to all the "shedhunters"

[Elkslayer]

Elkslayer....I understand the passion for a tropy....when it comes to hunting. I guess I'm just not wired to think that the acts that occur and make shed hunters look bad are worth it. Now....like hunting, fishing, whatever...I'm sure it is the minority that make the majority look bad.

That set is one awesome set of bone.

I agree with you. It's definately not worth the risk that some of the guys put on alot of animals by going out way to early. I'll admit I pick up quite a few early deer sheds, but there laying right by where I feed them. It's not from going out looking and pushing the animals. Nothing against people that post pictures of there finds, but I feel that if you pick up a few early sheds, keep them to yourself for awhile. Nothing like fueling the fire for guys that are just waiting to hear that they are dropping. That's one of the reasons I dont post many pics on here anymore.

[Smossy]

Sounds like people worry a-bit too much about what other people think. kinda dumb if you ask me. Ive been one to never care about anyone else's opinion. We all know that one. Ill do what I do when I do it. I understand all the arguments in here but they're not necessary, this is why/when new laws and regulations get implied and pisses people off, Party A complains about one thing and gets new laws and regulations implied in which piss off party B, While party B does the same and gets different laws and regulations implied that pisses off party A, Its a never ending circle. No ones ever happy. Except me, Because I just go with the flow 

[antlerking]

after ready all of this its a good thing I'm not a shed Hunter!

[HornHoarder]

I'm really suprised it took this long. I think this is the first negative shed hunting post this year.  :chuckle

[trophyhunt]

I don't think there should be a season for shed hunting, I also wish the few wouldn't push the animals when they are out shed hunting. I do think the wardens should (if they don't) spend more time in areas where the animals are hanging out during the drop season so they can respond to harassment calls. I don't take my dog with me when I go out shed hunting this early for elk, he's not a shed dog and I don't want him chasing the elk around. We all are not going to do the right things, most will, but lets not push for a season when only the guys who do the right thing will stay home while the others get the place to themselves. 

[Smossy]

I don't think there should be a season for shed hunting, I also wish the few wouldn't push the animals when they are out shed hunting. I do think the wardens should (if they don't) spend more time in areas where the animals are hanging out during the drop season so they can respond to harassment calls. I don't take my dog with me when I go out shed hunting this early for elk, he's not a shed dog and I don't want him chasing the elk around. We all are not going to do the right things, most will, but lets not push for a season when only the guys who do the right thing will stay home while the others get the place to themselves. 

[jackelope]

after ready all of this its a good thing I'm not a shed Hunter!

Right...

[ICEMAN]

Like with most any other pursuit, as more and more folks do it, at some point regulation seems necessary.

I shed hunted for years. Never ever saw another guy doing it when I was out, mostly muley sheds, never the elk sheds.

From what I hear and see on here, I am in favor of enforcing a protected area for deer and elk, either thru more enforcement (unlikely) of current anti harassment laws, or possibly gating and posting areas off beter to keep atleast motoriozed pursuit to a minimum. Maybe lengthening stay out of the woods times, and increased fines for violating these rules. Not excited about a season, IMHO, just another way to tax me and not enforce it...

There is a big difference between a hiker bumping animals by accident, and some jack wagon driving animals hard to get sheds knocked loose.

[Tradhunter]

Thanks Trophyhunt!!! Bout time somebody mentions a dog! I agree, I do not and never will take my dogs out until mid-late summer just to even hike or walk trails just for the sake of the animals. My dogs are not shed dogs either and they never will be as I do not need help finding antlers. My experiences over the last few years has not been good when it comes to finding these few types out there. The worst was this year when there were hundereds of deer in a single canyon...I went back to watch them again the next weekend, ALL GONE! All I found was people and DOG tracks! My experiences...Never seen people run deer off like that except when they have dogs nosing around every square inch. I just dont think its right. This recent experience by the way was the SECOND week of January! One deer drops his antlers and everybody pushes them back to 3' of snow for the rest of the winter. Worth it?

[shedmaster]

Thank u all for saying what u did.... this sight alone is the killer of the good time in the hills that used to be! Blocked roads is the easiest and cheapest way... just wish I knew what people are thinking when they aimlessly walk straight at the elk... fit the horns r more than likely not rite where u saw them   

[NOCK NOCK]

A Couple posters hit on dogs running off animals while shed hunting.  IMHO if you can not control your dogs from running animals......you should never take them out with you, no matter what time of year.

[Tradhunter]

I absolutely agree nock nock. One of my dogs did chase a deer ONCE! when she was a year and a half old during late summer and ever since that one time I have her on a leash when I have her out in the woods although she did not get ahold of it. I am not neccessarily banging shed dogs but I believe just the fact that having such a natural preditor out covering every square inch of soil at the deers most vulnerable time is too hard on them. I have never seen deer or elk clear out of an area so fast and just flat out leave with just people alone. Just my observations.

[alecvg]

I certainly would not call myself a shed hunter, I pick up sheds I find while hunting if they are in decent shape, and I might go out looking for them once or twice a spring, don't understand the huge hype though.  I personally would oppose a season, I'm not for more regulation on that.  Just close more gates during the winter and spring, and patrol it, fine the off roaders in winter areas.  I don't want to worry about getting a ticket if I find a shed well on a hike in the spring.

[jackelope]

My comment about a shed season was mostly meant to stir the pot, although I do think something needs to be done...

These animals first go through the rut which physically kicks their butts. Then they do what they can to survive the winter which runs them down more. Then it starts warming up and there's a glimmer of hope, then suddenly some Yahoo is running them down till their antlers fall off on a 4 wheeler or a snow machine or a jeep. Now the new craze of shed dogs.....how many shed dogs are trained to not run deer.  Wolves, lions, coyotes.... The lumps they take seem to never end. People who are unethically shed hunting are reading this thread, probably laughing and probably headed out in the morning shed hunting now that the elk are dropping. There should be some solitude for these animals to recover their winter beatdown. Be it more closed roads, more patrols, more whatever...something should be done.

[dscubame]

Sounds like people worry a-bit too much about what other people think. kinda dumb if you ask me. Ive been one to never care about anyone else's opinion. We all know that one. Ill do what I do when I do it. I understand all the arguments in here but they're not necessary, this is why/when new laws and regulations get implied and pisses people off, Party A complains about one thing and gets new laws and regulations implied in which piss off party B, While party B does the same and gets different laws and regulations implied that pisses off party A, Its a never ending circle. No ones ever happy. Except me, Because I just go with the flow