I having a bit of trouble with this one. Maybe it's just my first reaction and it could change...

But, the State gives permission for these guys to take so many brown bear per season. At least that's how they do it over here in the S.E. area. That number is based on population (bears not people ) and past numbers of bears taken by each guide.

According to the info provided, this auction is to benefit the APHA and not say... the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, or Ducks Unlimited, Friends of the NRA, Make a wish, or any other normal cause. We've all been to a RMEF/DU dinner where one of these hunts was auctioned before. This auction appears to be a money raising event for an association of big game guides, using a State allocated permit. In the past, and probably still now, one goal of the APHA was to lobby for a law requiring non-resident moose hunters to hire a guide. If a person buys one of these ticket, wouldn't they in fact be contributing to that cause?

My mind is open, but suspicious. I have good friends who are guides, and I begrudge them nothing. Still, that tiny voice in the back of my head (no, not the one that says 'kill them all' ) is saying something is a bit odd here.

Thoughts?