The truth about RMEF and Wolves?

[Dan-o]

I had a discussion with a few RMEF Officials about 6 years ago.
They were at another table at a restaurant discussing issues and I realized who they were.
I introduced myself and they invited me to sit with them for a while, which I did.
After a while I specifically asked, "Why isn't RMEF more vocal with regards to anti-wolf legislation?

The response was very insightful.
Basically, any group or organization that ACTIVELY supports measures to control wolf populations gets sued.
Realizing that any lawsuits would consume precious dollars that would otherwise be used for habitat improvement, they decided to avoid the issue.  As they rely on contributions and hope to spend members money wisely, the thought of giving that money to attorneys did not seem right.
That are the Rocky Mountain ELK Foundation, not the Rocky Mountain Anti-Wolf Foundation.
After that explanation, I was satisfied that they had the goals of the foundation clearly in sight.

I will be at the Coeur d'Alene RMRF Banquet on Saturday March 18th with about 5 hunting partners and our wives.
We intend to spend a few bucks, have a few drinks and enjoy ourselves.
Hope to see ya there!

Rob.

Thank you for your honest description of who the RMEF is.  I realize that I may be a little salty on this issue, or other issues related to habitat.  I think RMEF and others do a good job on habitat. My personal beef is that some orgs portray that they are hunters advocates, and they are not. I believe in honesty in advertizing so that we know what we are donating towards. Nothing more, or less.

RMEF is clearly pro hunting.

[Bob33]

"The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Mission: Ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage."

[CarbonHunter]

RMEF sends a lot of their donations straight to their cause. Most organizations cannot make the same claim. They are the Rocky Mountain elk foundation, not the wolves are bad foundation.

IMHO wolves are not the biggest threat to elk and the RMEF realizes this and they choose to tread lightly on the subject so not to divert from their real mission.

[Buzzsaw461]

 

Its more of a personal or historical exchange.   They started hosting their banquets at the tribal casinos and throwing big money into them.  I questioned it due to much of the controversy that often comes up on here. Their response was not stellar so I pulled the plug. It was a personal decision.  Throwing money to a lobbying power that is often against us as hunters just didnt sit well with me.   Until the tribes step up and regulate like say the  Colvilles do, well lets just say wolves are a different nail in the coffin.

[Dan-o]

RMEF sends a lot of their donations straight to their cause. Most organizations cannot make the same claim. They are the Rocky Mountain elk foundation, not the wolves are bad foundation.

IMHO wolves are not the biggest threat to elk and the RMEF realizes this and they choose to tread lightly on the subject so not to divert from their real mission.

I agree. 

Show me another organization that does as much for elk.   

I believe they admitted that they missed the mark on wolf reintroduction. 

If all the winter range is turned into ranchettes, it won't matter if we have wolves or not.

I hate what wolves have done to some areas, but RMEF has saved tons of elk habitat.

[nwhunter]

I like any group that supports elk because I love elk.. That being said after talking with the guy that started The Foundation for Wildlife Management, the nonprofit that pays reimbursements to guys killing wolves, and finding out that RMEF no longer supports his program it makes me think differently of RMEF. F4WM seems like it has the best program going to encourage guys taking wolves and it works so why RMEF doesn't want their name affiliated with them sets wrong with me. I won't bash RMEF because they do good things but I'd like to see them support the groups that are willing to stick their necks out in the fight with predators and tribes..

[Stein]

Support more than one, after all we need elk and a place to hunt them.

[mburrows]

RMEF sends a lot of their donations straight to their cause. Most organizations cannot make the same claim. They are the Rocky Mountain elk foundation, not the wolves are bad foundation.

IMHO wolves are not the biggest threat to elk and the RMEF realizes this and they choose to tread lightly on the subject so not to divert from their real mission.

I agree wholeheartedly.

[Dan-o]

Support more than one, after all we need elk and a place to hunt them.

Exactly this.

[kball4]

RMEF does a lot for purchasing, protecting and negotiating land designated for public use.  That's a big issue for me, the last thing I want to see is a housing development in places we all used to enjoy as public land.   

[baker5150]

I like any group that supports elk because I love elk.. That being said after talking with the guy that started The Foundation for Wildlife Management, the nonprofit that pays reimbursements to guys killing wolves, and finding out that RMEF no longer supports his program it makes me think differently of RMEF. F4WM seems like it has the best program going to encourage guys taking wolves and it works so why RMEF doesn't want their name affiliated with them sets wrong with me. I won't bash RMEF because they do good things but I'd like to see them support the groups that are willing to stick their necks out in the fight with predators and tribes..

Did you see NW Surveyor's post???

"Basically, any group or organization that ACTIVELY supports measures to control wolf populations gets sued.
Realizing that any lawsuits would consume precious dollars that would otherwise be used for habitat improvement, they decided to avoid the issue. "

[Pathfinder101]

I like any group that supports elk because I love elk.. That being said after talking with the guy that started The Foundation for Wildlife Management, the nonprofit that pays reimbursements to guys killing wolves, and finding out that RMEF no longer supports his program it makes me think differently of RMEF. F4WM seems like it has the best program going to encourage guys taking wolves and it works so why RMEF doesn't want their name affiliated with them sets wrong with me. I won't bash RMEF because they do good things but I'd like to see them support the groups that are willing to stick their necks out in the fight with predators and tribes..

Did you see NW Surveyor's post???

"Basically, any group or organization that ACTIVELY supports measures to control wolf populations gets sued.
Realizing that any lawsuits would consume precious dollars that would otherwise be used for habitat improvement, they decided to avoid the issue. "

   Good enough answer for me.  No organization is perfect.  There's good guys and bad guys.  RMEF ain't the bad guys.   

[Dan-o]

I like any group that supports elk because I love elk.. That being said after talking with the guy that started The Foundation for Wildlife Management, the nonprofit that pays reimbursements to guys killing wolves, and finding out that RMEF no longer supports his program it makes me think differently of RMEF. F4WM seems like it has the best program going to encourage guys taking wolves and it works so why RMEF doesn't want their name affiliated with them sets wrong with me. I won't bash RMEF because they do good things but I'd like to see them support the groups that are willing to stick their necks out in the fight with predators and tribes..

Did you see NW Surveyor's post???

"Basically, any group or organization that ACTIVELY supports measures to control wolf populations gets sued.
Realizing that any lawsuits would consume precious dollars that would otherwise be used for habitat improvement, they decided to avoid the issue. "

   Good enough answer for me.  No organization is perfect.  There's good guys and bad guys.  RMEF ain't the bad guys.   

We need more groups like RMEF AND F4WM.
Both doing good in their own lane.

[snake]

Awesome, I dont think a guy could feel bad supporting RMEF or F4WM.i'm giving them both a few more shackles.

[22shtur]

If all the winter range is turned into ranchettes, it won't matter if we have wolves or not.

I hate what wolves have done to some areas, but RMEF has saved tons of elk habitat.
[/quote]

RMEF has bought several ranches that were going to be sold (turned into ranchettes) and has turned them into public land for all hunters in addition to creating winter habitat for big game animals.
No other organization comes close to doing that.