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RMEF’s Biggest Little Volunteer

September 29, 2015, 1:22 pm
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Ahnie Ivie
Still in elementary school, she’s a legacy partner wild about conservation

Even amongst the most dedicated Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation members, few can say they were movers and shakers for conservation in elementary school, much less an RMEF legacy partner, for that matter. Ahnya Ivie—partial to her nickname Ahnie—is that 9-year-old, headed solidly into a lifestyle built around giving back for wildlife.

No stranger to the RMEF mission, Ahnie hit legacy partner status this year with a $900 donation to RMEF. How’d she do it? Selling candy bars for conservation.

She’s always cooking up ideas, says her mom, Katie Moody, co-chair of the Buffalo Chapter in Wyoming. This year, Ahnie told her mom she wanted to sell something to raise money for the Elk Foundation. After some thought, Ahnie proceeded to use her own hard-earned money to buy 90 candy bars. She works for her money by picking up extra chores; mucking stalls and cleaning her mom’s pickup truck.

“I’ve never seen it cleaner,” Katie says. “I was just saying I need another raffle so that my truck can get cleaned again.”

With her supplies in hand, Ahnie was on a mission, chatting with everyone and selling candy bars until they were all gone. “She’s a heck of a sales lady,” Katie says.

The bars sold for $10 apiece, racking up the $900 donation, one of the largest in the chapter. It also officially made Ahnie an RMEF legacy partner. But this isn’t Ahnie’s first venture at raising money for elk country.

Last year, she turned heads when she raised money at her RMEF-themed birthday party. Katie said when they talked about her party, “she very promptly replied that instead of birthday presents for her maybe people could give the RMEF a present to make money for the elk.” Mom helped her plan how to make it happen and Ahnie raised $200 at her party. Instead of simply donating it to RMEF, Ahnie used the money to purchase a .22 revolver that was later raffled off at the chapter’s annual big game banquet for $3,100.

Ahnie has a simple take on things—she just wants to have fun and donate. With hopes to one day become a veterinarian helping animals, especially horses, Ahnie spends her time cooking up ideas to help wildlife. She is a frequent attendee at chapter events, showing up at the Thermopolis Chapter's “Women for Wildlife” ladies' event this year and also volunteering at the Powder River Chapter's annual big game banquet, helping sell raffle tickets.

Getting involved clearly runs in the family, and Ahnie’s desire to raise money stems from watching others. “The Wyoming chapter is like a big family unit,” Katie says. “She went and saw other people getting involved and realized she could too.”

Kathryn Brandos
Bugle Intern
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California Rendezvous: Sprucing Up Elk Country

September 29, 2015, 3:34 pm
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What do you get when you have more than 30 members of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation from eight different chapters gather in one meadow? After a few hours of sweat and flexed muscle, you get better habitat for elk and other wildlife.

The volunteers came together near Pondosa in northern California, some 30 miles southeast of Mount Shasta. The area is prime California elk country. 

With that in mind, the participants of all ages focused their pruning shears, saws, tools and other efforts on removing conifers that were choking out native grasses and other forbs that provide feed for elk. Volunteers hacked down small trees and removed other vegetation to better open the way for sunshine.

As they worked shoulder-to-shoulder, they also renewed old friendships and formed new ones.

When the day’s work was done, the dedicated volunteers not only firmed up this little portion of elk habitat but also firmed up relationships between chapters, learned more about RMEF accomplishments and celebrated those accomplishments…together!


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Cold and Wet Should Describe More than Your Dog’s Nose

September 30, 2015, 3:49 pm
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'Tis the season when hunters head afield in search of meat to fill the family freezer. It is also the time of year when temperatures are chilly or down-right cold and those who are in the backcountry often build warming fires to begin or cap off the day’s hunt.

Those fires, when not properly extinguished, can smolder and eventually come back to life. Fire prevention specialists urge hunters and all others who build fires in the wild to use water and dirt before going on your way. It is vital to make sure your fire is dead out so you can have peace of mind. Cold and wet should describe more than you dog’s nose.

Below is a message from the Bridger-Teton National Forest but it applies to all who hunt on public or private lands across the nation.

Unfortunately, when the hunt season starts in early September, we see more and more warming fires left behind from hunting activity. Most often, 90 percent of the time, the fires are in very remote areas off or near a trail and a small amount of trash might be left behind.

These fires become visible after the sun warms the fire and winds start up. They then become visible to others in the area or from passing aircraft overhead. To help determine fire cause, we look at lightning maps and other fire source indicators to eliminate the potential causes and narrow it down to actual source for the fire. 

Within two weeks on the Bridger-Teton National Forest, we have had 13 fires. All have been determined to be warming fires from hunters spotting for big game. 

We are very grateful for the hunters who do take the time to try and put out these same fires and also for taking the steps to call in the locations of these unwanted fires enabling firefighters can get to the incident before the fires get too big and costly.

