Washington Sheep Auction Tag

[popeshawnpaul]

Man I can't help but wonder if somebody doesn't have a giant found already and that's why the price went so high.

There are some concerned that we are now auctioning our largest sheep.

 Are you included?

I think it's a slippery slope when we start pimping out our biggest sheep to the highest bidder.  I see it both ways.  Maybe something like how Idaho does it with unit 11 every other year.  There will be 2 permits out of there this year plus the auction tag.  That is 3 rams out of there.  Whether we are alright with this or not is up for debate.  There is an old old ram that could/should be killed but he only scores 175 or so, so he won't be killed.  I'm don't believe there are 3 rams over 180" in that unit so the quality will go down.  My assessment of Swak was the ram numbers were at normal levels, not higher than usual.  There are some nice 7-8 year old rams that are starting to get there.  It certainly will water down the quality on some level.  However, giving people opportunity is also very important.  There are some old 170 class rams that will die in that unit.  Do we let more people hunt and take these rams or let a bunch die on the mountain so someone can get a 185"+ ram every 5 years?

Chelan Butte is giving out 2 ram tags, plus 2 tags for disabled that are <1/2 curl, plus a few youth.  This unit has the numbers so no worries.  But all those worried about the 5 tags last year can rest easy.  Problem is, there are so many sheep your going to have to start capture and relocating them. 

The funds go to the department to fund "game management" and not necessarily sheep exclusively:

RCW 77.32.530
Hunting big game—Auction or raffle—Procedure.
(1) The commission in consultation with the director may authorize hunting of big game animals and wild turkeys through auction. The department may conduct the auction for the hunt or contract with a nonprofit wildlife conservation organization to conduct the auction for the hunt.
(2) The commission in consultation with the director may authorize hunting of up to a total of thirty big game animals and wild turkeys per year through raffle. The department may conduct raffles or contract with a nonprofit wildlife conservation organization to conduct raffles for hunting these animals. In consultation with the gambling commission, the director may adopt rules for the implementation of raffles involving hunting.
(3) The director shall establish the procedures for the hunts, which shall require any participants to obtain any required license, permit, or tag. Representatives of the department may participate in the hunt upon the request of the commission to ensure that the animals to be killed are properly identified.
(4) After deducting the expenses of conducting an auction or raffle, any revenues retained by a nonprofit organization, as specified under contract with the department, shall be devoted solely for wildlife conservation, consistent with its qualification as a bona fide nonprofit organization for wildlife conservation.
(5) The department's share of revenues from auctions and raffles shall be deposited in the state wildlife account created in RCW 77.12.170. The revenues shall be used to improve game management and shall supplement, rather than replace, other funds budgeted for management of game species. The commission may solicit input from groups or individuals with special interest in and expertise on a species in determining how to use these revenues.
(6) A nonprofit wildlife conservation organization may petition the commission to authorize an auction or raffle for a special hunt for big game animals and wild turkeys.

[JDHasty]

Wow who was the fool? No sheep is worth $150,000 anywhere. 

My inclination is that you don't know all who participate and bid up the price to $150K and you do not know this individual or what his motivation was in purchasing the tag. 

I have a good friend who is one who has participated in sheep tag auctions, and participating in tag auctions was ON TOP OF money he donated outright in support of wild sheep conservation.

[DOUBLELUNG]

It is a very slippery slope.  The last time Swakane was open to the auction hunter, there was pressure to keep it in the auction the subsequent year, the rationale being it met the minimum criteria for bighorn sheep in the game management plan.  The importance of the herd to wildlife watchers and photographers was what ultimately made the difference.  There have been great improvements in the plan since that time, however, it will remain for the sheep enthusiasts to be vigilant to ensure there continue to be some mature rams in the 8+ years old age classes after the hunting season for both harvest and watching enjoyment.  There are not many places where the old, fat, infirm and handicapped can easily see sheep in native habitat.

[coachcw]

Two things come to mind . first if they do allow a auction tag they shouldn't get to hunt before the guy with twenty plus preference points . the second is so many members on here live and breath these sheep so when someone draws they get plenty of help harvesting the largest ram . I'd venture to bet if a couple guys bit there tongues a bit some of those older 170 class rams would get harvested . I understand the addiction but believe it will effect the quality of the rams .

[Boss .300 winmag]

Two things come to mind . first if they do allow a auction tag they shouldn't get to hunt before the guy with twenty plus preference points . the second is so many members on here live and breath these sheep so when someone draws they get plenty of help harvesting the largest ram . I'd venture to bet if a couple guys bit there tongues a bit some of those older 170 class rams would get harvested . I understand the addiction but believe it will effect the quality of the rams .

