New Mexico Governors Tag FOR SALE here on www.huntinglife.com

Ladies & Gentlemen, I have the story of the year for this humble little blog and website called HuntingLife.com. Several months ago Ben Nicholson was looking for some information on the Valles Caldera Wildlife Management area in New Mexico and he ran a search on google and up popped my article on how to apply for tags for the opportunity to hunt elk there. About that same time we also had a post about the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation holding a raffle for the New Mexico Governors tag for elk. Ben followed the link to the Valles Caldera and learned that he had missed the deadline and on a whim came back to HuntingLife.com and decided to buy a raffle ticket for the that RMEF raffle for the tag.

HE WON!

I got a comment on that post just after the raffle was finished and Ben was looking to sell the tag. New Mexico is the only state that allows you to transfer the tag if you have purchased it and/or won the tag. He asked me if he should put it up on ebay and I thought about it for two seconds and decided that might not be the best way to sell such a valuable item like this tag.

I put Ben in touch with a couple of people I knew just might have the connections out there to sell this tag and he is working the phones and now we are working the phones on his behalf. In talking to Ben, I agreed to assist him in the sale of this tag if he would agree to donate 10% of the proceeds to Conservation. He has already agreed to buy a life membership in the RMEF and if we can assist him in selling the tag through HuntingLife.com then he will confirm with us once he has completed the sale where he is donating the 10% and we will bring the story here to all of you.

Of course we now have competitors who are also trying to sell the tag on his behalf but if they assist him, he is going to have to pay them 10% and the money will not be guaranteed to go to conservation.

I will not in any way take or receive a single dime to assist him in selling this tag. I just think this is the coolest story of the year for this fledgling website called HuntingLife.com.

A little bit about Ben Nicholson

Ben has been hunting since 1984 and is mostly a water fowler and upland game hunter but likes to forage into the world of whitetail deer and black bear. His father Tom and good friend Jim got Ben started in the world of hunting with a hunters safety course and many trips to the field together. Ben is married to a wife(Rachel) whom he describes as wonderful and for the last 8 years they have been quite happy together along with a German Wirehair named Clyde. Living in Iowa City, IA and working as a loan officer for a local bank, Ben has been able to balance a great family life with some great hunting time.

Ben said, "I've been wanting to go elk hunting for years and will be making my first elk hunting trip this fall."

I tried to convince Ben that this was the hunt of a lifetime and his comments were, "I can go on a lot of hunts with the proceeds from the sale of this tag. I would really like you to sell it so that 10% can go towards conservation" was his last comment on our phone call.

How this is going to work.

Team Hunting Life(which is currently only myself - Kevin Paulson) will be taking emails from perspective buyers for this tag. You will need to make a full offer and include your name, address, phone number and email and we will be in touch with each and every one of you. I will make an initial call to you to determine if you are serious and then put you in direct touch with Ben Nicholson and you will work out the deal directly with him. Once that deal is complete, Ben will donate his 10% to conservation and we will report the story to all of you along with the details. My email is kevin@huntinglife.com!

This tag is for
Species: One bull elk
Area: Hunt in any unit in the state on public land
or private land with permission
Dates: September 1- December 31, 2007
Weapon: Legal weapon of choice during any season.

The opportunity for a 400 class bull anywhere in the state of New Mexico is what your buying here. This will be the hunt of a lifetime. This tag is priceless to the right person so please be very serious in your offers.

Let the bidding begin!!!!!!!!

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Names Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Begins Nationwide Search to Replace J. Dart

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Names Interim President and Chief Executive Officer, Begins Nationwide Search to Replace J. Dart

(June 13, 2007) Missoula, Montana — The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s Board of Directors announced today that it has named an interim president and chief executive officer to replace Peter J. Dart, who resigned from the wildlife conservation organization last week.

