The Hunt and Fish Blog

MISSOULA, Mont.—Yesterday, August 3, 2011, will go down as one of the better days in a decade-long battle for science-based wolf management.

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation leaders are encouraged by progress on two fronts.

A federal judge upheld Congress’ recent delisting of wolves in Idaho, Montana and other parts of the West. And the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced an agreement on wolf management plans in Wyoming.

Both developments help clear the way for state management hunts needed to control burgeoning wolf populations. In some areas, elk calf survival rates are now too low to sustain herds for the future.

“We’re encouraged by these positive steps toward managing wolves as part of overall conservation objectives,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “This is forward movement in our fight to make sure that all states, from the Pacific Northwest to the Great Lakes, have the authority to manage fully recovered species like wolves.”

“Real on-the-ground science is the big winner in all of this, as there is no doubt that wolves are recovered and should be managed like all other wildlife. To date, no one has shown science to dispute this fact,” he added.

Allen thanked sportsmen and conservationists for their patience through the endless lawsuits that have kept America’s historically successful system of wildlife management stymied in courts.

But he also cautioned, “Until the wolf problem is fixed permanently, we’re likely to see appeals, more legal antics and frivolous lawsuits by extremist groups who literally make their living by suing the federal government—and creating crises where there are none, for the purpose of raising funds.”

Allen said RMEF will remain diligent as plaintiffs consider taking their case to higher courts. RMEF also will continue to urge lawmakers for nationwide delisting measures, and advocate for updating and modernizing delisting language within the Endangered Species Act.

MISSOULA, Mont.—A new forest stewardship project in Idaho is showcasing a Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation national program built to deliver conservation while boosting local economies.

Acting as a nonprofit partner with the Salmon-Challis National Forest, RMEF is overseeing a project to thin overgrown forest, improve habitat for elk and other wildlife, and reduce wildfire risk on 570 acres in the Hughes Creek area of Salmon, Idaho.

RMEF’s job is ensuring that conservation objectives are met and subcontracting with local companies to do the actual work.

For payment, subcontractors trade some of their services in exchange for goods—namely, the wood products harvested as part of the stewardship project. Forest Service funding as well as grants from other sources, such as the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, cover the balance.

In addition to restoring the forest to a more natural condition, “One of the best things about the Forest’s arrangement with RMEF is the contracting process is more flexible and can take into account values that include, but are not limited to, price. Our community and local Forest Service need people in this valley who are capable and willing to work in the woods at a decent living wage. Hughes Creek is an effort to fix a system that felt broken to a lot of us,” said Gina Knudson of Salmon Valley Stewardship.

Knudson is part of the Lemhi County Forest Restoration Group, a collaboration of governments, industries, conservationists and homeowners concerned about the health of local forests. Together they designed the Hughes Creek Fuels Reduction Project.

Dale Kerkvliet of RMEF said, “The grassroots instigation and the continued support and active involvement of these partners has been contagious. Our shared vision is utilizing local talent and resources to make this watershed more resilient to wildfire—and more accommodating to elk.”

Habitat conditions in Hughes Creek have diminished over time in the absence of fire. Conifers have encroached into meadows and noxious weeds have become established. Forest thinning followed by prescribe burning will improve forage quantity and quality.

Similar conditions and potential remedies may be found all across the 194,000-acre North Fork Ranger District of the Salmon-Challis National Forest. In 2010, forest officials entered into a 10-year agreement with RMEF to oversee forest stewardship projects. The Hughes Creek project is the first to get underway.

RMEF’s Habitat Stewardship Services program, under the direction of Kerkvliet, is developing similar agreements and projects with other federal agencies and local communities across the West. Montana and Wyoming also have seen early successes.

In 2003, Congress authorized the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to enter into stewardship contracts and agreements with groups like RMEF, “to achieve land management goals for the national forests that meet local and rural community needs.”

The “community needs” part of the objective is especially meaningful for Dave Melton of Bighorn Outfitters, one of the local subs awarded a contract in the Hughes Creek project.

He explained, “I’m sure glad to be able to bid on work here in Lemhi County and keep our crew here in town. Otherwise, they may have to leave home to find work in North Dakota like many others have already done in these though times.”

MISSOULA, Mont.—Relocating elk and improving habitat in the Clam Lake area, plus sponsoring numerous youth education initiatives across Wisconsin, are the main themes in a list of 2011 grants for Wisconsin from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

All together, the new RMEF grants total $ $52,111 and affect 24 counties: Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Douglas, Fond du Lac, Forest, Green Lake, Iowa, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Marathon, Milwaukee, Portage, Price, Sawyer, St. Croix, Washburn, Waukesha and Wood counties.

“The ‘assisted dispersal’ of the Clam Lake elk herd is making news in Wisconsin, and we’re pleased to help with that relocation project. We expect it to help the herd grow by moving elk to new areas with good habitat and reducing elk mortality from wolves and highway accidents,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.

Allen said about 120 acres of habitat will be enhanced with 2011 grants in Wisconsin.

Nationally, RMEF hopes to impact about 100,000 acres in 2011 to reach the 6 million-acre lifetime mark in lands conserved or enhanced for elk and other wildlife.

