Although few are ever likely to hear the shrill bugle of a rutting bull elk in this portion of western Kentucky, there is sure to be a great deal of bugling going on around the outskirts of Park City on Saturday.

Of course, these high-pitched screams will be made with specialized calls put to the lips of participants in this year’s annual Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation banquet being held at Park Mammoth Resort in Park City.

Some may wonder why the Bowling Green area has an RMEF chapter when Kentucky’s elk population resides over in the mountains far east of here. As chairman and longtime member Craig Wickman points out, our local RMEF chapter happens to be one of the most important within the entire nation, despite our distance from any wild elk.

“RMEF paid for the elk to be brought back (to Kentucky) and our funds go to support the continuation of the elk,” Wickman said. “The Bowling Green chapter was actually, at one time, the largest fundraising chapter in the country back in the late ’90s when the elk were coming back. Today, we repeatedly win the award for the most sponsors.”

Although the Bluegrass now supports an ever-expanding population of the large cervids, 15 years ago there had not been a wild elk in Kentucky for generations. After much consideration and study, the RMEF and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife teamed up to bring in 1,200 elk from Western states for release in the coalfields of eastern Kentucky.

Due to great habitat, continuous monitoring by biologists and a relative lack of predators, Kentucky’s elk now number between 12,000 and 15,000, allowing our elk program to come full circle.

“Missouri and Virginia both have been approved for re-introductions,” Wickman said, “and the Kentucky herd has such a strong genetic variety and such a healthy herd that rather than go out West (to get wild elk) like they used to, they are now using Kentucky elk as the capture point to relocate elk to Missouri and Virginia. This is all because of work that was done between RMEF and the department.”

In addition to tourism dollars and an oft-publicized success story, Kentucky’s elk have also led to many increased hunting opportunities. This year in particular, 800 tags are going to be dealt out in the lottery system and hopeful applicants will now have the two chances to draw one of the coveted tags.

As with any banquet, there will be a great deal of good food and items for raffle and auction. Firearms of the likes of Tikka, Remington, Smith & Wesson and Taurus will be offered, and a number of youth-specific hunts and fishing trips are up for grabs.

Wickman notes that one distinctive bundle will also be offered in memory of a cornerstone of the local RMEF.

“Nat Love was very instrumental in getting the Bowling Green chapter started, so we’re going to have a special ‘Nat Love Package’ to be auctioned off,” he explained.

The banquet kicks off at 5 p.m. Saturday at the resort. It is possible to make an entire day of the occasion, as there is going to be a sanctioned sporting clays event beginning early in the day on the adjoining grounds of the Rockcastle Shooting Center.

Cost for couples is $50, individuals are $30 and children 5 and under are free. Rockcastle and Park Mammoth Resort are located at 22850 Louisville Road off Interstate 65, exit 43.

— For more information, call Debby Spencer at 270-792-5300 or Craig Wickman at 270-303-2241.

— Geordon T. Howell is outdoors columnist for the Daily News. He may be reached at highbrasshowell@yahoo.com.