Bullshot
Well-known member
Does anybody a handle on the number of sheep tags in total that are issued in the lower 48? And of those, how many are issued via the regular draw -vs- raffles and auctions? I suspect it must be a rather high percentage, relative to other species, although moose and goats are probably up there too. For sheep, there are few tags available, and I don't expect to ever get a chance at one, and don't lose much sleep over that fact. Yet everywhere you look, there's a raffle/auction tag being sold by a state or organization and used to "raise funds for conservation." So I'm curious about those ratios, and how they have changed over time.
Also, while no doubt, the monies go to good causes, I get the feeling that this is a glimpse at the future "modified" model of wildlife management for other species. Simply put, if a game dept can raffle off or auction individual tags for tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars... where is the requirement / motivation to stop? Clearly the demand for Quality / LE tags outstrips supply almost everywhere. And clearly there are enough people out there with free money to spend on auctions and many more willing to give it a go with the raffles. I have no doubt that every good tag could be sold that way. Put another way, how does a Fish & Game Dept, or indeed, a State govt, justify the practice of NOT selling all of their tags this way, for top dollar. I, for one, would hate if they did that, but as I am reminded often, my budget or desire (greed?) for tags is of no concern to the G&F department or to western states. And if there is no greater governing principle as to how and for how much tags can be sold, where will it naturally stop?
And if it doesn't stop, I suppose I could get behind more raffles long before more auctions. But again, my vote won't count anywhere so chalk that one up to self-interest (greed) as well!
Also, while no doubt, the monies go to good causes, I get the feeling that this is a glimpse at the future "modified" model of wildlife management for other species. Simply put, if a game dept can raffle off or auction individual tags for tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars... where is the requirement / motivation to stop? Clearly the demand for Quality / LE tags outstrips supply almost everywhere. And clearly there are enough people out there with free money to spend on auctions and many more willing to give it a go with the raffles. I have no doubt that every good tag could be sold that way. Put another way, how does a Fish & Game Dept, or indeed, a State govt, justify the practice of NOT selling all of their tags this way, for top dollar. I, for one, would hate if they did that, but as I am reminded often, my budget or desire (greed?) for tags is of no concern to the G&F department or to western states. And if there is no greater governing principle as to how and for how much tags can be sold, where will it naturally stop?
And if it doesn't stop, I suppose I could get behind more raffles long before more auctions. But again, my vote won't count anywhere so chalk that one up to self-interest (greed) as well!