The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation held their 22nd annual Montana Summer Rendezvous at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Boulder June 22-25. Over one hundred participants of every age and from all across Montana met to celebrate conservation efforts in Montana. On Friday, June 23, about 50 volunteers removed about six miles of downed barbwire fence from the Skytop Ranch in the Amazon area. The old fence along an abandoned railroad bed had been down for a long time and was a hazard to elk and other animals.
Don Erpenbach from Helena talked about the importance of block management for hunting access and organized volunteers into two teams. Bill Dawson, local game warden, explained the area recently became good habitat for elk after the 2000 wildfire. He said the old fence became a barrier for elk, mule deer and cattle movement. Other events enjoyed by participants included a wild game cook-off, seminars including outdoor cooking and archery instruction for kids, and a barbecue. Kim Wold, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation district chair and an organizer of the weekend event, said that she was very pleased with the reception from the Boulder area.
“We love it here. The facilities are fabulous, the town of Boulder is inviting and welcoming, and it has been a pleasure to work with Bruce Binkowski and the Boulder Chamber of Commerce,” she said.
