2019 Eastern Washington Auction Elk Tag

[Rainier10]

2019 eastern elk auction tag just sold for $65,000.


Edit 1/28/19 Just got word that there was confusion on the floor and they backed the bid all the way back to $55,000.  That was the last confirmed bid that they had on record.

[jjhunter]

I’ll be down at the Expo in a couple weeks trying to pick up the mule deer tag.  I’ll be in until around $15k, anyway.   

[Rainier10]

That won’t do it.

Bids for this one opened at $100k with no takers

[jackelope]

Tons of $$. Someone must know of a hawg.

[Timberstalker]

Tons of $$. Someone must know of a hawg.

Hope that hawg doesn’t come out of the hind end of a wolf first!

[jackelope]

Tons of $$. Someone must know of a hawg.

Hope that hawg doesn’t come out of the hind end of a wolf first!

They only kill the sick and weak. Duh!!

[Timberstalker]

Tons of $$. Someone must know of a hawg.

Hope that hawg doesn’t come out of the hind end of a wolf first!

They only kill the sick and weak. Duh!!

Oh, that’s right!  No worries then!



 

[mburrows]

Tons of $$. Someone must know of a hawg.

Hope that hawg doesn’t come out of the hind end of a wolf first!

They only kill the sick and weak. Duh!!

 

[shallowforks]

there was a big one in east wenaha that made it through the archery and muzzle seasons. Don't know about rifle, and don't know if its worth $65k!

[Rainier10]

$65k I’m guessing there has to be a big one on someone’s hit list.

[Skyvalhunter]

Awesome he should be able to get a 400 class bull

[Rainier10]

Apparently there was some confusion on the auction floor and they had to go backwards.  The bid that they ended up with was $55,000.

[ctwiggs1]

Surely Steven Rinella's success helped pop that number up a bit.  What did it usually sell for in the past?

Where did they auction the tag?

[Rainier10]

Here is a link showing what all of the auction tags have sold for over the years.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/permits/raffles/big_game_auctions_proceeds.pdf

This particular auction was in Arizona at a RMEF event. There were elk tags for New Mexico, Wyoming, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Montana and Colorado.

[ctwiggs1]

There are a few that just baffle the crap outta me. 

Why would you spend $32,000 on a moose tag for WA?  You could go to BC or Alaska and have a fully outfitted trophy moose camp for half that.

[boneaddict]

$65k I’m guessing there has to be a big one on someone’s hit list.

You mean someone’s field or pasture.

[Rainier10]

There are a few that just baffle the crap outta me. 

Why would you spend $32,000 on a moose tag for WA?  You could go to BC or Alaska and have a fully outfitted trophy moose camp for half that.

I am sure there are a ton of reasons people spend money on these tags.  It would be interesting to interview them all and see why and what makes them tick.

For me the reason would be that you don't want to wait for a tag and then have limitations on when you can hunt and what method you can use when hunting.

A moose can be had elsewhere for less money but there are a bunch of limitations.  With an auction moose tag here travel is way easier and you can have way more than a 7-10 window to find and shoot the moose you want.  If you can get close enough you can take one with a bow and if it is a monster and you just can't close enough to do it with a bow you can grab a muzzy or rifle and knock it down.

The guy that bought the sheep tag this year actually said that it was a benefit having the tag here in his home state.  He could take as much gear as he wanted in his own truck and do it on his own timeline.

It seems like a ton of money to pay for that but to some it is worth it.  I think a lot of these guys do it year after year so that tells me that the experience must be worth the cost if they keep spending their money on these types of tags versus going to BC or Alaska.

[Stein]

Or, it could just be some guy that took advantage of the free beer and just happened to have a bigger checkbook than most.

[lewy]

West side elk tag sure went cheap

[Bob33]

There are a few that just baffle the crap outta me. 

Why would you spend $32,000 on a moose tag for WA?  You could go to BC or Alaska and have a fully outfitted trophy moose camp for half that.

1.   "Because I can."
2.   "Because I support what the funding goes towards."
3.   "Because moose in Washington are some of the largest Shiras moose in the world. British Columbia has three subspecies; Shiras are the least common of the three in BC. There are no Shiras moose in Alaska."

[jackelope]

Surely Steven Rinella's success helped pop that number up a bit.  What did it usually sell for in the past?

Where did they auction the tag?

Pretty safe to assume Rinella's hunt had nothing to do with it. Elk are killed in this state every year that are significantly bigger and easier to access than the bull Rinella killed. The guys who bid on our auction tag are, for the most part, the same guys every year. They couldn't care less about stuff like that. I'd be willing to bet a dollar that 3/4 of the guys bidding on the tag hadnt even heard of Rinella's hunt. 