Allen thanked RMEF volunteers and fundraiser attendees for building the organization’s conservation impact in Wisconsin and across elk country, saying, “Because of their amazing passion and generous support, we’re doing some great things locally and a national conservation milestone is within reach.”

RMEF grants will help fund the following 2011 projects, listed by county:

Ashland County—Improve forage for elk on the decommissioned Navy ELF corridor by applying herbicide on 20 acres and bio-controls (insects) on 2 acres, mowing 58 acres, hand-cutting trees and shrubs on 30 acres and prescribe burning 12 acres in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (also affects Sawyer County); provide funding for radio telemetry equipment operated by students from Glidden High School to research elk habitat use and movement patterns in the Clam Lake area (also affects Price County); sponsor Clam Lake Elk Visitor Center costs associated with an informational kiosk.

Barron County—Provide sponsorship for Coyland Creek 2011 Youth in the Outdoors Day to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation (also affects Polk, Burnett and Washburn counties).

Columbia County—Provide sponsorship for Fall River School District National Archery in the Schools Program to introduce students to outdoor recreation and conservation.

Dane County—Provide sponsorship for Blackhawk Bowhunters Archery Club programs to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation; sponsor Lake Marion 2011 Family Fishing Day.

Dodge County—Provide sponsorship for Wisconsin Outdoor Alliance Foundation 2011 Outdoor Education Expo to introduce youths from across the state to outdoor recreation and conservation.

Douglas County—Provide sponsorship for Superior High School National Archery in the Schools Program to introduce students to outdoor recreation and conservation.

Forest County—Provide sponsorship for Laona School District National Archery in the Schools Program to introduce students to outdoor recreation and conservation.

Green Lake County—Provide sponsorship for the Berlin Conservation Club’s 2011 Youth Outdoor Skills Day to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation (also affects Fond du Lac County).

Iowa County—Provide sponsorship for Friends of West Park 2011 Youth Fishing Day to introduce students to outdoor recreation and conservation.

Kewaunee County—Provide sponsorship for St. Paul’s Lutheran School National Archery in the Schools Program to introduce students to outdoor education and conservation.

La Crosse County—Provide sponsorship for La Crosse Rifle Club hunter safety program to educate youths on proper use of firearms and archery equipment; sponsor West Salem Rod and Gun Club 2011 youth event.

Lafayette County—Provide sponsorship for Lafayette County 4-H Club archery program to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation.

Marathon County—Provide sponsorship for Marathon County 2011 Sporting Heritage Day to introduce youth to outdoor recreation and conservation; sponsor Wausau West High School National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP); sponsor Rib Mountain Bowmen Club House NASP; sponsor Weston Hunter Safety Group hunter safety classes; sponsor Stratford Sharp Shooters and Stratford Public Schools NASP.

Portage County—Provide sponsorship for Antler Archers 2011 Youth Archery Program to introduce youths to outdoor recreation and conservation.

Price County—Provide sponsorship for the Phillips School District Outdoor Activity Group which works to introduce students to outdoor recreation and conservation; sponsor Phillips Sportsman’s Club 2011 Youth Field Day to introduce Phillips area youth to outdoor recreation and conservation.

Sawyer County—Relocate 12-15 elk from the Clam Lake herd to unoccupied habitat expected to enhance elk survival and expansion rates (also affects Ashland, Bayfield and Price counties); provide sponsorship for Hayward RMEF 2011 Outdoor Youth Day to introduce students to outdoor recreation and conservation.

Statewide—Provide sponsorship for Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) production of a hunting regulations informational packet; sponsor WDNR Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center 2011 Learn to Hunt Workshops; sponsor WDNR biologist attendance at Eastern Elk Management Workshop in preparation for Wisconsin’s first elk hunt in 2012.

St. Croix County—Provide sponsorship for Baldwin Christian School National Archery in the Schools Program to introduce students to outdoor recreation and conservation.

Waukesha County—Provide sponsorship for Wisconsin House Outdoorsmen hunter education programs to instruct students on hunting and firearms (also affects Milwaukee County).

Wood County—Provide sponsorship for Wisconsin Rapids Kiwanis Club 2011 Youth Outdoor Day to introduce youths from across the state to outdoor recreation and conservation; sponsor West Central Wisconsin 2011 Intro to the Outdoors Youth Education Day.

Conservation projects are selected for grants using science-based criteria and a committee of RMEF volunteers and staff along with representatives from partnering agencies and universities. RMEF staff and volunteers select education projects to receive grants.

Partners for 2011 projects in Wisconsin include U.S. Forest Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, sportsmen clubs and many other organizations.

Since 1985, RMEF and its partners have completed 211 different conservation and education projects in Wisconsin with a combined value of more than $5.9 million.

(Washington, DC) – H.R. 1997, the Making Public Lands Public Act, introduced in the U.S House of Representatives yesterday and S. 901, introduced earlier this month in the U.S. Senate, could potentially open hundreds of thousands of acres of Federal public land to hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreational activities.

