Antler hunting
A successful antler hunter returns from the field on the Bridger Teton National Forest near Jackson. Photo by Mark Gocke, Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
|
Packing antlers
Elk antlers on an antler hunter's horse near Jackson. Photo by Mark Gocke, Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
|
Antlers
Elk antlers stacked for sale at the annual elk antler auction in Jackson. Photo by Mark Gocke, Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
|
|
Antler collecting prohibited January 1 through April 30
by Wyoming Game and Fish Department
March 22, 2012
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 in Wyoming. 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. 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.
Similarly, Wildlife Habitat Management Areas (WHMAs) managed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in the Jackson and Pinedale Regions are closed to human presence December 1 through April 30. For more information on Game & Fish WHMAs, you may visit the website at: http://wgfd.wyo.gov/accessto/whmas.asp
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 displacement to less productive habitats. Colorado and Utah already have similar regulations.
As with any regulation, the department realizes enforcement and public cooperation is key to its effectiveness. Each winter, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department brings in additional game wardens from across the state to increase the enforcement presence on key winter ranges, both to deter the poaching of trophy mule deer during early winter and enforce the antler hunting regulation after animals have shed their antlers.
Anyone witnessing a wildlife violation may call the Stop Poaching hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP. Tips are most helpful when they are reported promptly and include information such as the date, time, location and specific details about the suspected violation. Also important is a physical description of the suspected violator as well as a license plate number and description of any vehicles involved in the incident. Stop Poaching tips can also be reported online at: http://gf.state.wy.us/wildlife/enforcement/stoppoaching/submitTip.aspx. Tips may result in a reward and informants can choose to remain anonymous.
|