 

[JDHasty]

 

Two things come to mind . first if they do allow a auction tag they shouldn't get to hunt before the guy with twenty plus preference points . the second is so many members on here live and breath these sheep so when someone draws they get plenty of help harvesting the largest ram . I'd venture to bet if a couple guys bit there tongues a bit some of those older 170 class rams would get harvested . I understand the addiction but believe it will effect the quality of the rams .

 

   I'll second that

[shanevg]

Good for sheep, watch the price fall next year when Swakane is not included.

 And this will be the real litmus test won't it? Will WDFW stick to the plan, or now that they get a taste of the blood $, do their eyes roll back and make up some excuse
("the herd is strong and there are more in there than we had expected") and continue the auction next year?

What is "the plan"?  Is Swakane not an option next year?

[pianoman9701]

This is very much like African trophy hunting in a great many ways. I've noticed that many of the people who oppose auction tags also support African trophy hunting. Here are some points. First, just the sheer amount of money going into sheep conservation is huge. Secondly, when you start thinking that his is taking your opportunity away, thing again. When you improve habitat and have the money to move sheep around, you make the herd bigger and that will translate into increased tags, which translates into increased hunter opportunities for the rest of us. These guys spend a lot of money on the peripherals - gear, guns and ammo (more conservation money), guides, hotels, restaurants, gas, sunflower seeds, you name it. They're employing lots of people for one tag. So, when you say selling these tags at auction is a slippery slope and decreases hunter opportunity for us regular guys, you're not looking at the big picture.

[JDHasty]

This is very much like African trophy hunting in a great many ways. I've noticed that many of the people who oppose auction tags also support African trophy hunting. Here are some points. First, just the sheer amount of money going into sheep conservation is huge. Secondly, when you start thinking that his is taking your opportunity away, thing again. When you improve habitat and have the money to move sheep around, you make the herd bigger and that will translate into increased tags, which translates into increased hunter opportunities for the rest of us. These guys spend a lot of money on the peripherals - gear, guns and ammo (more conservation money), guides, hotels, restaurants, gas, sunflower seeds, you name it. They're employing lots of people for one tag. So, when you say selling these tags at auction is a slippery slope and decreases hunter opportunity for us regular guys, you're not looking at the big picture.

That is the way I look at it, but trying to convince others to see it that way has not been easy. 

[huntnphool]

the second is so many members on here live and breath these sheep so when someone draws they get plenty of help harvesting the largest ram . I'd venture to bet if a couple guys bit there tongues a bit some of those older 170 class rams would get harvested . I understand the addiction but believe it will effect the quality of the rams .

 That's rich coming from a guy that had no scruples about asking for help/info from those very same guys when you drew your tag!

 As I recall, you have been out helping the South Central Raffle tag winner do that very same thing as well.

 Food for thought Corey.

[jackelope]

Good for sheep, watch the price fall next year when Swakane is not included.

 And this will be the real litmus test won't it? Will WDFW stick to the plan, or now that they get a taste of the blood $, do their eyes roll back and make up some excuse
("the herd is strong and there are more in there than we had expected") and continue the auction next year?

What is "the plan"?  Is Swakane not an option next year?

Swakane was added as "huntable" for 1 year only.

[JDHasty]

Wow who was the fool? No sheep is worth $150,000 anywhere. 

Several would disagree. $150K is a bargain compared to Montana's bighorn tag.

www.spokesman.com/blogs/outdoors/2013/feb/15/record-480k-bid-montana-bighorn-tag/

The bargain of he century compared to this:
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/kevin-abosch-sells-photograph-of-potato-for-15-million-20160125-gmd6s4.html

[coachcw]

Come on phool you know what I'm saying . We are talking about a very fragile herd of sheep with a couple large rams . I'm not throwing a pick axe in anyones back I'm just saying  what we know right . I don't blame anyone for wanting to be part of a sheep hunt or any hunt for that matter . But we have to live with the outcome of taking the largest rams from the mountain . Its very tough taking a old 170 ram when you know there is a 185 around . I'm a piker compared to these heavy hitters a couple grand worth of raffle tickets isn't 25k worth or 150k worth of a auction tag , Be assured If I had deep pockets and could afford to play that game I would in a second . we are on the same side here . That 150k will go along ways and is a small price for the herd to pay if it keeps many off the highway.

[Timberstalker]

Congrats to the Auction Tag Holder.
I hope he kills a pig.

[coachcw]

agreed good for him.