sad deal!

[DBLDWN]

Shed hunting was ruined years ago.  If you are just now realizing that then you probably just got into it.  The competition to find an antler is pretty intense these days.  There are a lot of guys out there who almost turn it into a full time job. 

not new at the sport mark, wasnt too long ago you were at the house looking for a match.

OK.  Yeah, you are definitely not new to the sport.  You know though that the popularity of shed hunting has exploded in the last 10 years and especially the last 5 or so.  I only go out a few times a year anymore because it is kind of discouraging to think about going out when you know that every square inch of the old stomping grounds has been covered by dozens of people starting earlier and earlier every year.  

your exactly right. the part that is frustrating is the false aqusations of sleds chasing deer, its no diffrent than riding a quad in the mission unit during the late rifle tag, the deer are migrating. and as far as popularity in old stomping grounds i believe has alot to do with, pics, posts, word of mouth etc. whats going to happen as time goes on, popularity increases and reports keep hitting wdfw they are going to start regulating shed hunting via a permit or close it down permanently, then everyone will look back and wonder what happened. Who do you blame? I personally think its around the corner.

DBLDWN-

Do you think that the sleds don't cause undue stress on the deer on the winter range?
Maybe before outlawing or regulating shed hunting, they should regulate or limit the access that the snowmobiles have?

The snowmobiles on the winter range is an issue. Maybe not from you, but it is definitely an issue. What do you suggest?
These are honest straight forward questions. I don't you from the other guy and I don't even know if you own a sled. I assume you do based on your posts and opinions on them.

I personally have seen both sides of the spectrum, i have hiked and and rode sleds looking for sheds, on a snowmobile your limited to certain area, roads and snow covered hillsides. As you know the deer perdominately prefer south facing slopes in the winter where there is minimal to no snow at all leaving most of the north facing slopes your access, and no deer to spook on that side of the hill. Once you have reached the top off you go on foot, so that being said most to all of the winter range is south facing. on the other side ive walked from the bottom of that same mountain to the top and moved hundreds of deer to the north side of the hill. So i personally believe that snowmobiles have no adverse affects on deer and their winter range habits.

[JackOfAllTrades]

on the other side ive walked from the bottom of that same mountain to the top and moved hundreds of deer to the north side of the hill. So i personally believe that snowmobiles have no adverse affects on deer and their winter range habits.

Would you agree that shed hunters, on foot or sled, do impose undue stress upon wintering deer?

I believe that if you are moving deer from one side of the mountain to another, however you do it, you are harrassing the animals for your own enlightenment of finding shed antlers.

I'm quite happy when I find a single or extremely happy when I come across a double, when I'm hiking later in the spring. I think that some shed hunters should think of the ethics of shed hunting and how you could be affecting the herd. If you're walking a slope that the animals have already passed through, fine. If you're walking into the herd and move them.. You've done something incredibly wrong.

-Steve

[shedcrazy]

Shed hunting was ruined years ago.  If you are just now realizing that then you probably just got into it.  The competition to find an antler is pretty intense these days.  There are a lot of guys out there who almost turn it into a full time job. 

not new at the sport mark, wasnt too long ago you were at the house looking for a match.

OK.  Yeah, you are definitely not new to the sport.  You know though that the popularity of shed hunting has exploded in the last 10 years and especially the last 5 or so.  I only go out a few times a year anymore because it is kind of discouraging to think about going out when you know that every square inch of the old stomping grounds has been covered by dozens of people starting earlier and earlier every year.  

your exactly right. the part that is frustrating is the false aqusations of sleds chasing deer, its no diffrent than riding a quad in the mission unit during the late rifle tag, the deer are migrating. and as far as popularity in old stomping grounds i believe has alot to do with, pics, posts, word of mouth etc. whats going to happen as time goes on, popularity increases and reports keep hitting wdfw they are going to start regulating shed hunting via a permit or close it down permanently, then everyone will look back and wonder what happened. Who do you blame? I personally think its around the corner.

[DBLDWN]

on the other side ive walked from the bottom of that same mountain to the top and moved hundreds of deer to the north side of the hill. So i personally believe that snowmobiles have no adverse affects on deer and their winter range habits.

Would you agree that shed hunters, on foot or sled, do impose undue stress upon wintering deer?

I believe that if you are moving deer from one side of the mountain to another, however you do it, you are harrassing the animals for your own enlightenment of finding shed antlers.

I'm quite happy when I find a single or extremely happy when I come across a double, when I'm hiking later in the spring. I think that some shed hunters should think of the ethics of shed hunting and how you could be affecting the herd. If you're walking a slope that the animals have already passed through, fine. If you're walking into the herd and move them.. You've done something incredibly wrong.

