RMEF is in the fight

[bearpaw]

RMEF is in the fight

Posted: Thursday, February 13, 2014 12:00 am

M. DAVID ALLEN/Special to The Press

A recent editorial by Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation life member Mike Muscha caught my attention.
 
Mike talked about his love for elk, hunting and its future in Idaho because of the growing wolf population. He also called on RMEF to "step up to the plate" and "take action."

Our message is simple. RMEF is in the fight.

In fact, the RMEF has been and remains a leader in the fight for state-based management of wolves. We consistently remain engaged with the state and federal agencies controlling management of predators like wolves, mountain lions and bears.

We also understand the frustration of local hunters and sportsmen who have contributed more to their state agencies for wildlife management than any other single group of citizens.

We also understand why groups like the Foundation for Wildlife Management are cropping up in states as a direct result from the sportsmen's frustration.

As an example of RMEF's leadership in this area, we recently topped $725,000 in lifetime grants to advance the science of wolves, wolf interactions with elk and other wildlife, and wolf management overall.

In just the past two years, RMEF has granted more than $210,000 directly to the state wildlife agencies in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

Why? To help determine how many wolves are on the landscape and where they roam so efforts to help manage or reduce those numbers can be more effective.

In addition, RMEF has also filed legal briefs and served as an intervener to counter endless, frivolous lawsuits by environmental groups seeking to thwart the management of wolves in Idaho, Montana, Michigan, and currently in Wyoming.

RMEF also publicly supports a proposal to remove gray wolves nationwide from federal protection so they can be managed by the states.

The bottom line is RMEF is in the fight and we intend to stay in the battle for better state-based management of all wildlife, including predators.

RMEF will continue to grant money, raise awareness, intervene in support of science-based wildlife management and do what is necessary to continue the cause.

Thanks for being a hunter, Mike. Thanks for caring. Thanks again for your support of RMEF and our shared mission to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage.

We urge all outdoorsmen and women who care about our elk herds in Idaho and elsewhere to be like Mike. Get educated. Get involved.

To learn more about RMEF's work on this issue: www.rmef.org.

M. David Allen is the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation president and chief executive officer.

[Duffer]

Excellent confirmation!

Wifee & I are pouring extra energy (and some modest donations) into RMEF. It's a worthy cause!

Each of us has to find a way to step up and support these causes.

Either we fight or we roll over. I'm not ready to roll over yet

[pianoman9701]

I would've preferred to have seem them during the planning stages of WA's wolf plan. Getting into the game now is too late. The damage has been done and with the goals of the plan, all of RMEF's grant money and "support" will be useless. Once we reach a point where the state will start actively managing, our ungulate herds will be greatly reduced.

[Bob33]

RMEF continues to be one of the nation's leading advocates for elk and elk hunters. Habitat benefits not only elk but many other species as well.

[Special T]

Never let an emergency go, with out the chance to capitalize on it!

[AspenBud]

RMEF continues to be one of the nation's leading advocates for elk and elk hunters. Habitat benefits not only elk but many other species as well.

Careful now, according to Wolfbait habitat is irrelevant.   

[pianoman9701]

RMEF continues to be one of the nation's leading advocates for elk and elk hunters. Habitat benefits not only elk but many other species as well.

I don't disagree with that at all, Bob, but when the WA wolf plan was still unfinished and I requested, along with many others, that RMEF get involved and testify before the WDFW, there wouldn't do it. At that time they said it was a political fight and they wouldn't get involved.

[bearpaw]

RMEF continues to be one of the nation's leading advocates for elk and elk hunters. Habitat benefits not only elk but many other species as well.

I don't disagree with that at all, Bob, but when the WA wolf plan was still unfinished and I requested, along with many others, that RMEF get involved and testify before the WDFW, there wouldn't do it. At that time they said it was a political fight and they wouldn't get involved.

I too wished they had been more vocal earlier on, I was also pretty disgusted with RMEF. They lost a lot of hunters which I suspect is turning around some since they have gotten more involved.

[steen]

We cut back in putting our $ into RMEF because they were not helping with the wolf situation.  Buying land for elk does no good if the wolves come in to them, then what we are doing is "feeding" them.  We quit putting in for memberships for a while but did pay for a membership this year.  Hopefully they will start fighting harder again!

