Are the ranchers trying create habitat or raise a hay crop? Both seem to have been argued, as has making a profit off of elk tags. So first off, the elk dont belong to the rancher. Second if the rancher's goal is to be a profitable hay farmer, hay is the asset. If someone or something is stealing your assets, might want to do something about that. NRCS has programs to co-op the cost of fencing. If a business anywhere else cant protect its goods for sale, they will go out of business. They dont get to catch and sale the thief to the highest bidder but that's what seems to be SOP for LO tags. I applaud NM for not having preference points and all that crap but the system is not perfect. Habitat is important, private property rights are without question important and the animals are obviously important but so is opportunity. Looking for ways to keep opportunity available at a reasonable cost isnt socialist if the animal belongs to the people.