[jackelope]

There are a few that just baffle the crap outta me. 

Why would you spend $32,000 on a moose tag for WA?  You could go to BC or Alaska and have a fully outfitted trophy moose camp for half that.

Because Washington has some of the biggest Shiras bulls in the world. You're not hunting shiras bulls up north. #2 SCI Shiras bull moose in the world was killed here last year.

[Mfowl]

There are a few that just baffle the crap outta me. 

Why would you spend $32,000 on a moose tag for WA?  You could go to BC or Alaska and have a fully outfitted trophy moose camp for half that.

Because Washington has some of the biggest Shiras bulls in the world. You're not hunting shiras bulls up north. #2 SCI Shiras bull moose in the world was killed here last year.

  Get your money in now while there are still some trophy bulls left. Pretty soon they will be wolf scat.

[idaho guy]

There are a few that just baffle the crap outta me. 

Why would you spend $32,000 on a moose tag for WA?  You could go to BC or Alaska and have a fully outfitted trophy moose camp for half that.

I am sure there are a ton of reasons people spend money on these tags.  It would be interesting to interview them all and see why and what makes them tick.

For me the reason would be that you don't want to wait for a tag and then have limitations on when you can hunt and what method you can use when hunting.

A moose can be had elsewhere for less money but there are a bunch of limitations.  With an auction moose tag here travel is way easier and you can have way more than a 7-10 window to find and shoot the moose you want.  If you can get close enough you can take one with a bow and if it is a monster and you just can't close enough to do it with a bow you can grab a muzzy or rifle and knock it down.

The guy that bought the sheep tag this year actually said that it was a benefit having the tag here in his home state.  He could take as much gear as he wanted in his own truck and do it on his own timeline.

It seems like a ton of money to pay for that but to some it is worth it.  I think a lot of these guys do it year after year so that tells me that the experience must be worth the cost if they keep spending their money on these types of tags versus going to BC or Alaska.

  
If I had the money I would do it for the freedom to hunt close to home and have more days and weapon types available. Only thing I would add is the satisfaction for me is greater on a diy hunt and would prefer to be non guided. Guided hunts are great but I would rather have diy if I had the choice

[vandeman17]

There are a few that just baffle the crap outta me. 

Why would you spend $32,000 on a moose tag for WA?  You could go to BC or Alaska and have a fully outfitted trophy moose camp for half that.

I am sure there are a ton of reasons people spend money on these tags.  It would be interesting to interview them all and see why and what makes them tick.

For me the reason would be that you don't want to wait for a tag and then have limitations on when you can hunt and what method you can use when hunting.

A moose can be had elsewhere for less money but there are a bunch of limitations.  With an auction moose tag here travel is way easier and you can have way more than a 7-10 window to find and shoot the moose you want.  If you can get close enough you can take one with a bow and if it is a monster and you just can't close enough to do it with a bow you can grab a muzzy or rifle and knock it down.

The guy that bought the sheep tag this year actually said that it was a benefit having the tag here in his home state.  He could take as much gear as he wanted in his own truck and do it on his own timeline.

It seems like a ton of money to pay for that but to some it is worth it.  I think a lot of these guys do it year after year so that tells me that the experience must be worth the cost if they keep spending their money on these types of tags versus going to BC or Alaska.

Isn't it considered a donation too so you can write some of it off? 

[Bob33]

There are a few that just baffle the crap outta me. 

Why would you spend $32,000 on a moose tag for WA?  You could go to BC or Alaska and have a fully outfitted trophy moose camp for half that.

I am sure there are a ton of reasons people spend money on these tags.  It would be interesting to interview them all and see why and what makes them tick.

For me the reason would be that you don't want to wait for a tag and then have limitations on when you can hunt and what method you can use when hunting.

A moose can be had elsewhere for less money but there are a bunch of limitations.  With an auction moose tag here travel is way easier and you can have way more than a 7-10 window to find and shoot the moose you want.  If you can get close enough you can take one with a bow and if it is a monster and you just can't close enough to do it with a bow you can grab a muzzy or rifle and knock it down.

The guy that bought the sheep tag this year actually said that it was a benefit having the tag here in his home state.  He could take as much gear as he wanted in his own truck and do it on his own timeline.

It seems like a ton of money to pay for that but to some it is worth it.  I think a lot of these guys do it year after year so that tells me that the experience must be worth the cost if they keep spending their money on these types of tags versus going to BC or Alaska.

Isn't it considered a donation too so you can write some of it off? 