The board named Walker S. “Buddy” Smith, Jr. to serve as interim president and chief executive officer of the Missoula-based organization. Smith, of Great Falls, Montana and Midlothian, Virginia, completed a two-year term as Chairman of the Board of the Elk Foundation in February. He has been a member of the organization since 1984.

In addition, the board named Rod Triepke, who is currently serving the organization as Vice President of Administration and Chief Information Officer, as interim Chief Operations Officer. Smith and Triepke will be responsible for managing day-to-day operations of the foundation and will begin their new responsibilities after June 15. A nationwide search has already begun to find a replacement for Dart who served as president and chief executive officer for four years.

Smith is a long-time Elk Foundation volunteer, board member and leader. He played a key role in helping the organization re-establish elk in their native habitat in eastern states. He is an Elk Foundation Life Member, a Benefactor Habitat Partner, serves on the Habitat Council, served as Habitat Council Chair 2000-2002, and is a member of the Elk Foundation’s Trails Society. Smith also was the recipient in 2000 of the Elk Foundation’s Chairman’s Award.

Triepke, an Elk Foundation employee since 1993, holds an undergraduate degree in Computer Science and holds a Master’s of Business Administration degree. A native of Montana, he has served as the organization’s treasurer since 2004. Triepke is a lifelong hunter, angler and conservationist.

“The Board of Directors and the Executive Team at the Elk Foundation will move as quickly as possible to identify the best possible candidates for the President and CEO position and the position of Chief Operations Officer,” said Andy Hoxsey, Chairman of the Board. “The Elk Foundation is a large organization with 150,000 members and 10,000 active volunteers. We are searching for a leader with the ability to build on our 23 years of conservation successes and who will inspire employees, members and volunteers.”

Hoxsey acknowledged Dart’s accomplishments during his four years at the helm of the organization. During the past four years, the Elk Foundation permanently protected 136,000 acres, enhanced an additional 1 million acres and funded more than 1,800 projects. At the same time, the organization grew net assets from nearly $37 million to more than $51 million, ran a capital campaign to build a first-class headquarters and an outstanding Elk Country Visitor Center in Missoula, and signed a deal to create an eastern version of the visitor center in Pennsylvania.

“The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has become well known throughout the nation,” Hoxsey said. “We have emerged as a recognized leader among conservation groups working to conserve habitat. As we approach our 25th anniversary, we are well-positioned to extend our reach to greater accomplishments in the future.”

Dart announced last week that he was leaving the Elk Foundation to pursue personal opportunities and spend more time with his family. He joined the organization in May 2003, after serving as executive director of Safari Club International and the SCI Foundation.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Missoula, Mont., the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. The Elk Foundation and its partners have permanently protected or enhanced more than 5 million acres, a land area more than twice as large as Yellowstone National Park. Nearly 500,000 acres previously closed to public access are now open for hunting, fishing and other recreation. The Elk Foundation has more than 150,000 members, a staff of 150 and 10,000 active volunteers. To help protect wild elk country or learn more about the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, visit www.elkfoundation.org or call 800-CALL-ELK.

