring 27 youths. To learn more about this program click image above.
Research
We are only as good as the information that is provided. Put the $$s where they are more effective. D.E.E.R. Project, Wyoming Range Mule Deer Project, Red Desert to Hoback Migration Project, Sheep Mountain GPS Migration Study, Chokecherry Project, Wyoming Migration Initiative’s Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Mule Deer Migration Study, Pineance Basin Fawn Capture/Collar Project, Baggs Mule Deer Project, and many more...
Habitat
The Muley Fanatic Foundation has funded a diversity of habitat projects; Noxious weeds, water guzzlers, juniper removal, sagebrush enhancement, aspen stand protection, spring head protection, and many more. Little Mountain Aspen Stand Exclosure Project, Pennock Mountain Transitional Food Plot & Cheatgrass Treatment, Idaho Rocky Mtn Point Project, Radium SWA Habitat Improvements, Colorado Grassland Wildlife Regional Conservation Partnership, BLM Ferris Mountain Prescribed Burn, Utah Cedar Fort Deer Collaring Project, Colorado Highway 9 Overpass, Luke Lynch Wildlife Habitat Management Area,Little Red Creek Juniper Removal Project, Long Creek Drainage Aspen Enhancement Project, Sage Grouse Initiative in NW Colorado, and many more...
Miscellaneous
Outside of just habitat and research, MFF commits to a variety of other projects; community support, collaboration, Game & Fish Stop Poaching, highway fence modification, land easements, protecting public lands, Idaho Rocky Mountain Point Project, Wildlife Regional Conservation Partnership, Colorado Highway 9 Overpass, voice on Colorado Summit County Safe Passages Committee, Sage Grouse Initiative in NW Colorado, Greater Little Mountain Coalition, Wyoming Governor's Big Game Coalition, task forces, and many more...
Youth - Future Generations
Definitely a priority to include youth with hands-on projects or funding youth related projects. They are the future of conservation. MFF has committed to many youth activities or projects through the years. Outdoor Youth Expos, Hunter Education, 4-H Shooting, and Scholarships.
Legislative Issues
When it comes to laws that affect our wildlife or land in a negative or positive way, MFF will step up to help our wildlife and wild places. MFF visits local state legislation and our Nation’s Capital to visit with decision makers.
Muley Fanatic Foundation Staff
JOSHUA W.D. COURSEY - President/CEO/Co-founder
Joshua W.D. Coursey is a Wyoming native who upon graduation from Rock Springs High School in 1992 served in the U.S. Army as a Photo Journalist. His education includes an Associate of Science from WWCC, a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University, a graduate of Leadership of Wyoming with the Class of 2019 and currently serves as an At-large Supervisor on the Sweetwater County Conservation District. A successful businessman and avid sportsman, Josh’s reverence for God, Family, & Country embodies the passion that spurred his efforts to co-found the Muley Fanatic Foundation in 2011 and put his sole focus on growing and leading MFF to be an organization that makes a difference. Besides his love of hunting, fishing and anything outside, Coursey is a fan of competition and cheers for the University Wyoming, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Cubs and LA Lakers. He also enjoys and likes: Amateur Radio (KF7PDP), National Parks, building things, hiking, starlit skies, Taekwondo, mountain biking, dark beer, tasty grub, rummy, military history, a well-made knife, campfires, wood working, Dad jokes, the smell of sage brush, fresh haircuts, black coffee, a good pair of boots, CJ Box books, ALL music from George Strait to Steve Miller Band (and everything in between), medium rare steak, the sound of a banjo, looking for arrowheads, Chivas Regal, his cow-less cow dog Kimber and his favorite movies: Christmas Vacation; Dances with Wolves; Tombstone, Patriot, Braveheart, Saving Private Ryan, Hacksaw Ridge and Field of Dreams. Coursey makes his home in Green River, Wyoming with wife Dawn and has two adult daughters Dallas and Mykenna and two adult step-children Brayden and Alexandra.
