Montana s Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Volunteer Newsletter MONTANA BULL SHEET APRIL 2015 Photo courtesy of RMEF Greetings From Your State Leadership Team! Banquet season is upon us and boy are our volunteers doing a wonderful job! There have been a handful of banquets held already and they are setting the bar high for the rest! Congratulations to those Chapters and good luck to those to come. I am excited to announce that Mike Zaragoza has been approved as our new State Co-Chair! Mike lives in Kalispell and is involved with the Flathead Chapter and has been a District Chair. I m very excited to work with Mike and know that he will do a wonderful job for our State. RMEF MT Summer Rendezvous is June 26-28, 2015 in Twin Bridges, MT for a weekend of excitement and surprises. We are moving the work project and wild game feed back to Friday, so that we can plan some Wild West fun on Saturday. Please be on the lookout for an invitation and plan on joining us. Come and see old friends and make some new ones and experience rendezvous first hand. I guarantee you will be back! The SLT is planning to host another RMEF MT Wounded Warrior Hunt in October. If you are interested in being a part of this wonderful opportunity, please contact anyone on the SLT. What a wonderful, rewarding way to give back. It is an enjoyable time with some wonderful people. Jamie Freed, MT State Chair, Mike Zaragoza, MT State Chair and your MT State Leadership Team The Pavilion Photo courtesy Madison Co. Fairgrounds, Twin Bridges, MT Have you filmed your elk hunt? RMEF Montana is looking for amateur elk hunting videos filmed in Montana to present on June 27 th, 2015 at the RMEF Summer Statewide Rendezvous in Twin Bridges. Rendezvous is a gathering of passionate RMEF volunteers and members, who come to celebrate the past year s accomplishments in elk country. A showcase of amateur hunting films will take place on Saturday June 27 th, starting at 3:30 p.m. at The Pavilion, Madison County Fairgrounds in Twin Bridges. We are looking for Montana filmed elk hunts submitted by RMEF members that feature ethical and exciting hunts. Films with or without harvests may be submitted for review. Films must be less than 15 minutes in length. Film submissions due by June 5 th and RMEF will announce on June 12 th, the films chosen to present. To submit a film for review, please email a link of your video to jwold@rmef.org or mail a copy to Jared Wold- RMEF, 5705 Grant Creek Rd. Missoula, MT 59808.
Page 2 of 12 HIGHLIGHTS MONTANA SLT Spotlight On... MT SLT Congratulations! Mike Zaragoza on your appointment, approval and acceptance as our RMEF MT State Chair. Hello RMEF Montana members, my name is Mike Zaragoza and I m the new Montana State Co-Chair. I grew up in Southwest Pennsylvania where I learned how to hunt whitetail deer and small game with my family and friends. After graduating high school, I was employed as a machinist and completed a four year apprenticeship as a Tool & Die Maker and have been working as a machinist for the past thirty-eight years. I moved to Montana a little over seventeen years ago, and have been a member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Photo courtesy of Mike Zaragoza Mike Zaragoza and his Whitetail Buck. for most of those years. Three years ago, I joined the Flathead Valley Chapter. I have been Chapter Co- Chair of RMEF #3 for the past two years. I was also serving as a District Chair on the Montana State Leadership Team. It has been a pleasure working with such a great group of people, the members and volunteers of RMEF. I am looking forward to the responsibilities of this position, and meeting and working with more of the members of this great organization. Mike Zaragoza, MT State Chair PAC Summary Jamie Freed, MT State Chair The Montana Project Advisory Committee (PAC) met on January 21st, 2015. Projects that are submitted must meet a set of guidelines in order to be considered by the PAC. Guidelines consist of many different aspects for which we must consider when deciding on the grant awards. Most importantly they need to show 1:1 matching funds ratio and exactly how the RMEF funds will be spent. We will not pay for administration costs and want to make sure that our money is going right back on the ground for elk and other animals to benefit. The RMEF requires a Project Completion Report for all funded projects within 60 days of project completion. Photos are an essential part of the reporting process and are required as part of our grant. This year we reviewed 35 projects. 24 projects were recommended for funding with grant awards ranging from $4,000.00 to $49,000.00. The total amount funded was $330,230.00 with matching funds of $1,434,826.00. There are over 22,000 acres affected. The projects consist of weed control, conifer thinning and prescribed burns. Some of the projects that were not funded were asked to clarify questions that the group had and to resubmit their projects for the summer PAC that will be held during the Rendezvous in June. Our great volunteers work very hard to raise this money and we take great pride in awarding these grants and try to make sure that we are spending your money as wisely as possible. We thank all of you for your dedication to the RMEF and your tireless hours spent to make sure that the mission statement of the RMEF is upheld. We appreciate each and every one of you, we couldn t do it without you!
