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For many sections of public lands in western and southern Wyoming, the shed antler and horn hunting collection closure is approaching.

The annual closure for sections of public land, state land, and Wyoming Game and Fish Commission wildlife habitat management areas in Wyoming begins Jan. 1 at midnight, which is meant to protect wintering big game.

A Wyoming Game and Fish Commission regulation prohibits anyone from collecting shed antlers or horns on public land, such as U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands, state lands and Wyoming Game and Fish Commission owned or administered lands west of the Continental Divide, excluding the Great Divide Basin, and some land west of Laramie, from Jan. 1 through 6 a.m. on May 1 of each year. A map of the closure area is available online and the boundaries are detailed within the regulation.

"The annual shed antler and horn collection closure is to minimize the disturbance and stress to big game on winter and spring ranges by antler hunters," said Scott Edberg, Game and Fish deputy chief of wildlife. "It’s very important for the survival of our big game animals that they do not experience undue stress during the winter months."

Collect means to search for, locate, stockpile, or possess shed antlers and horns of big game animals on public land or attempt to search for, locate, stockpile, or possess shed antlers and horns of big game animals on public or state land during the closed season. A violation of this regulation carries the same potential penalties, including fines, forfeiture of seized shed antler and horns, and loss of hunting and fishing privileges, as many other Game and Fish violations.

"Shed antler enthusiasts can help wildlife tremendously by obeying the shed antler and horn hunting regulations and other winter range closures statewide," Edberg said. "All wildlife enthusiasts statewide can help wildlife by giving them space over the winter and early spring."

Additionally, it is illegal to enter the private property of any person to collect antlers or horns without the permission of the owner of the property or person in charge of the property, regardless of the time of the year.

For questions, contact the Laramie, Green River, Pinedale and Jackson regional offices. To report shed antler or horn collection violations call the STOP Poaching Hotline at 1-877-943-3847 (1-877-WGFD-TIP) or text keyword WGFD and message to TIP411 (847-411). Violations may also be reported online at the Game and Fish website.