Fast Facts:
&ull; Winning bid for Shira moose hunting license brings in $32,500 for moose conservation.
&ull; Helena DU chapter hosted the MFWP auction at its annual dinner last weekend.
&ull; Conservation dollars benefiting moose also help waterfowl and other wildlife.

HELENA, Mont., March 10, 2016 - A rare Shiras moose hunting license brought in $32,500 at a Ducks Unlimited auction last weekend held by the Helena DU chapter during its annual dinner.

Past moose licenses sold at auction for $15,000 to $20,000. DU's auction winner last year paid $60,000. Proceeds from the license sale will go to the moose conservation initiatives of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

"The license went for less than last year's record but double what some previous years brought in for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks," said Steve Christian, an organizer of the event. "We want to thank the people who participated and our buyer who is making a major contribution to Montana wildlife."

Ducks Unlimited won the right to auction off the license from MFWP. The license can be used during the 2016 season anywhere in Montana where people can legally hunt moose.The Helena DU chapter hosts the event as a draw to its yearly fundraising dinner. Montana Ducks Unlimited is reimbursed for auction advertising expenses.

"The conservation dollars that benefit moose also positively affect waterfowl and other wildlife," Christian added.
DU has four full-time Montana staff members widely recognized for their knowledge of wetland habitat conservation. Since 1984, DU has spent more than $23 million conserving almost 73,000 acres in Montana.
DU strongly supports public access, especially through its work with Montana and federal fish and wildlife agencies to restore and protect habitat that will enhance public hunting by attracting more wildlife. We respect and support these agencies' position on outdoor recreation and wildlife management in Montana. The protection and enhancement of our shared waterfowling heritage is a core value of our organization.

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 13 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our work, visit www.ducks.org. Connect with us on our Facebook page at facebook.com/ducksunlimited, follow our tweets at twitter.com/ducksunlimited and watch DU videos at youtube.com/ducksunlimitedinc.

Media Contact:
Becky Jones Mahlum
701-355-3507
bjonesmahlum@ducks.org
@BeckyJMahlum