Personally, I disagree with the idea of auctioning off our public resources to the highest bidder. The idea that if you have deep enough pockets you can cut to the front of the line for our wild sheep does not sit well with me. Some will say "good money for a great cause." Well we already have good money going to that cause through our draw system and other donations from organizations. I know many who volunteer their time but are not rewarded with a tag or may never hunt sheep. Thats's admirable. If we need to raise money that bad make a small increase to every application that would equate to the money raised from those tags.
good point and I would argue a tax deduction is not appropriate, as they are getting back in return the full market value of what they paid by definition because it's an auction (fair market value is easy to determine)
I fully agree with you, the deduction should only be what exceeds market value, but I am not sure it is always treated that way.
i bet if the IRS ever audited their return the deduction would be disallowed.
