Total conservation(Auction) tags total about 540 annually, with another additional 200 for the expo.
MDF and SFW a fair bulk of the conservation tags and all of the expo tags.
While it is advertised and promoted that these comprise a small percentage of the total tags in Utah, what is not typically acknowledged is what types of tags these are and how they are a fairly large percentage of the most coveted tags in the state.
Another thing to consider is why SFW gets grief over conservation and expo tags more than other groups that receive tags, such as RMEF, NWTF etc. is because these groups aren't using their power and influence to push their agendas. Most of the other groups that receive tags/money are for the most part, putting their heads down and going to work. Don't get me wrong, there are some agendas I can get behind, but the philosophical differences in how game and hunters are managed and what the result of these particular philosophies that they hold are as a whole, contrary to what I see the PTD and the NAMWC standing for. The model seems fairly clear. Keep outfitters, their clients and other hunting industry folks happy by creating world class animals by limiting opportunity, lobbying for things that benefit the industry and reaping the rewards on the back end. Are good things happening in the meantime? Yes. Do we overlook the bad? No. In my opinion the fairest and most credible approach is to acknowledge the good and bad with similar fervor.
IMO, a loose interpretation of "conservation" is being used, when really much of what I personally see happening is conserving game species for antler hungry folks, who are sometimes ignorant to what is really going on. They see the bright lights and glitter and some become mesmerized. There are also some fine folks involved with their organization, but again, philosophically contrary to the way many informed and educated folks idealize.
We come from a state where it is fairly unacceptable to question authority. So when the perceived authority says jump, many jump, regardless of validity and benefit, especially when it's being promoted with bright lights and glitter. I think this is why Utah has been much more easily influenced and controlled than other states. I also think Utah is a great example of what may happen if the same foothold is gained in other states.
We have also seen a huge increase in private lands being locked up, because there is now huge incentive to do so. Landowner permits and the CWMU program have increased quite a bit. There is too much benefit for landowners to ignore the potential money that is residing on their land. I believe in private property rights and think that it's one of the great things that our country offers, but we are not talking about land, we are talking about animals, a public trust. Gone are the days of helping to mend fence or any of the other form of gesture where one might historically receive permission to spend a few days hunting on somebody's land. In some instances, you might be more successful asking for a roll in the hay with the farmers daughter than asking to pursue a hoofed and winged gold on someone's game farm. Didn't we do away with market hunting at some point in the past?
Are they horrible people that deserved to be strung up or tarred and feathered. I don't think so. But when smoke appears, we need people to investigate if there is a fire and if so, who started it and why and also is it is ultimately good for wildlife and our hunting and fishing heritage.
And yes, there seems to be some validity to the recent allocation and lack of accountability concerning the 300k that has been alluded to.
http://utahlegislature.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?clip_id=3147&meta_id=85473
Go to 29:00
A little bird told me this may not be the end of the conversation and honestly, I'm personally not speculating what the findings might be, but we need to know, regardless of the results.
