Jay...not disagreeing with you. I too, have been involved - because I love it so - in preserving hunting and fishing opps as well, for more than a couple decades here. There are examples to further whatever comment you want to make everywhere. My point is that hunting "in general", across the country, is under attack by groups from within our own ranks (whether they know it or not) who are seeking to control the resource for their own profit. Their are arguments to be made for promoting tag auctions...and their are arguments against as well. Game departments are not to blame...but they are not always blameless - like any govt agency having to "sell" thier efforts as credible - and we all need to be vigilant, and not be afraid to give critique when needed.
Like I said, I don't know if this was where Jim was going with this, and perhaps I got carried away. "Buying" an opportunity like that will never be in my ability, and even if I did, I could'nt really be proud of the fact I did....when I know so many try and do it the "real guy" way and will never have a chance, either. It further promotes a rich-mans sport attitude among the populace, and does us no good, IMO, among non-hunters either. Minnesota may not have problems. And there is still a lot of opportunity out west...true. But every year we fight multiple attempts through the legislatures and game depts., veiled as "opportunities", that really are a taking of a public resource for profit by a few.
It never hurts to examine our actions to see if benefits outway the detriments. I'm not saying this is one, just that it isn't always a good thing.
It costs quite a bit more here in MT to hunt for us residents, but it is still a bargain in my book and as I said originally, I am not criticizing game depts. for raising license fees where needed. Just pointing out some potential trends. Doesn't help putting our heads in the sand to the issues.