FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

March 8, 2009

 

Contact: Steve Wagner, Blue Heron Communications, 800-654-3766 or steve@blueheroncomm.com

 

 

First Elk Camp in Texas Generates $1.5 Million

 

FORT WORTH, Texas—The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has generated $1.5 million from its first-ever convention in Texas.

Proceeds from the organization’s 25th Annual Elk Camp & Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Expo, which ended March 8 in Fort Worth, will help support initiatives to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. The Elk Foundation recently topped 5.7 million acres conserved or enhanced.

 

“Elk Camp is a showcase for our mission, accomplishments and the amazing spirit of our volunteers—and it’s also our largest annual fundraiser. This year our auctions grossed $1.1 million while new memberships, raffles, merchandise sales and public admission fees added another $400,000. We’re pleased considering the new site and economy,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.

 

Highlights also included:

 

• Numerous awards and recognitions for Elk Foundation volunteers.

• Entertainment by country stars Randy Travis, Sawyer Brown and Travis Tritt.

• Appearances by NASCAR’s Richard Childress, Realtree’s Bill Jordan and Dallas

Cowboys legend Walt Garrison who helped honor wounded veterans of the Iraq War.

• New winners in the RMEF/Leupold 2009 World Elk Calling Championships

including Al Morris of Payson, Utah, as the top new world champ in the Professional

Division.

• Many celebrations of 25 years of conservation successes.

News releases on these and other headlines, plus links to video coverage on YouTube, are

posted in a new Elk Camp newsroom section at www.rmef.org.