Thanks to advocacy engagement from the hunting and outdoor community, lawmakers in Congress removed an amendment with intentionally vague language that had been snuck into the massive Farm Bill by animal rights and anti-hunting factions.  

Labeled as the Greyhound Protection Act of 2025, H.R. 5017 could have banned everything from standard training and field trials for dogs as well as lawful hunting with them.  

The American Kennel Club said the iffy language went well beyond “commercial” greyhound racing, which only exists in one state. It could have also banned live lure training, use of live lures and open field coursing events involving live animals. 

Rep. Salud O. Carbajal (D-CA) introduced the measure, but the group behind it was Animal Wellness Action, a well-known anti-hunting group led by animal rights activist Wayne Pacelle, who resigned from the Humane Society of the United States, another anti-hunting organization, in 2018 amid allegations of sexual harassment. 

“It (H.R. 5017) does nothing to improve the wellbeing of dogs, and as written could ban or lead to bans on responsible dog training practices that are essential to developing well trained working and performance dogs, as well as popular responsible dog events in the community,” said AKC.  

“Because these terms lack clear statutory definitions, they could be interpreted in ways that affect lawful hunting activities and traditional dog training methods,” AKC warned. 

Vague language was the issue because “live lures” for dogs could be interpreted as upland birds, mountain lions or even farm animals like livestock. 

“They could do that with cow dogs. They could do that with bird dogs. They could do that with any dogs, really.” Doug Boykin, Wyoming houndsman, told Cowboy State Daily. "What about police dogs? Isn’t that using a live lure when they train them with people?”   

Hunt 2 Conserve strongly opposed the amendment and urged lawmakers to remove or better clarify it. 

About Hunt 2 Conserve 

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org. 

(Photo credit: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation) 

Below is a news release from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Hunt 2 Conserve both advocated for the translocation. 

Within just two years, the female grizzly that was released in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) emerged from her den this spring with two cubs in tow – a welcoming sight that represents successful population genetic enhancement and state collaboration. This event marks a milestone for grizzly bear management in America, establishing certain genetic interchange between the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) in Montana and the GYE.  

Biologists released the bear in Wyoming two years ago as part of a joint effort between Wyoming and Montana to establish genetic exchange between the two ecosystems. She was recently seen and photographed with cubs at her den site during a radio-telemetry monitoring flight.  

 “This is concrete evidence that Montana and Wyoming are committed to sustaining a recovered population of grizzly bears and is a major success in our continued efforts to ensure genetic diversity in these two recovered populations of bears,” said Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Director Christy Clark.  

The female was one of two grizzlies that were translocated through a partnership between FWP, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) and Yellowstone National Park. The other bear was a subadult male. The female was 4 years old at the time of the translocation and is now 6.  

“Grizzly bears in these populations usually give birth for the first time at 5 or 6 years old, so it's not surprising from an age standpoint,” said FWP grizzly bear researcher Cecily Costello. “It is more surprising because last year she was still very mobile and made many large, wandering movements. We wondered if that energy expenditure might reduce her chances of reproducing, but, from the photo, she appears to be in great condition.”  

For many years, Montana and Wyoming have focused on managing an ever-growing bear population in the GYE and NCDE. Recovery levels in the two ecosystems were surpassed years ago.  

The current health of the GYE grizzly bear population is sound. The translocation of the bears provided new genetics into the currently isolated GYE grizzly bear population as part of an agreement signed by the states of Montana, Idaho and Wyoming to address a U.S. Ninth Circuit Court ruling following the 2017 delisting of the GYE population. While the best available science indicated genetic exchange among distinct grizzly bear populations was not essential for recovery, increased genetic diversity is advantageous for robust populations.  

 “This multiagency effort was a shining example of interstate/interagency collaboration and cooperation to address long-term genetic viability concerns raised and embodies both on-the-ground conservation and a commitment to fulfill obligations toward grizzly bear management in the contiguous United States,” said Wyoming Game and Fish Director Angi Bruce.  

Annual cub survival rates are just above 50 percent, and they are often slightly lower for first litters.  

“So, we do have to wait and see about the survival of this litter,” Costello said. “Even if this litter does not survive, we expect she will be successful in the future.”  

Reproduction by the translocated male will be harder to document since it can only be done through the opportunistic capture and genetic sampling and analyses of offspring.  

“We are hopeful that he has or will produce offspring, too,” Costello said.  

