Paul- I appreciate and respect your input on the topic.
The Caldera is a Federal entity. The elk belong to the people of New Mexico. The state and the residents should not have to sacrifice our game to subsidize a failing federal trust. If anything, when 2015 rolls around and the Caldera can't be self sufficient, Congress should review and adjust their operating plans for the preserve.
The worst part of this is, if passed, it sets a precedent for any big money interests to petition a state representative to simply amend the big game laws to pander to their best interest. It's bad enough the resident quota does not apply to bighorn, oryx or ibex. This could open the flood gates to the USO types with lobbying power.
If you have time, read the report to Congress posted on the Trust's webpage. It really opened my eyes to how much is being spent on what. If I remember correctly, the trust spent upwards of 175k on a business plan to an out of state consultant for this self sufficiency goal. They must have come to the conclusion that the trust should just auction elk tags.
I agree that they should try to get to the point of not needing federal money to run the preserve, but taking opportunity from my children and yours is not the best route in my opinion.
Here's my solution to generate more money.
1. Predator hunting.
2. More public access, including day use fees and low impact back country camping.
3.Cross country skiing yurts. These make a mint in the San Juans in Colorado, they are cheap and people are willing to pay.
Some of the best bears I have seen in NM have been on the Caldera, and on the perimeter fences. Cougar and coyote populations are also high.
I would be willing to run trap lines on the property, put up the fur, and split the profits with the trust. After not being trapped for who knows how long, I bet I could earn the trust a fair amount of $ the first winter.
I don't know what the solution is to get them in the black, I'm certain with some public input they could do better than auctioning New Mexico's elk to the highest bidder.