Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Record Field Coming to Utah for World Elk Calling Championships

MISSOULA, Mont.—The largest field on record is scheduled to participate at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s 2018 World Elk Calling Championshipsin Sandy, Utah. The annual competition takes place March 16-17 at the Mountain American Expo Center (9575 So. State St.) as part of the Salt Lake City International Sportsmen’s Expo (ISE).

“We are pleased with the support and response of so many elk hunters of all ages who are participating,” said Steve Decker, RMEF vice president of Marketing, “and we look forward to celebrating elk and elk hunting with our partners at ISE.”

Contestants from ten states and two countries are currently signed up to participate.


RMEF is unveiling a new head-to-head, bracketed format in 2018 that allows participants to be seeded and square off directly against each other as the field is whittled down.


RMEF also doubled the prize money from a year ago. Categories include professional ($5,000 for first place), men’s ($2,500), women’s ($2,500), voice ($2,000), youth (ages 11-17 - $1,000), and pee wee (age 10 & younger - $1,000). The top three finishers will also receive prizes. There is also a team division ($500).


The preliminary rounds will take place on Friday, March16, beginning at noon with the finals scheduled for Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the 200 rooms, accessed from the facility’s lobby. Admission is free to this family-friendly event. The venue will also be open to the public Thursday for viewing Elk Network original films as well as other hunting and conservation-related videos.


Sponsors of the World Elk Calling Championships include Buck Knives, Eberlestock, Hoyt Archery, Leupold, Montana Decoy, Remington, Schnee’s, Sitka and Swagger.


The Salt Lake ISE show runs Thursday and Friday from noon to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adult admission to the ISE show is $14 while youth age 15 and under are free of charge.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Founded over 30 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership of more than 227,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 7.3 million acres for elk and other wildlife. RMEF also works to open and improve public access, fund and advocate for science-based resource management, and ensure the future of America’s hunting heritage. Discover why “Hunting Is Conservation™” at www.rmef.orgwww.elknetwork.com or 800-CALL ELK.