Tim Stiens, a member of the local Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation banquet committee, contacted me in early January. A guitar signed by Ted Nugent had been auctioned at the local National Rifle Association Banquet. Nugent has signed many of these guitars to be auctioned and raise money at the many nationwide NRA banquets.

The winner of the auction, Burt Langshaw, wanted to donate the instrument to the RMEF banquet to be auctioned again. Tim was reluctant to do, without Ted’s consent, so he asked me to contact Ted.

My e-mail to Ted: “Hi Ted, The local NRA chapter auctioned one of the guitars you signed. The winner gave it to the local RMEF chapter. This chapter would like to auction it again, but they would like your blessing before they do so.

“I’m suspecting you have no problem with this happening. But instead of just a yes or no, I’m suggesting you send along a letter which I would read at the banquet to be held on Feb. 6. The chapter is: The Columbia Basin RMEF Chapter.”

Ted’s reply two minutes later: “Will do.”

This Rock ‘N Roll Legend is usually prompt with replies to my messages, unless he is in a tree stand or on a flight. I knew he would want to take a bit more time to compose a letter to the conservation group.

From Ted two days later: “Dear Columbia Basin RMEF Spirit Blood Brothers, Greetings and God bless you all!

“I wish I could be there with you tonight to celebrate the perfection of we the people hands on conservation, but I am busy in Texas filling tags for our last month of the deer season. We don’t hire sharpshooters here. I am the sharpshooter!

“That being said, I sincerely SALUTE you all for your phenomenal conservation work on behalf of the hunting families of America and beyond with your hard work, amazing generosity and dedication to a balanced, habitat rich, thriving wildlife heritage.

“One of our very generous BloodBrothers recently donated a grand sum to the mighty NRA for one of my autographed guitars, and lovingly donated it back to RMEF to raise yet more funds for your great habitat work.

“I not only give my full on Nugent authorization to re-auction this fine instrument for such a great cause, but warn you that with my signature attached, this guitar possesses serious all American Spirit of the Wild Uncle Ted soul music Mojo and must not be handled recklessly. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT point this guitar at anything you do not want to breed!

“Be warned, be thanked, be saluted, be proud. Godspeed RMEF BloodBrothers everywhere and may The Great Spirit be forever at your side. Now dig deep and raise some money and some hell for our brother the mighty North American Wapiti!

“Thank you, sacred backstraps forever, Ted Nugent & family”

My reply to Ted: “Super great, Ted,

“Thanks so much. Must tell you, the RMEF committee was very concerned about having the guitar re-auctioned without your permission. The committee will be greatly relieved with this news. This entire concern is totally a matter of respect for you, so feel proud, my friend.

“Greetings to all the Nugent family. Best, Dennis”

I read Ted’s letter at the banquet with Burt at my side. The auction began and climbed steadily; $100, $300, $500 and up until I lost track of the final figure. The winner joined Burt and me in front of the crowd. It was Burt’s son, Brent.

I asked Brent, in private, what he was going to do with the guitar. He told me, but it is a secret and I can’t tell.

The banquet grossed $53,000 thanks to the generosity of Brent, Burt and Ted.