A recent editorial by Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation life member Mike Muscha caught my attention.

Mike talked about his love for elk, hunting and its future in Idaho because of the growing wolf population. He also called on RMEF to "step up to the plate" and "take action."

Our message is simple. RMEF is in the fight.

In fact, the RMEF has been and remains a leader in the fight for state-based management of wolves. We consistently remain engaged with the state and federal agencies controlling management of predators like wolves, mountain lions and bears.

We also understand the frustration of local hunters and sportsmen who have contributed more to their state agencies for wildlife management than any other single group of citizens.

We also understand why groups like the Foundation for Wildlife Management are cropping up in states as a direct result from the sportsmen's frustration.

As an example of RMEF's leadership in this area, we recently topped $725,000 in lifetime grants to advance the science of wolves, wolf interactions with elk and other wildlife, and wolf management overall.

In just the past two years, RMEF has granted more than $210,000 directly to the state wildlife agencies in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

Why? To help determine how many wolves are on the landscape and where they roam so efforts to help manage or reduce those numbers can be more effective.

In addition, RMEF has also filed legal briefs and served as an intervener to counter endless, frivolous lawsuits by environmental groups seeking to thwart the management of wolves in Idaho, Montana, Michigan, and currently in Wyoming.

RMEF also publicly supports a proposal to remove gray wolves nationwide from federal protection so they can be managed by the states.

The bottom line is RMEF is in the fight and we intend to stay in the battle for better state-based management of all wildlife, including predators.

RMEF will continue to grant money, raise awareness, intervene in support of science-based wildlife management and do what is necessary to continue the cause.

Thanks for being a hunter, Mike. Thanks for caring. Thanks again for your support of RMEF and our shared mission to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat and our hunting heritage.

We urge all outdoorsmen and women who care about our elk herds in Idaho and elsewhere to be like Mike. Get educated. Get involved.

To learn more about RMEF's work on this issue: www.rmef.org.

M. David Allen is the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation president and chief executive officer.