Membership in the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation now stands at an all-time high of 196,079. The new membership total, as of the final day of 2012, is 11,944 higher than the end of 2011. It marks RMEF’s fourth consecutive year of record growth.
“We are grateful for another solid year of growth,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO. “RMEF continues to stand alongside many sportsmen and women as strong advocates for conservation and wildlife management.” The surge in membership is the highest since an increase of 19,245 members from 2009 to 2010.
“The increase in membership is definitely a positive. We will continue to keep our eye on the big picture of ensuring the future of elk, elk country and our hunting heritage,” added Allen. “Elk hunting is a way of life for many. This success allows us to continue to do more to maintain that culture while also addressing the pressing needs of conserving critical habitat, working to create additional public access, promoting sensible management of all wildlife, including predators, seeking to restore elk to their historic ranges and doing all we can to educate the public that hunting is conservation.”
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
RMEF is leading a conservation initiative that protected or enhanced habitat on more than 6.2 million acres—an area larger than Yellowstone, Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Yosemite and Rocky Mountain national parks combined. RMEF also is a strong voice for hunters in access, wildlife management and conservation policy issues. RMEF members, partners and volunteers, working together as Team Elk, are making a difference all across elk country. Join us at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.