When Mary Fichtner took the podium at the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission's recent meeting in Cheyenne, she found just the right words to begin her speech.

"You guys are geeks about mule deer," she said with a smile on her face before adding, "which I love, because all of us are geeks about the things that we are passionate about."

Fichtner and her daughter Roslan have created a children's book called "The Magnificent Mule Deer," which is becoming a Western states bestseller, selling out at many of the authors' stops. Teaming up with the Wyldlife Fund and Muley Fanatic Foundation to bring a conservation lesson about one of our most cherished species to children across the West, the Fichtners have created an engaging book, with poetic prose by Mary and beautiful illustrations by Roslan.

Narrated by the character Melody Meadow Lark, the book presents a creative way to teach children about one of the iconic species of the West: the mule deer.

"[Roslan's] illustrations are all hand drawn in watercolor paintings, and I write in rhyme," Mary said to the commission. "That's just what I do the best."

Joining her mother in her publishing projects, Roslan's first illustrations started when she was just 17. Now 26, she works for Mesa Solutions in Casper as a graphic designer. She said their clients love that it's a mother/daughter combo, but Roslan wasn't her mother's first choice.

"Since I was still in high school at the time, [my mother] actually asked another lady to illustrate her first book. But she wasn't a horse person, so I was having to redo a lot of the paintings," Roslan said. "Eventually, I was like, 'Mom, why didn't you just ask me to do it because I have always been in love with art?' I've always painted and drawn and done all that — it's always been my passion."

Mary was concerned about her daughter feeling pressured into joining her. Moms can be like that; always looking out for what's best for their children, Roslan intimated.

Funding the project

The Wyldlife Fund President Chris McBarnes presented the project to the mother/daughter duo, looking for a way to "plant a seed" of conservation in the hearts and minds of children. They had previously published 19 books, many on life in the West, and he thought the project could be a hit if done right.

"We've got to have a book for Game and Fish Wyoming that can teach our young people about species in need," he told commissioners in January.

Now that the project is complete, McBarnes is working to bring the book to children and their families across the state and beyond.

"We are pushing this across Wyoming. It's soon to be the top selling children's book in Wyoming, maybe in the West, who knows," McBarnes said.

A portion of the proceeds from sales of the book ($5 per book) come back to The Wyldlife Fund and is used for their Inspire a Kid program.

The organization runs two major "Inspire a Kid" initiatives every summer, including sponsoring a kids fishing day and hosting six-day children's camps (separate dates for girls and boys) at Little Jennie Ranch in Bondurant; available to all kids 12-15 in Wyoming.

"The camps are wilderness overnight experiences for these young people," McBarnes said. "We have biologists come in to talk about Western conservation and migrations. Then, every night we have leadership development speakers come in and talk to youth about ... how to face life's challenges."

The fund came together in 2019 as a way to collect donations from private donors who wanted to support wildlife causes that aligned with the strategic vision and mission of the department. And with no proper channel for these funds to be accepted and deployed, The Game and Fish Commission, in tandem with the department, gathered stakeholders and decision makers from across Wyoming; forming a steering committee in pursuit of a resolution …The Wyldlife Fund.

Coming next

Everyone involved in the Magnificent Mule Deer project is thrilled with the results. Spoiler warning: You can expect another chapter with Melody Meadow Lark next fall.

"It's really neat, because, of course, [the meadowlark] is our state bird," Mary said. "Everyone loves the meadowlark."

Roslan has already put in her vote.

"I am really looking forward to the buffalo. And I think elk and moose will be fun too. Those are my top three that I want to maybe do next, but I'll do whatever they want," she said.

To buy the book: wgfd.wyo.gov/product/258 or direct from the Fichtner family at rustysremuda.com/product-page/the-magnificent-mule-deer-narrated-by-melody-meadow-lark

For more Muley Fanatic Foundation information: muleyfanatic.org

To apply for the Inspire a Kid camps or to donate: thewyldlifefund.org/iak-camp-2025