Esteemed Elk

COEUR d’ALENE — When Brad Hogeweide was raised in Otis Orchards, Wash., he learned about hunting.

What he was told then, he lives by today.

“I was raised to respect the woods, to respect the animals,” Hogeweide said. “You don’t go out and shoot an animal just to shoot an animal.

“You don’t go looking for the biggest rack to shoot, the 300-plus bull. You’re out there because that goes on your table.”

Hunting, he said, is about respect for the wilderness and the animals that live in it.

Specifically, in this case, the elk.

“Bottom line, what do we put on the ground for elk?” he said.

Which is where the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Panhandle Chapter comes in.

The group’s annual banquet is set for March 20 at the Best Western Coeur d’Alene Inn. It’s the organization’s main fundraiser that attracts about 300 men and women. Funds, he said, “go back on the ground for elk.”

“This is what we do,” Hogeweide said. “That’s what this is about. It’s what can we do to help these animals.”

As chairman of the local RMEF chapter, Hogeweide not only runs meetings, answers questions, makes up subcommittees and points people in the right direction, he’s also the guy whose name is on the membership form and the man to call for tickets to the banquet.

A multi-tasker if there ever was one.

“I’m kind of an overseer,” he said with a laugh.

He got involved in the foundation at the request of his father, Ted, who asked him to come to a banquet one year. Soon, son Brad joined.

The Dalton Gardens man believes in RMEF and its mission “to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat.”

“Just about every member of the RMEF, they’re hunters that care about the environment. We care about the habitat for elk,” Hogeweide said. “It’s benefiting everything that lives in that habitat.”

RMEF is committed to:

• Conserving, restoring and enhancing natural habitats;

• Promoting the sound management of wild, free-ranging elk, which may be hunted or otherwise enjoyed;

• Fostering cooperation among federal, state, tribal and private organizations and individuals in wildlife management and habitat conservation; and

• Educating members and the public about habitat conservation, the value of hunting, hunting ethics and wildlife management.

The state’s elk population was estimated at more than 100,000 late last year.

Hogeweide said the elk population has become scarce in some areas of Idaho, such as south of Avery, but seems to be holding steady in the Coeur d’Alene area.

Tough winters, as well as wolves, have taken a toll on elk. He said the winter of 1996-97 wiped out 80 percent of a herd in the St. Joe area.

“Wolves are very destructive when it comes to elk,” Hogeweide said.

Dave Armes, 10-year RMEF member, is an elk hunter and a wildlife biologist.

“No matter what anybody’s viewpoints are these days and politics and wherever they’re coming from, I think everyone can agree that we have some valuable resources that need to be protected,” he said.

Armes said RMEF does a good job working toward its goal of conservation of elk habitat.

The state’s natural resources are a most important asset, he said. Elk are a big part of the equation.

“It’s what people are drawn to here in Idaho, the mountains and the wildlife,” Armes said.

The March 20 banquet will include dinner, auctions and presentations. Among the prizes are a Sako A7 rifle, a Remington 700 XHR .300 Winchester and a package to the 2010 Pro Bull Riders finals in Las Vegas.

Tickets are $35 for current RMEF members, and $70 for dinner and membership.

Anyone who renews a membership or becomes a member will also receive a knife.

For tickets, call Brad Hogeweide at 818-5206, or go to events.rmef.org