Page 3 of 12 Elkhorn Project Update ELKHORN CAPTURE A SUCCESS MT FWP Photo courtesy of MFWP Taken during the elk capture and collar operation which occurred in the Elkhorn Mountains during the last week of January. Project updates will also be posted to FWP s regional social media profiles (Facebook and Twitter) as well as the Elkhorn Working Group s Facebook page. The Elkhorn Working Group is a citizen advisory group whose stated purpose is to provide recommendations on wildlife and livestock management strategies to the FWP, the USFS, BLM, and Lewis and Clark, Jefferson, and Broadwater Counties. More information about the Elkhorn Working group can be found online. The westerners who live in the neighborhood of the Forest Preserves are the men [and women] who in the last resort will determine whether or not these preserves are to be permanent." Teddy Roosevelt Elkhorn Capture a Success MT FWP During the last week of January, crews completed capture and collaring efforts in the Elkhorn Mountains marking the beginning of a four year collaborative study looking at the impact of mountain pine beetle infestation on elk habitat and elk movements. A total of 45 elk 30 cows and 15 bulls were collared. Unseasonably warm temperatures presented some challenges according to FWP s Dr. Kelly Proffitt, but operations went smoothly. We were extremely pleased to get the operation off the ground given the lack of snow for tracking and locating animals, said Proffitt. At this point, all the collars are functioning as anticipated and we re able to record elk movement as we had hoped. Unfortunately, Proffitt says the conditions didn t allow for the deployment of two wolf collars as was presented as a possible additional non-integral angle of the study. Those collars would have helped the researchers track elk movement relative to the wolves. The study is being conducted in collaboration with the Elkhorn Working Group, Helena National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, Montana State University, and the Montana Department of Military Affairs. Funding for the study has been appropriated by the US Forest Service and FWP, with contributions from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Montana Department of Military Affairs. The Elkhorn Mountains are managed in partnership as the Elkhorn Cooperative Management Area by the US Forest Service (USFS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Natural Resources Conservation Service, and FWP. Within the USFS, the Elkhorn Mountain range is the only one of its kind, designated and managed as a Wildlife Management Unit.
Page 4 of 12 GAME RANGE RIDE 16th Annual Blackfoot Clearwater Game Range Ride Let s Ride! June 13th, 2015 Ride starts at 9:00 AM All riders must be on the course by 10:00 AM The ride will begin and end at the Old Boyd Ranch, located approximately 3 miles off Hwy 200 on Woodworth Road, which is 3 miles east of Clearwater Junction. Signs will be posted. The ride will cover an approximate eight mile course, of varied terrain, including trails, closed roads, timber and open range with five collection stops, on the Blackfoot Clearwater Wildlife Management Area. Ride is limited to 150 riders RULES: All riders will be required to sign a release of liability form prior to the ride. Youth must be at least eight years old and accompanied by an adult. Last rider must be in by 1:30 PM. We will expect all riders to be courteous, practice safe and sensible horsemanship. WEED FREE HAY AND/OR PELLETS are required. Please-NO dogs. Prizes will be awarded for the highest (grand prize), middle and lowest point scores for Adult and Youth riders. Tickets will be handled on a first-come, first-serve, cash-in-hand basis. Tickets will not be reserved. Advance Ticket Purchases are requested by June 10th, 2015. Advance purchases will be eligible for an Early Bird Prize. Advance Adult Tickets are $35 and $45 on Day of Ride, Advance Youth Tickets (8-16 yrs ) are $25 and $35 on Day of Ride, Non Rider Lunch Ticket Only $15. Ticket prices include a Western style steak pitch -fork fondue and ice cold beverages. Lunch begins at 1:00 PM. Winners announced & Live Auction at 2:00 PM. Overnight camping is available. This is a great way to support RMEF and spend the day with family and friends in the great outdoors. We hope to see you there! For more information or questions please call Todd or Twyla Johnson at 406-677-4056 or 406-677-4057. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Name: Phone: Address: City: State: Zip: Number of tickets: Adults: Youth: Lunch Only: Amount Enclosed: Send checks payable to RMEF Chapter 459 with registration form: RMEF Chapter 459, PO Box 217, Seeley Lake, MT 59868 Photos courtesy of Todd & Twyla Johnson 2015 Game Range Ride
Page 5 of 12 20TH ANNUAL SUMMER RENDEZVOUS
Page 6 of 12 Page 3 of 8 WILD WEST FUN NIGHT
