Any sheds yet?

[Tony 270WSM]

Went just across the Columbia about a week ago and didn't find anything. Saw two seperate herds on this side in the last few days and they're still sporting their racks. About six spikes and five raghorns.

[boneaddict]

no elk. will be awhile

[Houndhunter]

elk are so wierd, theyre the last to shed and first to grow.... just doesnt make sense

[singleshot12]

Still goin out and looking for blacktail sheds soon,thought I saw a buck runnin around without headgear the other day,seems like a fruitless search sometimes,only found two in a lot of years of searching,those blacktail are a real mystery,can't give up tho.

[jimkirk]

a few bulls are droppin antlers at oak creek feed lot

[groundhog]

Does anyone know what the elk feeders at Oak Creek do with the sheds that they pick up? I heard once that they auction them off and I was just wondering if that is true. Here in E-burg the feeders keep them for themselves. Since the feeders are getting paid by the WDFW I think the antlers should be the property of the WDFW. What do you guys think?

[boneaddict]

I think they should leave them where they hit the ground.  They are being paid, and they are where public cannot go.  I'm QUITE sure they go for forries prior to the gates opening.  There have been a couple raghorns at oakcreek without both their antlers since Christmas.  Not sure if they were broken off, shed naturally, or never grew them.  Rags usually shed last.

[Cougeyes]

The wildlife belong to the citizens of the state, where does WDFW get the funding to feed and manage....us hunters.  I dont think they should be allowed to pick them up when they're feeding.  WDFW feeders are citizens, and i think they should have to go through the process like the rest of us, i.e. wait until the feed stations are open for public access to shed hunt, granted they have a leg up on the rest of us knowing where most sheds are.

But, if sheds were sold at an auction that would benefit wildlife and/or further feeding programs or enhancing habitat i would be all for that.

[groundhog]

The feeders in Ellensburg pick up a lot of antlers. They spend a lot of time each day glassing for sheds while they are being paid by the WDFW! I have been told by a friend that one of the feeders has a big pile in his shop that all came from the feed lots before they are open to the general public.
 I wasn't going to say anything but I watched a big bull shed today at the feed lot. Then I watched as the feeders tried to block my view with their truck as they picked them up. I guess it is ok for them to hunt sheds while on the payroll. About this time of year they feed way in the back of the feed lot so that they can pick up the sheds without being seen. I have a call into one of the agents, it will be interesting to hear what he has to say....... I think they should be auctioned off and if a feeder is caught sneaking them home he should be fired! What do you guys think.

[alecvg]

One of the feeding stations near yakima sell all the sheds their for fundraising.  Thats what they should do there too!

[saylean]

Im sure i will get flamed for this...but..its a free country so here goes...

In my humble opinion:

If a worker is out and about, whether it be in the field, out in the woods, or at the feedlot and he finds a shed, I say pick it up.

Should they be allowed to hunt for sheds on company time?....No, not in my opinion...but if in their travels they find one...sure.

I do also think that it would be great to see them auctioned off....I just know, if I was a worker at feed stations and say...on my lunch hour or breaks, I wanted to run out and see what i could find, I would just think it to be a perk of the job, like alot of us get for other jobs.

Again, just my own thoughts. For example, before I owned my own business, I worked for a game publisher...when Halo 2 came out..I had 5 copies of it on my desk with special edition stuff for free from MS....was it fair to those who waited like suckers in line? Nope...just a perk of the job..

Now of course..video games and wildlife are different, since wildlife is owned by the citizens of the state, but I was just making a point of perks of certain jobs. I just wish I could do it is all...

On that note, let the flaming begin.

[WAcoyotehunter]

I agree-  I find sheds at work and pick them up every time. 
 The feeding station might be a bit of a stretch.  Auction them, or auction permits to collect them (?)

[boneaddict]

I honestly wouldn't have any problem about it, but don't think they should get to hunt the feeding areas first, especially those that are completely off limits to folks, just because they have a key.  and.....I really don't think they should be paid for it.

[hunterofelk]

I found out that antlers don't bring much anymore.  Selling them at auction wouldn't buy anything for the elk.  I could be wrong, but doesn't the transportation department feed the elk?  To give those guys the benefit of the doubt, maybe their policy is to remove the sheds so someone doesn't climb over the fence and grab them. I think that is a good idea.  I feel your frustration though, I like to find the sheds too, and get angry when I hear about the cheating.  I don't know why people go to the lengths they do, a guy can make more money at a job then picking up sheds.
Also, the time I can put toward antler hunting this year will be very limited.  I feel cheated just being kept here in the city because of work.

[bobcat]

I could be wrong, but doesn't the transportation department feed the elk? 

No. The Department of Fish and Wildlife is responsible for feeding the elk.