April 1, 2013
Elk Camp 2013: A Celebration
of Conservation Successes
MISSOULA, Mont.—The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is off to a spirited start in 2013 thanks to an enthusiastic gathering of members and volunteers at Elk Camp, the organization’s largest showcase of conservation that concluded March 3 in Las Vegas.
“It is always such a thrill to see so many good folks who are passionate about elk, elk country and conservation,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “The synergy and momentum generated from Elk Camp will propel RMEF to make more of a difference and carry out more significant on-the-ground projects in the coming year than ever before.”
Elk Camp highlights included:
- The announcement of the $30 million Torstenson Family Endowment which will allow RMEF to vastly accelerate its mission, attract more partner funds and more quickly head off habitat challenges nationwide, while passing on Bob Torstenson’s legacy and his passion for elk, elk hunting, and hunting heritage to the next generation.
- The presentation of RMEF’s highest honor, the Wallace Fennell Pate Wildlife Conservation Award, to the Torstenson family.
- Celebrations of 2012 accomplishments include protecting or enhancing more than 130,000 acres of habitat, restoring a wild elk herd in Virginia, and reaching more than 354,000 children and adults via 322 hunting heritage and conservation outreach projects in 43 states.
- The RMEF World Elk Calling Championships presented by Leupold and the first ever Champion of the Champions competition.
- Entertainment by the Charlie Daniels Band, Ronnie Dunn, Daryle Singletary and Josh Thompson.
- The unveiling of “America, the Beautiful,” a video performed exclusively for RMEF by Daryle Singletary.
- A tribute to wildlife artist and RMEF friend Larry Zabel.
- Auction highlights included an original Zabel painting ($33,000), an ACS log cabin ($80,000), a Boomer 3050 New Holland tractor ($40,000), a saddle mule ($30,000) and a black Labrador puppy ($5,500) to support the RMEF mission.
- Numerous awards and recognition for RMEF chapters, volunteers and partners.
- The largest Elk Camp exhibit hall with more than 350 companies in more than 600 booths.
- A sneak preview of season-three of the “RMEF Team Elk” TV show.
- Nearly 200 students from Las Vegas-area schools took part in the Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience, funded by Larry and Brenda Potterfield of MidwayUSA, to learn about elk, hunting and conservation.
- Evening events hosted at the Mirage for the first time.
- MidwayUSA was the official sponsor of Elk Camp 2013. Other sponsors included Aflac, Browning, Brunton, Budweiser, Danner, Cabela’s, Leupold, North American Hunter, Nationwide, Nosler, Realtree, Remington and Hunter’s Specialties.
“We are so grateful to MidwayUSA and all our sponsors, business partners, vendors, our volunteers and members, and all others who joined us from all over the country to take part in Elk Camp. Your passion and dedication to conservation inspires RMEF to lengthen our stride and do more good than ever before,” added Allen.