The House version, introduced by the leadership of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus (CSC): Co-Chair Rep. Jeff Miller, Co-Chair Rep. Mike Ross, and Vice-Chairs Rep. Bob Latta and Rep. Heath Shuler, and the Senate version introduced by Co-Chair Sen. Jon Tester and Vice-Chair Sen. James Risch, would require the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to utilize 1.5% or a minimum of $10 million annually of their Land and Water Conservation Fund budgets for projects that secure recreational public access to existing federal lands through easements, rights-of-way, or fee title acquisitions from willing sellers.

“Coupled with bipartisan congressional support and the support of over 40 hunting, fishing, and conservation groups, this bill is a win for all – the sportsman, the land management agencies, and the willing private land owner,” said Rep. Miller. “At no additional cost to the taxpayer, this legislation, which would provide increased land access, will afford the hunters, anglers, recreational shooters and all in the sportsmen community the opportunity to continue to enjoy the great outdoors.”

“The public should be able to enjoy public lands,” said Rep. Ross. “This bill will help ensure the proper balance between conserving our public lands, promoting wildlife management and providing more Americans access to enjoy some of our nation’s most beautiful places. This is a win-win, commonsense piece of legislation.”

“Unlocking public lands is vital to our great American traditions of hunting and fishing; that’s why this legislation is an important step in improving and opening access to restricted federal lands,” said Rep. Latta.

Last August, similar language passed the U.S. House of Representatives, as an amendment by CSC Member and former Co-Chair, Rep. Ron Kind, overwhelmingly 404-1 as part of H.R. 3534, the Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources (CLEAR) Act.

Federal public lands are an important destination for millions American hunters, anglers, trappers, recreational shooters, and other outdoor enthusiasts. Nearly half of all hunters, for example, conduct a portion of their hunting activity on these lands. In addition, lack of access is cited as a primary reason that hunters and anglers stop participating in these traditional sports. A 2004 report to the House Appropriations Committee, stimulated by a Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) report, concluded that more than 35 million acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S Forest Service (USFS) land have inadequate access.

“This legislation would improve sportsmen’s access to hundreds of thousands of acres of federal land annually that is currently blocked or restricted,” said Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) President Jeff Crane. “The CSC is working diligently alongside the sportsmen’s community to open more public land to hunting and fishing, thereby providing more opportunities for Americans to enjoy the great outdoors.”

CSF, in cooperation with allies in the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP), a group of over 40 non-governmental organizations representing millions of hunter conservationists, launched the “Making Public Lands Public: Enhancing Hunter & Other Recreational Access to Federal Public Lands” initiative two years ago and subsequently requested that BLM and USFS utilize funds to improve hunter and other recreational access to Federal land and have identified opportunities in its list of funding priorities. Such opportunities have been identified as important projects by the Congress as expressed in the U.S. House Report to the FY 2010 Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

In a letter to Congress in support of the Making Public Lands Public Act earlier this month, the AWCP partners urged members to sign-on and support the legislation. The letter states that “Allowing federal agencies to identify and prioritize smaller parcels on the boundaries of federal lands that provide public access for hunting and other nature-based recreation is common sense policy. Directing a modest portion of LWCF funds to secure those parcels would help the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior maximize the value of their existing federal land holdings.”

MISSOULA, Mont.—Counties in Colorado, Montana, Utah, Washington and Wyoming are among the 10 fastest-growing areas to benefit from wildlife habitat protection by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

A newly released Top 25 list shows the relative significance of RMEF habitat protection projects. Listings are based on “RMEF Impact Ratios.” The ratios reflect county-by-county totals of RMEF-protected lands versus current local forces of population growth and residential development, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The greater the threat of loss, the more vital is each saved acre.

Nationwide, RMEF has helped permanently protect almost 1 million acres, and helped enhance almost 5 million more, for elk and other wildlife.

Currently, the organization’s most impactful habitat-protection area is Gallatin County, Mont. Over time, RMEF has purchased open lands and transferred them to public ownership, recorded private conservation easements and completed other projects to permanently protect 7,671 acres in Gallatin County. However, in the past 10 years, the county’s population has grown by 33 percent. The many new households in Gallatin County multiply the value of every RMEF-protected acre—most of which are in lower elevation winter ranges typically platted for development.

Many partners have joined RMEF to make such projects become reality.

Blake Henning, RMEF vice president of lands and conservation, said, “It’s both gratifying and alarming to know that the elk winter ranges, summer ranges, migration corridors, calving areas—and accessible elk hunting lands—that we’ve helped secure across elk country could have easily been new subdivisions today.”

He added, “As time goes on, all of our land protection projects, both in rapidly growing counties and slowly growing counties, will become more and more significant.”

Henning added that RMEF is continually refining habitat protection criteria in order to target its resources for maximum benefit to elk.

Nationwide, more than 5,000 acres of wildlife habitat are lost each day to development.

Other states represented on the RMEF list of most-impactful project-areas include Idaho, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota and Tennessee.

Only counties with a minimum of 5,000 acres in RMEF land protection projects were considered for this list. County growth figures are based on U.S. Census Bureau data from April 1, 2000, and July 1, 2010, released March 2011. The bureau estimates an average of 2.59 people per household.