-Steve

i dont agree shed hunters cause undue stress on deer, and harrrassing is a word you have used out of context.

[Antlerking]

I have oponions on everything like any1 else and I personally have seen snowmobiles out shed hunting and some have just been riding roads and some have been boondocking all over the place looking for sheds. The hard part is were do you draw a line or what is the line. I for 1 would love to see a shed season. I think it would be funner to have an opener around the 1st of march and have a free far all in the hills, it would be very comical. The snowmobile issue is up for intertreputation, I dont own 1 and if I did I still would not use 1, because for me i need the exercise and hiking is the way i get into shape, so by the time turkey and elk horn huntin starts I am in shape to hike in, because the elk horns are way more intense than the deer horns. On a lighter note I am heading out in the morning and good luck finding em maybe I will c ya on the hill!

[MuleySniper]

No they don't need to ban sleds, dogs, helicopters, night vision goggles, antler traps, etc. etc. etc. They need to close the wintering areas down PERIOD! Then they can make it a shotgun start in the spring like they do at Oak Creek. Make the penalties stiff to somewhat try to deter the law breakers who feel they can still enter. Then that would only leave complaining about the thieves who break laws. No ethics on styles and when and where is good. Then everyone can be happy. Sort of
MS

[Lowedog]

Shotgun start!    I like it! 

[MuleySniper]

Yeah and I don't mean pulling shotguns out on each other fighting over sheds
MS

[JackOfAllTrades]

i dont agree shed hunters cause undue stress on deer, and harrrassing is a word you have used out of context.

I certainly did not use the word Harassing out of context!  When a shed hunter unbeds animals, or moves them from feeding areas where they've found refuge from predators in wintering grounds when/where they're the most vulnerable, then that IS harassment of wild animals.

Some people need to evaluate their actions/intentions.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against shed hunting. But there should be some self imposed rules even if there aren't laws against certain actions.

-Steve

[DBLDWN]

I have oponions on everything like any1 else and I personally have seen snowmobiles out shed hunting and some have just been riding roads and some have been boondocking all over the place looking for sheds. The hard part is were do you draw a line or what is the line. I for 1 would love to see a shed season. I think it would be funner to have an opener around the 1st of march and have a free far all in the hills, it would be very comical. The snowmobile issue is up for intertreputation, I dont own 1 and if I did I still would not use 1, because for me i need the exercise and hiking is the way i get into shape, so by the time turkey and elk horn huntin starts I am in shape to hike in, because the elk horns are way more intense than the deer horns. On a lighter note I am heading out in the morning and good luck finding em maybe I will c ya on the hill!

Good luck and watch out for snowmobiles.

[Antlerking]

I hope so maybe I can hitch a ride to the top and then hike down

I will try to bring some gass money with me

[BLUEBULLS]

i dont agree shed hunters cause undue stress on deer, and harrrassing is a word you have used out of context.

I certainly did not use the word Harassing out of context!  When a shed hunter unbeds animals, or moves them from feeding areas where they've found refuge from predators in wintering grounds when/where they're the most vulnerable, then that IS harassment of wild animals.

Some people need to evaluate their actions/intentions.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against shed hunting. But there should be some self imposed rules even if there aren't laws against certain actions.

-Steve

If that's harrassing game then we're all guilty.

what about pushing deer off of feed in hunting seasons, especially late seasons? when the deer are trying to pack on the fat for winter.

Bottom line is people need to use their heads.

[JackOfAllTrades]

If that's harrassing game then we're all guilty.

what about pushing deer off of feed in hunting seasons, especially late seasons? when the deer are trying to pack on the fat for winter.

Bottom line is people need to use their heads.

Any of us are probably guilty of moving deer from beds, but seldom move a whole herd during the winter, well after even late hunting seasons. (yes, I realize that there are a few units open late in the year for permits and archers) But for the most part, shed hunting is a month and a half or two after those late hunts, well into the more vulnerable times when deer need to conserve energy to make it through the bitter cold with a lot less food than they had available other times of the year. I think there is a fine line that some shed hunters are crossing... disturbing animals unnecessarily. My posts are only to get those guys to analyze their actions and determine if there is possibility of disturbing animals unnecessarily. If so, maybe skip that ridge that day.

-Steve

[woodywsu]

They need to close the wintering areas down PERIOD!

  This is what will happen if we cannot police ourselves.

[MtnMuley]

Another case where there needs to be "common sense" by sportsman.    Close it down like Oak Creek, and you will definately have those cheating the system like they do there.  70% of the decent horns will be long gone before the "shotgun start" -- I guarantee it.