"Your report mentioned that three of the permits sold at the convention had declined in value. While you are correct, there were actually many positive developments as well.
For example: * Two Carmen Island sheep permits (new this year) brought $90,000 and $100,000, respectively. * The Arizona sheep permit this year sold for $199,000 ($65,000 in 2004). * The California permit sold for $75,000 (versus $50,000 in 2004). * The Idaho sheep permit sold for $189,000 (versus $46,000 in 2004). * The New Mexico sheep permit sold for $177,000 ($100,000 in 2004). * The Oregon sheep permit sold for $130,000 (versus $86,000 in 2004). * The Utah bighorn permit sold for $70,000 (versus $43,000 in 2004)." (Postscript: This is the kind of clarification item we love to run. Our congratulations to FNAWS on a bang-up show!)
Still on the subject of FNAWS and bighorn sheep permits, there are a number of states where the clock has not run out on applications. To help you decide where to apply in a particular state, you may want to take a closer look at the results of FNAWS' permit auctions. What's useful is that changes in the amounts winning bidders paid can offer clues on where to apply or not.
The big changes in tag prices occurred for the Idaho Rocky Mountain bighorn permit and the Arizona desert bighorn permit, up an amazing $134,000 each from 2004. Idaho's tag, valid for Hells Canyon this year, brought the winning bid of $189,000 largely on the basis of a huge 196 4/8 point........(continued)
