CDFW Encourages Nonprofits To Participate Hunting Tag Fundraising Program

The following is courtesy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife:

Nonprofits Encouraged to Apply for Fundraising Hunting Tags

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) invites nonprofit organizations to help fundraise for wildlife conservation and research by auctioning big game hunting license tags for the 2024-25 hunt 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 $900,000 for the conservation and management of big game 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 artificial watering devices to support wildlife during drought conditions.

Up to 18 tags will be reserved for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to sell or auction. Nonprofit organizations compete through an application process for a chance to auction these special tags, which can only be purchased by members of the public through these auctions. The tags offer special hunting opportunities for deer, elk, pronghorn antelope and bighorn sheep. The application process is designed to ensure maximum proceeds are received from the tags to benefit wildlife.

The availability of these tags for auction often boosts attendance and participation at nonprofit events, which can benefit a nonprofit’s own fundraising efforts.

A call for applications and the required application form are available at CDFW’s Fundraising with Big Game License Tags webpage. Applications must be received by 3 p.m. on Oct. 16, 2023.