The donation must be made to a recognized charitable organization, and only the amount in access of the fair market value may be reported as a charitable contribution.

[idahohuntr]

There are a few that just baffle the crap outta me. 

Why would you spend $32,000 on a moose tag for WA?  You could go to BC or Alaska and have a fully outfitted trophy moose camp for half that.

I am sure there are a ton of reasons people spend money on these tags.  It would be interesting to interview them all and see why and what makes them tick.

For me the reason would be that you don't want to wait for a tag and then have limitations on when you can hunt and what method you can use when hunting.

A moose can be had elsewhere for less money but there are a bunch of limitations.  With an auction moose tag here travel is way easier and you can have way more than a 7-10 window to find and shoot the moose you want.  If you can get close enough you can take one with a bow and if it is a monster and you just can't close enough to do it with a bow you can grab a muzzy or rifle and knock it down.

The guy that bought the sheep tag this year actually said that it was a benefit having the tag here in his home state.  He could take as much gear as he wanted in his own truck and do it on his own timeline.

It seems like a ton of money to pay for that but to some it is worth it.  I think a lot of these guys do it year after year so that tells me that the experience must be worth the cost if they keep spending their money on these types of tags versus going to BC or Alaska.

Isn't it considered a donation too so you can write some of it off? 

The donation must be made to a recognized charitable organization, and only the amount in access of the fair market value may be reported as a charitable contribution.

Probably makes little difference to those buying these tags - but short of bidding against yourself or paying a sum greater than the winning bid...isn't the purchase price FMV for tax purposes?  Or is there some other way that orgs use to estimate FMV of these various auction tags?

[coachcw]

It three plus months of hunting . being able to call in multiple bulls and be picky knowing you can always find a dandy come December. The guys buying these auction tags for the most part do a ton for conservation from time involved to donations at these events . for some of these guys its like average guys spending 100 bucks on lottery tickets and I don't think any of them are financially hurt because of it. once you have done a hunt like this it will be in your blood and will literally consume your days thinking about doing it again.  With the Auction tags drawing a high price there's no doubt that the raffles will get blown up too .

[Bob33]

There are a few that just baffle the crap outta me. 

Why would you spend $32,000 on a moose tag for WA?  You could go to BC or Alaska and have a fully outfitted trophy moose camp for half that.

I am sure there are a ton of reasons people spend money on these tags.  It would be interesting to interview them all and see why and what makes them tick.

For me the reason would be that you don't want to wait for a tag and then have limitations on when you can hunt and what method you can use when hunting.

A moose can be had elsewhere for less money but there are a bunch of limitations.  With an auction moose tag here travel is way easier and you can have way more than a 7-10 window to find and shoot the moose you want.  If you can get close enough you can take one with a bow and if it is a monster and you just can't close enough to do it with a bow you can grab a muzzy or rifle and knock it down.

The guy that bought the sheep tag this year actually said that it was a benefit having the tag here in his home state.  He could take as much gear as he wanted in his own truck and do it on his own timeline.

It seems like a ton of money to pay for that but to some it is worth it.  I think a lot of these guys do it year after year so that tells me that the experience must be worth the cost if they keep spending their money on these types of tags versus going to BC or Alaska.

Isn't it considered a donation too so you can write some of it off? 

The donation must be made to a recognized charitable organization, and only the amount in access of the fair market value may be reported as a charitable contribution.

Probably makes little difference to those buying these tags - but short of bidding against yourself or paying a sum greater than the winning bid...isn't the purchase price FMV for tax purposes?  Or is there some other way that orgs use to estimate FMV of these various auction tags?

It would be up to the buyer to prove to the IRS that he paid in excess of FMV. I suspect in the majority of cases the purchase price is the FMV at least according to the IRS.

https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/charity-auctions

Donors who purchase items at a charity auction may claim a charitable contribution deduction for the excess of the purchase price paid for an item over its fair market value. The donor must be able to show, however, that he or she knew that the value of the item was less than the amount paid.  For example, a charity may publish a catalog, given to each person who attends an auction, providing a good faith estimate of items that will be available for bidding.  Assuming the donor has no reason to doubt the accuracy of the published estimate, if he or she pays more than the published value, the difference between the amount paid and the published value may constitute a charitable contribution deduction.
 
 In addition, donors who provide goods for charities to sell at an auction often ask the charity if the donor is entitled to claim a fair market value charitable deduction for a contribution of appreciated property to the charity that will later be sold.  Under these circumstances, the law limits a donor's charitable deduction to the donor's tax basis in the contributed property and does not permit the donor to claim a fair market value charitable deduction for the contribution.  Specifically, the Treasury Regulations under section 170 provide that if a donor contributes tangible personal property to a charity that is put to an unrelated use, the donor's contribution is limited to the donor's tax basis in the contributed property.  The term unrelated use means a use that is unrelated to the charity's exempt purposes or function, or, in the case of a governmental unit, a use of the contributed property for other than exclusively public purposes.  The sale of an item is considered unrelated, even if the sale raises money for the charity to use in its programs.

