Post by: Lowedog on January 26, 2011, 03:19:29 PM
Quote
WGFD: ANTLER SEASON IN PLACE
PINEDALE¾ The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is reminding antler hunters there is a season in place which prohibits the gathering of shed antlers from January 1 through April 30 on public lands west of the Continental Divide. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission enacted the regulation following a series of public meetings held in the fall of 2009.
The regulation applies to all federal lands and lands owned or administered by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission. All private and state lands other than Wyoming Game and Fish Commission lands, are excluded from the regulation. In Teton County, many big game winter ranges are already closed to human presence from December 1 through April 30 by regulation of the Bridger Teton National Forest. However, the shed antler regulation would apply to all other federal or public lands not covered under the Forest Service regulation.
The purpose of the shed antler regulation is to minimize harassment or disturbance of big game animals on their winter and spring ranges when animals are most vulnerable to stress and potential displacement to less productive habitats. Colorado and Utah also have similar regulations.
As with any regulation, the department realizes enforcement and public cooperation will be key to its effectiveness. “Like last year, we plan to detail additional game wardens from across the state to increase our presence on key winter ranges,” said Scott Werbelow, Pinedale Game Warden Coordinator for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
“Actually, we have been doing this for years to deter the poaching of trophy mule deer on winter ranges during the months of December and January. We’re just continuing that enforcement presence after the antlers have dropped.”
The regulation was made possible by legislation (W.S. 23-1-302) in the
2009 legislative session that gave the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission authority to regulate and control the collection of shed antlers and horns of big game animals west of the Continental Divide.
~ WGFD ~
Post by: Antlerking on January 26, 2011, 05:31:05 PM
Post by: Antlerking on January 26, 2011, 05:32:10 PM
Post by: Lowedog on January 26, 2011, 05:47:49 PM
Post by: YoterHunter on January 26, 2011, 06:11:06 PM
Post by: HardCorpsHuntr on January 26, 2011, 06:25:41 PM
Some optimistic rules are in the works reference the Mule Deer winter range around here; and it's not a shed season either!
Post by: longrange7mm on January 26, 2011, 06:40:19 PM
Post by: PickNbone on January 26, 2011, 08:09:30 PM
Post by: daydreamn on January 26, 2011, 08:16:03 PM
Post by: Lowedog on January 26, 2011, 08:39:22 PM
Some optimistic rules are in the works reference the Mule Deer winter range around here; and it's not a shed season either!
I hope those get put into place next winter HCH!
That season is just for certain place in WY,
Says on public lands west of the continental divide.
Post by: mkcj on January 26, 2011, 08:45:04 PM
Post by: E-Town Hunter on January 27, 2011, 12:22:02 AM
:DOH:
Post by: longrange7mm on January 27, 2011, 05:11:59 AM
Some optimistic rules are in the works reference the Mule Deer winter range around here; and it's not a shed season either!
I hope those get put into place next winter HCH!That season is just for certain place in WY,Says on public lands west of the continental divide.
Yea thats the area down by Pinedale, Jackson Hole, Dubois, and Star Valley. Everything east of that is far game. If you have ever been to any of the feed grounds down there you would understand, And yes I believe after seeing the feed grounds and winter habitat they have in pinedale and Jackson Hole the money goes torwards wildlife in this situation :twocents:
Post by: Lowedog on January 27, 2011, 07:30:53 AM
I'm just wondering how the WDFW will be able to enforce it? There aren't enough officers in the field as it is during hunting seasons. Like someothers were saying, there will still be plenty of people out and about picking them up and stashing them. It's sad it has to come to that. I can already see it. People will come to fist fights when they see someone out in the field before May 1st. "What are you doing out here", "I'm going on a Nature hike", Ya bull S*** your out picking up antlers! F*** YOU PAL, NO F*** YOU! :boxin:
:DOH:
I think we will see wintering range closed to motorized say like from Jan-1 - Apr-30 before we actually see an all out shut out from shed hunting.
Post by: longrange7mm on January 27, 2011, 07:38:26 AM
I'm just wondering how the WDFW will be able to enforce it? There aren't enough officers in the field as it is during hunting seasons. Like someothers were saying, there will still be plenty of people out and about picking them up and stashing them. It's sad it has to come to that. I can already see it. People will come to fist fights when they see someone out in the field before May 1st. "What are you doing out here", "I'm going on a Nature hike", Ya bull S*** your out picking up antlers! F*** YOU PAL, NO F*** YOU! :boxin:
:DOH:
I think we will see wintering range closed to motorized say like from Jan-1 - Apr-30 before we actually see an all out shut out from shed hunting.
:yeah: I personally think thats a good idea anyway
Post by: bearpaw on January 27, 2011, 08:23:36 AM
Reading this thread did give me an idea, not sure if it's good or not. But tell me what you think.
I see big game winter range as a primary limiting factor to big game numbers in this state. Too many homes whre deer used to winter. There is plenty of summer range.
Suppose there was a shed antler season proposed for any areas within say 2 miles of a feeding station. Then to pick up sheds in those areas there was say a $20 license with all proceeds earmarked to help feed elk or deer. Perhaps if there was a shed antler permit required to pick up sheds anywhere, and that money was earmarked for winter feeding. This would certainly support additional feeding and larger herds. This has been WY's secret to good herds for years.
Just looking for some thoughts?
Post by: 400out on January 27, 2011, 08:28:25 AM
Post by: bearpaw on January 27, 2011, 08:46:49 AM
Post by: groundhog on January 27, 2011, 11:04:41 AM
I think a fee to hunt sheds is a bad idea also. I spend a couple hundred bucks a year on hunting and fishing licenses and tags for myself alone, not counting the kids. I think that should give me the right to hunt and hike on public land without paying a fee if I want to pick up an antler. The ones that have been getting the free ride are the non-hunting and non-fishing users. just my :twocents: