MISSOULA, Mont.—Eight counties in California are slated for wildlife habitat conservation projects using $227,571 in new grants from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

The 2009 RMEF grants will affect Colusa, Humboldt, Inyo, Modoc, San Luis Obispo, Shasta, Siskiyou and Trinity counties.

Another project has statewide interest.

“California is the only state with three subspecies of elk—Rocky Mountain, Roosevelt’s and Tule—but that’s only part of what makes this state special. Our volunteers all across The Golden State absolutely devoted themselves to the 2008 fundraisers that made these grants possible. This is where Elk Foundation banquets, auctions and other events transform into on-the-ground conservation work, and its part of the payday for supporters who are passionate about giving something back to the outdoors,” said David Allen, Elk Foundation president and CEO.

Elk Foundation grants will help fund the following California projects, listed by county:

Colusa County—Restore riparian zone native vegetation to improve habitat for elk and other wildlife on BLM land in Payne Ranch area. RMEF helped purchase the Payne Ranch several years ago and remains heavily involved in habitat protection and enhancement projects in the area.

Humboldt County—Improve forage for elk and other wildlife by removing encroaching conifers from oak woodlands and native prairies on BLM Lack’s Creek Management Area.

Inyo County—Using a helicopter, capture 18 elk and fit them with radio collars to research movement patterns, population status and herd composition in Owens Valley.

Modoc County—Continue prescribe burn program to improve forage for elk on Devil’s Garden area, and install four guzzlers to improve water sources for wildlife, in Modoc National Forest.

San Luis Obispo County—Install larger water tank to improve water source for wildlife and livestock on Gifford Ranch state lands; construct tanks and troughs for a year-round water supply in South Chimineas Ranch area of Los Padres National Forest.

Shasta County—Using a helicopter, capture elk and fit them with radio collars to research movement patterns, population status and habitat use across northern California (also affects Siskiyou and Trinity counties).

Siskiyou County—Use specialized tools to remove taproot and treat perennial, noxious weeds to improve forage for elk and other wildlife on 42 acres near South Fork Salmon River in Klamath National Forest.

Statewide—Assist California Department of Fish and Game with construction of panel traps to capture elk for management research and translocation.

Partners for 2009 projects in California include California Department of Fish and Game, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, other agencies, landowners and organizations.

Since 1984, the Elk Foundation and its partners have completed more than 350 conservation projects in California with a value of more than $20.5 million.

MISSOULA, Mont. Elk and elk hunting opportunities are plentiful across the U.S. and Canada, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has just released its annual roundup of hunt forecasts for 27 states and provinces, newly posted here.

Elk herds are in great shape across most of the West, thanks to a mild winter and normal moisture. And, of course, the ongoing habitat stewardship projects supported by our members and volunteers have helped, too, said David Allen, president and CEO of the Elk Foundation.

This summer, RMEF passed the 5.6 million acre mark for elk habitat conserved or enhanced.

Storylines within the Elk Foundation’s 2009 elk hunt forecast include the amazing herd growth following elk restoration efforts in Kentucky, wolf impacts on elk and hunting in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, massive elk populations in Colorado and the trophy bull reputations of Arizona and Utah.

Here’s a condensed look at forecasts from top states and provinces for total elk populations. To see all the reports in their entirety, including contact information for respective conservation agencies, visit http://www.rmef.org/. For even more hunting including sidebars, see the Sept. /Oct. 2009 edition of the RMEF member magazine, Bugle.

Read more…

The Virginia state all volunteer leadership team put together a fantastic drawing in celebration of our 25th Anniversary of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.  We have 250 tickets for this drawing at $75.00 each or 2 tickets for $100.00 and this drawing will be held as soon we sell this raffle out.  We will be holding the drawing and Kevin Paulson with Hunting Life will personally be video taping the drawing so they can air the drawing on HuntingLife.com.

Get more information here.

MISSOULA, Mont. Black bears, grizzlies, cougars, wolves, coyotes just some of the potential looters you may find skulking around the scene of your next successful elk hunt. These tips from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will help keep meat stealers away from your elk carcass.

