Personal opinions about shed hunting.

[woodywsu]

Maybe someone can enlighten me on where all these closed wintering areas are. At the time, I can think of more wintering areas with no restrictions then I can of closed areas for mule deer. I only express my concern because I enjoy shed hunting and I see it being ruined by some bad apples which will lead to restrictions.
Remember these does are eating for 2 and possibly 3. Let them be for a while

Are you typing this from your iphone while hiking in the desert?    Come on now.

I would probably have better luck shed hunting the desert in the dark. Everybody knows they don't drop til june here anyways

[Miles]

Fowlweather,  Personally, I'd like to find out from an expert if my antler collecting would cause any problems to the animals. If I find out that it does, I probably will wait to do it. There's no reason to not get more information about your sport for the benefit of the critters, is there?

You shouldn't need an "expert" to tell you if you are bothering animals.  Common sense should be enough...   

Sport?


Where are you planning on going to look for sheds? 

[bearpaw]

I do think it's ridiculous that people follow herds around and push them just to get some sheds

I agree, that is harrasment and I would imagine it would fetch a ticket if a person was caught.

It seems to me that there are already closures in many areas considered to be the most sensitive areas.

Really, Dale?  Where are there muley wintering grounds that are in closure in the heart of this states muleys in Chelan/Okanogan counties?  For that matter, where are their "sensitive" muley wintering closures anywhere in the state other than the areas that are primarily closed due to them being elk wintering areas?  Personally, I don't know of any, but could sure be wrong.

This is a statewide issue, there are mule deer, whitetail, elk, and moose in other counties than Okanogan & Chelan.

A large number of roads have seasonal closures for winter range in Ferry County and our whole Colville Forest system (3 counties) has shut down massive numbers of roads including many winter range areas.

Previously in this topic it was mentioned that Oak Creek is closed to shed hunting until spring.

Where I hunted in Okanogan last fall there was a tremendous number of roads on winter range areas that were marked closed year around.

So far Oak Creek is the only area I have heard of with walk in limitations. I doubt any other areas are closed specifically to shed hunters, probably not, but for whatever reason many areas are closed so the net affect is the same. No travel. You can still hike in and I see no reason that should change, unless some evidence (not opinion) is presented proving otherwise.

Some of the best deer herds I know are on private land that is grazed and farmed. The deer flock in and feed around the cattle, humans, and tractors when winters are tough. In NE WA we used to have an open cougar season and WDFW used to feed the deer during tough winters, there were a lot more deer then. Now there are so few deer that the overpopulated cougar and coyotes have them in a predator pit they will likely never get out of unless there is a change in predator management.

In most cases I don't think a human has near the impact as a cougar who chases and eats a deer each week or the packs of coyotes running on top of deep snow trying to hamstring their next deer. Like anything, there may be specific areas of concern, maybe some of the wide open winter ranges need closed down for a couple months in late winter if shed hunting is shown to cause negative impacts, but don't shut down the entire state wthout more supporting evidence than I have seen presented here. I think you should look at this on an as needed basis.

[Arteman]

Dale the Mud Flow is closed to walk in also, if you guys have never been here and seen this place before you really should check it out at least once in your life.  What that mountain did is unbelievable.  You can look down into it from anywhere off the highway and see hundreds of Elk wintering from the base of St. Helens all the way down the valley floor.  Also doesn't matter what time of the year, you'll always see Elk.  Bring a spotting scope and some binos, the view is something else. 

[danderson]

Correct me if I'm wrong but these areas that see folks getting an early start on shed hunting, before they really start dropping antlers, are closer to larger populations of sportsmen, like around wenatchee, the competition becomes so great that some feel the need to be first into there hot spot,I enjoy getting out and hiking whenever possible, and lets face, always have an eye out for shed antlers, its a habit, were I think some might cross the line and inadvertently push or harass wildlife may be more from a lack of knowledge on wildlife vulnerability during winter, were I do most of my shed hunting the Elk don't drop until late April and theres very little competition, I wait until I know most of them have dropped otherwise all your doing is driving the animals out of there, leave em alone, you will find more in the end.

[bearpaw]

Dale the Mud Flow is closed to walk in also, if you guys have never been here and seen this place before you really should check it out at least once in your life.  What that mountain did is unbelievable.  You can look down into it from anywhere off the highway and see hundreds of Elk wintering from the base of St. Helens all the way down the valley floor.  Also doesn't matter what time of the year, you'll always see Elk.  Bring a spotting scope and some binos, the view is something else.

