Elk NetworkRMEF News & Notes

Volunteer News | March 17, 2021

Happy Birthday RMEF

Here’s something to look forward to. May 14, 1984, marks a monumental day for elk and conservation. On that day, four elk hunters –Charlie Decker, Dan Bull, Bob and Bill Munson – officially formed the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation in Troy, Montana. From that band of four and their families, the organization now numbers more than 231,000-strong with members around the world including more than 500 chapters across the United States. May 14, 2021, marks our 37th anniversary so here’s to ya RMEF!

Great Elk Tour is Back on the Road

North America’s best mobile conservation exhibit kicked off its 2021 tour on March 11-14 at the Central Oregon Sportsmen’s Show in Redmond, Oregon, followed by a four-day stop later this week at the Pacific Northwest Sportsmen’s Show in nearby Portland. Looking ahead, the big bulls are scheduled to roll into ten different locations across nine states, capped off by a 10-day run at the NFR in Las Vegas in December. Go here for tour information.

Total Archery Challenge

Can’t wait for this coming elk archery season? Need a way to hone your skills before you head into the backcountry and do so in a fun, family-friendly, challenging way? RMEF is a proud sponsor of the Total Archery Challenge. Ten events across eight states are currently on the 2021 schedule. Go here for locations, dates and other details.

2021 PBR World Finals

Want to catch the world’s best bucking bulls in action? The 2021 Professional Bull Riders Finals are set to take place November 3-7 in Las Vegas. Attendees win a five-night stay at the South Point Hotel & Casino and tickets to all five performances at T-Mobile Arena, plus you will be invited to attend the Cowboys for Conservation Brunch and Auction that includes PBR celebrity appearances, raffles and both live and silent auctions. If you want to make the trip, attend your local RMEF banquet and win the PBR auction package. Good luck!

Recent RMEF Mission Successes

Utah – Nearly 4,900 acres of prime elk habitat in northcentral Utah is now forever protected thanks to a conservation-minded landowner, RMEF and several other partners.

Southeast – RMEF and its partners contributed $508,392 in funding for 13 wildlife habitat enhancement, research and hunting heritage projects in Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. “We salute our volunteers who raised this funding so it could be put back on the ground in their individual states. Without them, we simply could not carry out our mission,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO.

Wyoming – Hunters will soon have access to more than 32,900 acres of previously difficult to reach public land in the Sublette Mountain Range of western Wyoming. Working with our partners, RMEF assisted with the purchase of an important access agreement.

South Dakota – A conservation-minded family with a long history of safeguarding the wildlife values of its land collaborated with RMEF to permanently protect an additional 3,163 acres of South Dakota habitat.

New Mexico – Nearly 1,200 acres of vital elk winter range in northern New Mexico is now permanently protected and opened to public access. RMEF worked with the Bureau of Land Management and three families to make it happen.

California – A 2,415-acre ranch in northcentral California featuring prime wildlife habitat is now permanently protected thanks to a team effort by RMEF and its partners.