Reposted below

Cheers, Peter

I know this might not be typical BUT caused a minor bloodpressure increase when I read this article ..

Holy Smoke is he getting some of OBAMA'S bailout money, or do you guys in Illinois USA (eat a hell of a lots of Sandwitches) or seeing he is from Illinois could he be in the Blago network with should we say CONNECTIONS (-:

MAN can any of you guys (send that chap my way) as for (3 x bighorn sheep tags) I can proberbly negotiate to sell him a (1/24th full title deed equity investment share) in a Super Luxury African Ranch/Lodge Project, which are on offer.

I would offer a (small finders fee) to anyone whom (just sent him direct to me) with finders fee payment following him making a minimum of one equity share purchase.
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USA : USA: Bighorn sheep tag sells for $245,000


The owner of a chain of sandwich shops in Champaign, Ill., paid $245,000 for a Montana bighorn sheep hunting tag last weekend at the Wild Sheep Foundation Convention in Salt Lake City.

The Wild Sheep Foundation, headquartered in Cody, Wyo., would not release the winner's name, but they said the tag brought in $50,000 more than last year.

The highest price ever paid for a Montana wild sheep tag was $310,000 in 1994.

"Yes, the bidding was spirited," said Terry Ziehl of the Sheep Foundation.

A Whitefish hunter paid $10,000 for a Montana mountain goat tag sold at the same show.

Also at the auction, the Mule Deer Foundation sold a Montana mule deer tag for $8,500.

In all, Montana's 2009 big game auction licenses drew a total of $263,500.

The special tags allow the holder to hunt in any hunting district where there is a season for that species.

The show was the 32nd Annual Wild Sheep Foundation Convention and the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo. Next year's show, called The Sheep Show, will be held in Reno, Nev., on Feb. 3-6.

Each year, the state of Montana offers the special tags and in return receives 90 percent of all auction proceeds. That money goes to state management of the species, and the remainder goes to the auctioning organization.

Ziehl said while some of the money goes to administration, the rest of the money will go to the sheep foundation's grant in aid projects.

In March, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation will auction the 2009 Montana elk license and moose licenses at its 25th Annual Elk Camp & Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Expo set for March 5-8 in Fort Worth, Texas.

I heard a while back soneone paid $1million for a Bighorn tag. Not sure but you may be able to take a tax deduction.

That's probably the owner of Jimmy John's, Jimmy John Liautaud, who bought the wild sheep tag in Salt Lake City. He's quite the hunter, and very particular and demanding in what he wants out of a hunt. One of my PH's can personally testify to that.

Sounds like a lot of money to me but how much do you think one of the 5 Black Rhinos that were going to be auctioned in Namibia would have gone for?

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
Sounds like a lot of money to me but how much do you think one of the 5 Black Rhinos that were going to be auctioned in Namibia would have gone for?

I would be surprized if the price will go past $150 000.00 fo a black rhino.

How much do you think we could get these guys to pay for a really big Karoo Marino sheep

I guess it really pisses you guys of over there not to have the most expensive hunts in the world. Funny I just this morning got and email from a PH with whom I have hunted with many times offering a better deal this year. There are still the fat cats but the rest are looking for a good fair deal you know with the Rand where it is trading. That USD is looking better all the time, eh.

Conservation tag prices area always a different beast. In concept, this is a way for some very wealthy philantropists to support wildife conservation while bragging about the size of their checkbook and getting a great hunt. You should note that no guide services, etc., are included in these prices, this is just the cost of the license. Occassionally these tag holders pay exhorbitant guide fees as well for really special animals.

At the same convention listed in the article, over 40 differnt tags were auctioned. Some deer and elk tags went in the 60-80K range, and several sheep tags were sold for over 100K. Altogether a pretty decent haul for the state agencies who manage our wildlife. But of course, there is a "recession", so prices were "down"!

Comparing these costs to the price of an African hunt makes little sense. However, as a mere mortal, working guy, I do often make the comparison in my own mind when attending these auctions. "Gee, for that much I could do two elephant hunts", or some such idea often goes through my mind. You can tell I rarely, if ever, will win the bidding for these tags! I'd rather hunt Africa....

Bill

I guess they thought my Mexico Desert Bighorn hunt for $45K was too cheap?!@!
LDK

quote:

Originally posted by L. David Keith:
I guess they thought my Mexico Desert Bighorn hunt for $45K was too cheap?!@!
LDK

David,

That price isn't too baaaaaaaad at all. You're certainly not fleecing anyone



Sorry about that folks, but I just couldn't resist it!

Arizona "governers tags" for sheep
1993 303,000
1994 245,000
1995 233,000
1996 285,000
1997 295,000

If I remember correctly 1993,1994 the same guy bought the tag

Elk

as high as 177,000 1n 2005

Mule Deer

2000 105,000
2001 101,000
2002 102,000
2003 118,000
2004 126,000
2005 135,000
2006 142,000

Amazing figures. all public land unguided

Do not forget that there is a tax angle to buying a tag at an auction. The value of the tag is not tax deductable, but the money paid above "fair market value" is a tax deduction.

Someone paid $100,000 + to hunt mule deer ??? And $177,000 for an elk ? I have to ponder ....

And the post before this was Capstick was a fraud? I wouldn't pay six figures for any hunt on this continent.

years ago when i was on the board i asked one of the guys that always bid high bucks at the acution how and why. his answer was simple - his income was from old family land and he measured it in 10s of thousands and hour. so why should i not see some of my money go to do some good to something i like rather than giving it to the government. i just can;t find a fault with his logic

Oh yea it is "tax deductable" do you know what that means? Most people that can afford to bid those prices on tags are wanting to help with the conservation of the species. Hell the deduction only benifits them to the tune of 35% of the cost (the deductable portion) of the tag the other 65% is out of their pocket. The above disregards the state tax consquence as each state differs just refering to the federal income tax. Now back to another return.

That is true. However, you also get to hunt in prime areas with little if any pressure. And the money is going to a good cause.

quote:

Originally posted by lavaca:
And the post before this was Capstick was a fraud? I wouldn't pay six figures for any hunt on this continent.

lavaca, what does the fraud have to do with this? Anyway, the Arizona tags allow you UNRESTRICTED access to the entire state (with a few exceptions) for an entire calendar year.
A 240" mule deer is a very real possibility here unguided on public land. And as Larry says ZERO hunting pressure you are alone.
Chipolopolo

There are places in Ga they get 10 to 15 K to hunt wild Quail. You are treated like King.
($200 a day is more my speed)

JD

Montana has the biggest -score wise - bighorn sheep in all the western states-bar none. The price of $245,000. is about the normal price. The highest price for the tag was bought twice by a movie producer in the late 90's and harvested rams in the lower 190 class. It just goes to show you that sheep hunters send a litte more for the game that are the hardest to draw . More power to you if you can afford it, but I would rather send that money taking ALOT of other type of game.


www.african-montana-taxidermy.com