Lesley Williams Gomez 
North Zone Fire Prevention, Education and Information
Forest Service
Bridger-Teton National Forest, Jackson and Blackrock Ranger Districts



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Tales from the Field: North Dakota

October 1, 2015, 8:40 am
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On Monday evening I was bowhunting for whitetail in central North Dakota in an area that looked great (rubs and trails everywhere). I noticed a tree that was rubbed over six feet high and so I decided that is where I wanted to stay for the evening to see if I could see what produced that, figuring it was either a moose or an elk. 

Just as the sun started going down, I noticed two mature bull elk sparring about 100 yards away in the brush. After a while of waiting, I decided to make an imitation bugle with my mouth and to my surprise the bulls both came screaming in within seconds to 15 yards. I had the best evening ever by being blessed enough to come across some of the rare central North Dakota elk.

Matt Doyle


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New Mexico Elk Habitat, Research Get Boost from RMEF Grants

October 1, 2015, 12:31 pm
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Below is a complete listing of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s 2015 grants for the state of New Mexico. Find more information here.


Catron County—Continue mechanical thinning and follow-up burning on 100 acres in the Slaughter Mesa area on the Gila National Forest to restore grasslands and increase forage production on yearlong elk habitat that also benefits mule deer, pronghorn, wild turkey, Mexican spotted owl and other wildlife; and convert an existing but unused 20,000-gallon steel rim tank and associated drinker into a multiple use wildlife-livestock trick tank system by building a water collection skirt to fill the storage tank and repairing the existing guzzler system that transports water to two drinkers downslope into Squirrel Springs Canyon on the Gila National Forest. 

De Baca County—Provide funding to the De Baca County 4-H program for youth ages 9-19 to learn about the safe handling of firearms, take part in competitive shooting and learn other skills in a supervised and healthy setting. 

Grant County—Remove juniper from five units ranging in size from two to 43 acres totaling 66 acres in the Gattons Park area of the Wilderness Ranger District on the Gila National Forest by using a combination of mechanical and hand thinning to benefit yearlong elk habitat. 

Lincoln County—Provide funding for the Lincoln County 4-H Shooting Sports Program which offers youth ages 9-19 the opportunity to learn responsibility, sportsmanship, self-discipline, and other qualities through participation in firearm safety training and shooting sports activities.

Los Alamos County—Provide funding for the Northern New Mexico Youth Clay Challenge, hosted by Los Alamos Young Guns, which gives youth statewide an opportunity to compete in multiple shooting events at no cost and learning through trained instructors.

Rio Arriba County—Apply prescribed fire treatment to 2,600 acres on the Santa Fe National Forest to enhance crucial winter range and yearlong habitat for elk and mule deer (also benefits Sandoval County); and mechanically treat 450 acres of decadent sagebrush on the Jicarilla Ranger District of the Carson National Forest to stimulate sprouting, followed by seeding with native grasses and forbs.

Sandoval County—Provide funding for a continuing study in the Valles Caldera National Preserve to assess the responses of elk to large-scale forest restoration treatments in an effort to help guide future vegetation treatments designed to enhance forage conditions for elk (also benefits Rio Arriba County).

San Juan County—Provide funding for the San Juan Wildlife Federation, based in Farmington, which hosts a Youth Sports Fest to introduce youth to the shooting sports and the principles of wildlife conservation.

Socorro County—Thin pinyon-juniper and small diameter ponderosa pine from 372 acres within the Upper Point of Rocks and Kellog South units on Bureau of Land Management land to enhance habitat within the North San Mateo Landscape area. The treatment also functions as pre-treatment preparation for future prescribed burning.

Statewide—Provide Torstenson Family Endowment (TFE) funding for 1,805 hunter orange safety vests for graduates of the New Mexico Game and Fish Hunter Education program.

Partners for the New Mexico projects include the Carson, Gila and Santa Fe National Forests, Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, as well as various sportsmen and other local organizations.

RMEF uses TFE funding solely to further its core mission programs of permanent land protection, habitat stewardship, elk restoration and hunting heritage.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Founded over 30 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership of more than 205,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 6.6 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 or 800-CALL ELK.

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Wisconsin RMEF Chapter Remembers, Honors One of Its Own

October 1, 2015, 2:28 pm
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They gathered in the town of Janesville in south-central Wisconsin, like they do every year. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation members, volunteers and friends alike came together for the annual Rock Prairie Chapter Big Game Banquet.

One man was noticeably absent. Long-time RMEF supporter, avid hunter and family man Peter Holte did not attend. At the age of 45, he passed away in 2014 from complications of a spinal cord injury from many years earlier.

To honor their fallen father, son, and brother, the family purchased a special rifle, a Henry Golden Boy .22 caliber rifle. It featured an RMEF plaque on one side and another under the lever labeled PETEHOLTE001. They donated it in a live auction dedicated to Peter.

Ken Holte took to the stage to talk about his brother.

Ken Holte
“Pete had a love of the outdoors and a determination to continue with our hunting trips long after his physical abilities had left him. Even after he lost the ability to walk, we would literally carry him with us. Pete had a fondness for verbally joisting and ribbing others, and he never lost that. Those are the things that most every hunting/fishing group has, so it is always hard to lose that spirited individual,” said Ken.

