Comments on: Auction Tags = Controversy?

By: jeff (Controversies)

jeff (Controversies) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:30:20 +0000

Such a great site and a great story.

By: Idaho Super hunt fees simplified - Western Wanderer - Rack Tracker, In the West

Idaho Super hunt fees simplified - Western Wanderer - Rack Tracker, In the West — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 07:03:40 +0000

[...] a previous column I wrote about conservation tags and how some states offer a raffle opportunity instead of or in addition to an auction tag. One of [...]

By: Raffle opportunities in Western States - Western Wanderer - Rack Tracker, In the West

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 07:02:26 +0000

[...] Auction Tags = Controversy? [...]

By: Phillip

Phillip — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 06:22:59 +0000

I’m sorry if this offends anyone, but honestly… the folks who have an issue with this are the folks who are a little too wrapped up in antlers and record books.

Sure, the average Joe will never be able to drop $100K on a special tag, plus the money that was spent on the outfitter/scouts who spent the field time to find and pattern this bull. That money basically ensured that he’d get that bull.

But honestly, that kind of money would buy me about 35 years worth of guided elk hunts (one hunt per year), and leave me change for a nice new rifle and plenty of tips for my guides. Will I kill a “Spider Bull” on those $3k hunts? Probably not… although you can’t rule it out, either.

Point is, the good that the special conservation tags do is far more important than someone’s lust to get their name in a record book.

Yeah, buying that tag is an “unfair advantage”. But so what?

By: Othmar Vohringer

Othmar Vohringer — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 00:32:58 +0000

Great story, great hunt, great trophy. But like Tom, it leaves me scratching my head if I hear about the “Average Joe” hunts in the same breath mentioned with high-end dollars changing hands. It’s a bit out of touch with reality like that outdoor writer who once said on a seminar to his “Average Joe” audience. “If you want to hunt big deer badly enough then you will find the money to do it.” He was talking about Saskatchewan outfitters that charge upward of $ 17’000 for a three day hunt.

-ov-

By: Tom Sorenson

Tom Sorenson — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:54:09 +0000

I suppose I see both sides of the coin, but I just fail to see how it really is hurting the average Joe. Take, for instance, this case of Mr. Austed – he shelled out big bucks knowing this bull was in the area. He was not guaranteed to shoot that big bull. As I understand it, that bull eluded hunters for more than a month before he shot it.

I figure the amount of good that comes from these auctions outweighs the bad – and I have no problem seeing them continue.