Elk – Rack Camp

Montana Elk Habitat Conserved, Opened to Public Access

August 23, 2017 by rackcamp Leave a Comment

MISSOULA, Mont.—A key wildlife landscape previously threatened by subdivision in northwest Montana is now permanently protected and in the public’s hands thanks to a collaborative effort between the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, a conservation-minded family and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).

“This property lies within the popular Holland Lake recreational area of the scenic Swan Valley and there was some pressure to develop it,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “We appreciate the landowners for recognizing the wildlife values of the land and reaching out to us to help conserve it.”

The 640-acre parcel offers important summer and winter habitat for elk and whitetail deer. It is also provides key habitat for grizzly bears, Canada lynx and a vast array of other wildlife. Additionally, it contains riparian habitat via springs and a chain of wetland ponds that feed a tributary of Holland Creek.

Located about 65 miles north of Missoula, the property lies west of the Swan Mountain Range and is nestled between the Bob Marshall Wilderness to the east and Mission Mountain Wilderness to the west. It was previously an inholding within the Flathead National Forest but thanks to its conveyance, it now falls under the ownership umbrella of the USFS and belongs to all citizens.

”This acquisition will improve public land access, and help to preserve the recreation setting and valuable wildlife habitat in the popular Holland Lake area,” said Rich Kehr, Swan Lake district ranger.

The Holland Lake project is one of the first to receive 2017 funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Since 1985, RMEF and its partners completed 967 conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in Montana with a combined value of more than $160.2 million. These projects protected or enhanced 818,826 acres of habitat and opened or secured public access to 289,532 acres.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Founded over 30 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership of more than 222,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 7.1 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™” atwww.rmef.org, www.elknetwork.com or 800-CALL ELK.
Take action: join and/or donate.

Video: Bowhunting Monster Bull Elk in Colorado

August 22, 2017 by rackcamp Leave a Comment

Bowhunting monster bull elk in Colorado in a new video from Born and Raised Outdoors. Insane! This is everything you can hope for in a Colorado hunt.

To check out more from Born and Raised Outdoors, click here.

Filed Under: Bowhunting, Elk, Uncategorized, Videos Tagged With: bowhunting, Colorado, elk, video

Video: Bull Elk Brawl

August 19, 2017 by rackcamp Leave a Comment

Sometimes National Geographic is the best source for amazing wildlife footage. In this video, bull elk battle it out for rut dominance.

From National Geographic:

“These elk bulls are surging from a testosterone rush – so it’s natural that they might butt heads.”

To check out more from National Geographic, click here.

Filed Under: Elk, Uncategorized, Videos Tagged With: elk, video

Elk Habitat Permanently Protected in Colorado

August 7, 2017 by rackcamp Leave a Comment

From The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:

MISSOULA, Mont.—The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation partnered with a conservation-minded landowner, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) to permanently protect 524 acres of prime wildlife habitat in west-central Colorado.

“We appreciate the private landowners for recognizing the important wildlife values of their land and taking action to permanently protect it,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer.

Located about 35 miles east of Grand Junction, the Bull Creek project provides summer, winter and transitional range as well as a migration corridor through adjacent Bureau of Land Management land for elk and mule deer. It’s also an important calving ground for elk and lies within Colorado’s Grand Mesa, the largest flat top mountain in the world.

“Projects such as Bull Creek and partnerships with Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation highlight the very core of our conservation values and beliefs,” said J.T. Romatzke, CPW area wildlife manager. “The ability to ensure the perpetuation of elk habitat and benefits to sportsman is nothing more than exceptional. It is an honor for CPW to collaborate with RMEF and many others on projects that truly have longevity and resource purpose.”

In addition to providing quality habitat for big game, birds and other animal life, the property also includes vital riparian habitat. It encompasses more than three miles of waterways including the South Canal and a portion of Bull Creek.

Nearly half of the project’s funding came from a Great Outdoors Colorado grant. The organization invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds in projects that protect or enhance Colorado’s parks, trails, rivers, open space and wildlife heritage.

“It’s critical for Colorado’s future that we have families like this one with the vision to permanently protect their land. GOCO is proud to have invested critical funding to help bring that vision to fruition and protect critical wildlife and river habitat,” said Chris Castilian, GOCO executive director.

Since 1987, RMEF and its partners completed 704 conservation and hunting heritage projects in Colorado, including two in Mesa County, with a combined value of more than $161 million dollars. These projects conserved or enhanced 438,443 acres and opened or secured access to 108,179 acres.

Filed Under: Elk, Uncategorized Tagged With: Colorado, elk, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

Video: Bowhunting Rocky Mountain Elk

August 5, 2017 by rackcamp Leave a Comment

Born and Raised Outdoors keeps rolling ’em out! In a new video, the crew heads to the Rockies for bull elk in Colorado.

To check out more from Born and Raised Outdoors, click here.

Filed Under: Bowhunting, Elk, Uncategorized, Videos Tagged With: Born and Raised Outdoors, bowhunting, Colorado, elk, video

Video: Exploring Elk Calling in “The Linguists”

August 4, 2017 by rackcamp Leave a Comment

Many skills go into elk hunting, and elk calling is one of such skills. In a new video from Sitka, modern elk calling is explored.

From Sitka:

“Few sounds in nature rival the bugle of a bull elk. Join nine-time World Elk Calling Champion Corey Jacobsen as he explores a hunting legacy with elk calling pioneers Larry D. Jones, Wayne Carlton, Rockie Jacobsen, and Will Primos.”

To check out more from Sitka Gear, click here.

Filed Under: Elk, Uncategorized, Videos Tagged With: elk, Sitka, video

Bass Pro Shops Hosts Elk Country Conservation Month

August 1, 2017 by rackcamp Leave a Comment

From The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:

MISSOULA, Mont.—For the 11th year in a row, Bass Pro Shops will generate funds for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its conservation mission of ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage.

Bass Pro Shops will host Elk Country Conservation Month for the entire month of August.

“We are truly thankful for a valued partner that takes action by continuing to show its leadership and commitment to fish and wildlife conservation as well as our hunting heritage,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.

In-store patrons who visit Bass Pro Shops across the United States during August will have the opportunity to round up their purchases to support RMEF’s mission.

“We want to give our customers the opportunity to contribute to the RMEF and its ongoing conservation efforts,” said Martin MacDonald, Bass Pro Shops director of conservation. “Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris also established a matching program from Bass Pro to RMEF by donating an additional 50 percent of the cumulative customer donations during the month of August.”

Thanks to a partnership spanning 17 years and still running, Bass Pro Shops contributed more than $1.5 million dollars to RMEF’s conservation mission. Between customer donations and the Bass Pro 50 percent match, the Elk Country Conservation Month program itself so far generated more than $880,000.

Since 1984, RMEF and its partners so far completed 10,832 conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects with a combined value of more than $1 billion. These projects protected or enhanced more than 7.1 million acres of habitat and opened or secured public access to more than 1.1 million acres of public land.