SALEM, Ore.— Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife’s (ODFW) Access and Habitat Program is offering nine big game tags for auction at the banquet and convention events of select hunter/wildlife conservation organizations in 2008.

Proceeds from these annual auctions benefit the A&H program, which funds wildlife habitat improvement projects and increased public hunting access to private lands. Last year’s auctions raised $258,500.

A&H program auction hunts for 2008 include four statewide deer hunts, four statewide elk hunts and one statewide combination elk and deer hunt. The auction tags award-winning bidders extended hunting seasons from Sept. 1 – Nov. 30, 2008 anywhere in Oregon where there is an authorized season for deer and/or elk. See page 27 of the 2008 Oregon Big Game Regulations for complete information on the auction hunts.

Hunters may bid on tags in person by attending the events or by telephone after contacting event organizers to make advance arrangements. A&H Program auction hunts for 2008 are:

February 2 — STATEWIDE DEER

Santiam River Chapter
Safari Club International
Linn County Fairgrounds, Albany
Contact: Dewey France, (503) 363-5644

February 2 — STATEWIDE ELK

Curry Coastal Chapter
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Curry County Fairgrounds, Gold Beach
Contacts: Tim Hawkins, (541) 247-2444 or Scott Adams, (541) 247-2933

February 22 — STATEWIDE COMBO DEER/ELK

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National
Reno Sparks Convention Center, Reno, Nev.
Contact: Kristy Bosworth, (405) 523-0242

March 1 — STATEWIDE ELK

Emerald Valley Chapter
Oregon Hunters Association
Valley River Inn, Eugene
Contact: Neal Reiser, (541) 998-9299

March 15 — STATEWIDE DEER

Rogue Gobblers
National Wild Turkey Federation
Red Lion Hotel, Medford
Contact: Jeff Heil, (541) 779-8926 or John Theibes, (541) 941-1089

March 29 — STATEWIDE DEER

Oregon Bow Hunters Association
Seven Feathers Casino, Canyonville
Contacts: Ty Stubblefield, (541) 672-6805 or Karen Demaris, (541) 536-2252

April 5 — STATEWIDE ELK

Cascade Chapter
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Regis High School, Stayton
Contact: Gary Cooper (503) 362-8833

May 3 — STATEWIDE ELK

Tillamook Chapter
Oregon Hunters Association
Tillamook County Fairgrounds, Tillamook
Contact: David Walker, (503) 842-4176

May 17 — STATEWIDE DEER

State Chapter
Oregon Hunters Association
Chinook Winds Casino, Lincoln City
Contact: Duane Dungannon, (541) 772-7313

The A&H Program is funded by a $2 surcharge on hunting licenses and revenues from auction and raffle hunts.  Funds raised by the program are distributed through grants to individual and corporate landowners, conservation organizations and others for cooperative wildlife habitat improvement and hunter access projects throughout the state.

For information on the A&H Program call program coordinator Matt Keenan at 503-947-6087 or visit the Web site.