Male mating success is often tied to large body size, and the male is estimated to be 7 years old, which is considered a bit young for challenging other adult males for females. 

(Photo credit: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks) 

Facing a $1.5 billion budget deficit, Colorado lawmakers proposed no longer using state funds to introduce wolves into Colorado.  

Citizens passed a 2020 ballot initiative by less than a two percent margin to forcefully introduce wolves, including voters in 51 of Colorado’s 64 counties that voted against it. Out-of-state animal rights and anti-hunting activists largely funded the campaign. 

Since then, the wolf program has been extremely messy with 14 of 25 introduced wolves having died since hitting the ground in Colorado. And costs continue to skyrocket well above expectations. 

According to Colorado Politics, the annual budget for the wolf program is $2.1 million or almost three times more than original 2020 estimates voters were told it would cost, while compensation is slated for $350,000 per year. However, in just the first three months of 2026, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) already doled out $724,000 in wolf-livestock compensation with costs expected to top $1 million by the end of the year. Plus, CPW recently asked the state legislature for another $450,000 to bring more wolves into the state.   

Now, lawmakers are suggesting pulling the plug on using taxpayer funds to do so. 

“It is a moment for us to recognize that while we should honor the will of the voters — I am respectful of that — our reintroduction of wolves has not gone successfully nor without significant cost,” House Speaker Julie McCluskie (D-Dillon), told the Aspen Times. “I would ask for your support on this amendment, knowing that there is certainly a better path forward for us on the wolf management plan, and I would encourage further evaluation of the process so far, ways that we can continue to improve it.”   

“What I would like to say to my ranchers is that we are not using their taxpayer dollars to introduce more wolves into their backyard,” Rep. Meghan Lukens (D-Steamboat Springs), told the Aspen Times. “The money that is still allocated to the Department of Natural Resources can still be used for conflict minimization and overall management of the program, but if we are going to, as a state, pay for new wolves, I believe that money should be coming from gifts, grants and donations.” 

Lukens’ words appear to be an invitation for pro-wolf activists to step up, instead of relying on taxpayer dollars to foot the bill. 

About Hunt 2 Conserve 

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org. 

(Photo credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife) 

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its partners filed an appeal of a federal judge’s ruling that supports an environmental group challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) refusal to relist gray wolves in the West. 

USFWS denied petitions by the anti-hunting organization Center for Biological Diversity in early 2024 to place wolves in Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and parts of Washington, Oregon and Utah under the Endangered Species Act. Citing the history of state management and expanding wolf populations, USFWS professional biologists and game managers concluded that Western wolves are not at risk of extinction, now or in the near future. 

Not counting those born this spring, the minimum gray wolf population in the West is at least 3,100 wolves. That number continues to grow with expanded range, including populations in Idaho and Montana that are respectively 700 percent and 600 percent above federal minimum recovery levels. Wyoming’s population met minimum recovery criteria in each of the last 23 years. 

Other groups joining RMEF in the appeal are Safari Club International and Sportsmen’s Alliance. 

Having met federal minimum recovery thresholds in 2002, Hunt 2 Conserve strongly supports state-based wolf management and maintains the population is recovered and not in need of relisting. 

About Hunt 2 Conserve 

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org. 

(Photo credit: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks) 

A bill making its way through the state legislature would make Oklahoma the only state in the nation to allow the release of captive, game-farm deer into the wild under state law.  

House Bill 3270 would allow captive deer with certain genetic “resistance” to be released into wild populations and would transfer authority to sell permits to private landowners wanting to stock game farm deer from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF). 

“Releasing captive white-tailed deer to intentionally comingle with wild deer presents significant risks to wildlife management, disease control and the long-term health of Oklahoma’s deer herd,” according to a coalition of conservation and sportsmen organizations lead by the National Deer Association and including the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. “At the very least, decisions about such a consequential program must remain grounded in science and led by the state’s professional wildlife managers.” 

The bill’s original language creates a pilot program for deer with the SS allele at codon 96 under the premise that they are genetically “resistant” to chronic wasting disease (CWD).  

Dr. Jennifer Malmberg, project leader for CWD research for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said during the April 6 Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting, “Taking all studies into consideration, 96SS deer are not resistant to CWD. They still get the disease and that is a really important point to make.” Studies also show deer with the SS allele die from the disease. 

