MDF Projects
Theodore Roosevelt Elkhorn Ranch Acquisition
In 2007, the MDF had a chance to become part of something truly monumental. A number of conservation groups, government entities and private companies were coming together to acquire the remainder of Theodore Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch lands. Some of the traditional ranch lands have been in public ownership as part of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the Badlands of western North Dakota. However, 5,200 acres were owned by private landowners. The Ebert’s family had approached several entities in the interest of selling the property. Due to the market value of the land, none of the sale propositions had become a reality.
Finally, spearheaded by a few passionate individuals and groups, and supported wholeheartedly by the Bush Administration, this project received national attention and became a priority from not only a North Dakota standpoint, but a national standpoint as well. Some of the groups that joined together to make this acquisition a reality include: The Boone and Crockett Club; Camp Fire Fund; Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation; Foundation for North American Wild Sheep; Houston Safari Club; Orion, The Hunter's Institute; MDU Resources Group, Inc.; Mule Deer Foundation; MN/WI Chapter of FNAWS; National Wild Turkey Federation; Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation; Safari Club International; Tesoro Corp.; Theodore Roosevelt Association; Theodore Roosevelt Nature and History Association; Whitetails Unlimited; and Wildlife Habitat Council.
The Mule Deer Foundation contributed $25,000 towards this multi-million dollar acquisition. The newly acquired acres of the Elkhorn Ranch will be owned and managed by the United State Forest Service. The land will become part of the Little Missouri National Grasslands and is in the heart of the scenic Badlands of western North Dakota.
The significance of this land is not the amount of acres, the potential that is has for sustained multiple use by the public as a valuable resource, or the amount of public land that it is adjacent to. The true significance of it all lies in what the time spent here meant to Theodore Roosevelt, the man and the President. He has been quoted as saying, “Had it not been for my time spent in North Dakota, I would’ve never become President of the United States.” After seeing his mother and wife die in the same house and on the same day from unrelated causes, he retreated to this land spiritually and emotionally broken. After finding the peace and serenity that the Badlands have to offer, Theodore Roosevelt was able to find himself again and realign his priorities. Therein lies the significance of his ranch and the significance that the western landscape offers to so many year after year.
Another popular quote from Theodore Roosevelt is, “Only he who has partaken thereof, can appreciate the keen delight of hunting in lonely lands.” This sums up what drives many of us to do what we do as sportsmen and conservationists. It also points out what he found in a ‘barren land’ – an uncomplicated life, far away from politics and crooked businessmen. This, no doubt, led to him being remembered as our most conservation minded President.
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