RMEF auction tags get hammered

[Legacy]

Just read where all major auction tags at RMEF were way down:

Arizona elk...2009 ($85,000);  2008 ($125,000)    down 32%
New Mexico elk...2009 ($37,500);  2008 ($90,000)   down 58%
Nevada elk...2009 ($36,000);  2008 ($90,000)    down 62%
New Mexico enhancement multi-tag package (elk, deer, antelope, ibex)
  2009 ($62,000);   2008 ($172,000)   down 64%

Obviously, the economy is impacting EVERYONE and this means less money for wildlife mgmt and habitat enhancement. Total loss of revenue on these 4 tags plus the reduced Washington eastside elk tag is $282,500.

[Pathfinder101]

That sux for the club.  RMEF is smart enough to have known this was going to happen though.  Hey, if the recession lasts another 10 years I may be able to afford to bid....

[WDFW-SUX]

It will be worse next year when the cheritable tax deduction is lowered.

WA elk was down 20K+

[SuperDave]

Am surprised to see the prices have lowered that much.  Wouldn't think that it would affect people with that kind of change!  Kind of puts everything into perspective though!

[WonkyWapiti]

At the RMEF banquet last week in Snoqualmie it seemed like many of the auctions went for a great price.  I think the economy is hitting everyone.

[boneaddict]

WA elk was down 20K+

That probably isn't the economy, thats becasue the only big bull in this state was killed last year....

[Slider]

WA elk was down 20K+

That probably isn't the economy, thats becasue the only big bull in this state was killed last year....

Bones right!!! What inflated the price of those tags the last couple of years were the BIG Bulls. Last year they fell. Remember Spidey?

[Alchase]

Any word if having it at the casino effected the number of people in attendance?

[WonkyWapiti]

They said this was a record year for the banquet held at the Snoqualmie Casino.  This was my first time ever going to a RMEF banquet and I was very impressed with the job they did.  The venue at the Snoqualmie casino was very nice.  One thing that many people don't know is that the Snoqualmie Tribe does not have tribal hunting rights. 

[WDFW-SUX]

One thing that many people don't know is that the Snoqualmie Tribe does not have tribal hunting rights. 

They just poach them....talk to enforcement about it they have been investigated dozens of times in the last 5 years.

[bucklucky]

WA elk was down 20K+

That probably isn't the economy, thats becasue the only big bull in this state was killed last year....

Both 450's got killed and a 407 got poached, they were the bulls everyone was talking about. Now that they are all dead theres just a few small ones (350 class) running around. 

[Pathfinder101]

Uh, yeah... there's no big bulls left in the blues...

..so you guys can stop putting in for the tags over here....  OK?