Minnesota Elk Herds Hit Highest Numbers in more than 65 Years

April 26, 2007

Minnesota Elk Herds Hit Highest Numbers in more than 65 Years

Elk Foundation Donates $55,000 to Ensure Future of Elk In Minnesota’s Tallgrass Aspen Parkland Thief River Falls, Minn. – Winter elk surveys conducted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources in 2006 show two elk herds that are healthy and growing, according to results announced at a recent Project Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation in Minnesota. “Just as exciting, Minnesota DNR held an elk hunt for the second consecutive year where two beautiful 6 x 6 bulls and one cow were harvested, “noted MN Volunteer District Chairman Kevin Cook. “In 2007 we are currently on pace to set a fundraising record in Minnesota which will mean more funds will be available to fund conservation projects in 2008.” Elk Foundation Regional Director Ralph Cinfio III says, “This goes to show that the Elk Foundation and our partners are doing great things to ensure the future of elk in Minnesota, that we can restore and enhance habitat and conserve more land. To date, the Elk Foundation and its partners have spent more than $750,000 in this state to benefit elk and other wildlife, like sandhill cranes, sharp-tailed grouse and moose that live on the tallgrass prairie.” Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation dedicates more funding for 2007 At its spring PAC meeting, the Elk Foundation approved funding for a variety of conservation projects in Minnesota, ranging from prescribed burns, food plots and upland brush management. The Elk Foundation funded over $55,000 that will impact nearly 5,300 acres of Minnesota’s primary elk range. Project proposals came from DNR, The Nature Conservancy and other Elk Foundation partners. Over $9,000 from the Elk Foundation still remains to fund conservation education and hunting heritage projects in Minnesota. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation funds permanent land protection in Minnesota The Elk Foundation State Leadership Team also committed $6,420 in funding to the Great Lakes Conservation Initiative. The Great Lakes states of Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin each contain elk herds ranging from 120 to over 1000 animals. Due to the presence of those herds, each state is presented with growing opportunities to successfully conduct permanent land protection projects as well as stewardship of both public and private lands. The primary objective of the Great Lakes Conservation Initiative is long-term protection and stewardship of the lands within each state’s elk range. Each state has a clearly defined elk range in which the Elk Foundation can focus our efforts to ensure that each project undertaken by the GLCI will have a direct and long-lasting benefit to local elk populations. About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Founded in 1984, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has conserved or enhanced nearly 5 million acres – an area more than twice the size of Yellowstone National Park. The organization has more than 150,000 members, and 10,000 volunteers. Working together these impassioned conservationists are on track to restore elk to long-empty native ranges, and ensure an elk country legacy for future generations. To learn more, visit www.elkfoundation.org or call 1-800-CALL ELK.

In the Crosshairs, SCI-First for Hunters 5/14/07

SCI - First For Hunters

In the Crosshairs -- e-news from SCI's Washington Office

The latest and hottest news on federal, state, and international
political and conservation events
May 14, 2007

Namibia Update

Last week SCI brought you a story about leopard trophies from Namibia being confiscated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service because they were tagged incorrectly. According to the TJ Safari Weekly Newsletter, the Namibia Professional Hunting Association jumped right in to set things straight. They released the following statement: ‘It came to the fore that U.S. Fish and Wildlife had confiscated two separate leopard skins exported by Namibia due to the apparent use of incorrect identification tags. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has been making use of the current tagging system for the past fifteen 15 years. Those leopards exported with the old tags will still be accepted. MET has now submitted a new tag for approval by U.S. Fish and Wildlife. In the event of your clients leopard trophy being confiscated during the interim period, please advise The Ministry of Environment and Tourism (Elly Hamunyela) immediately to assist you with the issue.’" For any further questions, you can contact NAPHA directly at napha@mweb.com.na . (Source: TJ Safari)

SCI Victorious in Alaska Federal Subsistence Hearing
Safari Club International is victorious in the latest battle over Alaska’s Federal Subsistence program. On May 10, 2007, the Federal Subsistence Board voted unanimously to designate 30 percent of the seats on every Regional Advisory Council to representatives of the recreational and commercial hunting and fishing interests. The decision was made at a special public hearing to determine how to balance the membership of the councils in order to provide representation from groups other than subsistence users. This balance was mandated by previous court rulings and the Federal Advisory Committee Act. SCI has been fighting this battle with the Federal Subsistence Board for nine years, ensuring that the recreational hunting and fishing community has been represented. Anna Seidman, SCI's Chief Litigation Counsel testified at the hearing, explaining that the only way the recreational hunting community could attain true representation on these councils is by the participation by sport hunters who share the interests of the sport hunting community.

