MISSOULA, Mont.-The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will auction off a Pennsylvania Special Elk Conservation Tag to benefit conservation in the state of Pennsylvania.

"RMEF has a long history in Pennsylvania and we appreciate this opportunity to raise funds to benefit Pennsylvania elk and Pennsylvania elk country," said Dave Ragantesi, RMEF senior regional director. "We want to thank our conservation partners at the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) who will receive 100 percent of the proceeds from the auction to put back on the ground."

RMEF auctioned off the same tag in 2010 and again in 2013, returning a total of $60,000 to the PGC.

The bull tag will be sold in advance of the Sept. 1-Nov. 8 elk season. It can be used in any Pennsylvania elk hunt zone with any legal weapon as per Pennsylvania hunting regulations. Hunters must purchase an elk hunting license (resident $25 or nonresident $250) and a general hunting license (resident $20.70 or nonresident $101.70.)

The Pennsylvania Special Elk Conservation Tag auction will take place via the Internet. It begins on July 31 and continues until 3:00 p.m. on August 5 MDT. For more information, contact Kristy Bosworth at kbosworth@rmef.org or call (406) 523-0242.

Additional details are available at: http://www.rmef.org/Events/PennsylvaniaElkTagAuction.aspx.

"RMEF and the PGC have a long and productive partnership in stewarding elk habitat in the Keystone State as well as enhancing conservation education," added Ragantesi.

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.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
Founded over 30 years ago, fueled by hunters and a membership of more than 200,000 strong, RMEF has conserved more than 6.4 million acres for elk and other wildlife. RMEF also works to open and improve public access, fund and advocate for science-based resource management, and ensure the future of America's hunting heritage. Discover why "Hunting Is Conservation™" at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.