All grasses are not created equal for elk and other big game.
In fact, some of them are downright detrimental.
Cheatgrass, medusahead rye and ventenata are three such culprits.
They may leave behind an appealing-looking golden sea of vegetation, but they are invasive, offer little to no protein, spread like fire and crowd out native, nutritional wildlife forage.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is in the fight against invasive plants.
It works with researchers, landowners and supports strategic approaches by state and federal agencies to identify and treat core areas of grasslands and meadows threatened or already affected by invasives.
When it comes to cheatgrass alone, RMEF supplied funding for more than 110 projects across Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Treatment options include herbicide, revegetation, biocontrol like the use of insects, fungi or prescribed livestock grazing as well as both pre- and post-monitoring.
To highlight one project area, the Gunnison Basin is a large watershed in western Colorado. It is a hot spot for elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, black bears, fish, other wildlife and the state’s largest population of sage grouse.
RMEF allocated funding in 2025 and 2026 to fight and control the spread of cheatgrass, resulting in enhanced forage and habitat for all wildlife species.
ONE SQUARE MILE A DAY.
OVER 10 MILLION ACRES BY 2030.
At RMEF, we’re not just conserving what’s here today, we’re creating what’s possible for tomorrow. That means more access, healthier habitats and a stronger future for all big game.