Migratory Birds Funded

“Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthornecelebrated International Migratory Bird Day by announcing nearly $3.9 million in federal grants to aid neotropical migratory bird conservation in the United States, Canada and 14 Latin American and Caribbean countries. The Interior Department's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will provide the grants to conservation partnerships in those countries. Partners will, in turn, match those funds with nearly $18 million that will be used to conduct research, monitoring, and management programs for migratory bird populations, as well as related outreach and education. There are 341 species of Neotropical migratory birds that breed in the United States and Canada and winter in Latin America. Examples of these birds include species of plovers, terns, hawks, cranes, warblers and sparrows. Many of these birds are presently in decline, and several species are protected as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 2000 established the matching grants program to fund projects promoting the conservation of Neotropical migratory birds in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Appropriations began in 2002 and the money is to be used to protect, research, monitor and manage bird populations and habitat, as well as to conduct law enforcement and community outreach and education. By law, at least 75 percent of the money goes to projects in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada while the remaining 25 percent can go to projects in the United States.” (Source: USFWS)


SAFARI Magazine Wins Media Achievement Award

SAFARI Magazine, Safari Club International's flagship publication, has won a Diamond Statue of Distinction in the Spring 2007 Media Achievement Awards competition. The magazine was chosen from among over 1,600 entries, with only the top five percent recognized as award winners. This competition raises the bar of excellence. Entries are judged on a point system by award-winning, highly qualified professionals in the communications industry.


Two New Websites Focus on Wildlife
The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies has launched two new websites dedicated to wildlife. The www.wildlifeactionplans.org website provides detailed information on the state wildlife action plans and partnerships forming to ensure their implementation, and the revamped www.teaming.com will be the online home for the Teaming with Wildlife coalition and provide information on the need for new and greater funding to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered. Any questions or comments can be directed to teaming@fishwildlife.org . (Source: AFWA)

Opportunity For All

“The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Shane Mahoney, a renowned wildlife biologist from Newfoundland, have created a DVD entitled "Opportunity for All." The DVD tells the story of the North American Model for Wildlife Conservation and spreads the remarkable story that is the basis for our conservation ethic. It's a story we all should know and one that all hunters and anglers can take great pride in. Bulk orders of 50 DVDs or more can be purchased by contacting Jennie Wright at 1-800-225-5355 or jwright@rmef.org . The cost for 50 or more is $6.00 per DVD, plus shipping. Orders of fewer than 50 DVDs are $11.99 each, plus shipping and can be purchased by calling the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation's membership services at 1-800-225-5355 or going online at www.elkfoundation.org ” (Source: RMEF / Outdoor Wire)

Florida Gators

“Florida wildlife officials may be on the verge of allowing rural and suburban homeowners who find alligators less than four feet long on their property to capture and kill them rather than pay a licensed trapper. Individuals would have to call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for approval to kill alligators on their land. This also gives officials the opportunity to talk callers out of killing the gators themselves. Wildlife officials have yet to determine how homeowners would be allowed to kill or capture small alligators.” (Source: Outdoor Wire)

Oregon Family Partners With Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to Protect Roosevelt Elk Coastal Habitat

April 9, 2007

Oregon Family Partners With Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to Protect Roosevelt Elk Coastal Habitat