“The unintended consequences could be devastating to our thriving deer herd," said ODWC chief of wildlife Bill Dinkines. “Based on what we heard from some of the nation’s leading CWD experts, the release of captive white-tailed deer into free-ranging populations for the purpose of CWD prevention or management is not justified and is not worth the risk.”  

Dr. Mark Ruder, director of the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study, said in the April 6 Wildlife Commission meeting, “There is no scientific justification for the release of farmed white-tailed deer into free-ranging populations for the purpose of CWD prevention or management.” 

The potential risks of releasing captive deer include: 

• Unintentional release of CWD(+) deer into the wild. 

• The introduction of novel diseases into the wild, including emergence of novel CWD strains. 

• Increased susceptibility to existing and more common threats like blue tongue and EHD (epizootic hemorrhagic disease). 

• Disruption of established herd dynamics and the creation of genetic weakness. Stocking additional deer into areas that are near or at carrying capacity could lead to additional agricultural depredation, deer/vehicle collisions and potential liability for those who have sold or released the deer. 

• It could alter deer density and resource selection. 

Hunt 2 Conserve strongly agrees with the ODWC, commissioners and concerned conservation and sportsmen groups by opposing the release of captive animals into the wild. 

Click here to read the full Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation news release. 

About Hunt 2 Conserve 

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org. 

(Photo credit: Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation)

A consortium of conservation and hunting organizations, including the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, issued caution about a California bill that would open the door to introducing grizzly bears into the state. SB 1305 established a state policy framework for doing so and directs the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to begin planning for it. 

Proponents cite a feasibility “study” as a core reason to place grizzly bears in California. Yet, the first page of its documentation highlights its bias: “This study was supported and published by the California Grizzly Alliance, whose goal is to recover grizzly bears in California.” 

CDFW maintains that the agency lacks funding and resources to make it happen. The state currently faces a 21-billion-dollar budget deficit. 

“Reintroducing grizzly bears potentially into places where people live, recreate and raise livestock would likely necessitate further management of human-wildlife conflicts, which is already extremely challenging with the animal species that are here — notably mountain lions, wolves, black bears and coyotes,” Peter Tira, CDFW spokesman, told the Los Angeles Times. 

The study suggests placing grizzlies in northern California, the same part of the state where CDFW lethally removed four problem wolves because of repeated livestock killings. Local government officials also declared a state of emergency there because of the growing wolf population and its impacts. 

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation expressed extreme concern by signing a letter with 18 other hunting and conservation organizations: “The return of the grizzly bear is often framed as an aspirational conservation goal rooted in California’s history and cultural symbolism. However, wildlife policy decisions of this magnitude must ultimately be guided not by symbolism or nostalgia, but by sound science, practical management considerations, and the realities faced by the communities that must live with the consequences of those decisions. When evaluated through that lens, SB 1305 raises serious concerns regarding ecological feasibility, public safety, wildlife management priorities and long-term fiscal responsibility.”  

Hunt 2 Conserve opposes the legislation as it is not grounded in ecological necessity, but rather in a philosophical vision about what some believe California’s landscape should represent. 

About Hunt 2 Conserve 

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org. 

(Photo credit: Jim Peaco/NPS) 

The National Park Service (NPS) is expanding opportunities for qualified volunteers and permitted participants to help remove invasive and overabundant species at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve in Louisiana and Cumberland Island National Seashore in Georgia.  

“This is hunters performing a public service that the taxpayer would otherwise be paying for,” an NPS employee, who asked to not be named, told Outdoor Life. “I think that’s a big deal. It’s not going to be for everyone, but it may be a model for resource management on public properties that can’t support traditional models of public hunting.” 

The announcement is in line with Secretarial Order 3447 for effective governance and responsible stewardship, including expanding opportunities for qualified volunteers and partners to support science-based wildlife management on public lands. NPS uses a variety of management tools, including controlled hunting, trapping and targeted removal to reduce these impacts. 

These efforts support the protection of wetlands, native wildlife, cultural resources and sensitive habitats that are affected by nutria and feral hogs. Nutria is a rodent that can be two feet long and weighs 15 to 20 pounds. They look like beavers but leave behind wide-ranging negative impacts on riparian habitat including the destruction of native plants, soil structure and farm crops. Feral hogs cause an estimated $1.5 billion in damage annually by destroying plants and crops. They also prey on small wildlife like ground-nesting birds and deer fawns. 

