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Raising Support For Our
Northern Michigan
Elk Herd.

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Welcome to the Michigan Elk Country Association

Welcome to the Michigan Elk Country Association (MECA). We are a Michigan based 501(c)(3) non-profit wildlife conservation organization that operates in Gaylord, Michigan to benefit the future of the Michigan Elk herd. MECA’s resources have been focused on improving hundreds of acres surrounding Michigan's Elk Country along with many projects on both public and private land. MECA is membership based, and volunteer driven, with volunteers and board members helping us complete our mission on a daily basis.

Chad Sides

Chairman

Kevin Johnson

Co-Chairman

Jada Gray

Secretary

Scott Connell

Treasurer

Tony Fox

Board Member

Joe Ferguson

Board Member

Jim Ormsbee

Board Member

Jake Ormsbee

Board Member

Neal Gray

Board Member

Tristan Cole

Board Member

Michael Pedigo

Board Member

Michigan Elk Country Association Banquet

The annual fundraiser for the Michigan Elk Country Association (MECA) is our most exciting event of the year. Please become a part of this annual tradition in order to support the expansion of our Michigan elk herd. This is an evening of fun, food, and prizes. Here is the event schedule:

2023 Casino Night Fundraiser | May 12th, The Ellison Place

  • Doors open at 6pm
  • Cash bar available throughout the event.
  • Auctions & Raffles ongoing throughout the event.

Tickets:

Tickets to this event can be acquired in several different ways. You can purchase an individual ticket for $75.00, or a table of 8 people for $550.00. In addition to these options, we have created donation packages which receive tickets to this event, those packages are outlined below:

  • Platinum Package - Donation of $5000.00 + Receives a VIP table of 8, and two complimentary annual MECA memberships.
  • Gold Package - Donation of $2500 - $4999.99 Receives a standard table of 8, and one complimentary annual MECA membership.
  • Silver Package - Donation of $1000.00 - $2499.99 Receives 4 tickets and one complimentary annual MECA membership.
  • Bronze Package - Donation of $500.00 - $999.99 Receives 1 ticket and one complimentary annual MECA membership.
Don't miss out on the first MECA casino night fundraiser, this is going to be a fun and exciting event raising money for our elk herd!

Why we are passionate about supporting our Michigan elk herd.

Chad Sides
Founding Board Member
Chairmen
2022

Growing up in Michigan’s elk home range my entire life I have seen many changes with the herd. I believe it’s our responsibility to protect, maintain and enhance the habitat of northern Michigan.

Vision for Future: I want to help educate those who may want to learn more about our crown jewel. I hope to help build the organization to something that will be sustainable for many generations to come.

Tony Fox
Founding Board Member
2022

As a forester, I know that managing our timber is best way to ensure the long-term health of our natural resources and rural communities. As a hunter, I know that the only way to create the habitat our wildlife need is through forest management. As a conservationist, I am a part of this organization because I believe that those interests that benefit Michigan’s elk herd also benefit our people and our natural resources.

Vision for Future: To unite Michiganders who share these passions so we can advocate for positive change, educate those who do not understand our mission and ensure that future generations will have a healthy elk herd to enjoy.

Jada Gray
Founding Board Member
Secretary
2022

Ever since I was a kid I’ve always admired elk and especially the herd we have right here in Michigan! Hunting and conservation of our elk herd has been a life long passion of mine. The MECA is the perfect way for me to be directly involved with bettering what our state can provide for our elk herd!

Vision for Future: In the future I’d love to see better representation of our elk in Michigan and for the MECA to grow into a state wide recourse for all things relation to hunting and conservation of our elk herd!