There is no looking in the rear view mirror and leaving past projects behind. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its volunteers are committed to enhancing elk habitat. A 2018 RMEF project expanded the Fleecer Mountain Wildlife Management Area in western Montana by nearly 200 acres. Twelve RMEF volunteers recently returned to the project site to join other volunteers in improving the landscape.
Below is a brief report from Vanna Boccadori, biologist with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
On Friday, June 15, 2018, thirty-two people gathered on the recently purchased 200-acre addition to Fleecer Wildlife Management Area 20 miles south of Butte, Montana. Because of its excellent value as elk winter range and other important wildlife habitat, FWP acquired the property from the Merino family with a generous donation from RMEF.
Work gloves and strong backs at the ready, volunteers from the Southwest Montana Chapter of RMEF, Anaconda Sportsmen Club, Skyline Sportsmen Association and FWP game wardens, wildlife staff, and FWP Region 3 supervisor graciously gave their afternoon to help clean up the property and make it more wildlife-friendly.
Volunteers and FWP staff removed more than 150 yards of 4-strand barbed wire fence and 300-plus yards of sheep fencing, marked 2-plus miles of new boundary, pulled 60 t-posts and hauled off more than 1,500 pounds of wire and wood debris, all in just under three hours.
Many hands make light work and FWP is truly grateful to all the participants that helped to make this a better piece of ground for wildlife!
