December 2, 2008
Elk Foundation to Feature Winchester Model 70s, 1911 Pistol
MISSOULA, Mont.— With another strong lineup of guns—highlighted by Winchester Model 70s and its first official 1911 pistol—the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is again featuring firearms in its fundraising for elk habitat work in 2009.
Nationwide, over 500 Elk Foundation banquets and fundraisers will offer auctions, raffles and games for prizes including rifles, shotguns and handguns.
“As always, we’ll have world class art, outfitted hunts, trips, jewelry, hunting gear and more, but guns are still the centerpiece,” said Steve Decker, director of field programs for RMEF. “It’s a fundraising model that, over the years, has allowed us to lead our partners in conservation initiatives now worth over half a billion dollars.”
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009, the Elk Foundation has conserved or enhanced 5.4 million acres of habitat for elk and other wildlife and restored elk to long vacant parts of their historical range.
The Winchester Model 70 is back in production after a lapse when the historic plant closed in New Haven, Conn. The venerable “Rifleman’s Rifle” is now being made in Columbia, S.C. For 2009, the Elk Foundation is featuring Winchester Model 70s chambered in .325 WSM and .30-06, both with RMEF-logo grip caps.
The Elk Foundation’s inaugural 1911 pistol is a Kimber .45 ACP with an RMEF logo laser-etched into rosewood grips.
Other nationally featured firearms for 2009 include the Browning A-Bolt .300 WSM, Remington Model 770 7mm Magnum, Remington SPS Model 700 .257, Remington Model 597 .22 LR (pink camo), Savage Model 10 .204, Weatherby 12 gauge SA-O8 and Winchester Wildcat .22 LR. Several of these guns are special editions commemorating the Elk Foundation’s 25th Anniversary.
RMEF committees often add additional guns to local fundraiser lineups.
All firearm recipients must pass standard federal background checks.