Deterring predators ensure all that hard-won protein ends up in your freezer, but personal safety is a factor, too. If you hunt in grizzly country, for example, it’s worth minimizing the risk of surprising a bear that has claimed your kill, said P.J. DelHomme, hunting editor of the Elk Foundation’s member magazine, Bugle.

Here are five tips for discouraging marauding carnivores:

1. Hang quarters at an unreachable height 100 yards or more from the entrails, etc. Parachute
chord works well; its small, light, cheap and strong enough for the job. Bring way more than
you think you need. Try to select a hanging tree in a relatively open area that can be glassed
from at least 300 yards away. If no trees are available, you can hang quarters off a rimrock
ledge, too. Prime cuts of meat should get the first trip out.

2. When safe and legal, build a fire next to the quarters. Burn damp, pitchy wood that produces
a good plume of smoke. This detracts predators and helps you locate the site on your return
trip. Remember to mark the site in your GPS and take compass bearings as a backup.

3. Leave an article of clothing with the quarters, preferably something that’s been close to your
skin and absorbed your scent. A brightly colored item also helps you locate the site. Urinate
nearby to further saturate the area with human smell.

4. Many hunters won’t carry their rifle or bow once their elk tag has been punched. However,
when returning to a carcass, consider carrying a handgun or bear spray for personal protection
in case you encounter a defiant critter. Be as noisy and obnoxious as possible as you approach
the site. Clap your hands. Sing as loud as you can.

5. Be ready to back off. An elk carcass is never worth fighting over. If a looter is adamant that it
needs the meat more than you do, or has rendered your elk unsalvageable, check the state’s
hunting regulations. A game warden may issue you a new elk permit.

Additionally, if legal, you may have an opportunity to add the predator to your game bag. Remember that many predator populations need management via state-regulated hunting, same as elk. The Elk Foundation is a vocal supporter of this system for managing restored populations of gray wolves in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, too.

Bugle magazine is a wealth of elk hunting and conservation information. An annual subscription is included with a $35 membership to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. For details, visit http://www.rmef.org/.

MISSOULA, Mont. Up in years, Dolly and Harry Evans of Custer, S.D., couldn’t bear the thought of their ranch someday being broken up, cross-fenced, subdivided or developed. The place had been in their family for generations. In fact, their ancestors homesteaded nearby. The Evans wanted permanent protection for their land and they selected the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to help.

The Evans and RMEF recently transferred 212 acres of Black Hills ranchland and wildlife habitat to the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department.

Dolly and Harry took years to decide how best to protect their property. This was very emotional for them. But they’re looking beyond their own lifetimes and focusing on the fact that this land they love will always be much like it’s always been. It’s a beautiful, wild place and very productive agricultural land, and now that’s never going to change, ” said Mike Mueller of the Elk Foundation.

He added, we’re honored the Evans family chose RMEF to be part of their family’s legacy. I’ve been so impressed with this family Dolly, Harry, their daughters and sons, everyone working together toward a goal of keeping open spaces for wildlife and for people to enjoy forever.

Mueller said a crush of development continues to shrink wildlife habitat across the Black Hills, which makes the Evans’ decision even more special.

The transaction closed and all transfer documents were recorded June 15.

The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department now manages the land as an addition to its adjoining Spring Valley Game Production Area. The acquisition expands public access and recreational opportunities including hunting.

This has been a great partnership with RMEF and private landowners. This is the fourth acquisition in the Pleasant Valley area over the last 15 years with 1,450 acres conserved by RMEF and the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Department, said Dennie Mann, regional habitat manager for state agency.

The property also borders the Black Hills National Forest so the tract helps permanently connect a crucial corridor of wildlife habitat. Ponderosa pine-covered hills and lush grasslands are winter range for up to 300 elk. Pronghorn antelope, deer, turkey, mountain lion, coyote, bobcat and numerous other game and non-game species also utilize the area. The area is popular among hunters, sightseers and other recreationists.

Working with many landowners through the years, the Elk Foundation has completed 35 different projects to help permanently protect 33,467 acres in South Dakota’s Black Hills.

MISSOULA, Mont.—Wild elk haven’t roamed the Maryland countryside in over a century, but the species remains an inspiration to the state’s Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation members. These devoted conservationists raise money to ensure the future of elk in other states—and fund public education efforts at home.

