February 28, 2008
Top 10 Hunting Permits Sold at Conservation Fundraiser
MISSOULA, Mont.—A record $1.6 million was raised for conservation via auctions held at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s annual convention, which concluded Feb. 24 in Reno, Nev.
Items sold included firearms, art, furniture, jewelry, Harley-Davidson motorcycle, log doghouse, handcrafted guitar, vacations, hunts and a sociable mule named Tulip.
Highlights of these annual fundraisers also include many special hunting permits sold in partnership with state and tribal conservation agencies. Monies raised are returned to these agencies for conservation projects, usually in elk country. In some cases, the Elk Foundation keeps a small percentage as a commission to supplement its own elk habitat protection and enhancement efforts.
Here are the Top 10 hunting permits sold at this year’s auctions:
1. $172,000
New Mexico Big Game Enhancement Package
Elk Foundation partner: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Includes tags for elk, deer, pronghorn, oryx and ibex valid for the 2008-09 season on any open public lands or private lands with permission.
2. $125,000
Arizona Special Elk Permit
Elk Foundation partner: Arizona Game & Fish Department. Includes one bull elk tag valid for the 2008-09 season on any open public lands or private lands with permission.
3. $95,000
Nevada Wildlife Heritage Rocky Mountain Elk Tag
Elk Foundation partner: Nevada Department of Wildlife. Includes one bull elk tag valid for the 2008 season on any open public lands or private lands with permission.
4. $90,000
New Mexico Special Elk Permit
Elk Foundation partner: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Includes one bull elk tag valid for the 2008-09 season on any open public lands or private lands with permission.
5. $71,000
New Mexico Special Deer Permit
Elk Foundation partner: New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Includes one deer tag valid for the 2008-09 season on any open public lands or private lands with permission.
6. $65,000
Washington Special Eastside Elk Permit
Elk Foundation partner: Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. Includes one bull elk tag valid for the 2008 season on any open lands in eastern Washington.
7. $40,000
Oregon Elk and Deer Combo Permit
Elk Foundation partner: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Includes one elk and one deer tag valid for the 2008 season on any open public lands or private lands with permission.
8. $39,000
Arizona White Mountain Apache Chairman’s Special Elk Permit
Elk Foundation partner: White Mountain Apache Tribe. Includes one bull elk tag valid for the 2008 season on most units within the White Mountain Apache Reservation.
9. $32,000
Montana Blackfeet Reservation Sheep Hunt
Elk Foundation partner: Blackfeet Fish & Wildlife Department. Includes outfitting services and one bighorn sheep tag valid for the 2008 season within the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
10. $28,000
Montana Blackfeet Reservation Moose Hunt
Elk Foundation partner: Blackfeet Fish & Wildlife Department. Includes outfitting services and one moose tag valid for the 2008 season within the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.