What's the deal with conservation permits and expo tags?

[sub-zero]

I keep seeing these conservation tags going for insane money at auctions, I get that funds go toward wildlife, which is great, but does the average hunter have any real shot at drawing these? Or is it basically just a rich person's system...it feels kind of exclusive

 

[Rottweiler72]

I know of 2 people at my work have drawn out conservation tags. I think your talking about two different types of tags.
One is a auction tag,and yes you better have very deep pockets. The others is a 5 or 10 dollar entry fee that anyone has a chance at drawing. Though the odds aren't that great. Kinda like a limited entry tag but with out a point system.
Hopefully that helps and I'm not completely wrong.

 

[DRJ65]

The Expo tags: there are 200 tags for various types of animals from turkey to bison. You can apply for each tag. They are $5 each to apply for. Limit of one entry per customer. I drew a Manti bull elk 3 years ago. I know several people that have drawn these tags.
The conservation permits: The various conservation groups buy those from the state to auction off at their banquets, yes, they sell for top dollar. The state gets 90% of the auction price and the conservation group keeps 10%.

 

[Jovy]

I keep seeing these conservation tags going for insane money at auctions, I get that funds go toward wildlife, which is great, but does the average hunter have any real shot at drawing these? Or is it basically just a rich person's system...it feels kind of exclusive

You hit the nail on the head, it often feels like a rich person's game. I've thrown $5 at the Expo tags a couple times a year, just for the dream. No luck yet, but I know guys who've drawn out. For the auction tags..yeah, I'd have to sell my truck and my wife's truck to afford one of those

 

[Aim_Shoot]

Conservation tags are basically a rich man's trophy lane that uses wildlife funding as political cover. We all know that auction money does good work, but it completely undermines the principle of equal opportunity for the average, hardworking hunter who has been putting in for the general draw for thirty years

 

[I_am_groot]

If the system truly cares about fair chase and equal opportunity for every sportsman, why aren't these high-dollar auction tags capped or distributed via a weighted lottery to give every dedicated hunter a realistic shot at a premium experience? Is it really conservation, or just a fundraiser for exclusivity?

 

[sub-zero]

I know of 2 people at my work have drawn out conservation tags. I think your talking about two different types of tags.
One is a auction tag,and yes you better have very deep pockets. The others is a 5 or 10 dollar entry fee that anyone has a chance at drawing. Though the odds aren't that great. Kinda like a limited entry tag but with out a point system.
Hopefully that helps and I'm not completely wrong.

That actually clears it up, thanks! I didn’t realize there were two separate types. The cheap entry ones sound fair enough, i might throw my name in just for the chance.

 

[sub-zero]

The Expo tags: there are 200 tags for various types of animals from turkey to bison. You can apply for each tag. They are $5 each to apply for. Limit of one entry per customer. I drew a Manti bull elk 3 years ago. I know several people that have drawn these tags.
The conservation permits: The various conservation groups buy those from the state to auction off at their banquets, yes, they sell for top dollar. The state gets 90% of the auction price and the conservation group keeps 10%.

Got it, that makes a lot more sense now, sounds like the Expo tags are at least within reach for regular hunters. Congrats on that Manti bull draw, that’s incredible

 

[sub-zero]

If the system truly cares about fair chase and equal opportunity for every sportsman, why aren't these high-dollar auction tags capped or distributed via a weighted lottery to give every dedicated hunter a realistic shot at a premium experience? Is it really conservation, or just a fundraiser for exclusivity?

It does start to feel more like pay-to-play than true conservation at times. A weighted lottery system would definitely make things feel a lot more balanced.