I have never been to St Helens, I will have to check that out someday. THANKS

[boneaddict]

I think some of the concern Pianoman is that some questions turn the spotlight on......like sparking a fire on the range in August.
   
Not that this thread hasn't done that already.   

I'm more referencing the thought of a bunch of folks calling the WDFW and asking or complaining, not necessarily in any reference to anything you have posted.


It is pretty much common sense.   Don't grid yet LOTS do it.   Made me hate 4 wheelers the last time I was out.   I was so angry, I can't share the thoughts I had.   Problem is, folks think "their dog" is ok.    There really is no reason for them out on the winter range. 

You spot a big buck and he is bedded.  Take his photo with the 2x coupler and move on, or go bump him out of his bed because he is likely to shed his antlers when he bounds away.    Same  scenerio, buck has one antler.   Now he might have one laying there and the other one might fall off if I jump him.   Walk away and find both......Next dude comes behind you an hour later and does just that......

Now, take this scenerio and multiply it by everyone in Wenatchee that has been watching a particular hillside or buck from the Wal-Mart parking lot.   Or some popular winter ground in the Methow Valley.   Most of the time its not a casual hiker thats an issue.  Its often times an unemployed dude on the dole from the state driving to every corner of the state griding, griding and griding some more.  I would bet there are several hundred on this site that at least do it almost professionally.    Its rarely a casual effort these days.

It would be no big deal for me to drive 5 hours to go look for one shed.   I did it the other day......Difference being it was moose, there was NO snow on the ground, and I didn't have Fido with me, only my camera.  Was I ok or wrong for what I did?

Now everyone is going to have their own opinion of what harm they do and what they can justify.   I used to justify whitetail was fine, give the muledeer a break.    I would bet there are some on here that can realistically argue that that thinking is wrong. 

I could harass Shad, as I know he didn't drive from Moses Lake to Chelan on a weekday just to drive up a road to find an antler.    He could harass me as he knows I didn't drive all the way up to Colville to sit in my truck either.   

It will all boil down to personal choices.   Glad we have them, but people will always push the limits on what is right.  You have those that will make the pass, and you will have those that take the shot with three defenders hanging off of them........

May 1st is a stupid deadline.  Snakes are out, grass is up and elk should be on their way to their different gorunds by then.  I have witnessed the Game department trying to drive them from the feeding areas with an airplane to disperse them towards the end of April.   I promise a couple hundred shed hunters could do the same.     

[antlerking]

I think some of the concern Pianoman is that some questions turn the spotlight on......like sparking a fire on the range in August.
   
Not that this thread hasn't done that already.   

I'm more referencing the thought of a bunch of folks calling the WDFW and asking or complaining, not necessarily in any reference to anything you have posted.


It is pretty much common sense.   Don't grid yet LOTS do it.   Made me hate 4 wheelers the last time I was out.   I was so angry, I can't share the thoughts I had.   Problem is, folks think "their dog" is ok.    There really is no reason for them out on the winter range. 

You spot a big buck and he is bedded.  Take his photo with the 2x coupler and move on, or go bump him out of his bed because he is likely to shed his antlers when he bounds away.    Same  scenerio, buck has one antler.   Now he might have one laying there and the other one might fall off if I jump him.   Walk away and find both......Next dude comes behind you an hour later and does just that......

Now, take this scenerio and multiply it by everyone in Wenatchee that has been watching a particular hillside or buck from the Wal-Mart parking lot.   Or some popular winter ground in the Methow Valley.   Most of the time its not a casual hiker thats an issue.  Its often times an unemployed dude on the dole from the state driving to every corner of the state griding, griding and griding some more.  I would bet there are several hundred on this site that at least do it almost professionally.    Its rarely a casual effort these days.

It would be no big deal for me to drive 5 hours to go look for one shed.   I did it the other day......Difference being it was moose, there was NO snow on the ground, and I didn't have Fido with me, only my camera.  Was I ok or wrong for what I did?

Now everyone is going to have their own opinion of what harm they do and what they can justify.   I used to justify whitetail was fine, give the muledeer a break.    I would bet there are some on here that can realistically argue that that thinking is wrong. 

I could harass Shad, as I know he didn't drive from Moses Lake to Chelan on a weekday just to drive up a road to find an antler.    He could harass me as he knows I didn't drive all the way up to Colville to sit in my truck either.   