Page 7 of 12 WOMEN S HUNTER EDUCATION PROGRAM Photos courtesy of MFWP MFWP Women s Class: Hunter Education 2015 Ursula Mattson, MFWP Volunteer This will be year number 9 for the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Hunter Education class just for women over 18 years. What makes this class so popular and draws a fresh new group of inquiring women to the Theodore Memorial Ranch every August? The two day class has been described by participants as a retreat or a get away in some of the most stunning scenery and prime wildlife habitat that Montana has to offer: The Rocky Mountain Front. Mule deer, Whitetail deer, elk, grizzlies, black bears, coyotes, ducks, geese and swans all pass through or live year round in this expansive cattle ranching country. The course includes classroom sessions on wildlife identification and conservation, firearms safety, survival skills, ethical hunting, the latest hunting regulations, and respect for the land and landowners. Outdoors there is hands on instruction in how to safely cross fences and creeks, transporting firearms, field carries, shooting positions, hunting in bear country, and when a shot is safe. The emphasis is hands on learning and instructors are all Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks volunteers, many of them women. Upon completion of the course and a written test, a Certificate of Completion is earned. The course begins on Friday afternoon August 14 at 1 PM and continues through Saturday, August 15 at 5 PM. The course is free including the Montana Hunter Education book for pre course reading. There is a $90 charge for dormitory style accommodation and three hearty catered meals. The non-profit 501(c)(3) Women s Hunter Education Program sponsors the course by helping to keep the cost of meals and lodging affordable. No matter what your experience level, we invite you to come learn more about wildlife, firearms, safety, ethical hunting and our Montana hunting heritage in a positive and supportive environment for women. 2015 Women s Hunter Education Program: Dates and Times: Friday August 14, 1 PM until Saturday, August 15, 5 PM Place: The Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch 10 miles west of Dupuyer, MT Registration: Online only at: www.register-ed.com/events/view/53462 Deadline: July 25, 2015 Age: Minimum 18 years Cost: Course and booklet are free. $90 for lodging and 3 meals. Please make checks payable to: Women s Hunter Education Program Mail to: WHEP, 923 Turner Ave, Shelby, MT 59474 Cancellation & Refund Policy: Refund prior to July 25 is $60. No refund after July 25, however the fee is transferrable in case of cancellation.
Page 8 of 12 ELK BURCELLOSIS SURVEILLANCE AGENCIES EVALUATING RESULTS OF RECENT ELK BRUCELLOSIS SURVEILLANCE From Jan. 30 to Feb. 3, researchers captured and tested ninety-three elk as part of surveillance coordinated by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) to evaluate the presence of brucellosis in the Greater Yellowstone area and to better understand how elk (and the disease) move across the landscape. The recent surveillance results from the Mill Creek area of Paradise Valley show more than 50 percent of the elk sampled there have been exposed to brucellosis. In contrast, the level of exposure in elk in the North Absaroka area of FWP Region 5 was found to be just over three percent. In the Mill Creek area, 16 of 30 adult female elk tested positive for exposure to brucellosis (seropositive). Sixty-three cow elk were tested in the North Absaroka area between Mission Creek and the Main Boulder River where two tested seropositive. All animals that tested positive in the field were fitted with radio collars to track their movement, while pregnant animals received implants to help researchers determine if and where they give birth or abort. Obviously we understand that producers, landowners and sportsmen will be concerned about these numbers, said FWP Director Jeff Hagener. We have been, and we will continue to work with all groups to address concerns about the commingling of elk, and cattle and management efforts to reduce that commingling, during the transmission risk period. State Veterinarian Marty Zaluski echoed Hagener s comments. No doubt this will rekindle local discussions about effective and reasonable risk management. We need to look at this very carefully. On the ground, Region 3 Wildlife Manager Howard Burt said the plan for now will be to implement the 2015 brucellosis annual work plan as approved by the Fish & Wildlife Commission. The brucellosis surveillance is funded by FWP and a grant from USDA s Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Ron Aasheim, MFWP, raasheim@mt.gov EVENTS A Good Time For A Great Cause See the upcoming 2015 RMEF big game banquets and events, get your tickets: Butte Apr 18th Colette Critelli 406-498-1792 Hamilton Apr 18th Sue Miller 406-777-0214 Missoula Apr 25th Mark Sommer 406-360-4414 Ennis May 2nd Cathy Toot 406-682-7857 Seeley Lake May 2nd Twyla Johnson 406-677-4057 Bozeman May 9th Becky Arbuckle 406-285-3819 Livingston May 30th Marcus Lilley 406-224-0518 Blkft Clrwtr Game Range Ride June 13th Twyla Johnson 406-677-4057 RENDEZVOUS Save the Date June 26-28th Kim Wold 406-257-9110 Photo courtesy of Tim Wold
Page 9 of 12 VOLUNTEER CAMPGAIN Your Regional Director, State Chairs, District Chairs or your local Chapter Chair for volunteer opportunities near you.
