Elk Packers Needed

Date: June 7, 2011
Contact: Wade Jones, 701-623-4466

National Park Seeks Professional Packers
to Assist with Elk Reduction

Theodore Roosevelt National Park will continue to implement its successful elk reduction effort in the park's South Unit, October 11, 2011 through December 23, 2011.Teams of park staff and volunteers tasked with shooting cow elk will again be supported by experienced meat recovery teams (packers).Packers will collect the meat and transport it, using pack horses or mules, to a cold-storage facility within the park.

"Using experienced, safe packers was one of many reasons last year's effort was so successful," said Superintendent Valerie Naylor."Although we are not yet asking for volunteers to sign up to assist with the elk reduction, we are currently looking for several packers who would work as paid contractors to haul elk out of the park's backcountry."

The packers will need to be experienced in using pack animals in rough badlands terrain and are required to provide their own stock, trailer, and tow vehicle(s).In order to pick up elk meat in a timely fashion, packers must be located no more than a three hour drive from the park's South Unit.

Those interested in working with the National Park Service in this capacity must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR, https://www.bpn.gov) and the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA, https://orca.bpn.gov/).In order to be considered, individuals should enter the required information into the CCR and ORCA databases no later than July 1, 2011 and must also contact Wade Jones, Elk Reduction Program Manager.Once registered, individuals will receive information on packer requirements, a statement of work, and how the contracting process will proceed.

Questions regarding opportunities for packers should be directed to Wade Jones at 701-623-4466 or e-mail at e-mail us.

--NPS--