MISSOULA, Mont.—Leaders from 15 different states home to wild, free-ranging elk recently gathered at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to discuss a wide range of issues that impact elk and elk habitat.
The U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, researchers, RMEF staff and board members, and others that support RMEF and its mission were also in attendance.
“This is our third elk summit we hosted over the last seven years,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “We find it is an excellent opportunity for our state and federal partners to introduce and address issues as well as share challenges and potential solutions.”
Highlighted topics from the three-day summit included private/public land use by elk, public access, elk hunting, disease, communicating about hunting, the environmental analysis on habitat projects and conservation.
Wildlife officials in attendance included representatives from Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.
“We appreciate the past and ongoing work carried out by state wildlife agencies and our federal partners and we look forward to conducting more on-the-ground collaborative projects that benefit elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage in the future,” added Henning.
RMEF hosted similar gatherings in 2013 and 2016.
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Founded 35 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership of nearly 235,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 7.4 million acres for elk and other wildlife. RMEF also works to open and improve public access, fund and advocate for science-based resource management, and ensure the future of America’s hunting heritage. Discover why “Hunting Is Conservation™” at www.rmef.org, elknetwork.com or 800-CALL ELK.