I think the problem is with the way the G&F distributes tags to landowners. I don't understand all I know about it, but landowners get a certain number of tags that they can do anything with - give to family, trade for cattle, sell to outfitters, whatever. They are not included in the lottery that John Q. Public enters to attempt to draw a tag. That means when you obtain a tag from a landowner or his agent, it's guaranteed, no wait, no draw. That simple fact puts these tags at a premium. The draw is a crapshoot, believe me. In good producing areas it is verty tough to get drawn. In some places it's like ten-to-one odds. I've yet to draw a tag myself. I know people who have put in for ten years and not gotten a public tag. So you start to see why the "sure thing" landowner tags get appealing, then expensive.
Example: Mr. Rancher sells his tag(s) to the outfitter for say $700 (I know some guys who get this pretty regularly). Then Mr. Outfitter, who hires guides, buys trucks, etc., doubles the price. Then he puts you up in a nice room or cabin and pretty much pampers you for the three day hunt. Doesn't take long for all that to add up to $3K.
Now, if you are lucky enough to draw a public tag, the G&F assigns you to a particular ranch, so you can't just cruise down the road til you see some goats and then ask permission, unless of course the warden in charge of your area lets you.
This is all for the general rifle season. If you choose to hunt with a bow, there are some different rules. I believe you draw for an entire region and then you get to find the place to hunt, either on public land or on private by permission.
Keep in mind that I don't follow this too closely, I just put in for the tag. I'm sure there is more to it than what I have indicated here. Anyone who is interested in hunting prairie goats in NM would be smart to call the G&F to see what the full deal is.