Inaugural Virginia Elk Hunt Generates More Than $600,000 in Conservation Funding

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posted on October 6, 2022
Young Bull Elk G6e6120354 1920

Hunters supporting Virginia’s first-ever managed elk hunt scheduled to take place Oct. 8-14, 2022, generated more than $606,000 to bolster wildlife and management projects within the state’s elk-management zone.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources ( awarded its first elk conservation license to RMEF, which conducted a raffle that generated more than $93,000 for conservation. That came on the heels of DWR’s initial lottery of five antlered elk tags that raised more than $513,000.

“That’s approximately half a million dollars that will go right back into wildlife conservation because of the contributions of these hunters,” said Ryan Brown, DWR executive director. “Though a small hunt, it’s significant in marking the early success of the restoration of this magnificent animal to Virginia, and also a tremendous opportunity to show the greater public the conservation benefits of hunting.”

More than 31,000 people entered DWR’s lottery while both the lottery and conservation tag raffle drew applicants from all 50 states.

For more information, visit dwr.virginia.gov

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