The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is inviting nonprofit organizations to help wildlife by auctioning big game hunting license tags for the 2025-26 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 $840,000 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 17 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 application process is designed to ensure maximum proceeds are received from the tags to benefit wildlife.

A call for applications and the required application form are available at the CDFW website at wildlife.ca.gov/licensing/hunting/fundraising. Applications must be received by 3 p.m. on Oct. 16, 2024.