Opinions on big game auction tags

[mtmiller]

I see that Montana is looking into the auctioning of elk and deer tags (HB 20). I have my views on this issue, but would like to hear from some others.

BTW, Montana already auctions a bighorn and moose tag every year. I also realize that other states auction many tags a year which raises mucho bucks.

I guess if money is not an obstacle autions are great. If you only have as much money as I do, then I guess you are

'ed.

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1">[ 03-14-2003 15:02: Message edited by: mtmiller ]</font>

 

[BuzzH]

I think they are a great tool to raise money for wildlife.

The downside is I'll probably never be able to afford one.

But the benefits far out-weigh the negatives.

 

[Ithaca 37]

As long as the $ is used to benefit wildlife I think it's great. I organized the effort to pass our Idaho auction sheep permit bill about 21 years ago and was very involved in the research, writing, lobbying etc. all the way until we finally passed it and then amended it to give us another sheep permit to raffle. The whole process took about 8 years. During that time I dealt with every crackpot looney tune anti hunting nut and anti auction permit nut that came along. You'd be amazed at what even the hunters come up with for reasons to be against it---like "I don't want some rich SOB from California being able to buy an Idaho bighorn sheep!"

I'd explain it was a sheep permit that was being sold---not a guarenteed hunt. In fact, not everyone who buys these tags gets a sheep.

The main objection we hear from hunters about these auction tags is that some rich person buys them. Well, that's just part of life, so I can't get upset about it. The upside is that the $ goes to create more sheep hunting opportunities for the rest of us.

Most of these pieces of legislation specify that one or two extra tags will be created and they will not be taken from the allotment for the controlled hunt drawing. The hunter usually has the choice to hunt in any or all units.

 

[T Bone]

I'm not opposed to the auctions for fund raising. I prefer the raffle over the auctions. That way a normal person like me has a shot at drawing a tag.

Ithica, Do you know what raises more in Idaho? The auction or the raffle bighorn tag? I'm guessing it probably varies year to year depending on the Hells Canyon hunt.

T Bone

 

[Ithaca 37]

It varies for that reason, but the raffle is a more steady and constantly increasing amount as the mailing list gets better and bigger every year. The auction tag takes wide swings in price with the economy, knowledge of a big ram somewhere, and competition from other state's tags. The revenue from the raffle tag should get better every year, if it's handled well each year.

 

[danr55]

Not just because I live here, but I think Arizona has a good idea for this type of arrangement. There are at least two tags for elk and two for deer available every year. One is sold at open auction, the other is sold by raffle. The first tag goes to the highest bidder and the second to the person who has the most luck. I probably have a better chance at the raffle tag than at the open bid tag. The open bid Elk tag will be auctioned tomorrow night at the Az. Elk Society Banquet. I'll post the winning bid price on Sunday. I might open the bidding at $5000 just to say I bid on the tag...

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1">[ 03-14-2003 19:39: Message edited by: danr55 ]</font>

 

[Ten Bears]

I think creating one or two extra tags for an auction is a great deal for raising funds, and not impacting the raffle "hunters".

 

[Calif. Hunter]

I think it is great, although I'll never be able to afford an auction tag. Extra funds for wildlife management are wonderful, and whichever method (or both) brings in the most money is fine with me.

 

[Lostagain]

I think the auction is one of the worse things to come along. It just says if you have money, you can do anything. That then carries over to the 2nd place finisher in the auction, and even to people not even in the auction..... Go shoot what ya want and your MONEY will get ya out of the jam. It's just about the money. The state will settle with ya if you have enough money, no reason to worry about habitat, ethics, laws, regs.

 

[The Hedgehog]

Lostagain, I'm curious, what has the bighorn sheep auction permit money been applied to in this state since it's inception? How else could that amount of money have been raised?

I don't understand your comments.

 

[Lostagain]

Greenie== wtf ya doing here? Get ur ass over to the M&M and Maloneys and have some fun today.

 

[Ten Bears]

LOST, your reasoning lost me.

 

[FEW]

"It just says if you have money, you can do anything. That then carries over to the 2nd place finisher in the auction, and even to people not even in the auction..... Go shoot what ya want and your MONEY will get ya out of the jam. It's just about the money. The state will settle with ya if you have enough money, no reason to worry about habitat, ethics, laws, regs. "

WTF is that supposed to mean

 

[Lostagain]

The auctioning of tags by the states justifies the money someone pays for fines etc.. It only says money matters.
It is just says "no matter what you do, your money will pay off the state".
Instead of buying at the auction.... you go shoot whatever(whatever the tag was for).
IF you get caught,
Take your checkbook and pay the fine.
Take another check and buy your "trophy" at the salvage auction.
Take the difference between what the state fines are and what the auction was and you made a profit. You even got your trophy and didn't have to pay at the auction.
IMO, the auction legitimized the fines to many people, they don't care where they pay the money to.



I'll try to find some info for ya, or someone else can help, on Allen from microsoft and his exploits, Was he poaching? What was he convicted of? that is just one example of what I'm trying to point out.

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1">[ 03-17-2003 15:16: Message edited by: Lostagain ]</font>

 

[Ten Bears]

If that were the case, some of these guys pay more for a tag then I think the fines would be (except jail of course).

From what I've heard, most of these tags sell for more then I make in a year (not hard to do though).

 

[The Hedgehog]

Quite the logical explanation there LostAgain.

 

[Ithaca 37]

I think all the states that started auctioning and raffling sheep permits back in the 80s or earlier have raised over a million dollars each by now, with the possible exception of South Dakota. In Idaho that money is dedicated to bighorn sheep programs, and the total raised is close to 1.5 million. Some states are over two million. Most states dedicate the money raised to programs for the species the tag was for. It all started with sheep tags but now they also have tags for goats & moose too. Maybe more---I haven't kept up with what all the states are doing now.

All the critics of the auction tags and the raffle tags have never come up with a better way to raise money for those species. They should shut up and get out of the way or else start producing some funds themselves.

 

[Elkhunter]

All of the money raised from the sale of the Gov. Tags in Wyoming this year will stay in the state of Wyoming. I think it is a good way to raise needed money for wildlife.

 

[The Hedgehog]

Lostagain is right...

These auctions justify and promote illegal activity from all those jackasses who can intuitively recognize how much of a bargain poaching is. Who ever thought forking over thousands in fines and felonies would be such an obviously rewarding and brilliant value...

That cracks me up.

Some people defy all the laws of common sense.

 

[Ithaca 37]

Greenhorn, I'm appalled! We must not make any remarks here in SI deriding any poster's lack of logic, rationality or common sense. Every looney tune theory and argument, no matter how sophistic or ridiculous, must be dignified with the utmost respect, lest the poster feel offended. Shame on you!

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1">[ 03-18-2003 08:39: Message edited by: Ithaca 37 ]</font>