After Ken’s remarks the auction opened and the bidding began. What the average banquet attendee did not know is he or she had no prayer to win that rifle. Peter’s father, Alan, assured RMEF organizers beforehand that the Golden Boy would go home with one person and one person only—him! Alan lived up to his word.

As the bids rose in price, Alan remained an active participant. And when the bidding closed, Alan’s bid of $2,900 topped the pack. He happily accepted the rifle and placed it the hands of Peter’s daughter Kendra, his granddaughter.

Kendra Holte (left) and Alan Holte
In dedication to Peter and his life, the family plans to make the rifle available to be auctioned off every year.

The Rock Prairie Chapter asked Ken to write up a story about Pete (see below).

Peter Holte
It all started in 1984 with a simple tingling of the arms and a little dizziness. Perhaps nothing too alarming for a scrappy junior-high kid. But, symptoms persisted, and it turned out to be more severe than expected. A small bone which tied several vertebrae to the base of Peter’s skull had been broken. Likely an injury from his days on the wrestling team. Left undiagnosed it could be fatal.

The following two years involved a series of surgeries for Peter and a considerable amount of time in a halo brace with limited ability to move about. But, over time Peter began to regain his strength and he became more active again, and his admiration for the outdoors began to grow, including our family tradition of an annual hunting trip to the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming.

The Wyoming trips brought out the best in Pete. He established many friendships with the locals, and enjoyed accessing new hunting areas. He also hunted regularly in southern Wisconsin. He even dabbled with bow season for several years, but the gun season was his preference. Over the years, he collected a few “trophies,” but more importantly he built a library of stories and lasting friendships with all those who shared his desire to be outdoors.

In his mid-30s, something “broke loose” in Peter’s neck. The tingling and numbness returned, and he experienced some paralysis on his right side. He returned to the operating table – this time for an experimental procedure to stabilize his neck. He was in traction for a week to realign the vertebrae, followed again by months in a halo brace, and although some limited paralysis still remained and he had lost considerable muscle mass, the surgery was considered a success, and Peter did his best to resume his active lifestyle.

Peter continued his hunting escapades. Annual trips to Wyoming and the Wisconsin deer hunts were never far from his thoughts. However, the paralysis continued to expand and erode his physical abilities. Eventually he stopped hunting in Wisconsin as his limbs could no longer carry him, but the annual Wyoming trips were too important to give up. With the help of family and friends, Peter continued to go to Wyoming every October. Long after he gave up carrying a gun, he served as guide and companion to his young nephews, shepherding them into adulthood and the hunting tradition. A time came that the nephews had to lift their uncle in and out of the truck, but he still watched over them. He lived for the pleasure of sitting quietly, watching for the site of a mule deer during the day and the gentle banter around a meal (or dice game) at night.

Eventually paralysis overtook Peter’s body, and in August of 2014 Peter Holte breathed his last breath.

Antlers adorned the flowers placed upon his casket and family gathered once again to tell stories, mainly centered on annual hunting trips with Pete.

Hunting for Pete was more than sport; hunting was his connection with the outdoors and a thread woven deep into his family. In June 2015, family and friends gathered in the Big Horns to fulfill Pete’s final wish and release his ashes in the place he loved. His spirit will live on in the love of the hunt that he fostered and passed on to his nephews and his daughter.

The Holte Family sincerely appreciates the honor the RMEF has bestowed upon Peter with this Memorial Fundraiser. We wish all of you many safe and successful hunting seasons to come.

Ken Holte
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Kids Flock to RMEF for Youth Wildlife Conservation Field Day

October 6, 2015, 2:18 pm
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More than 110 boys and girls age 2-16 recently spent a morning at the headquarters of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for Youth Wildlife Conservation Day. The free gathering offered an opportunity to learn about RMEF's conservation and hunting heritage mission, North America's wildlife and the value of spending time outdoors through a variety of hands-on activities. 

The archery manager from the local Sportsmen’s Warehouse taught basic skills and participants had the opportunity to take aim at targets. Just across the way, staffers from the local Cabela’s provided firearm handling and safety instruction as kids honed in on the bullseye inside an inflatable BB gun range. 

As part of the National Be Bear Aware and Wildlife Stewardship Campaign, Girl Scouts and the Be Bear Aware staff demonstrated the importance of appropriate safety techniques for hiking, camping and hunting in bear country, and for viewing and living with wildlife safely and responsibly. Youth even got to practice discharging bear spray by using test cans containing a benign spray formula. 



RMEF staff sponsored a paintball target game where youth practiced target shooting with paintballs and a slingshot. There was also a 45-foot climbing wall, a conservation activity corner, balloon entertainment and other activities. 

When the time came to go home, nobody did so empty handed. Everyone received a free copy of Bugle magazine, a RMEF hat and a calendar. Alps Outdoorz also offered a backpack through a drawing. On top of that, the first 50 youth that registered for the event received a free RMEF youth membership.


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RMEF Grants to Benefit 24,000 Acres of Arizona Elk Habitat

October 12, 2015, 12:41 pm
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Below is a complete listing of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s 2015 grants for the state of Arizona. Find more information here.


