It was a more-than-familiar sight for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation delegation as its members entered the office of the head of the Department of Interior (DOI). All they had to do was glance up to see the mount of a mature bull elk towering over the room.
RMEF President and CEO Kyle Weaver and Chief Conservation Officer Blake Henning spent the next 45 minutes with DOI Secretary Doug Burgum, who took the elk in his native North Dakota. A long-time supporter of RMEF, he asked his visitors about the status of RMEF, its organization, operations, goals and conservation successes. Secretary Burgum also, most willingly, related the story of his successful elk hunt several years earlier.
The visit with Secretary Burgum came amidst a whirlwind, two-day RMEF trip to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., marked by nonstop appointments and meetings with administration officials, senators, representatives and staffers.
“You really can’t place a value on the importance of these face-to-face meetings,” said Henning. “Developing new relationships and cementing older ones is highly beneficial in advancing our mission priorities and advocacy efforts. At the same time, it helps policymakers gain a better understanding about RMEF, its mission and the important roles hunting and conservation play related to wildlife and our landscapes.”
Among other items, topics of discussions included the removal of a provision in the recent budget bill to sell blocks of public land, expanding public access, forest management, grizzlies and wolves related to the Endangered Species Act, public land management, land appraisals, fire management and more.
“We will remain vigilant by working with Congress as well as state legislatures, commissions and other fronts to advance priorities that help ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage,” said Henning.
(Photo credit: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)