October 2, 2015
Bugles Sound, RMEF Celebrates On-Going Wisconsin Elk Restoration
MISSOULA, Mont.—As the bugling of bull elk echoes throughout the Black River Forest for the first time in more than a century, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation celebrates and monitors a successful Wisconsin elk reintroduction.
“It’s been a long time coming and we’re grateful to our partners and for the support of the good folks of Wisconsin. Elk are now back and thriving on their native central Wisconsin range,” said Kurt Flack, RMEF regional director.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources agreed on a plan with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to eventually import 150 elk from Kentucky. The goal is to place half of those elk in Jackson County and half in the northern part of the state and grow the herd to about 400.
So far, RMEF contributed more than $300,000 to the effort. Other contributing partners include the Ho Chunk Nation and the Jackson County Wildlife Fund.
Wisconsin boasts more than 9,000 RMEF members in 24 different chapters.
Since 1990, RMEF and its partners have completed 322 conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in Wisconsin with a combined value of more than $6.9 million. These projects have protected or enhanced 2,648 acres of habitat and opened or secured public access to 1,270 acres.