RMEF Helps Add 8,850 Acres of Public Land to Michigan's Elk Country
Posted on: Dec 16, 2025
MISSOULA, Mont. — Located in the heart of Michigan’s elk range, the Pigeon River Country State Forest in the state’s Lower Peninsula now includes an additional 8,850 acres, thanks to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s contribution of funds for a recent land acquisition by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR’s purchase of the Black River Ranch in Cheboygan and Montmorency counties conserves the property from future development and opens the land to the public for hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities.
RMEF has been active in the Pigeon River Country State Forest area for years, completing 36 previous land conservation, access, and habitat and wildlife stewardship projects. Following an inquiry from the landowners, who wanted to ensure the tract’s natural resources were conserved for future enjoyment, in 2020 the Little Traverse Conservancy approached RMEF about partnering to help the DNR acquire Black River Ranch. Negotiating the purchase transaction came to a successful conclusion in early December.
“More than five years in the making, conservation of the Black River Ranch property is a great example of RMEF’s steadfast commitment to increasing public access while ensuring vital habitat remains for big game and other wildlife,” said Jennifer Doherty, RMEF managing director of mission operations. “We applaud the landowner, Little Traverse Conservancy and Michigan DNR for their partnership in conserving one of the last large intact parcels within Michigan’s designated elk zone, a move that both supports active forest management and helps reduce wildlife conflict—outcomes RMEF is proud to champion.”
Bordered by the Pigeon River Country State Forest on three sides, the Black River Ranch is used extensively by elk throughout the year and provides critical habitat to white-tailed deer, black bears, turkeys, grouse and a host of other wildlife species. The property contains more than 14 miles of rivers and streams—including the Black River, considered by many anglers to be the premier brook trout river east of the Mississippi—as well as three lakes.
“Landscape level projects like this rarely, if ever, come along in Michigan," said Caitlin Donnelly, Liesel Litzenburger Meijer land protection director of the Little Traverse Conservancy. “To protect nearly 9,000 acres in the Pigeon River Country with project partners like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will be a gift to Michiganders and our elk herd for generations and secure vital habitat in a very special part of our state."
Adding the property to the Pigeon River Country State Forest brings it under management of the DNR in accordance with a plan developed with the citizen-member Pigeon River Country Advisory Council. The land is now open to the public for nonmotorized activities.
“The purchase of the Black River Ranch property will be instrumental in protecting critical habitat in the heart of Michigan’s elk country,” said Scott Bowen, director of the DNR. “Partnerships are essential to successfully completing projects like this. We’re grateful to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation for the pivotal role they played in helping us to accomplish such an important land acquisition in Michigan.”
Other funding for the acquisition came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Legacy Program through the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, along with the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, Little Traverse Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy and the J.A. Woollam Foundation.
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Now in its fifth decade of conservation accomplishment and fueled by hunters, RMEF has conserved more than 9.1 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 how RMEF is Conserving America’s Big Game at rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.
Contact
Adam Heggenstaller, RMEF director of communications, aheggenstaller@rmef.org, 406-523-0256