Apache County—Provide drinker trough extensions to improve accessibility for wildlife (especially antlered bulls and bucks) on six water tanks situated on 3,840 acres of Arizona State Trust Lands; carry out prescribed burning on 1,321 acres northwest of the Greens Peak area within the Springerville Ranger District on the Apache National Forest to improve wildlife habitat and restore meadow conditions on summer range and transition areas; and provide funding to replace a fence and stabilize the headcut of a spring on the Apache National Forest that serves as a wildlife water source in an area affected by the San Juan Wildfire of 2014.

Coconino County—Thin pinyon and juniper from 800 to 1000 acres where they are encroaching into former grasslands and savannahs in the White Hill area of the Williams Ranger District and Watts area of the Tusayan Ranger District on the Kaibab National Forest; thin 200 acres of woodlands on the Williams Ranger District to improve wildlife habitat and reduce the risk of severe wildfire in an area that serves as an important wildlife travel corridor in the Upper Verde River Watershed 10 miles south of Williams on the Kaibab National Forest; remove encroaching pinyon and juniper from 1,600 acres of historic grasslands on private land to increase the production of grasses, forbs and browse species on yearlong habitat where wintering elk numbers can double or triple from the non-winter population; and provide funding and volunteer support for an annual Adopt-a-Ranch work project to repair damaged fence and install elk jumps.

Greenlee County—Provide funding to clean out and rehabilitate eight dirt wildlife water tanks adversely affected by the 2011 Wallow Wildfire that will positively benefit elk and other wildlife on 5,120 acres within the Alpine Ranger District on the Apache National Forest (also benefits Apache County).

Maricopa County—Provide financial and volunteer support for an effort to remove more than 10 tons of trash from the popular Table Mesa Recreation Area north of Phoenix; and provide funding to help students and coaches from the Wickenburg Christian Academy Archery Club travel to Kentucky for the National Archery in the Schools Program national tournament.

Navajo County—Remove silt as a result of the 2002 Rodeo-Chediski Wildfire from 18 dirt tanks in Game Management Units 3C and 4B within the Black Mesa Ranger District on the Sitgreaves National Forest; and provide funding to assist members of the White Mountain Trap and Skeet Club Clay Busters within the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) with entry fees, shells and other expenses related to various shooting competitions. 

Pima County—Provide funding to boost a new archery program to benefit the Boy Scout community in Tucson that would assist scouts with merit badges, summer camps and archery competitions.

Santa Cruz County—Provide funding to help Santa Cruz County 4-H Shooting Sports purchase new equipment to upgrade its program which strives to teach safe and responsible use of firearms and encourage personal growth of its members.

Yuma County—Provide funding for the Yuma Valley Rod and Gun Club 2015 Youth Small Game Camp which lays down the fundamentals of ethical hunting, wildlife identification, good sportsmanship, hunter safety and conservation; and provide funding for Yuma Young Guns SCTP members as they learn about skeet shooting, gun safety, teamwork and sportsmanship.

Statewide—Provide funding for a joint effort to host youth camps in 2015 and 2016 to teach youth, novice hunters, and others about skinning, archery shooting, predator calling, turkey calling demonstrations, hunter mentorship, tracking and big game field dressing and handling as well as other skills.

Partners for the Arizona projects include the Apache-Sitgreaves and Kaibab National Forests, Arizona Game and Fish Department, Bureau of Land Management, private landowners, and various sportsmen, civic and other organizations. 

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Founded over 30 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership of more than 205,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 6.6 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 or 800-CALL ELK.

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Battling Through the Rut

October 20, 2015, 10:37 am
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Below is a photo and its story that the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation received from John Wheland.

When I receive my issue of Bugle I always go to the photos section first as I am an avid wildlife photographer as well as a hunter. As I looked through the "Bonus Points" section in the current issue I took particular notice of a shot taken by Dave Irwin. I have an image of the same bull probably taken a year later. This bull had the same point broken off two years in a row. My image is of interest because it was taken moments after the fight and the point is still hanging from the main beam. I doubt I will ever get a shot like this again.

John Wheland
Roseburg, Or.




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Montana Rendezvous: 20 Years of Food, Fun and Celebration

October 23, 2015, 1:34 pm
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They gathered from all corners of Big Sky Country. Members and volunteers of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation came together at the Madison County Fairgrounds in Twin Bridges, Montana, for the 20th Annual Wild West Rendezvous.

Three days of camping and fun began with dozens of volunteers of all ages who headed into the backcountry with their boots, work gloves and fence pliers to remove old barb wire fencing. Their hard work will free up migration corridors for years to come by making it easier for elk and other wildlife to travel across the mountainous Montana landscape.

“It is amazing how much RMEF volunteers can accomplish when they come together with a common goal to make an impact on the ground in elk country,” said Matt Ashley, RMEF regional director.


When all was said and done, the volunteers filled pickup beds with wire and removed them from the land.

“Our volunteers made quick work of our work project and are always underestimated at how fast they can get things done,” said Jared Wold, RMEF regional director. 

