Columnist Barb Henderson: Magnificent elk calling for help

Barb Henderson

Friday, May 21, 2004 | 9:54 a.m.

Barb Henderson is an outdoors enthusiast, freelance writer and producer/host of outdoors radio television programming. Her column appears Friday in the Sun.

When I think about wildlife, I often reflect back to the cool days of autumn.

Envision the beginning of a new autumn day with the sun slowly rising over the top of the mountain peak. A peaceful silent moment on this cool autumn morning, occasionally accompanied by a marvelous and distinctive call from the wild.

Barks, grunts, groans and bugling sounds being made by elk. That is what puts the magnificent bull elk at the top of my list of wild animals to observe.

Elk is a member of the deer family. The hair coloration often varies from a blend of deep copper to light tan or beige. The bull begins to grow antlers in the spring, and by the time the rutting period arrives the antlers have completed their growth. Elk can live in a variety of habitat as long as they have food, water, cover and space.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) is a wildlife conservation organization based in Missoula, Mont. Its mission is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. The RMEF is dedicated to this grand animal and its habitat, and the local Nevada chapters are no exception.

"The monies raised through 2003, by the Nevada chapters funded 117 conservation and land enhancement projects," said Bryan Lamont, RMEF regional director for Nevada. "RMEF efforts in Nevada with wildlife and habitat conservation total $11,365,947."

There are 14 RMEF chapters in Nevada. The first, in Elko, started fundraising efforts in 1985 and became the 28th chartered national chapter in 1987. According to RMEF, in 1985 there were approximately 700 elk roaming in Nevada. Today the estimated population number of elk exceeds 7,400.

Conserving elk and habitat takes money and volunteers.

"Without our volunteers and donors our organization would not have had the ability to accomplish our mission to do all we can do for wildlife habitat," said Lamont. "We always need more help."

There are various reasons why people continue to volunteer. Raising money for elk has been reason enough for Ron Zimmerman, the RMEF Nevada state chairman since 2000.

"Eighty-nine percent of funds that are raised by our volunteers go toward our mission to ensure the future of elk and other wildlife, which we will pass on to future generations. That will be our legacy," said Zimmerman.

The Las Vegas Chapter, which was organized in 1988 and became the 38th chapter nationally, will have its annual banquet Saturday at Sam's Town Hotel and Casino featuring auctions and drawings for firearms, wildlife prints, bronzes, hunting and fishing trips and other equipment.

For information on purchasing tickets to RMEF banquets in Nevada click on the Internet at: www.nevadarmef.org or call 655-4801. For more information on RMEF click on: www.elkfoundation.org or call 1-800-CALL-ELK.