Nine Maryland counties including Anne Arundel, Baltimore City, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, Garrett, Hartford, Montgomery and Queen Anne’s are slated for conservation education events using $10,158 in new grants from the Elk Foundation.

Four additional projects have statewide interest.

David Allen, president and CEO of the Montana-based Elk Foundation, said, “Our volunteers and members in Maryland helped drive the 2008 fundraisers that made these grants possible. This is where Elk Foundation banquets, auctions and other events transform into on-the-ground conservation and education work, and its part of the payday for supporters who are passionate about giving something back to the outdoors.”

RMEF grants will help fund the following Maryland projects, listed by county:

Anne Arundel County—Sponsor Kids & Cops 2009 Youth Field Day in Pasadena to introduce youths to safe hunting and fishing.

Baltimore City—Sponsor Upper Bay Greenwing Youth Event hosted by Ducks Unlimited in Baltimore to build interest in conservation and outdoor recreation.

Caroline County—Sponsor Maryland 2009 National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration at Schrader’s Bridgetown Manor in Henderson to introduce the public to hunting, fishing, sport shooting and conservation.

Cecil County—Sponsor Northern Chesapeake Sportsmen for Kids 2009 Field Day in North East to introduce youths to hunting, fishing, sport shooting and conservation.

Charles County—Sponsor Patuxent Sportsmen for Kids 2009 Youth Field Day in Waldorf to introduce youths to conservation and outdoor recreation.

Garrett County—Sponsor Cecil County Forest Conservancy college-credit conference in Sudlersville for high school students interested in a career in forestry or natural resource management (also affects Montgomery and Garrett counties).

Hartford County—Sponsor Mason-Dixon Outfitters 2009 Youth Hunt Day in Pylesville to introduce youths to conservation and hunting, including an actual bird hunt.

Montgomery County—Sponsor Maryland 2009 National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration in Germantown to introduce the public to outdoor recreation and conservation.

Queen Anne’s County—Sponsor Maryland 2009 Junior Hunter Field Day in Sudlersville to provide youths with opportunities to learn from Maryland Department of Natural Resources professionals (also affects Montgomery and Garrett counties).

Statewide—Sponsor the Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation, which assists the Maryland Legislative Caucus in advancing issues related to hunting, fishing, sport shooting and conservation; sponsor Maryland Natural Resource Police Wildlife Display, a mobile exhibit that will appear at fairs and other events to educate the public about native species; sponsor Maryland National Archery in the Schools for 2009-2010 to introduce students to archery; provide support for redesigned Maryland RMEF Web site as a resource for hunters and conservationists.

Since 1984, the Elk Foundation and its partners have completed more than 54 education and conservation projects in Maryland with a value of more than $440,000.

Partners for 2009 projects in Maryland include the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, local sportsmen associations, retailers and conservation organizations.

Support from Maryland RMEF members helped reintroduce elk into parts of their historic range in Kentucky, Tennessee and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Those herds are now expanding into Virginia and West Virginia. Pennsylvania also has a thriving elk herd. Funding from Maryland is currently helping to build a new Elk Country Visitor Center in central Pennsylvania, which will be the largest elk viewing and conservation education facility in the eastern U.S.

MISSOULA, Mont.—A new credit card program allows conservationists to support wildlife habitat with each purchase. The special Visa card offers a competitive rate and no annual fee, with 1 percent of all charged purchases donated by Capital One(R) to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

In addition, the Elk Foundation will receive $25 when cardholders make their first purchase, regardless of the amount charged.

The card comes in three designs featuring images of elk, habitat and/or the RMEF logo.

For more information, visit www.rmef.org/visa.

“This is a way to support wildlife and habitat conservation with no additional money out of pocket. Whether you use the card for fuel, meals, big-ticket items or daily essentials, 1 percent will come back to the Elk Foundation,” said Rod Triepke, chief operations officer for RMEF.

Triepke said the new credit card program could mean significant dollars for the Elk Foundation mission to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. To date, the organization has protected or enhanced more than 5.6 million acres.

