Still seems like alot of jealousy and class envy driving this post.
Just remember, there are about 20-25 or so Governor's/auction elk tags sold or raffled every year in ten main western elk states (AZ, Colo, ID, Mont, Nev, NM, Ore, UT, WA and Wy). That would be a total of 200 to 250 or so Gov/auction type elk tags sold or raffled in the west in the last 10 years.
Here's a few facts that would seem to indicate the guys who pay the big $$$$ for these tags simply don't do all that well and aren't depleting our elk herds of 400+ bulls or depriving others of their chance to hunt and possibly kill their own big bull.
Of the top 50 non-typicals, a total of 24 or about 50% of them have been killed in the last 10 years. I recognize only 2 that were killed by Gov/auction tag hunters...both last year...the Spider bull and the Washington bull.
Of the top 50 typicals, a total of 19 or about 40% of them have been killed in the last 10 years. In looking at the names (and I don't profess to know all of their identities), there maybe 2 of them that were Gov/auction tag hunters.
Let's face it, the guys who pay the big money for these tags just haven't been that successful, even with the extra benefits they get over other hunters (extended seasons, any weapon, all units, etc)...so what's the problem and why the constant bashing of these folks who put thousands and thousands of $$ back into their state's elk management funds?