Other rendezvous highlights included a wild game potluck dinner, the second annual washoe tournament and a wide array of informative learning seminars including elk calling, hunting, filming your hunt, how to hunt in bear country and Dutch oven cooking. Staffers from RMEF and our partners from the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management provided updates on the latest RMEF land projects. Kids of all ages practiced their skills on a nearby archery course while others took their fly rods to the nearest stretch of blue ribbon rivers and streams.

 The final evening included more food and fun at the Wild West Fun Night of games. It included a happy hour with games and raffles, a catered pig roast barbecue, prizes and awards, and live music provided by the Rocky Mountain Pearls.

All in all, the 20th annual Montana Rendezvous was another successful celebration of elk and elk country. Who’s ready for the 21st?


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RMEF Removes House, Restores Elk Habitat

October 29, 2015, 10:01 am
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“As I watched that house roll off of crucial elk winter range and down the road, all I could think of was RMEF’s commitment and spirit to conserve elk country can move houses!”

It’s been said that once elk habitat is gone, it’s gone for good. But what if there was a way to restore elk habitat that already fell victim to development? Or more specifically, what if you could return important elk feeding grounds and winter range to the way it was before a home was built on a given site? That’s exactly what the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation pulled off in southwest Montana.

In late 2014, RMEF acquired 631 acres of grassy winter range 24 miles south of Ennis along the Madison River adjacent to the 6,557-acre Madison-Wall Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA). In fact, the entire southern edge of the property borders the existing WMA while the east edge borders Bureau of Land Management land that provides access to the Madison River. It’s a pristine piece of property that provides crucial winter range for 2,000 elk as well as hundreds of mule deer, antelope and other critters. The acquisition increased the overall size of the WMA by about 10 percent.

It’s just that there was a problem, a big problem—a 3,096-square-foot cedar-siding log house on the property. Actually, there was also a 1,260-square-foot garage with guest quarters as well as an unfinished 2,500-square-foot building. Those structures, as well as a man-made, three-acre pond stocked with non-native, farm-raised fish, were not exactly ideal for elk country. 

So RMEF developed a plan by notifying locals that the home would be available for purchase through a sealed bidding process with the winner assuming full responsibility to remove the structure from the property. The winning bid came in at $20,000.

“They (the winners of the bid process) were motivated both by helping RMEF with its mission of conserving elk habitat and finding a new home in Montana in an area that was already impacted by a planned subdivision and out of occupied elk habitat,” said Mike Mueller, RMEF senior land program manager.
Moving day came several months later. Workers from a moving and rigging business located some 200 miles away traveled to the site. They jacked up the house from its foundation and placed a heavy duty towing trailer underneath. A big rig then negotiated a slight downhill path off of the property. The home successfully towered over fencing as it rolled down a narrow dirt road, across a bridge over the Madison River and down the highway to its new location.

“As I watched that house roll off of crucial elk winter range and down the road, all I could think of was RMEF’s commitment and spirit to conserve elk country can move houses!” said Mueller.

As for the remaining structures, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) will reclaim them for management objectives and administration purposes. The actual home site will most likely be reseeded and the pond reclaimed as well. The land is now permanently open to public access during hunting season and beyond. It will be conveyed it to FWP later this year. 

“RMEF and its partners will turn back the clock on residential subdivision, habitat fragmentation and loss, and the restricting of public access when we can. The bottom line is we saved the integrity of one of Montana’s oldest and most popular WMA's by reestablishing a buffer along its northern boundary. It took a total team effort to pull this miracle off. God did not want this house to stay where it was,” said Mueller. 

Man may not be able to move mountains but, in this case anyway, he can remove a house to conserve and protect elk and elk country.




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Having a Blast in Alaska

November 6, 2015, 3:25 pm
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Adam Trujillo hat toss
They lined up by the dozens, raised their shotguns and waited for the fateful moment. A baseball cap flew into the air and the guns boomed. The hat, now riddled with tiny holes, floated back to the earth below as the shooters flashed smiles of satisfaction.

“This is considered quite an honor, and most athletes will hang up their ‘trophy hat,’ which is now blasted to smithereens!’ said Lindy Moss of the Alaska Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP).

The cap belonged to Adam Trujillo of Soldotna who took top honors in the men’s and women’s trap division at the Alaska SCTP-Youth Education in Shooting Sports (YESS) 2015 State Tournament. Trujillo shot his first ever 100-straight in trap. He had never shot 25-straight before—an accomplishment alone that qualified him, and several others, for the honorary hat toss. 

Adam Trujillo
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation contributed $3,500 in grant funding which allowed every athlete and team to receive ammunition at a substantial cost reduction.

“The ability to provide ammo at a discount for all athletes ensures that everyone is able to take advantage of more targets, more practices, more events, more training and experience. This was especially important for our long distance teams who not only saved several hundred dollars on ammo for their athletes, but also saved the hassle of having to spend time shopping for ammo supplies instead of participating in training, practice and fun events at state,” added Moss.

