RMEF Elk Tag Raises Record $41,000 for Pennsylvania Conservation
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation 08.14.14
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is pleased to announce its recent Internet auction of a Pennsylvania Special Elk Conservation Tag raised a record $41,000 to benefit conservation in Pennsylvania.
“We are thrilled with the participation and response of hunter-conservationists from all around the country,” said Dave Ragantesi, RMEF senior regional director. “We also want to thank our partners at the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) for giving us this opportunity to raise funds to enhance the future of elk and elk country. We are proud to put 100 percent of the tag’s proceeds back on the ground in Pennsylvania.”
RMEF has now auctioned off the same tag three times over the last five years, returning a total of $101,000 to the PGC to specifically benefit elk and elk habitat.
Executive Director R. Matthew Hough of the Game Commission thanked RMEF for its success. “Over the past five years the PGC has allocated an additional tag beyond the general allotment for a conservation entity to auction, and RMEF has consistently volunteered to accept that tag and then worked hard to maximize the value of it,” said Hough. “The fact that they are returning the entire proceeds from this year’s auction, which will be used on elk habitat, demonstrates the extent of their commitment to the long-term sustainability of the elk herd in Pennsylvania.“
“RMEF and the PGC have a long and productive partnership in stewarding elk habitat in the Keystone State as well as enhancing conservation education. This only strengthens that relationship,” added Ragantesi.
The winner preferred to remain anonymous.
Since 1991, RMEF and its partners completed 301 conservation and hunting outreach projects in Pennsylvania with a combined value of more than $22.6 million that opened or secured public access to 8,465 acres. Approximately 11,000 Pennsylvanians are RMEF members.
Contact:
Mark Holyoak, RMEF, 406-523-3481 or mholyoak@rmef.org
