The Muley Fanatic Foundation’s Kemmerer Chapter raised over $50K during their 6th annual fundraising banquet, held on May 6 at the South Lincoln Training and Event Center. Nearly 200 local outdoor enthusiasts geared up for a night of fun and excitement.

The Muley Fanatic Foundation was created in 2012 by Joshua Coursey and Joey Faigl, and has since contributed over 1.5 million dollars to conservation projects and wildlife research across Wyoming.

“The accomplishments thus far have been significant and vary greatly,” said co-founder Joshua Coursey. “Our mission has three pillars of strength... the most obvious being the conservation of mule deer and their habitat, but equally significant is the furthering of the sport of hunting and sound wildlife management.” 

The banquet crew — 20 volunteers and several Kemmerer Ranger athletes — set up games, silent auctions and raffles.

Prizes ranged from firearms to vacation getaways, guided fishing/horseback pack trips, artwork and cooking and hunting gear. A coveted Wyoming Game and Fish Commissioner’s license tag was auctioned off for a hefty donation sum of $11K. 

“Quality donations keep our cost down and enable us to put more money on the ground,” said Shauna Ridgeway, Kemmerer Chapter Chair. “Seventy percent of the net proceeds stay within the Kemmerer chapter.”

Funds are managed by the Project Allocation Committee made up of many local residents. The Kemmerer chapter considers their area to be all of Lincoln County as well as some of Uinta County, Ridgeway explained. The Kemmerer chapter also donates to projects in other counties in collaboration with other charter groups.

Ridgeway said the Muley Fanatics Foundation is excited to see Wyoming Game and Fish support the continuation of the Wyoming Range Mule Deer Study, which includes the fawn study.

The information gathered will be critical to seeing the herd recover from this year’s exceptionally harsh winter, Ridgeway said. 

In addition to conservation projects, the Foundation also has a philanthropic purpose. 

“The proudest moment for me in all of our efforts is taking youth with life-threatening illnesses hunting and recognizing veterans at our MFF Chapter events,” Coursey said. “I lack the vocabulary to express the impact these both have on me as a human being. I just know that I am better for being a part of both.”

Coursey said it’s the day-to-day effort that provides the best learning experiences.

“The biggest challenge in establishing MFF has been being patient enough to see it grow and make the impact it is designed to achieve,” Coursey said. “The members seem to be just as eager and motivated now as they were six years ago. Conservation is about making an impact beyond our living years, and that is a responsibility we hold in the highest regard.”   

Co-founder Faigl expressed admiration for the involvement of the Kemmerer community.

“The continued local support to the Kemmerer chapter is second to none,” said co-founder Joey Faigl. “Seeing the same faces and annual sponsors year after year is great.”

Faigl explained that no one knows better the challenges facing mule deer or how to engage youth in the sport of hunting in Kemmerer than Kemmerer residents.

The MFF model is designed for locals to engage in not only fundraising, but also in the distribution of funds.

The Kemmerer chapter has singlehandedly contributed more than $150,000 to Lincoln County projects.

To become involved in the Muley Fanatics Foundation, contact MFF Headquarters at 307-875-3133 or visit their website at www.muleyfanatic.org.