Sacramento, California - The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) invites nonprofit organizations to help wildlife by auctioning big game hunting license tags for the 2016-17 season.

Proceeds from the sale of these tags are returned to CDFW to fund projects that benefit bighorn sheep, deer, elk and pronghorn antelope. Last year’s auctions raised more than $370,000 for the research and management of wildlife species. Past projects funded by the sale of these and other hunting tags have included crucial habitat conservation, post-wildfire forest restoration, wildlife population studies and the installation of man-made watering devices to support wildlife during drought conditions.

For the 2016-17 season, there will be eight deer tags, two elk tags, one pronghorn antelope tag and one desert bighorn sheep tag reserved for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to sell. Nonprofit organizations compete through an application process for a chance to auction these special tags, which can only be purchased through these auctions. The application process is designed to ensure maximum proceeds are received from the tags.

A call for applications and the required application form are available on the CDFW website at www.wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/hunting/fundraising. Applications must be received by 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015. Representatives of nonprofit groups may also request a printed application package by calling the CDFW Wildlife Branch at (916) 445-4034, sending a fax to (916) 445-4048 or by writing to:

Regina Abella
CDFW Wildlife Branch
1812 Ninth St.
Sacramento, CA 95811