Family Donates 106-Acre Conservation Easement Near Siletz River (April 9, 2007) Missoula, Montana — The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has teamed up with a conservation-minded family living along the central Oregon coast to conserve critical habitat for Roosevelt elk. The habitat is located along the Siletz River near the town of Siletz, about 20 miles north of Newport, Oregon. The area is migratory corridor for elk, and contains old-growth timber and native forage preferred by elk and other animals. Ben and Debbie Hogevoll donated the conservation easement to protect wildlife habitat and prevent residential development. The easement will protect the land for the benefit of elk and other wildlife forever. “The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is very pleased to accept this donated conservation easement from Ben and Debbie Hogevoll to protect important habitat for Roosevelt elk,” said Mike Mueller, Elk Foundation Lands Program Manager. “This is one of the first conservation easements negotiated by the Elk Foundation to benefit Roosevelt elk along the Oregon coast.” The Elk Foundation recently kicked off its Coastal Roosevelt Elk Conservation Initiative to focus more resources on conserving habitat and raising additional funds to benefit Roosevelt elk. The Hogevoll family’s conservation easement provides a great beginning for the program, Mueller said. “Debbie and I realized how important our property is in providing habitat for this magnificent animal, and we made a decision to conserve the land to ensure that elk staying on the land and passing through are protected,” Ben Hogevoll said. Swede French, regional director for the Elk Foundation, based in the Portland area, has been familiar with the property for years. He said about 20-30 elk use the land year-round and the Elk Foundation was impressed by the time and resources the Hogevolls have committed to managing their land to benefit wildlife. “Roosevelt elk are rare compared to Rocky Mountain elk, and in the face of development in this rapidly-growing coastal area, the Hogevolls have set an example for others to follow with their generosity and commitment to conservation,” French said. Conservation easements are voluntary private land protection agreements negotiated between private landowners and land trusts such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Land protected by conservation easements stays in private ownership. This conservation easement was a generous donation of the residential and subdivision rights of the property to the Elk Foundation. The conservation easement does not provide for public access unless the landowners grant permission. About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Missoula, Mont., the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. The Elk Foundation and its partners have permanently protected or enhanced more than 4.9 million acres, a land area more than twice as large as Yellowstone National Park. More than 492,000 acres previously closed to public access are now open for hunting, fishing and other recreation. The Elk Foundation has more than 150,000 members, a staff of 150 and 10,000 active volunteers. To help protect wild elk country or learn more about the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, visit www.elkfoundation.org or call 800-CALL-ELK.

Virginia Outdoors Issues.

Ken Perrotte has written another fantastic article and this one should is incredibly important for all Virginia sportsmen! Here is a link to that fantastic article! Ken Perrotte, Free Lance Star, Give your Opinions on Outdoor Issues.

This particular article is very important to me because it lets you know that we can have a voice with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. We can only hope that they will listen to the public and begin to make some choices on how best to manage our game resources in the best possible way.

I have three issues in regards to the VDGIF that I think are incredibly important issues that I personally want them to address. Direct link to the Virginia Recommendations and Comment Board

The first issue is in regards to the ability to hunt on Sundays. As a working father of 3 kids, it is not always easy for me to take off days to go hunting in Virginia with my current schedule. I know this to be true of almost every hunter I run into in the state. Some Saturdays with busy soccer schedules and dance classes, I need to spend time with my children. I would like the option of being able to hunt on Sundays. In the state of Virginia we have a tremendous over population of deer in many areas of the state. Part of the reason that these herds cannot be controlled is that there are not enough people who have the time to get out and hunt these deer.

The second issue I have in regards to the management of deer in Virginia is that in the state parks and in some of the battlefields where we have tremendous over population of deer herds, they are bringing in sharpshooters. In some of these areas the deer are in my opinion unhealthy, inbred and have literally devastated the forests. In these areas there is almost no vegetation under 6 feet that is left. The deer have wiped out every native species of plants. In some of these areas they have brought in sharpshooters at night and spotlighted deer to eradicate them and reduce the herds. It is my understanding that the meat is donated to the Hunters for the Hungry program but I cannot confirm that. I think these areas would be much better suited to drawing type hunts that offer youth, female and handicap hunters the opportunity to assist in this process. Anything we can do to create public opportunities to assist in the process of deer management is better then sharpshooters. If these hunts do not bring in enough hunters, then they could open it up to lottery type hunts and charge a small fee to apply with the money going towards management fees and conservation programs to replant areas of these forests with native browse. (I believe this to be true of all states and in all national parks where we have these kinds of situations.)

The third issue I have in regards to the VDGIF is the situation with elk in the state of Virginia. I do not believe it is in the best interests of the citizens of Virginia to allow hunters to take elk with their deer tags. The state currently allows any citizen to hunt elk in the state of Virginia with a deer tag with the intent to eliminate all elk in Virginia.

