OLYMPIA -- Sportsmen for Conservation, a big-game hunters' organization, has raised $16,000 for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) elk management activities.

The funds were raised from the auction of one elk tag for the 1998 hunting season. The auction was held during the annual banquet of the Northwest Chapter of Safari for Conservation in January.

In the past, funds raised from the group's tag auctions have been used by WDFW to conduct elk population surveys, monitor herd health and provide one-way gates to prevent elk damage to agricultural crops.

Sportsmen for Conservation has been actively involved in various conservation projects including contributions to emergency winter feeding. The group also has contributed to an on-going black bear research project, and other research and enforcement needs.