[wolfbait]

We cut back in putting our $ into RMEF because they were not helping with the wolf situation.  Buying land for elk does no good if the wolves come in to them, then what we are doing is "feeding" them.  We quit putting in for memberships for a while but did pay for a membership this year.  Hopefully they will start fighting harder again!

The RMEF sat on their hands for 14 years knowing what the wolves were doing to elk etc. it wasn't until they started loosing $ that they decided to throw in their  :two cents:. At this point I highly doubt there will be any true wolf management until states are allowed to curb wolves as Alaska and Canada do. I think every wolf study has already been done, and it all comes down to controlling wolves, which entitles killing 70% every year.

From a friend of mine in WYoming: In Dubois the Hunting is Bad , and any where that Wolves are . The Areas around Cody are Bad , Elk move as you have seen and read about BUT NO one can Kill an Elk that isn't there .....Not even a Wolf ! Starvation is in the Wind for Wolves . Yellowstone can't support a Wolf population because it's an Artificial Environment ! Wolves won't survive any where in Wyo because of the rifles . Yellowstone is an Island in a Sea of Guns !!!!

[idahohuntr]

RMEF continues to be one of the nation's leading advocates for elk and elk hunters. Habitat benefits not only elk but many other species as well.

RMEF protects and restores habitat, speaks up for sportsmen on important issues, and is recently becoming more engaged in providing hunting access to sportsmen.  Yea, I would say they are the leader of the pack when it comes to conservation organizations that look out for the average sportsmen...can't think of a better group to give my money to.

[Bob33]

RMEF continues to be one of the nation's leading advocates for elk and elk hunters. Habitat benefits not only elk but many other species as well.

I don't disagree with that at all, Bob, but when the WA wolf plan was still unfinished and I requested, along with many others, that RMEF get involved and testify before the WDFW, there wouldn't do it. At that time they said it was a political fight and they wouldn't get involved.

I will accept as fact that RMEF was not as active as they could have been on the issue of wolves. However,

1. I do not believe their involvement in wolf issues and in particular state wolf plans like Washington's would have had a significant impact on their inevitable outcomes.
2. They are not nor ever have been pro wolf.
3. They have secured and helped preserve prime habitat that would have been lost forever.
4. They have recognized their shortcoming on wolves, and responded accordingly.

If you are aware of an organization with as much influence as RMEF that has no flaws and policies I agree with 100%, I would be glad to support them as well.

[AspenBud]

RMEF continues to be one of the nation's leading advocates for elk and elk hunters. Habitat benefits not only elk but many other species as well.

I don't disagree with that at all, Bob, but when the WA wolf plan was still unfinished and I requested, along with many others, that RMEF get involved and testify before the WDFW, there wouldn't do it. At that time they said it was a political fight and they wouldn't get involved.

I will accept as fact that RMEF was not as active as they could have been on the issue of wolves. However,

1. I do not believe their involvement in wolf issues and in particular state wolf plans like Washington's would have had a significant impact on their inevitable outcomes.
2. They are not nor ever have been pro wolf.
3. They have secured and helped preserve prime habitat that would have been lost forever.
4. They have recognized their shortcoming on wolves, and responded accordingly.

If you are aware of an organization with as much influence as RMEF that has no flaws and policies I agree with 100%, I would be glad to support them as well.

Yep

[Dan-o]

They were absolutely no ally early on.....   and their neutrality bit us in the butt.     they failed us all BADLY.

I quit the RMEF in utter disgust after being a very early member.

Having said that, they have come around, and I'm now a member again......   I sure hope they use their voice wisely this time around.  (And yes, I agree, nobody or no organization gets it right 100% of the time.....   but, boy they sure screwed us over on this at first.)

[Special T]

I am unaware of any organization that has gotten it "right" that has any real sway. Non profits make Boat loads of cash pushing "Habitat". While i think Habitat is important actual Management (management =hunting) requires a "Non Profit" to stick its neck into the political realm... Which in turn can risk thier ability to pull in lots of bucks... "Habitat" is a safe non political term that offends no one. Getting work done requires getting dirty and possibly offending some one. Wolves are not an issue that you can garner support from both Geen Enviro's AND Hunters... So i would have to say that MOST game specific/Habitat organisations are NOT pro hunter. I would lump DU, Phesant forever, Muledeer foundation Etc into the same kind of group. I think you could say SCI, Washington waterfowlers and others of that emphesis are PRO hunters. We are habitat rich, with Poor management.