The 11th annual Alaska SCTP-YESS State Championship was the largest yet with 97 athletes representing 15 teams. The theme was “Going for the Gold in the Greatland.” And that’s exactly what participants did. More families also attended the event than ever before. The gathering also included drawings for guns, knives, shooting accessories and other door prizes.

Go here to read more about the tournament.


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Washington Rendezvous: Growing the RMEF Family

November 9, 2015, 3:26 pm
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They gathered a mere 25 miles from Mount Rainier’s towering 14,409-foot peak. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation volunteers from across the state came together in the heart of southcentral Washington’s elk country to roll up their sleeves in the Oak Creek Wildlife Area.

The goal? Remove fencing that restricts the movement of elk and other wildlife and remove tree tubes from young saplings that will provide future forage and cover. And that’s exactly what they did. When all was said and done, they posed for a victorious team photo with a stack of old poles, fencing and barb wire. It was a great way to kick off the annual Washington State Rendezvous.

The first evening’s highlight was a bring-your-favorite-dish pot luck dinner. As you can imagine, the selection was wide and tasty. Folks received awards for favorite dessert and dinner dishes. The winners had their entries “immortalized” by being placed in the ever-growing Rendezvous Recipe Book. Two-time World Elk Calling Champion Joel Turner provided the post-dinner entertainment by sharing calling strategies.



Saturday morning began a day chalk full of hands-on fun and learning. Activities included geocaching with a twist, archery shooting, a 3-D shooting competition, Dutch oven cooking techniques, gun raffles, award presentations, games, silent and live auctions, and even an after-dinner sing-a-long. RMEF co-founders Charlie Decker and Bob Munson were on hand which, of course, always lead to some unexpected shenanigans.



Sunday morning included updates on RMEF news and successes before everyone broke camp and headed for home.

“In the last three years we have really changed the goal and outlook of this event. It has gone from a ‘workshop’ format where seminars and presentations were the primary activities to a RMEF family camping trip full of activities where folks get to participate and learn as they go. Our new focus is on fun and teambuilding,” said Brian Anderson, RMEF regional director for western Washington. 

Mission accomplished! It was a great weekend for the 82 RMEF family members of all ages in attendance.


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Giving Honor, Respect to Our Veterans

November 10, 2015, 12:21 pm
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Dear RMEF Family,

Veterans Day is a special day. But I believe it to be more than that—even a sacred day.

Veterans Day always falls on November 11 for a specific reason. It was historically established to observe the end of World War I which formally ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 when the armistice with Germany took effect.

On October 12, 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed an executive order declaring the first Veterans Day Proclamation. It stated, in part:

“I also direct the appropriate officials of the Government to arrange for the display of the flag of the United States on all public buildings on Veterans Day. In order to insure proper and widespread observance of this anniversary, all veterans, all veterans' organizations, and the entire citizenry will wish to join hands in the common purpose.”
Veterans Day recognizes and honors America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

There is no group of Americans more special among us than our veterans. Their sacrifices are many. They spend time away from their loved ones and often put their lives on the line to defend and protect the freedoms we enjoy. To all of them and all of you, including many who are family members, friends, RMEF volunteers, staffers and members, we say a humble and sincere “thank you” for your dedication and service on behalf of our great nation.

Gratefully,





David Allen
RMEF President and CEO


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RMEF Grants Help Grandma Mildred’s 4-H Shooters

November 17, 2015, 10:48 am
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Eighty-year-old Mildred Spencer has a passion for hunting and shooting (see video below). Her grandchildren are among her biggest benefactors. But her zeal for the shooting sports expands far beyond her own bloodlines. Grandma Mildred is a matriarch of sorts for scores of young shooters who make up the 4-H Summit Shooting Sports in Summit County, Ohio.

“That’s all we do is shoot, one thing or the other. We shoot rifles, pistols, shotguns, muzzleloaders—you name it. Young people enjoy shooting. They enjoy learning about shooting. We found they need to know safety and that’s the biggest thing that we teach them,” said Spencer.

Spencer has several advisors that assist her. Together they focus on making the shooting experience safe, educational and enjoyable for all.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation remains a long-time supporter of hunting heritage programs for youth and adults across the nation. RMEF contributed more than $4,600 to the 4-H Summit Shooting Sports group over the last decade alone. That latest grant funding went toward a couple of different outings for the group including funds to purchase ammunition for a trip to the Ramrod Gun Club in Canal Fulton. Shooters learned about the early history and various types of muzzleloaders. The hands-on outing also provided skills and direction about reloading, caring for the gun, being aware of safety considerations and having fun.

RMEF also provided funds for air rifles, air revolvers and both camper and instructor training scholarships for a public community event in Akron where the 4-H Summit Shooters took on the role of mentor. 

“Our archery group was excited that we were requested for the second year to set up an archery range open to the public at the annual River Day celebration at Munroe Falls on May 30. Our more experienced club members along with a couple of advisors actually taught important safety rules to individuals of all ages as they attempted their first time at shooting an arrow. We had about 100 participants. It was a very exciting day!” added Spencer.


