Washington east side deer

[nwhunter]

Pretty sure it is the mule deer auction tag for eastern wa which is Sept 1-Dec 31 any weapon any time just like every year and it sells in Salt Lake every year too. $26000 last year $29000 this year. All of these conservation tags go for higher prices than most of us can justify but its a tax deductible expense and you get to hunt prime time with no one else around and fit it into your schedule which is worth alot to some people. Congrats to the purchaser and good luck with the tag.

[huntnphool]

Pretty sure it is the mule deer auction tag for eastern wa which is Sept 1-Dec 31 any weapon any time just like every year and it sells in Salt Lake every year too. $26000 last year $29000 this year. All of these conservation tags go for higher prices than most of us can justify but its a tax deductible expense and you get to hunt prime time with no one else around and fit it into your schedule which is worth alot to some people. Congrats to the purchaser and good luck with the tag.

 Spot on!

[fishnfur]

Great!  Lots more money for WDFW to spend on the re-introduction of wolves around our state. 

[bobcat]

Great!  Lots more money for WDFW to spend on the re-introduction of wolves around our state.

You mean on the confirmation of existing wolves in the state? Because the WDFW never has and never will "re-introduce" wolves to this state.

[bearpaw]

Pretty sure it is the mule deer auction tag for eastern wa which is Sept 1-Dec 31 any weapon any time just like every year and it sells in Salt Lake every year too. $26000 last year $29000 this year. All of these conservation tags go for higher prices than most of us can justify but its a tax deductible expense and you get to hunt prime time with no one else around and fit it into your schedule which is worth alot to some people. Congrats to the purchaser and good luck with the tag.

 Spot on!

  just waiting for the wife to win the lotto

[Sitka_Blacktail]

Big money put towards conservation in our state.

    

Are you sure about that? This isn't a State auction, these are donated tags. This one was put up by the Mule Deer Foundation. Not sure that they have to spend the money on Washington conservation.

[WAcoueshunter]

Yes, this is the governor's tag.  The proceeds come back to WDFW.  Check out the WDFW site and the page about auction tags. 

BTW, I would spend that in a heartbeat if I had the means.  It would mean a lot more to me to find a 190" WA buck than a 210" Utah or AZ buck, not to mention how much more time I could spend in the field with a WA tag.  Some day. 

[Sitka_Blacktail]

Here is where I really have a problem with SFW and their affiliates.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/56012807-78/wildlife-utah-sfw-deer.html.csp

[Bob33]

Big money put towards conservation in our state.

    

Are you sure about that? This isn't a State auction, these are donated tags. This one was put up by the Mule Deer Foundation. Not sure that they have to spend the money on Washington conservation.

wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/permits/raffles/auctions.html

"Since the inception of the program in 1994, the primary objective of auction and raffle permits has been to generate revenue specifically for the management of the hunted species. As such, specific code was adopted in RCW 77.32.530 and WACs 232-28-290 and 232-28-292. These codes established the fiscal requirements for auction and raffle funds and describe structure of auction and raffle procedures and hunting opportunities.

Since 1994, auctions have been conducted by conservation organizations via a contract with WDFW, whereas most raffles are conducted by WDFW. Over five million dollars have been generated solely for the management of the respective big game species."

[WAcoueshunter]

That's interesting.  It says right on the WDFW website that the mule deer governor's tag was to be auctioned this weekend in Salt Lake.   

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/permits/raffles/auctions.html

But maybe they changed the season/rules or something?  Or maybe this is a new auction tag?  The Expo auction page says that it's only good for Sept 1-30, and this tag is listed as "East Side Deer" rather than mule deer.

http://www.onlinehuntingauctions.com/2015-Washington-East-Side-Deer_i21539172

Offered by the Mule Deer Foundation. MDF is a 501(c)3 tax exempt charitable organization.
Area: Eastern Washington EXCEPT those GMUs closed to deer hunting by the Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Dates: September 1-30, 2015
Weapon: Any legal weapon
Bag Limit: One additional – any buck deer

[CAMPMEAT]

I love it. The Governors tags are auctioned of to very wealthy, out-of-state people, but, disabled resident hunters, get the absolute worst areas and times to hunt....................no wonder I don't like the WDFW. Conservation or not, B.S.

[jackelope]

Has nothing to do with the governor.
Washington resident bought it.

[CAMPMEAT]

Has nothing to do with the governor.
Washington resident bought it.

Ok Josh. So why do they call it that and why was it done on SLC ? I'm more curious than anything.

[jackelope]

Technically speaking, Washington does not call it a governors tag. It is just called an auction tag. Why they sell it in Salt Lake City, I have no idea. I assume because it is sold at the Western hunting and conservation expo. It is not the Utah hunting expo.

[bearpaw]

Technically speaking, Washington does not call it a governors tag. It is just called an auction tag. Why they sell it in Salt Lake City, I have no idea. I assume because it is sold at the Western hunting and conservation expo. It is not the Utah hunting expo.

All the auction tags are spread out to different groups to sell. I think the mule deer foundation is the group that gets to auction the mule deer tag and SLC is their national convention, the tag probably brings more there than it would at any event in WA.