Page 10 of 12 2015 MONTANA STATE TRACKING FUNDING RAISING ACTUALS Attend Support Sponsor Life Legacy Gross Net Net/ Gross Chapter 26003 KALISPELL 494 199 29 3 $7,550 $157,688 $127,254 81% 26007 HELENA 26032 MISSOULA 26037 BUTTE 26076 LIBBY 26079 GREAT FALLS 362 137 16 0 $3,150 $88,162 $63,392 72% 26106 BILLINGS 572 383 31 5 $10,950 $185,587 $135,186 73% 26145 BOZEMAN 26150 HARLOWTON 26198 TROUT CK 26281 CUT BANK 199 67 29 1 $1,100 $57,639 $39,845 69% 26307 LIVINGSTON 26330 HAMILTON 26343 POLSON 271 109 17 3 $3,250 $76,552 $55,575 73% 26396 LEWISTOWN 158 62 17 4 $650 $45,973 $33,129 72% 26415 ENNIS 26429 DILLON 26432 W. YELLOW 26454 HAVRE 163 64 17 1 $2,370 $57,559 $40,484 70% 26459 SEELEY LAKE 26508 COLSTRIP Bozeman Sponsor Kalispell Sponsor MT Rendezvous LP 1st Quarter $43,020 $43,020 100% LP 2nd Quarter LP 3rd Quarter LP 4th Quarter Totals 2219 1021 156 17 $29,380 $712,150 $537,885 76% Become a RMEF Volunteer for Montana We are constantly seeking volunteers that would like to work on projects or share thoughts and ideas beyond their involvement in the local banquet committee. Well, here is how you can do just that. The RMEF District Chair program is specifically designed to provide an avenue where you can get involved with other volunteers to make RMEF more successful than it already is. District Chair volunteers are frequently used as a source for ideas and think tanks for staff at Headquarters. We also do our own share of think tanking to come up with new and innovative ideas and ways to do more than we did last year. These ideas usually come from various committee members from around the state and are brought to this meeting by the District Chairs. You can get involved in helping structure the Summer Rendezvous, newsletters, statewide raffles, special projects and mentoring volunteers. It will be one of the most rewarding experiences you will undertake. Just let any of the current District Chairs, State Chairs or Regional Directors know and we ll get an application to you. Consider sharing your time and talents. You should not pass up this opportunity! Become a RMEF Volunteer for Montana!
Page 11 of 12 MONTANA VOLUNTEER ADVISORY COMMITTEE Name Address Phone Numbers E-mail address 1) Chapter Affiliation 2) SLT Position 3) Chapter Liaison ASHLEY, Matt 308 Tamarack ST Anaconda, MT 59711 Cell: 351-2335 mashley@rmef.org Field Staff - Eastern Montana Regional Director Western Division DECKER, Yvonne 160 Hammer Cut Off RD Libby, MT 59923 Home: 293-6465 Fax: 293-7942 crdlog@frontiernet.net 1) Lincoln Co. Chapter 2) District Chair Liaison FREED, Jamie PO Box 2194 Cut Bank, MT 59427 Home: 873-4859 Office: 873-3620 Cell: 229-0658 tim_jamie@hotmail.com 1) Golden Triangle Chapter 2)State Chair 3) Polson, Hamilton, Seeley, Bozeman Sponsor FREESE, Craig 7121 Raven DR Belgrade, MT 59714 Home: 285-3819 Cell: 570-9051 jennyluvcraig@aol.com 1) Gallatin Chapter, 2) District Chair 3) Ennis FREIER, Wayne 1401 7th ST E Polson, MT 59860 Cell: 697-1906 bwfreier@msn.com 1) Mission Valley 2) District Chair 3) Kalispell HANSEN, Gary 10220 56th ST SE Snohomish, WA 98290 425-308-6503 Im4elk@comcast.net RMEF Volunteer Regional Chair KINDEN, Toni 411 Airfield RD Libby, MT 59923 Home: 293-3431 Cell: 334-0134 tkinden@frontiernet.net 1) Lincoln Co. Chapter 2) District Chair 3) Polson, Kalispell, Trout Creek, Seeley, Kalispell Sponsor KINDEN, Kurt 411 Airfield RD Libby, MT 59923 Home: 293-3431 Cell: 334-0796 geoseis@frontiernet.net 1) Lincoln Co. Chapter 2) District Chair, 3) Polson, Kalispell, Trout Creek, Seeley, Kalispell Sponsor KURSCHAT, Patti 132 Tamarack DR Kalispell, MT 59901 Cell: 253-1694 pkurschat@yahoo.com 1) Flathead Valley Chapter 2) District Chair, 3) Polson, Trout Creek, Hamilton, Seeley, Libby MURPHY, Kirk (625 Kylie DR) PO Box 1508 Polson, MT 59860 Work: 883-1147 Cell: 250-3856 Fax: 883-1178 kmurphy@rmef.org Executive Staff Vice President of Field Operations, Region II WOLD, Jared 13054 Kimwood DR Lolo, MT 59847 Cell: 370-8352 jwold@rmef.org Field Staff - Western Montana Regional Director Western