Kudos to Grandma Mildred and her 4-H Summit Shooters for helping spread a love of shooting, hunting, safety and ethics to the next generation!

Grandma Mildred talks about her hunt and her 4-H shooting group

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What Does $1 Billion Look Like?

November 18, 2015, 10:53 am
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billion
[bil-yuh n] 

noun, plural billions (as after a numeral) billion.

1. A cardinal number represented in the U.S. by 1 followed by 9 zeros, and in Great Britain by 1 followed by 12 zeros.

2. A very large number:
I've told you so billions of times.

adjective
3. Equal in number to a billion.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation recently topped $1 billion in total value of its lifetime efforts. That work includes land protection and access, habitat enhancement, wildlife management including elk restoration, research, and hunting heritage and conservation outreach projects. The land work itself permanently protected or enhanced more than 6.7 million acres of vital elk habitat.



But how do you fully realize and appreciate $1 billion when it is such a large amount? In other words, what does $1 billion look like? Let’s break it down through some staggering statistics.
  • If you stacked 1,000,000,000 one dollar bills, they would reach 358,510 feet in height or nearly 68 miles.
  • If you laid 1,000,000,000 one dollar bills end-to-end, they would extend 96,900 miles which would wrap around the earth almost four times. 
  • The area covered by 1,000,000,000 one dollar bills measures four square miles or approximately 1,936 football fields.
  • If you lived to be 80 years of age and you wanted to have $1 billion, you would have to save $34,000 each day of your life.
  • A shopper spending $20 per second would need 1,585 years to spend $1 billion.
Okay, now let’s apply what we have learned to RMEF.

One billion seconds is equal to 31.6888 years. If you do the math and turn the calendar pages back to the day RMEF officially began on May 14, 1984, you realize the organization is approximately that same age at 31-plus years. That means the RMEF accumulates roughly $1 of value per every second of our existence! 

RMEF: $1 Billion By the Numbers
One second = $1 of accumulated value
One minute = $60
One hour = $3,600
One day = $86,400
One week = $604,800
One month (31 days) = $2,678,400
One year = $31,536,000
One decade = $315,360,000

The $1 billion total is derived by the dollar amount contributed by RMEF plus the partner dollars leveraged by RMEF for its various projects since the organization’s founding. RMEF reached the milestone by carrying out 9,738 projects with a multitude –although not quite a billion– partners. Among them is the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, state wildlife agencies from across the nation, private landowners, universities and many other governmental, tribal, civic, wildlife and sportsmen groups. 

We cannot thank our partners enough. Successful working partnerships are both vital and mandatory in bringing about significant on-the-ground conservation success. We are also grateful for the long-time and continuing support of our members, volunteers and sponsors who believe in our mission to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage. To all our RMEF supporters, we are thankful a billion times over!”



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Call to Action: Urge the Senate to Pass the Bipartisan Sportsmen's Act

November 20, 2015, 10:21 am
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RMEF Members,

Urge your Senators to Support the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act!

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee just passed the Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act of 2015 (S.556)—a comprehensive bill addressing a variety of important issues for hunters, anglers and recreational shooters. The bill also seeks to maintain open access to public lands for hunting, fishing and other recreation. It received only one dissenting vote.

RMEF has been a staunch supporter of this bill since its introduction and has worked diligently with the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation to assure its passage.

Advancing the bill out of the committee is a good first step but we need the full Senate to follow suit. Please reach out to your senators online or by calling (202) 224-3121 to urge them to support this important sportsmen legislation without delay.

We appreciate your ongoing support.


Sincerely,

M. David Allen
RMEF President & CEO

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Happy Thanksgiving from RMEF

November 25, 2015, 12:34 pm
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RMEF Family,

American poet and writer William Arthur Ward once penned the words, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

Those words ring true. Feeling and expressing gratitude are things we should do and share with those around us all year long. If you’re not proficient at this, or even if you are, join me and make Thanksgiving the perfect time to start.

Take a look around and count your blessings and then let others know how you feel. We certainly are a blessed people and it benefits all of us to reflect a bit and fully recognize that.

I am grateful for my wife, my boys, my parents and other relatives, my friends, my freedoms provided by living in this great nation and my ever-growing Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation family of volunteers, members, conservation partners and other supporters. It is a joy and an honor to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you as we move this grand conservation effort forward that makes such an impactful difference for elk and elk country. Together, we are leaving a legacy for the majestic animal we love and an enduring hunting lifestyle tradition for our kids and grandkids.

As you gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving season, take a moment, look around and count your many blessings. Let it all sink in, give thanks and express sincere gratitude to loved ones and our Maker for the many blessings we all enjoy.


Gratefully,

M. David Allen
RMEF President & CEO
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RMEF Welcomes Rutting Ridge Cellars as New Conservation Partner

December 2, 2015, 10:35 pm
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Below is a news release issued by Rutting Ridge Cellars.

Rutting Ridge Cellars is one of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s newest sponsors and licensees. It joins an all-star lineup of other companies that support RMEF including industry leaders such as Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, Browning, Yamaha, Remington, Bushnell, Realtree and many others.

