Question about governor's tag for Elk

[Sorefeet]

First I would like to reply to Jackelope. Yes I do have a problem with all the auctions. I think that these tags should all be raffled so everyone has a fair shot and not some guy with deep pockets.

Does anyone know the conditions of the Governor's tag? I have heard it is quite liberal on the hunting conditions but I admit to not knowing the details.


I saw in this thread that the same guy bought it for $42,000. We pay 6.50 for a permit now and with thousands of applicants for the most popular gmu the money might be there from the average joe hunter. The peaches ridge tag brought in over 20,000 dollars last year. I know that this is for a lot more tags but I would pay more for a raffle chance at and elk hunt like this.

I do not have the answers to all this is raising but it just irks me that rich guys can come in and buy tags like this that most washington hunters could never afford. Charge every hunter a buck extra on all the tags in the state and leave them to raffles and fair play


Thanks
Sorefeet

[DaveBTS]

I think it's good for raising money. I just wish it was through a different organization. I used to support the RMEF; I even did some habitat work for them. I went to the annual Rendevous and they gave an award to one of the biggest poachers in the state.

[TheHunt]

Dave,
If the RMEF is a 501.C corp. then anyone paying for that tag would be able to write it off their taxes or a portion of it.

[MtnMuley]

Personally, I could care less if Dan buys this tag every year for the rest of his life and kills 420" bulls every year.   More power to him.  That's what he lives for, and that's what he's going to do.  'Hunting' is veiwed differently by everyone.  What means something to somebody else might not mean a thing to me, but that's what makes our sport what it is.   A decent buck during the high hunt means a lot more to me than a big buck with a rut tag hunt.  Don't get me wrong, I love hunting the rut, but personally, it means a little more when the odds are stacked against you.  

[Pathfinder101]

In answer to Sorefeet's comment on what the "conditions for the Auction Tag are".
Basically, The way I understand, it is an any weapon tag, to hunt any open unit in the state, from the day the first elk season opens in September until 31 Dec.  Same as the raffle tag.  If I am wrong here, anyone who knows can feel free to chime in and correct me. 
In the case of elk, that generally means that you can hunt the rut, with a rifle, in the unit with the best genetics.  If it makes you feel any better, lets just pretend that Agnew paid for 6,462 raffle tickets, and he got drawn....

[B.G.hunter]

I do think the governor's tags to have a place, things like the governor's tag allows the RMEF to purchase such lands as the "Black Ranch" over here in Asotin county so us "average joes" can hunt more prime elk country on public land.  Just as others say there is a raffle tag which costs 6.50 anyone can put a ticket in for and pretty much have the same tag as the auction.

[jackelope]

First I would like to reply to Jackelope. Yes I do have a problem with all the auctions. I think that these tags should all be raffled so everyone has a fair shot and not some guy with deep pockets.

They do raffles for us regular guys too...they carry the same liberal rules and the auction tags.

[Woodchuck]

I will say this, it does gall me a little that basically this oppurtunity can go to the highest bidder, you could get that tag every year if you wanted to i.e. Dan Agnew. however as i sit and ponder it a bit, i think it is mostly jealousy because he has the wallet for it and i dont, because if i did , i would stand right next to him bidding away

[Pathfinder101]

I will say this, it does gall me a little that basically this oppurtunity can go to the highest bidder, you could get that tag every year if you wanted to i.e. Dan Agnew. however as i sit and ponder it a bit, i think it is mostly jealousy because he has the wallet for it and i dont, because if i did , i would stand right next to him bidding away

Yeah, that's the way I see it.  I mean, this isn't England in the 1700s.  You don't have to be born a Noble, we all have the same opportunity to strike it rich.  If he wants to use his money that way, that's cool.  As long as it doesnt' go into the "General Fund"...

[Sorefeet]

Thanks for the reply pathfinder and jackelope.

I also see that some of the money has improved hunting areas as noted by BG hunter.

I have more to learn on the subject I admit but I still feel strongly that we are the backbone of the WDFW with our funding and that these tags should be open to all at a reasonable price

[coachcw]

I'm a bit jelous i guess . I just hate to see monster go to the highest bidder , I guess I'd be bidding against him if I have the funds . I realize that he has a passion foe elk hunting , but not any more than many of us . The reason he buys the tag is because he Can . It still sucks a bit though.

[BLUEBULLS]

if all of  the money goes to support elk then it's great. The only downfall is that he might be going after the same bull you are it would suck to have a guy buy an elk that you'd been scouting all summer.

[TheHunt]

I would agree with others that if I had the funds I would be be standing next to everyone bidding on that tag as well. 

[Hill]

Go back and smack your guidance counselor for sending you  in the wrong direction to make money we live in a country that was founded on free enterprise system.  The only problem is our schools don't teach it,  Agnew just took advantage of it so he could hunt elk when and where he wants!

[grundy53]

Personally I have no problem with it. The its one bull and the money goes to help elk. Besides if they didn't have the governors tag then agnew could just buy 7000 raffle tickets and probably have a pretty good chance of winning it every year. Then you would not have a chance at all.