MISSOULA, Mont.—Wilderness elk hunting is an athletic endeavor but you don’t need to kill yourself getting in shape. Cameron Hanes, fitness and bowhunting authority as well as TV show host and columnist for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, says moderation in exercise is a key for most hunters.

“You don’t have to be a world-class athlete to build up amazing endurance, but you do have to get started with some sort of workout regimen. Every day you spend in inactivity, you get weaker. Every day that elk move through high country, they get stronger. And the longer you wait to exercise, the wider the gap grows,” said Hanes.

Here are five ways to start closing the gap.

1. Try a “commercial workout” when you’re sitting around watching TV. Do push-ups and sit-ups during the commercials. Over the summer months, this exercise can make a big difference.

2. If you’ve been doing nothing recently, there’s no point in running. Going overboard right out of the gate will only make you too sore, cause you to hurt yourself or burnout quickly. Go for a brisk walk instead. Walk for 10 minutes and slowly jog for five. Do this back-to-back for 30 minutes, four times a week, for a couple of weeks. Slowly begin to lengthen the overall workout, and then start increasing the jogging time.

3. You needn’t spend tons of time. If you’re at your ideal weight, you need just 30 minutes per day of exercise, minimum. If weight loss is a concern, experts say it takes an hour of exercise each day to lose weight without going on a diet. Thirty minutes will do for weight loss if you both diet and exercise.

4. Hard workouts are not always better. Some of the world’s greatest athletes exercise at “conversation pace,” meaning their pace is easy enough to have a conversation while running. Even many Olympians workout at a comfortable pace 90 percent of the time. As you get into shape, try long (45 minutes or more) comfortable workouts three or four days a week. Then, one day a week, do a harder fast-paced workout.

5. Mix it up. Add some variety to your walking and jogging with cross-training and lifting weights—but keep in mind that almost everything you do in elk hunting begins and ends with your legs. Throw on your pack and climb hills or bleachers. Get on a bike. In the weight room, emphasize squats and lunges. Lots of reps are more important than heavy weights, because for elk hunting you need lean muscle, not size.

When hunting season arrives, Hanes says, remember to pace yourself. The endurance you’ve built over the summer will allow you hunt longer, not necessarily faster or harder. Many hunters tend to overexert at first and hit the wall quickly. Slow, steady hunting for longer periods gives you your best chance to take an elk.

While he admits it’s not for everyone, Hanes prepares for elk season by training for and competing in ultramarathons, races up to 100 miles or more across high-elevation trails. His advice on workouts for hunters spans from basic suggestions for average people to highly technical info for elite athletes in elk country.

Hanes serves RMEF as host of “Elk Chronicles” on Outdoor Channel and as a columnist for “Bugle” magazine. His second book, “Backcountry Bowhunting, A Guide to the Wild Side and is currently in its fifth printing.

MISSOULA, Mont. Thirteen counties in Pennsylvania are slated for conservation education and wildlife habitat projects using $146,996 in new grants from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

The 2009 RMEF grants will affect Armstrong, Blair, Clarion, Elk, Erie, Fayette, Jefferson, Lehigh, Lycoming, Mercer, Potter, Sullivan and Washington counties.

Three additional projects have statewide interest.

Our volunteers across Pennsylvania helped drive the 2008 fundraisers that made these grants possible. This is where Elk Foundation banquets, auctions and other events transform into on-the-ground conservation work, and its part of the payday for supporters who are passionate about giving something back to the outdoors, said David Allen, Elk Foundation president and CEO.

Elk Foundation grants will help fund the following Pennsylvania projects, listed by county:

Armstrong County Sponsor Armstrong County Sportsmen and Conservation League Youth Field Day to introduce youths to hunting, fishing, shooting and conservation; sponsor Keystone Junior Sportsmen’s Club project to develop forage plots to enhance wildlife habitat.

Blair County Sponsor Blair County 2009 Youth Field Day to introduce youths to hunting, fishing, shooting and conservation.

Clarion County Sponsor Clarion County 2009 Youth Field Day to introduce youths to hunting, fishing, shooting and conservation.