"RMEF is excited to welcome Rutting Ridge Cellars as our latest partner in wildlife conservation," said Steve Decker, RMEF vice president of Marketing. "Through the sale of Rutting Ridge wine to RMEF members and other hunting and wildlife enthusiasts across the nation, we anticipate that this new relationship will be very beneficial to our mission."

Rutting Ridge’s debut wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, comes from California's Lodi American Viticultural Area (AVA). This region, located 60 miles east of San Francisco, is impacted by dramatic day-to-night temperature changes of up to 40°F. The result is incredibly ripe fruit that makes a classic wine of great intensity. No longer an AVA made up predominately of growers, Lodi has been making great strides of late by area vintners in their pursuit of producing estate wines.

Bill Newton, Rutting Ridge Cellars' managing partner, noted, "Rutting Ridge Cabernet has been specially selected for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for its ever-pleasing style—one that's ready for drinking now, with great appeal to novice drinkers as well as connoisseurs of wine. It pairs exceptionally well with wild game or red meat. And best of all, for every bottle sold, Rutting Ridge Cellars has pledged to donate $3 to benefit RMEF's wildlife and habitat conservation efforts. We are proud to help support such a worthy cause."

Newton added, "Rutting Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon will make its official debut at RMEF's 2015 Hunter & Outdoor Christmas Expo, December 3-12 in Las Vegas. We will be exhibiting in booth #1003 in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. Rutting Ridge wine is sold only direct to the consumer in two-, six-, and 12-bottle packs from our website at www.ruttingridge.com/store."

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Founded over 30 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership of more than 205,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 6.7 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 or 800-CALL-ELK.

About Rutting Ridge Cellars
Rutting Ridge Cellars was founded on the belief that a well-balanced Cabernet Sauvignon is the ideal wine pairing for elk and other wild game. To that end, we created our own brand, Rutting Ridge, and have sourced and purchased a Lodi, Calif., Cabernet especially for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation membership. For every bottle sold, Rutting Ridge Cellars donates $3 to benefit RMEF's wildlife and habitat conservation efforts. For more information or to place an order via our online store, visit www.ruttingridge.com.

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Elk Camp/Hunter & Outdoor Christmas Expo Day One: Cowboy Up!

December 3, 2015, 11:43 pm
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The first day of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s largest-ever expo, the Hunter & Outdoor Christmas Exposition, presented by Cabela’s, bolted out of the chute like a young rodeo bull rider looking to make a name for himself. The expo combined with the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show to cover more than 900,000 square feet –that’s a hair less than 21 acres– in the South Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center. In a nutshell, it’s a cavernous mega-dream for folks who cater to hunting and the Western lifestyle. 

The 10-day show runs Dec. 3-12. For RMEF, it’s a bold, yet calculated move designed to expose the organization and its mission of ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage to more people from more places across the country and around the world than ever before. And it’s already working. The Cowboy Christmas/RMEF expo team effort is generating a lot of buzz in Las Vegas.




The expo features exhibitors showcasing the best in hunting, optics and other outdoor-related gear and apparel. But it is much more than that. There are antlers galore—from RMEF’s Great Elk Tour  (above left) to Eastman’s Trophy Deer Tour (above right). Chevy Trucks and NRS Trailers, just to name two, are among a throng of industry leaders on hand. 



Fans of the National Finals Rodeo are also flocking to the expo floor to witness a slew of events at the Wrangler Rodeo Arena. Among them are the standing-room-only Bullfighters Only Las Vegas Championship, miniature bucking bulls, wild pony races, mini bareback championships, and the 13 & under boys and girls tie-down and breakaway events. 

Chad Bushnell
Attendees can also meet, greet and tap their toes to the country music tunes of seven different performing artists. Chad Bushnell entertained fans on day one at the Cabela’s Live Stage (Booth #1220).

Randy Newberg
Kristy Titus
“All elk hunting all the time” remains the theme at the Elk Country Theater. Day one presenters included Randy Newberg, Kristy Titus, Rich Birdsell, Weston Clark and Wayne van Zwoll.

What better way to cap off a fast-paced first day than with Elk Camp Opening Ceremonies back at The Mirage! Members gathered to renew old friendships and form new ones. They recognized Jack Ward Thomas as the 2015 recipient of the Wallace Fennell Pate Conservationist Award, the highest honor bestowed by RMEF. They also celebrated the Tenderfoot Creek acquisition in Montana—a land protection and public access project nine years in the making– as well as other projects and accomplishments including RMEF hitting the $1 billion value in its all-time conservation efforts.

Country music star Tracy Lawrence capped off the evening by standing before behind the microphone to say, “It’s great to be in a room full of good people!” He also declared, “I got my first elk about a month ago!” (See the photo below for proof.) Lawrence and three of his bandmates entertained the scores on hand by launching into a medley of his many hits. 

Following his performance, RMEF members watched a live feed of opening night of the National Finals Rodeo from across town at the Thomas and Mack Center.

Yes, day one was one to remember. Bring on day two!

Kristy Titus, Tracy Lawrence with Tracy's first elk


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