Opening and improving public access lies at the core of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s conservation mission. Below is a Wyoming Game and Fish Department news release that highlights one of the ways RMEF is engaged in access work.
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Donation Provides 46,500 Acres of Hunting and Fishing Public Access
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department recently received a $15,000 donation to support access for hunters and anglers through the Access Yes program from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Game and Fish Department recently received a $15,000 donation to support access for hunters and anglers through the Access Yes program. This donation comes from Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) whose continual contributions to the Access Yes have amounted to $97,500 over last five years .
Access Yes is a program that facilitates the partnership between private landowners, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and hunters and anglers to create free public hunting and fishing access on private land and inaccessible public land. These include Walk-in Fishing and Hunting Areas, Hunter Management Areas and other Game and Fish public access areas.
“Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has a phenomenal track record of raising funds within Wyoming. Their generous donation of $15,000 will provide nearly 46,500 acres of access which truly impacts hunters and anglers in Wyoming,” said Scott Talbott, director of Game and Fish. “We are grateful that RMEF is comprised of volunteers who care deeply about wildlife and are willing to go the extra mile to ensure today’s resources are available for future generations. My thanks to RMEF and its many members.”
Access Yes funds directly pay for access easements, not operating expenses of Game and Fish access programs. Walk-In Areas and Hunter Management Areas funded by Access Yes provide hunting opportunities for big game, small game, upland game and migratory game birds. They also provide fishing opportunities throughout the state.
“Each dollar donated to Access Yes equates to approximately 3.1 acres of public access. This donation helps every hunter and angler in Wyoming have increased access opportunities for years to come,” said Matt Withroder, Game and Fish’s Casper regional access coordinator. “I join the director in offering my thanks and appreciation to RMEF.”
Funds donated to Access Yes can only be utilized to provide landowner payments in exchange for sportsperson access. The public can support Access Yes through donations when purchasing a license, either online or from a license selling agent. For more information please visit the Game and Fish public access page.