Great Elk Tour’ to Promote Habitat Conservation

Great Elk Tour’ to Promote Habitat Conservation

MISSOULA, Mont. –-(Ammoland.com)- A traveling exhibit of world-class trophy elk is designed to help the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation inform the public about America’’s ongoing need for wildlife habitat stewardship and conservation.

RMEF’s 2011 Great Elk Tour, themed “Great Elk Need Great Habitat,” is appearing across the U.S. at sports and outdoor shows, sporting goods retailers, Pro Bull Riders events and more.

Tour schedules, photos and other details are updated frequently at www.greatelktour.org.

Sponsors include Danner, Federal, Hunter’s Specialties, Realtree, Sitka and Trijicon.

“Massive antlers are a product of age, genetics and habitat—but, unfortunately, quality habitat is disappearing all across elk country. Undermanaged forests, invasive weeds, new developments and subdivisions, land use changes and other factors are taking a toll,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “We hope the Great Elk Tour helps remind people of the need to take better care the places where elk and other wildlife live.”

The 2011 tour features six monster bulls from five different states:

• Arizona—Net score: 442-3/8 B&C typical—After several days of tracking this bull, locally nicknamed “Mr. Big” in the San Carlos area, hunter Dan Agnew finally got a shot following a half-mile run at 6,000 feet in 80-degree temperatures. Gross score: 454-6/8 B&C typical.
• Arizona—Net score: 413-2/8 B&C non-typical—During the late 2008 rifle season, hunter Roger Dandy harvested this giant non-typical bull on public land. The bull stands as the 13th largest non-typical bull of all time. Gross score: 435-2/8 B&C typical.
• Colorado—Net score: 410-3/8 B&C non-typical (approx.)—These Colorado sheds were the find of a lifetime and some of the biggest ever found in the state. The bull was later seen on game-trail cameras and many believe it is still in the area. Gross score: 422-5/8 B&C non-typical (approx.).
• Montana—Net score: 388-6/8 B&C typical—Dave Bymaster harvested this bull on “Block Management” land in Montana on Oct. 30, 2008. It was the hunter’s first elk, taken after five arduous days of hunting. Gross score: 393-5/8 B&C typical.
• Nevada—Net score: 415-0/8 B&C typical (approx.)—On July 31, 2009, Tyson Nelson found an elk shed while scouting for deer. The antler matched a shed found months earlier by another local resident, who graciously gave that antler to Nelson to complete the set. Gross score: XX B&C typical (approx.).
• Wyoming—Net score: 407-0/8 B&C typical—Chris Renner harvested this massive non-typical bull on public land during the general hunting season. The bull ranks in the Top 10 ever taken in Wyoming. These massive antlers weigh approximately 42 pounds each. Gross score: 420-0/8 B&C typical.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.8 million acres—a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.