Elk County Assist with funding for Pennsylvania Elk Country Visitor Center (under construction), a $12.4 million partnership project between the commonwealth and RMEF; plant forage plots to enhance wildlife habitat at the above site; assist with St. Mary’s Area Middle School 2009 Helping Hands for Habitat with habitat stewardship projects for elk.

Erie County Sponsor Erie County Youth Field Day to introduce youths to hunting, fishing, shooting and conservation.

Fayette County Sponsor Fayette Gun Club 2009 Shooting and Conservation Program to introduce youths to hunting, fishing, shooting and conservation.

Jefferson County Sponsor Camp Friendship Fishing Derby to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation.

Lehigh County Sponsor Camp Compass Academy 2009 Shooting Program to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation.

Lycoming County Sponsor Muncy Creek Sportsmen 2009 Youth Outdoor Education project to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation (also affects Sullivan County).

Mercer County Sponsor Mercer County 2009 Youth Conservation Camp to introduce youths to conservation and related outdoor issues.

Potter County Sponsor Keith Kelligan Kids Fishing Derby to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation.

Statewide Sponsor Pennsylvania Institute for Conservation Education Teacher Workshops to educate teachers about wildlife, habitat and conservation; sponsor Pennsylvania 2009 Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus to education lawmakers about conservation issues; sponsor Pennsylvania Hunters Sharing the Harvest which provides hunter-harvested venison to underprivileged families.

Sullivan County Sponsor East Lycoming and Sullivan County School Districts 2009 Outdoor Education to introduce youths to hunting, fishing, shooting and conservation (also affects Lycoming County); sponsor North Mountain Sportsmen’s Association 2009 Youth Field Day; sponsor Sullivan County High School 2009 Shooting Sports.

Washington County Sponsor Western Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors to provide hunting and fishing opportunities for disabled veterans; sponsor Allenport Rod and Gun Club Children’s Annual Fishing Contest; sponsor Roscoe Sportsmen’s Association Junior Trap League and Roscoe Sportsmen’s Association 2009 Youth Field Day; sponsor California Hill Gun Club 2009 Scholastic Clay Target Program.

Since 1984, the Elk Foundation and its partners have completed more than 175 education and conservation projects in Pennsylvania with a value of more than $14.4 million.

Partners for 2009 projects in Pennsylvania include the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Richard King Mellon Foundation, Dominion Foundation, Thoresen Foundation, Safari Club International, Eastern Chapter Foundation for North American Wild Sheep and many individual donors, local sportsmen associations, landowners and conservation organizations.

MISSOULA, Mont. By facilitating agreements between corporate landowners and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has helped open or secure over 250,000 acres for public hunting access.

The milestone was recognized at a recent meeting of agency commissioners.

Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources Commissioner Dr. Jon Gassett said, The Elk Foundation has been vital in this process without them we wouldn’t be nearly as successful in obtaining these landowner agreements. The Elk Foundation gets things done with coal and timber companies that we, as an agency, have a hard time accomplishing. They have built a great relationship with landowners in Kentucky.

Participating companies include Molpus Timberlands, KY River Properties, Begley Lumber and International Coal Group. Some lands were previously closed, others were historically open but scheduled to be leased each situation was different.

David Ledford, initiative director for the Elk Foundation in Kentucky, explained, Each agreement is different because each landowner had specific goals and sideboards. We worked with companies on an individual basis and helped them determine how to structure hunting access on their lands. Some agreements came together quickly, others took time, but the results are good news for hunters in Kentucky.

At a June 11 meeting, Gassett presented Ledford and RMEF Regional Director Bill Carman with limited edition art prints as a token of thanks from Kentucky hunters.

Most of the state’s 11,300 elk are on private lands. More than 46,000 people applied for a chance to hunt them, and this fall more than 1,000 lucky selectees will take to the hills in pursuit of a Kentucky elk. Helping hunters and other wildlife enthusiasts access this growing resource is imperative, says Ledford.

Gassett said, The coal industry has done great things for wildlife in Kentucky. In fact, without the coal industry, elk wouldn’t be here. We appreciate what they’re doing for public hunting access, too.

For more information and regulations governing public hunting opportunities on corporate lands, visit the KDFWR Web site.