Not being too familiar with guided hunts, I was under the impression that in Alaska, and maybe parts of Canada, that guides "own", "lease", or are "allotted" and area by the government. How is this different?

Being an "average Joe" I can't afford one of those tags. But, if the whole cost of that tag went to the Agency for elk management, it would sure take a lot of regular tags to make up the difference.

Resource management costs, and the state's are certainly not stepping up to the plate with more general fund money. More and more, it is on the backs and pocketbooks of the users.