RMEF finished off 2024 with a BIG BANG! However, none of these conservation projects and accomplishments would be possible without RMEF volunteers and members who support and cherish the mission.
Below is a brief synopsis of some of the noteworthy happenings over just the last three months.
- RMEF announced it eclipsed the milestone of nine million acres in conserved or enhanced wildlife habitat over its 40-year history
- 2024 accomplishments included conserving or enhancing 203,000 acres of habitat and opening or improving access to nearly 22,000 acres
- RMEF, a landowner and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service expanded the Grays Lake National Wildlife Refuge in southern Idaho, benefitting elk, mule deer, moose, upland birds, fish and hundreds of bird species including one of the largest breeding concentrations of sandhill cranes in North America
- RMEF attended the National Association of Sportsmen’s Caucuses in Louisiana with legislators from across the country to strategize and talk about legislation and policies to advance hunting, fishing, trapping and shooting sports
- $7.8 million allotted for 39 projects to help elk, mule deer and other wildlife via conservation and hunting heritage projects across Wyoming
- Conserved 396 acres within a larger migration corridor in southwest Montana and placed the land in the public’s hands as part of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
RMEF Files Intent to File Suit Notice Against USFWS
- RMEF and PERC announced plans to launch a suit against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over the “blanket rule” that disregards science and hinders habitat restoration under the Endangered Species Act
RMEF Hunter & Outdoor Christmas Expo
- RMEF hosted another successful exposition in Las Vegas during the 10-day National Finals Rodeo in early December
- $4.3 million distributed for 44 projects to improve habitat for elk, mule and blacktail deer, moose, bighorn sheep, black bear and many other wildlife species in Washington
- A voluntary conservation agreement conserved 320 acres of elk and bighorn sheep habitat in southern Wyoming
- RMEF worked with a landowner and the Bureau of Land Management to conserve and open public access to 3,384 acres of tule elk habitat in northern California
- To date, RMEF helped conserve nearly 40,000 acres of habitat in the Eel River watershed with a goal to eventually protect 70,000 acres overall
Defeat of Colorado Proposition 127
- RMEF committed more than $400,000 and public outreach in a collaborative effort to successfully defeat an anti-hunting, anti-wildlife management ballot initiative in Colorado
- $3.7 million allotted for 33 projects to benefit elk, other wildlife, conservation and hunting in Colorado
- RMEF acquired and conveyed 1,731 acres of habitat in Pennsylvania’s elk range which is now part of State Game Lands 14 and available for public access
Go here to view RMEF’s 2024 news releases. Also, surf the Elk Network for the latest elk, hunting, conservation and advocacy news, including videos, RMEF Films, state wildlife agency news releases and much more.