[Matth]

Surely Steven Rinella's success helped pop that number up a bit.  What did it usually sell for in the past?

Where did they auction the tag?

Pretty safe to assume Rinella's hunt had nothing to do with it. Elk are killed in this state every year that are significantly bigger and easier to access than the bull Rinella killed. The guys who bid on our auction tag are, for the most part, the same guys every year. They couldn't care less about stuff like that. I'd be willing to bet a dollar that 3/4 of the guys bidding on the tag hadnt even heard of Rinella's hunt.

Exactly.
Dan Agnew paid that for an auction tag 10 years ago.

[JimmyHoffa]

There are a few that just baffle the crap outta me. 

Why would you spend $32,000 on a moose tag for WA?  You could go to BC or Alaska and have a fully outfitted trophy moose camp for half that.

There are only so many slots out there for record books.  If you want your name in as many spots as possible, you get WA tags, some UT tags, some AZ tags, some BC tags, some AK tags, etc. 

[ctwiggs1]

I had no idea our Shiras were sought after.  Thanks for informing me!  

[Rainier10]

This auction took place in Arizona.  They had the Wyoming and Nebraska elk tags on the block as well.  I think this was the first time they had the Nebraska elk tag and I believe it sold for more money than the Wyoming elk tag.  Just funny what stuff goes for some times.

[dvolmer]

Its all based on income.  A guy that makes $70,000 a year and raising a family looks at someone spending $65,000 for an elk tag as totally nuts.  The guy that is making $3,500,000 and loves to hunt thinks its a "drop in the pan" for him.  Its all relative to what someone makes.

When I had 7 kids at home and working like crazy to provide for my family, I hunted weekends here only. Now that I am making a little more money and all of my kids are now gone, I can afford to hunt here, Montana, and Wyoming.

[Bull Slayer]

Who is Steven Rinella? What did he shoot?

[jackelope]

Who is Steven Rinella? What did he shoot?

He shot a big bull in the Blues and then told everyone where he shot it on a podcast or TV show.

[huntnphool]

 For some it's about just loving to get out there and hunt, whenever and wherever they feel like it.

[Rainier10]

It's all about what is important to you.

There are many that give 10% of their income to the church.  If you make $500,000 a year and want to spend $55,000 once or even a few times in your lifetime on one of these hunts why would that be any different then giving 10% a year to the church.

Heck people making over $500,000 a year pay over 37% of their income to income taxes.

[Jpmiller]

My number one bucket list animal is a mountain goat and I can tell you all that shooting a mountain goat in Washington in spots I've watched them in my whole life would mean a heck of a lot more than going up to Alaska or bc and shooting one. I'd gladly pay more for the opportunity if I could afford to.

That said I've talked to Robert Hardy a few times about his Alaskan hunts 

[idaho guy]

My number one bucket list animal is a mountain goat and I can tell you all that shooting a mountain goat in Washington in spots I've watched them in my whole life would mean a heck of a lot more than going up to Alaska or bc and shooting one. I'd gladly pay more for the opportunity if I could afford to.

That said I've talked to Robert Hardy a few times about his Alaskan hunts 

Me too on the goat! I keep trying to draw the tag at home and Montana. If I don’t draw next 5-10 years I guess I will have to go guided but would much rather have diy tag here at home.

[Bob33]

My number one bucket list animal is a mountain goat and I can tell you all that shooting a mountain goat in Washington in spots I've watched them in my whole life would mean a heck of a lot more than going up to Alaska or bc and shooting one. I'd gladly pay more for the opportunity if I could afford to.

That said I've talked to Robert Hardy a few times about his Alaskan hunts 

A mountain goat tag will be auctioned at the SCI banquet in February.

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,235811.0.html

[Jpmiller]

My number one bucket list animal is a mountain goat and I can tell you all that shooting a mountain goat in Washington in spots I've watched them in my whole life would mean a heck of a lot more than going up to Alaska or bc and shooting one. I'd gladly pay more for the opportunity if I could afford to.

That said I've talked to Robert Hardy a few times about his Alaskan hunts 

A mountain goat tag will be auctioned at the SCI banquet in February.

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,235811.0.html

I'm not quite that flush with cash yet lol

[Stein]

It only takes one raffle ticket to win!