The herd is currently not established and has moved into the area because of the tremendous habitat that Virginia offers to elk. Elk used to thrive in our state and were a native species in Virginia for hundreds of years. When settlers moved into Virginia they were eliminated for food and by market hunters.

The states of Arkansas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and Pennsylvania with the assistance of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation have worked hard to reintroduce elk back into the Eastern and Southern States. West Virginia is currently considering a proposal to do the same thing, hopefully it will be successful. The elk in the state of Virginia have migrated into Virginia from Kentucky and the VDGIF's position statement for the past 5 years has been that elk have CWD and they are afraid of an outbreak. The reality is that every elk taken in the state of Virginia and in Kentucky has been tested as CWD free.

Having a strong herd of elk and the reintroduction of elk in Eastern states has been an economic boom to those states. Pennsylvania and Kentucky currently have lotteries for the opportunity to hunt elk in their states which bring in tremendous dollars for the management of those herds. Along with that the tourist dollars as well as money from hunters coming into those communities is a tremendous resource for those counties in which elk reside. I have been to Kentucky, Pennsylvania and North Carolina just to view the elk in those states and my hard earned dollars were spent in those communities where elk reside. I have been to the counties in Virginia where elk reside as well and spent money in those counties.

I am not asking for the state to reintroduce elk at this time, although it would be wonderful if they would at least consider it. All I am asking for now is that we allow the elk who come into our state be allowed to thrive here and to grow into a viable herd and be protected as a separate species. I want the state to manage the herd as a resource that it truly is for the citizens of our state. The majestic bugle of a bull elk following a herd of cows is a sound that Virginia residents should be rejoicing in, not trying to eliminate.

Please make your comments known to the VDGIF no matter what your issues are and what your opinions are, share them freely. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but you must share it to make that opinion valuable.

The wildlife of your state(whatever state you reside in) is owned by the citizens of your state and the management of that wildlife is the responsibility of the citizens. If you do not agree with something happening in your state, DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

Staunton RMEF Banquet

The Staunton banquet for the RMEF in Staunton, VA is one of my favorites! A real class team of volunteers and a great group of attendees. The food is excellent and the night is a ton of fun!


Little Torrie Smallwood started off the night with a big bugle from this wonderful little girl. I hope she keeps it up and gets out there during elk season soon. I would love to see her call in her first big bull!

Off to the Bull Run Banquet tomorrow in Burke, VA.

I am off to the Bull Run RMEF banquet tomorrow. I am really excited to attend this banquet because www.huntinglife.com is giving away Bushnell Binoculars to all of the kids in attendance at this banquet. I love doing things like this for kids.

This is kind of my home banquet as it is the very first one that I attended several years ago. I have been hooked on conservation banquets and auctions ever since. I get to eat some pretty good food, I get to talk hunting and conservation, I get to donate some money to charities I love and I get to see friends that all believe in the same thing.

Next week I am off to Staunton, VA for another banquet and then I have a week off to spend at home and working on huntinglife.com and then I have an NWTF banquet here in Fredericksburg, VA on April 7th, 2007. A bit of history is that the NWTF started here in Fredericksburg, VA but there is no recognition of that fact at this banquet. I will have pictures up on Sunday from the banquet and I will catch up on some reviews of some great sites I have found online.

OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL

RMEF order page for OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL

I just finished watching this DVD and I will absolutely be sharing it with everyone I know! Please rush out and spend the $11.99 plus shipping and order your own copy and watch it once or twice and then send it to your friends! The story of the North American Conservation Model for Wildlife Conservation told by one of the masters of conservation and one of North Americas Greatest Orators!



Join renowned biologist, hunter and author
Shane Mahoney as he brings to life the revolutionary rescue
of wildlife in North America.