Division WOLD, Kim 395 3rd Ave WN Kalispell, MT 59901 Home: 257-9110 Cell: 261-4111 sterling_kwold@yahoo.com 1) Flathead Valley Chapter 2) District Chair, 3) Polson, Trout Creek, Seeley, Libby WOLD, Tim 395 3rd Ave WN Kalispell, MT 59901 Home: 257-9110 Cell: 212-7249 TKJJW@montanasky.net 1) Flathead Valley Chapter 2) District Chair, 3) Polson, Trout Creek, Seeley, Libby ZARAGOZA, Mike 132 Tamarack DR Kalispell, MT 59901 Cell: 253-9576 mike.zaragoza@yahoo.com 1) Flathead Valley Chapter 2) State Chair, 3) Polson, Trout Creek, Hamilton, Seeley, Libby Are you interested in becoming a RMEF MT Volunteer? Would you like to serve on a local committee or volunteer to help at a local banquet or chapter event? Please contact anyone of us on the MT SLT for additional information. We welcome you to join us and work towards leaving your mark on elk and elk country.
Page 12 of 12 Ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage RMEF Mission The mission of the RMEF is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage. In support of this mission the RMEF is committed to: Conserving, restoring and enhancing natural habitats; Promoting the sound management of wild, free-ranging elk, which may be hunted or otherwise enjoyed; Fostering cooperation among federal, state and private organizations and individuals in wildlife management and habitat conservation; and educating members and the public about habitat conservation, the value of hunting, hunting ethics and wildlife management. rmef.org The RMEF Montana State Leadership Team would like to recognize First Interstate Bank, as our statewide sponsor. Your financial support assists us in offering RMEF Montana Volunteer activities. Thank you for supporting us over the years in our mission and fund raising efforts. We thank you for your continued partnership in conservation. Thank you First Interstate Bank for being our statewide sponsor! The Is Sent Electronically Email is easy, quick and an inexpensive way to share information and stay connected with people. Your Montana State Leadership Team has decided we are cutting our costs of paper, printing and postage. Please verify that your email address is correctly on file with your RMEF membership at headquarters in Missoula, you may call 1-800-CALL ELK. We don t want to intentionally miss getting anyone s email address. The will now be going electronic to RMEF Montana members and volunteers across the state. We ask that the local chapters print out a copy to pass around at your committee meetings to share with those who may not have an email account or have access to a computer. Proud Sponsor of RMEF Montana Volunteer Activities A year-long elk tag! Thanks to everyone who supports RMEF by purchasing specialty plates. RMEF license plates and disabled RMEF license plates are available for your vehicles and trailers for personal, work, and your recreational needs. If you have articles, photos or ideas for the or if you have suggestions on how to make it better, Please call me at 406-257-9110 or email: sterling_kwold@yahoo.com Thank you, ~ Kim Wold RMEF Online Want to keep up to date on all-things-elk? Log on to RMEF s website for the latest on elk, elk country, hunting hints and happenings, videos, feature stories, a news ticker and RMEF s conservation efforts around the country. The RMEF blog keeps pace with our busy members and volunteers and you can follow us and join the conservation on one of our many informative and entertaining social media platforms. RMEF WEBSITE: www.rmef.org RMEF BLOG: http://rmefblog.blogspot.com/ RMEF on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/rmef1 RMEF MONTANA FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/rmefmontana?fref=ts RMEF on LINKEDIN: www.linkedin.com/company/rocky-mountain-elk-foundation RMEF on PINTEREST: www.pinterest.com/rmef84/ RMEF on TWITTER: https://twitter.com/rmef RMEF on YOUTUBE: www.youtube.com/user/elkfoundation RMEF on INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/rmef_official/ Like Us on Facebook at RMEF MONTANA