Opening ceremonies, volunteer and chapter awards, banquet speakers and presentations, and other select Elk Camp attractions will be broadcast live from Reno, Nevada, March 3-5, on the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Web site.

Live video will begin streaming each evening at approximately 6:00 p.m. (PT) at www.rmef.org/elkcamp.

The special Friends of the Foundation breakfast with Bob Eubanks also will broadcast live beginning at about 8:00 (PT) on March 4.

Video will be archived and available for online viewing following each event.

Elk Camp’s host hotel, the Peppermill, is assisting RMEF with the live broadcasts.

The 27th annual RMEF Elk Camp & Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Expo is March 3-6. Most daily events such as the expo, RMEF/Leupold World Elk Calling Championships, seminars, luncheons and auctions will be held at the Reno/Sparks Convention Center. Evening events and the breakfast are at the Peppermill. For Elk Camp agendas and other details, go to www.rmef.org.

The broadcasts will not include concerts.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.9 million acres—a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

1. The line between “Get the camera!” and “Get the straitjacket!” is always a little blurry here.
2. You’ve heard the expression, “So hungry I could eat a cow.” Test the theory here with burgers as big as your head. No, really. Just ask the Travel Channel.  
3. Reno Tahoe is home to the 519,700 Sq. Ft. Reno-Sparks Convention Center (owned and operated by the RSCVA); home to more than 20,000 hotel rooms, and more than 8,200 average daily departure seats from the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. Basically, it’s easy to get here, and even easier to navigate once you’re here.  
4. You can get a world-class experience at a price your wallet will appreciate. Throughout the last few years, Reno Tahoe has invested more than $1 billion in hotel renovations and expansions, including chic rooms, fine dining and fabulous meeting space.
5. If you prefer to ditch the ho-hum meeting space for a more off-beat location, try the National Bowling Stadium, the “Taj Mahal of Ten Pins,” Nevada’s only accredited Art Museum, a multi-million dollar AAA ballpark, the National Auto Museum or historic properties along the shores of Lake Tahoe.
6. Our room rates are very attractive and competitive, in some cases 30% less than other destinations. (Remember the $1 billion+ upgrades? We weren’t kidding when we said you’d get more bang for your buck.)
7. 300 days of sunshine. Average. In Reno Tahoe you can do a few runs on the slopes, play a round a golf, catch a ball game and treat yourself to a great dinner – all in a day’s work.
8. Reno Tahoe hosts 290 days (at least) of special events each year. SoMeT, when you’re here in November, you’ll be just in time for the 30 feet of fresh powder at 18 world-class ski resorts. From your hotel to the lift line it’s no more than one hour. Après ski, treat yourself to a treatment so unique, only 8 spas in the country feature it! Why is Reno among the elite few? Find out for yourself.  
9. Reno Tahoe is bursting with history, plenty of “aha” moments that may catch you off guard. Like, did you know Mark Twain started his writing career in Reno Tahoe? Or, did you know Marilyn Monroe shot her last film in Reno? Learn all about our colorful past during the Passion in the Desert Tour through downtown Reno.  

10. We can count.

Safari Club International announced that its 39^th Annual Hunters’ Convention in Reno, Nevada was a huge success. Concluded on January 29, 2011, the convention ranks as the second highest revenue generating convention ever with more than 18,000 attendees. SCI members generously contributed more than $12 million to support SCI’s advocacy to protect hunting freedoms, to promote international wildlife conservation, and to increase wildlife management education. 

The SCI Annual Hunters’ Convention includes more than 1,100 exhibiting companies, leasing over 650,000 sq. ft of booth spaces. The exhibitors’ generous donations of valuable items for SCI’s auctions ensure that SCI can advocate on behalf of hunters in the United States and at international wildlife forums like CITES. SCI’s Political Action Committee (SCI-PAC) raised nearly $200,000 to advance sportsmen’s interest in federal elections. A special auction for disabled hunters was purchased during the Saturday evening dinner and it raised $150,000 for the SCI Foundation’s Humanitarian Services Programs. 

SCI is also pleased to announce the full list of award recipients at the 39^thAnnual Hunters’ Convention. Award winners include members and chapters who display a strong commitment to and have made great contributions to the sport of hunting; displayed a dedication to the conservation of wildlife; have a history of service to the global hunting community, and are committed to SCI’s programs and mission statement to be First for Hunters.

A big year in habitat conservation and enhancement in 2010 has the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation poised for a major milestone in 2011. By the end of this year, RMEF could pass the 6 million-acre lifetime mark in habitat protected or enhanced for elk and other wildlife.

David Allen, RMEF president and CEO, says the landmark figure is within reach in 2011 because of two primary reasons; first, RMEF and its partners in 2010 chalked up 163,658 acres worth of mission accomplishment, for a lifetime total of over 5.9 million; second, RMEF’s organizational momentum continued to build even through the bumpy economy of the past 12 months.

“While many businesses and nonprofits alike have struggled to keep the lights on, RMEF pressed forward and delivered more good things for elk and hunters. That success speaks to the passion and dedication of our 10,000-plus volunteers nationwide, a record number of new members, an incredible staff and amazing partners,” said Allen.

“If together we can harness the energy and focus and accomplishments from 2010, I believe we’ll see some very special headlines from RMEF in the year ahead,” said Allen.

RMEF and its partners tallied the following highlights in 2010:

• Enhanced 89,106 acres, mostly on public lands, for elk and other wildlife
• Reached lifetime total of 4,963,527 acres, mostly on public lands, enhanced
• Permanently protected 74,552 acres for elk and other wildlife
• Reached lifetime total of 973,484 acres permanently protected
• Surpassed 622,000 acres secured for public access including hunting
• Launched elk restoration initiatives in Missouri and Virginia
• Recorded 12 percent growth in RMEF membership for a record total of 178,000
• Reached 1.3 million people with positive messages on hunting and conservation
• Received the highest rating, 4 Stars, from America’s top charity ratings service
• Finished the RMEF fiscal year with budget-positive black ink

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.9 million acres—a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.