Nonprofit Organizations Encouraged to Apply for Fundraising Hunting Tags

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 09:04:12 GMT

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) invites nonprofit organizations to assist with conservation efforts by auctioning special big game tags for the 2026-27 hunting season.

Proceeds from the sale of these tags are returned to CDFW to fund projects for bighorn sheep, deer, elk and pronghorn antelope. Last year’s auctions raised more than $1 million 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 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.

Offering the tags through fundraising banquets and other in-person and online auctions can attract greater participation and overall turnout for the conservation groups awarded the tags, amplifying their own conservation efforts and benefits to California’s big game species.

A call for applications and the required application form are available at CDFW’s Fundraising with Big Game License Tags web page. Applications must be received by 3 p.m. on October 20, 2025.

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Media Contacts:
CDFW Wildlife Branch, BigGame@wildlife.ca.gov
Peter Tira, CDFW Communications, (916) 215-3858

Big Game Tag Drawing Applications Now Available

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 14:23:59 GMT

California hunters can now purchase hunting licenses for the 2022-23 season, as well as apply for the Big Game Drawing online. Californians have many options to bring home wild game for their dinner table, and at this time, the current COVID-19 pandemic is not expected to lead to the closure or delay of any hunting seasons.

The deadline to apply for the Big Game Drawing is June 2, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. The 2022 California Big Game Hunting Digest (PDF) includes information about hunts, tag quotas, season dates and the Big Game Drawing. As part of a broader effort to go paperless, CDFW transitioned to a digital format for the California Big Game Hunting Digest last license year. The hunting digest is no longer printed and shipped to license agents or customers, but the electronic version of the hunting digest continues to be available online. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife website is the most reliable source for the Big Game Digest.

CDFW also wants to remind hunters nonlead ammunition is required for all hunting in California.

Due to changes in the penal code regarding the purchase or transfer of ammunition, purchase ammunition well in advance of hunting and practice with it in order to ensure firearms are sighted-in appropriately before heading into the field.

In some cases, California deer, elk and pronghorn antelope hunters whose 2021 seasons were cut short or eliminated as a result of wildfires and public land closures can seek a reinstatement of their preference points and/or receive refunds of their tag fees. Eligible hunters must mail their unfilled tags and written requests for preference point reinstatements and/or refunds to CDFW postmarked no later than April 30. Learn more about post-season tag returns on the CDFW website.

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Media Contact:
Kirsten Macintyre, CDFW Communications, (916) 804-1714

Photo: Martina / stock.adobe.com

CDFW News

Nonprofit Organizations Encouraged to Apply for Fundraising Hunting Tags

Big Game Tag Drawing Applications Now Available