Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

[fisheral87]

Curious about how many of you guys are members of the foundation and if you can point me in the direction of some unaffiliated source that gives exaples of what the organization has done in the past? It is one thing to hear what they are doing from the horses mouth, but I would really be impressed if there were positive feed back from a third party that would convince me that these people are have been and continue to be a great ambassadore for elk populations everywhere. Facts? Opinions? Sources?

Thanks.

[bowhuntin]

I have been a member for the past four years. They do a lot of good things for elk and wildlife in general. In the past year or two they have helped in a land exchange on the eastside to make sure critical habitat was their for the future of elk and other animals, and I know they have local chapters all over that volunteer and help with habitat enhancement and other projects. I will continue to support them.

I know these links are not what you are looking for, but they are somethings the RMEF has helped with.

http://www.rmef.org/Conservation/HowWeConserve/Protection/Projects/Washington/projectdetail?project_id=348

http://www.rmef.org/Conservation/HowWeConserve/Protection/Projects/Washington/projectdetail?project_id=383

Here is a link to projects by county statewide...

http://www.rmef.org/NewsandMedia/NewsReleases/2008/WApacs.htm

[jeepasaurusrex]

Been a member for about 10 years.
There is a local chapter in Everett.

Also check out http://wildelk.org/

[Huntbear]

I am also a member of the RMEF.  However, I feel they are going the same way SCI did, in that it is all about the money, not the hunters.  Seems the wealthier you are, the more they want to talk to you or give you a hunt.....  just my 

[GoldTip]

I've been a member for probably 15 years, good org. in my book.  They have done a lot, probably more than any other wildlife foundation, excepting ducs unlimited.  I think they unfortunately get guys grumbling about how they are about the big dollars.  Hell yes they are to an extent, you think they fund all these projects off of once a year $35 dollar dues?  But I the things is, most of the land(other than their big ranch somewhere) is useable by vritually all sporstmen, members and non-members.  They are a good organization in my opinion.

[huntnphool]

I have been a member for several years and have donated a few dollars in that time. I sent them a letter a few months ago expressing my displeasure and concerns regarding them booking their banquet at the Snoqualmie Valley Casino this past year. I explained that this was a direct slap in the face of sportsman and members and I would not be contributing funds as long as they maintained this relationship with the tribes, or until the tribes hunting practices were changed. I received a letter in response and it explained their reasoning, which I believe to be unacceptable and . There hearts are in the right place but the decision makers need to be more educated on the local challenges the elk face.

[fisheral87]

Any chance you could post the letter you recieved stating their reasoning?

[Elkstuffer]

I've been a member since 1994. Started the Polson, Montana chapter in 1996 with a couple friends. They do a lot of good for ALL wildlife. Politically they like to stay in the middle sometimes. I wish they had taken a stronger stance on the wolf issue.

[bowhuntin]

Any chance you could post the letter you recieved stating their reasoning?

I think it is on here some where, I will see if I can find it for you...

Are you thinking about becoming a member or are you one too?

Took me a while but I think this is what you wanted to see. Here is the link

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,14197.0.html

[7mag.]

I have been a member for many years and I like what they do. They are not perfect and they are a human run organization, so they can't always make everyone happy all the time, but I beleive that they are a good foundation to be a part of.

[Jackjr]

Been a member for 6 years. 

[bow-n-head]

I hear a lot of bogus stories about the Elk Foundation. Buying land and closing it up or leasing it to outfitters, are the two that really get me going. I have an aunt and uncle here in Montana that are district chairs. Going to a RMEF banquet saturday. I know no other organization that does more for elk period. The great thing is everyone I know in the organization is also an elk hunter.

[Slider]

I am also a member. I also wrote a letter to them about a Banquet being held at an Indian Casino. They are not perfect but really it's about helping the animals!!! 

[gasman]

I have been a member sence 1996 and will keep my membership going............


They are not what they used to be, but they do a lot for land conservation and we all can benifit from that.

[MagKarl]

I've been a member for several years.  RMEF is an organization focused on the preservation of habitat more than anything.  Can't have elk without it.  It's not a elk hunting organization, although most folks that are members probably hunt.  If you read about the projects they do, most of it is land improvements or temporary acquisition in order to prevent loss of critical habitat to development.  It takes big money to do this, that's why they chase the big donors.  Go to a banquet and take a look around, see if it fits you.  I know that when I attend one I don't have to know anyone in the room but fit right in, my kind of folks.     

[TheHunt]

I have been a member for four years now.  They are out to buy lands.  If you do not have the dollars you will not be getting a hunt.  I usually will not make a big deal out of the Indian Casino.  I just will not attend.  If they ask I will tell them. 

I will attend another RMEF banquet.  Heck there is one every other month.

[huntnphool]

Thanks for finding that Bowhuntin, that's the form letter I received as well.

[WonkyWapiti]

I just joined the RMEF and I attended the banquet at the Snoqualmie casino.  Huntnphool I had no problem with attending the meeting there especially since the Snoqualmie's do not have any tribal hunting rights.  The banquet actually was pretty awesome and my wife and I had alot of fun. 

[MHWASH]

Been a member for over 10 years. We will be attending the banquet in Moscow tonite.