It will all boil down to personal choices.   Glad we have them, but people will always push the limits on what is right.  You have those that will make the pass, and you will have those that take the shot with three defenders hanging off of them........

May 1st is a stupid deadline.  Snakes are out, grass is up and elk should be on their way to their different gorunds by then.  I have witnessed the Game department trying to drive them from the feeding areas with an airplane to disperse them towards the end of April.   I promise a couple hundred shed hunters could do the same.     

Actually I live in North east wenatchee now, and yes I did do just that, I hiked up a main road and then I hiked it back down. I live within 20 minutes of all my fav. shed grounds now.

[Miles]

I think some of the concern Pianoman is that some questions turn the spotlight on......like sparking a fire on the range in August.
   
Not that this thread hasn't done that already.   

I'm more referencing the thought of a bunch of folks calling the WDFW and asking or complaining, not necessarily in any reference to anything you have posted.     

    And all it takes is a couple people that know nothing about shed hunting (like Pianoman) calling and complaining, asking questions, etc... and the state decides to shut everything down.

A couple bad apples, a couple complainers, and everyone gets bent over.

It's the same with fishing/hunting.  A couple idiots go out and do something stupid, then they put regulations in place that takes everyone else's rights away.

[boneaddict]

It's the same with fishing/hunting.  A couple idiots go out and do something stupid, then they put regulations in place that takes everyone else's rights away.

Yep, there should be some Wheelers on here very concerned about what some of their "cohorts" are doing as they are going to get the woods shut down to them.   

Snowmobiling has been shut down in a portion of the Wenas to protect winter range.......This could easily be expanded.

This effects MANY user groups.  Some self policing can go a long ways.   It is often reflected on here as being negative, but some should open their eyes to the big picture to understand why some policing occurs.

[boneaddict]

Actually I live in North east wenatchee now, and yes I did do just that, I hiked up a main road and then I hiked it back down. I live within 20 minutes of all my fav. shed grounds now

Thats cool Shad.   Wenatchee is awesome.   I live like 5 hours from mine....

[MtnMuley]

I think some of the concern Pianoman is that some questions turn the spotlight on......like sparking a fire on the range in August.
   
Not that this thread hasn't done that already.   

I'm more referencing the thought of a bunch of folks calling the WDFW and asking or complaining, not necessarily in any reference to anything you have posted.     

    And all it takes is a couple people that know nothing about shed hunting (like Pianoman) calling and complaining, asking questions, etc... and the state decides to shut everything down.

A couple bad apples, a couple complainers, and everyone gets bent over.

It's the same with fishing/hunting.  A couple idiots go out and do something stupid, then they put regulations in place that takes everyone else's rights away.

 

[MtnMuley]

"I think some of the concern Pianoman is that some questions turn the spotlight on......like sparking a fire on the range in August."

Yet Doug, we know that the DFW is already watching this site. So a thread like this one would certainly be of interest to them, whether it's pointed out or not. If you know they're here anyway, why not use them to glean useful information that will benefit our wildlife?

If we know WDFW is watching this site, they why are there so many people that condone the posting of a controversial pic in the wintering grounds?  Isn't this just adding fuel to the fire to get restrictions put in place?  I, for one, enjoy seeing pics of finds towards the end of the season -- especially antlerking's, as he usually has some prime horns.   I'm as guilty as the rest that have probably pressured deer early on to gather the bone at some point, but surely have the common sense not to start a thread that could jeopardize the future of shed hunting for everybody.

[huntnnw]

How about we get the pics back up

[Miles]

Like I said before, I made no complaints. I didn't say to anyone that someone was running deer and elk around trying to get at the sheds. I asked for some information is all and was hoping to add to the discussion. The state already knows people shed hunt and if there are problems, they already know about them. If you don't think that's true, you're a moron. I haven't told anyone anything. I was only looking to improve knowledge about the activity. Excuse me for that.

It's unbelievable how quick some of you people are to put down a fellow hunter. I've been really careful to ask questions and not point a finger or make accusations. I even told the original poster I thought the sheds were cool and they are. I'm so incredibly disappointed. I was trying to get some information for all of us and it turned into a huge chit fight.

 Something is a little off here, and I just can't put my finger on it.    Have you called up the biologists and the WDFW to learn about how wolves impact wintering deer/elk herds, or are you just concerned about the shed hunters?