About Hunt 2 Conserve 

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org. 

(Photo credit: Steve Hillebrand/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is asking the state legislature for $450,000 to bring more wolves into Colorado during 2026-27. The catch is CPW does not yet know where it will get them. The request comes despite a $1.5 billion state budget deficit and would double 2025 spending on the wolf program. 

According to Colorado Politics, CPW made the ask before Colorado’s Joint Budget Committee (JBC). The JBC staff had earlier made two recommendations. One was to ask CPW for new information about its work related to wolves and the costs of preventative actions, while the other would create a new 2026-27 budget line for the program. 

“Separating wolf reintroduction expenses into its own line item could allow for increased transparency and clarity on the funds used for wolf reintroduction,” according to JBC analysis and as reported by Colorado Politics.  

Committee members chose to go with the informational request, but not creating the separate line-item. One state lawmaker objected, saying a budget line would be more transparent because it would spell out actual costs. 

According to Colorado Politics, the annual budget for the wolf program is $2.1 million or almost three times more than original 2020 estimates voters were told it would cost, while compensation is slated for $350,000 per year. In just the first three months of 2026, CPW has already paid out $724,000 in wolf-livestock compensation. 

A source for acquiring wolves remains up in the air. Colorado captured and relocated 10 Oregon wolves in late 2023 and 15 more from British Columbia in 2025. Fourteen of those wolves have since died. Oregon said it will not provide any more wolves and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) told Colorado it could only receive wolves from six western U.S. states and not Canada. The other states have also refused to provide source wolves. Should wolves be delisted in the Lower 48 states, USFWS restrictions on source wolves would be moot, but legislation to delist wolves is currently tied up at the U.S. Senate. 

About Hunt 2 Conserve 

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org. 

(Photo credit: Colorado Parks and Wildlife)

When Rory McIlroy sank the winning putt to clinch the 2025 Masters Tournament, he dropped to his knees, bowed his head to the earth, sobbed with joy and then pumped his fists as he triumphantly rose while the crowd roared. The victory gave McIlroy a career Grand Slam, making him just the sixth man ever to win all four of golf’s major championships. 

Little did he know that such an exhilarating moment would eventually open the door to the golfing world discovering what he, and hunters, already know – elk is both nutritious and delicious. By virtue of his Masters championship, McIlroy earned the right to plan the menu for the 2026 Masters Club Dinner taking place April 7, 2026, at the Augusta National Golf Club, where McIlroy will try to defend his title later that same week. 

The menu includes four appetizers, a first course, a main course and dessert. Among the listed appetizers are grilled elk sliders with caramelized onion jam and roasted garlic aioli. So, why elk? 

“In the buildup to the Masters last year, I was eating a lot of elk,” McIlroy told the PGA Tour. “I didn't want elk to be the main course because I didn't know if everyone would like that … So, I'm doing grilled elk sliders, which I think is fun.” 

Fun, indeed. And yes Rory, elk is delicious, nutritious and highly sought after. According to a 2016 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report, about 700,000 hunters pursued elk the previous hunting season.  

Once again, why elk? According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Nutrient Database and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (see chart below), elk is extremely high in protein and low in fat, ranking ahead of pork, lamb, whitetail deer, pronghorn antelope, chicken, pheasant and duck. Of the listed species, only moose and wild turkey have a lower fat content but both of those trail elk in protein percentage. 

Go ahead and call elk what it is – the meal of champions. Just ask Rory. 

About Hunt 2 Conserve 

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org. 

(Photo and graphic credit: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)

Oregon’s fish and wildlife are poised to get a financial boost thanks to the Oregon Legislature.

One week after passing in the House of Representatives, the Senate followed suit and passed HB 4134 , which raises the state’s lodging tax from 1.5 percent to 2.75 percent.

If signed into law by Governor Tina Kotek, the measure is expected to generate $37 million annually for fish, wildlife and conservation. Funding is earmarked for nine different efforts including fish and wildlife management, wildlife crossings, combating poaching, helping ranchers dealing with wolf depredations, tackling invasive species and support for outdoor recreational activities.

Aside from long-time financial support from hunters and anglers in the form of licenses, fees and excise taxes on guns, ammunition and archery and fishing equipment, the impacted programs have not had any other consistent source of funding.

About Hunt 2 Conserve

Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org.