[ABugg]

Not just for land purchases, RMEF also provides funds for habitat enhancement projects, research and some monitoring.  Much of the work done in WA is funded in part by RMEF $$.

[Grizzle]

I attended the banquet at the Sno casino, I was pretty impressed with Rance's presentation on 2008 accomplishments.  Seems like they're getting a lot done on the central east slope.  Something like 180 square miles has been protected.   They're definitely more than just buying up land, they are making the dollars they have go a long way by partnering with other organizations and lending organizational skills.  Rance stated that rmef was directly responsible of reversing the tide of public opinion regarding all the land swaps that made the east slope contiguous protected habitat.

Hard to get to excited about only 50% of the money collected stays in WA, but...

I haven't heard only positive things about the rmef, some negative, but they're doing alright by my book.   

On a side note:  I was surprised how thick the smell of cigarettes was in the casino, i would have thought they'd have spent a bazillion dollars to put in big air scrubbers. 

[Grizzle]

Got this from Rance Block this morning:

"last Thursday, we received $1.9 million
in funding toward completion of our newest project in the Cascades.  The
Rock Creek Acquisition is a critical 10,371-acre inholding in the
Wenatchee National Forest west of Yakima.  We are hoping to complete the
first phase of the acquisition by mid-summer, and are actively looking
for sources of funding to raise the remaining $2.5 million to complete
the project.  The lands will end up in ownership of the Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife.  I've attached a flyer on this project."

[jsteplee]

I just signed up last week, so I'm a member, but I haven't even received my membership card.  Had thought to sign up last year, but just couldn't get the "extra" cash together.  Anyway, looking forward to putting the sticker on my rig.  Out of all the non-profits I've read about, the RMEF is the one that's always spoken highly of.

[Houndhunter]

personally i think they close off more elk hunting each year

[norsepeak]

Life member here.  I beleive they are doing some very good things.

[Hardtop]

I've been a member for a long time, but do to there stand on wolves, I don't really know. I love what they do most of the time. I pm'ed you a list of groups that are agaist them.

[RUTNBULL1]

Life member here.  I beleive they are doing some very good things.

Life Member as well Norse, They are a great org. and are providing great habitat oppurtunities for us as well as for future generations. It doesn't surprise me that some will discredit the RMEF, but not every Orginization is going to have 100% support and have issues or decisions that people will agree with, but for the most part the RMEF has probably done 90% good for hunting, habitat, and our gun rights, than harm.

[fisheral87]

Unfortunately I didn't recieve any PM.

[boneaddict]

Member here.  Only thing that has hit my radar lately was teh casino thing.   I was quite perturbed over it and really didn't like their "response".

[Intruder]

Member....
Overall I like em.  Like all orgs they have some things that can be improved.  Not sure where some of the things stand these days but they seemed to be losing focus a little.... for example some of the reintroduction of elk in the East projects.  Not against it per se' but is it really the best use of limited funding?  Again though, overall a worthwhile group. 

personally i think they close off more elk hunting each year

Can you eleborate? 

[fisheral87]

personally i think they close off more elk hunting each year

Can you eleborate? 

 

[colockumelk]

personally i think they close off more elk hunting each year

Can you eleborate? 

 

He probably means they are active in road closures giving elk more escapement in heavily hunted areas.  Which I personally believe that road closures are a good thing. 

[Houndhunter]

personally i think they close off more elk hunting each year

Can you eleborate? 

 

He probably means they are active in road closures giving elk more escapement in heavily hunted areas.  Which I personally believe that road closures are a good thing. 

exactly, thats the way i see it. they may be helping elk habitat but for hunting reasons i dont like what they do

all they did here was help the natives

[colockumelk]

How do road closures help out the natives. They aren't allowed to drive down closed roads either.  If they do and get caught they get the pathetically small fine just like you or I would.  I support whole heartedly road closures especiallyin areas like the Colockum where there is too much road access. 

I support pretty much everything the RMEF does.  They have the elk in mind when they make decisions.  Unlike most people who are selfish and only think about themselves the RMEF thinks about how to preserve what we already have and then make it better for the future.  For that I applaud them. 

[7mag.]

How do road closures help out the natives. They aren't allowed to drive down closed roads either.  If they do and get caught they get the pathetically small fine just like you or I would.  I support whole heartedly road closures especiallyin areas like the Colockum where there is too much road access. 

I support pretty much everything the RMEF does.  They have the elk in mind when they make decisions.  Unlike most people who are selfish and only think about themselves the RMEF thinks about how to preserve what we already have and then make it better for the future.  For that I applaud them. 

Actually, on this side, at least where I hunt, Indians can drive down closed roads. In fact, they have the keys to FS gates that are closed year round to the rest of us.

[Houndhunter]

ya i dont know how it is on the east side but over here they get pretty much full access

[colockumelk]

ya i dont know how it is on the east side but over here they get pretty much full access

Wow sorry I did not know that.  I figured it was statewide.  Over here they have to abide by the same road rules you and I have to abide by.  Your statement of that only helps the Indians out makes total sense now.  If I'd known that my statement would have been completely different.  Sorry I did not know.  That sucks for you over there and is total BS.