JOEY FAIGL - COO/CFO/Co-founder
Joey Faigl was born in Rock Springs, Wyoming and still resides there. He is a graduate of Rock Springs High School in 1992. Hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad in 1997 and was employed there for 16 years accomplishing great things in their safety program and achieving awards from Union Pacific and an overall award among all railroad companies, which was accepted in Washington DC. Co-founded the Muley Fanatic Foundation in 2011 and is now currently the MFF’s Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer, as well as many other positions within the organization. Joey strives and works hard for the organization to make a difference. Faigl has a passion for mule deer and has been for over 40 years. His first mule deer shed at the age of 5 may have a small part influencing that, but the time spent in the winter ranges since the early 1990’s filming and photographing the species has definitely increased his love and knowledge for the critter. In addition to his passion for mule deer and enjoying everything that is in the outdoors, Joey also finds time to create pencil drawings of his favorite subject (wildlife), volunteer for community projects, be involved with local youth sports, enjoys graphic design, and video production. Joey loves to laugh, bring joy to his surroundings, and trys to be laid back. Joey is a down to earth guy and wouldn't change his ways for anything. He wants to be the good ol' Wyoming boy. Although everything above is great, his real priorities is Faith & Family. God comes first and his wife Nikki and three sons Brady, Brendan, and Hunter are second to anything he does on this world. Creating memories with his family in God’s creation is what he loves the most.
CHRIS STEFFEN - Director of Operations
Chris Steffen was born in Rochester, New York in 1969. His parents had visited Wyoming on their honeymoon and decided they wanted to move out west and buy a ranch. When Chris was very young, his family carried out that dream and purchased a ranch in northern Wyoming, where Chris spent his childhood days helping the family raising cattle, working the fields, bombing around the dirt roads and doing all things outdoors. Hunting and fishing were a huge part of his life. Growing up, Chris spent a lot of time in the Big Horn mountains and mountains of the Cody area. Chris graduated from Rocky Mountain High School in 1987 and attended college for two years at Northwest Community College before transferring to Montana State University to finish up his schooling. Chris then took an about-face and rather than going into what he studied in college, he sought out a career in law enforcement. Chris entered the Pre-Service program at the Wyoming Law Enforcement academy, as it was in its beginning stages, and was the first civilian in the state of Wyoming to attend the WY Law Enforcement Academy and become a certified law enforcement officer, graduating with the class 91C69. Chris applied with a few different law enforcement agencies around the state, but found his home with the Green River Police Department in February of 1992. Chris worked a variety of positions within the GRPD, starting with patrol officer, Juvenile Detective, Patrol Corporal, Detective Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant and lastly Chief of Police. Chris attended and graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia in 2005. The years serving and protecting the community of Green River were some of the proudest moments in his life. Chris retired from the Green River Police Department in November of 2017 and immediately went to work for the Muley Fanatic Foundation. Prior to working for MFF, Chris had gotten involved with Foundation as a volunteer with the Southwest Chapter, having felt it was important to give back to the outdoor world that he loved and to try to help the icon of the west, mule deer. He served on the Allocation Committee, took over as the Chairman for that group and then moved to the banquet committee. Chris served as both chapter co-chair and later, chapter chair of the SW Wyoming Chapter. Chris is a devoted family man and loves spending time with his wife Andrea, son Easton and identical twin daughters, Chloe and Clair doing everything they can in the outdoors. Summer camping, fishing, archery and of course, fall hunting, is what keeps Chris going! Chris is also a Wyoming Game and Fish Hunters Education Instructor, further assisting getting kids and other perspective hunters to get into the field. Most weekends Chris can be found with family or friends hunting or fishing in Southwest Wyoming, enjoying the outdoors and all of God’s creation.
JANET CROFTS - Office Manager
Janet Crofts is the Office Manager for Muley Fanatic Foundation. She joined the MFF team January 2020. Janet was born in Thermopolis, Wyoming. Her family moved to Green River, Wyoming where she graduated from Green River High School (Go Wolves) in 1993. Janet left for college in Colorado after high school. Returning to Wyoming to later hire on with Dowell/Schlumberger in 1996 where she worked for 19 years in different Administrative roles. In 1995 she met her Husband Jay, and they were married in 1996. Janet’s husband is the one that introduced her to the Outdoors…hunting, fishing, camping, snowmobiling, and other outdoor activities! It didn’t take long for her to realize her love for the Outdoors and wildlife. In 2016 the Crofts’ Family took a 3-year hiatus to South Carolina, where they realized a couple things…1. You can take the person out of Wyoming, but never Wyoming out of the person. 2. You don’t know what you have until it is gone. In 2019 they moved back to the wide-open spaces of Wyoming. In 2020 Janet and her husband purchased their dream property in the Mountains outside Kemmerer, Wyoming where they spend all their free time making it into what will be a full-time home one day! Janet has many passions some of them include being a SUPER Josh Allen fan, crafting, spending time in the outdoors, outdoor photography, encouraging and helping women get outdoors, but her biggest passion is her four dogs (Matah, Ishatay, Wahku, and Hakela) and her husband!
MFF Board of Directors