The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Shane Mahoney created
Opportunity for All to spread the remarkable story that is the basis
for our conservation ethic. With stunning wildlife footage, vintage
photos and Shane’s gift for storytelling, this video takes us back
100 years to a time when we nearly lost many cherished wildlife
species—a time when hunters and non-hunters alike rallied to
protect our wildlife legacy. It is a story every Elk Foundation
member should know, and one you play a role in today.

RMEF Colorado State Tag Raffle for 2007

Click here to goto the RMEF story on the hunt to download ticket order forms


Prizes
1st Prize: Statewide Elk Permit! This tag allows the winner to hunt in any zone in Colorado using any weapon of choice (muzzleloader can be used in archery season, etc). The permit is valid for approximately four months starting with the first open archery season and continuing through muzzleloader and rifle seasons (please contact the Colorado Division of Wildlife for details). This permit is considered an additional license and can be used with any other elk tag purchased for the 2007 hunting season.

2nd Prize: Browning A-Bolt Stalker .325 WSM with synthetic stock

3rd Prize: $250 Gander Mountain Gift Certificate

Funds Help Conservation
Funds raised from the raffle will be used to further enhance elk (and other wildlife) habitat in Colorado!

Ticket Prices and Information
Tickets are $25.00 each with a limit of 25 tickets per person. Only 2,000 tickets will be sold. Must be 18 years or older to purchase tickets. Winner will be notified by mail or phone. Drawing will take place Saturday, June 2, 2007, 2:00 PM at:

Gander Mountain
9923 Grant Street
Thornton, CO 80229
(303) 450-8122

Send ticket order to:
Mindi Ratzlaff
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Elk Tag Raffle
1727 Lefthand Dr.
Longmont, CO 80501
303-588-9502
thesol@mesanetworks.net

New Mexico Governor Elk Tag Raffle

New Mexico Governor Elk Tag Raffle

Ticket Price: $20 Species: One bull elk Area: Hunt in any unit in the state on public land or private land with permission Dates: September 1- December 31, 2007 Weapon: Legal weapon of choice during any season. Quality elk abound in New Mexico. The pictured bull scores 405 7/8 BC and was taken on public land during the 2006 archery season. Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity The New Mexico Governor's Elk Tag offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to hunt elk all over the state for four months with any legal choice of weapon no matter the season. You could be rifle hunting during bow season with this tag! Governor's Tag holders have consistently harvested bulls ranging from 378 to over 400. In fact, the high bidder for this same tag at the Elk Foundation's Elk Camp auction harvested a bull scoring 423 SCI (fair-chase) in 2005. 2005 Governor's Tag bull: 423 SCI Tag is Transferable New Mexico is one of the few states that allows this tag to be transferred to another individual. Past raffle winners have sold this tag for $35,000-$40,000. The winner of the 2006 elk tag raffle was from Kansas and had the following to say about the hunt: "I personally want to thank the RMEF and New Mexico Game and Fish for providing this Opportunity. It was a once in a lifetime hunt to say the least.” Drawing Date and Information The drawing will be held Friday June 29th, 2007 and tickets are available starting Feb ruary 2007. For ticket information, please contact Allen Kerby, Elk Foundation Senior Regional Director, at akerby@rmef.org.

Richmond Old Dominion Chapter RMEF Banquet

I am off to the Richmond RMEF Banquet tomorrow! I am going to spend the day helping out the committee and spending some money on Raffle tickets to see if I can win something!

BTW.. The Colorado Springs Chapter of Safari Club International has a Governor's Tag for a statewide moose tag and I by the skin of my teeth got 4 tickets to the drawing! Now its like a 1 in 900 chance to win the miracle tag but somebody has got to win it! Rumor has it they also have a Governor's mule deer tag as well they are going to raffle off coming up here in the near future! If I get news about that tag drawing I will post it up here online and maybe we can get some more tickets sold for that tag.

No posts for Saturday but I will have some great pictures and some small stories from the Old Dominion Chapter Banquet! I am looking forward to seeing some old friends and meeting some new ones!

Kevin