Rocky Mtn Elk Foundation Project

October 13, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Members Improve Elk Habitat  A beautiful autumn day greeted Bitter Root BCH members on Saturday, October 13, at the Libby Maclay Ranch, located south of Lolo.  Libby Maclay has been working with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to preserve the land and elk habitat by developing a conservation easement for the 3,000-acre ranch.  Bitter Root and Missoula BCH members collaborated with RMEF to pack in materials, work on fencing, and remove old barbed wire fencing.  Using horses, pack mules and 4-wheel drive vehicles, members packed materials and tools to three different areas, including to the top of a mountain.  Some volunteers worked on fences and, because there was no safe place to tie, others held their stock.  Workers adapted existing cattle fencing to make it possible for elk to step over rather than through the fence.  Other volunteers helped roll up old barbed wire that is no longer used for fencing.  Elk and other wildlife have been injured when they get caught in the barbed wire, so it is a high priority to remove non-vital portions of the fencing.  Volunteers estimated they pulled two miles of wire, and it produced quite a stack  When the work was over, BCH members, bow hunters and RMEF members enjoyed a Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Q lunch while sitting in the sunshine and getting to know each other.  One of the goals of Back Country Horsemen of America is to establish working relationships and partnerships with organizations that have philosophies and goals similar to ours.  This cooperative project certainly demonstrated that goal.

 

 

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