Public and state lands west of Continental Divide off limits to shed antler/horn gathering Jan. 1 – April 30
Shed hunters may start collecting on May 1 at 12 p.m. The closures help protect wintering big game by limiting stress so they can better survive the coldest and snowiest months.
The current shed antler regulation was authorized by the Wyoming Legislature and adopted by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission in 2009 to minimize the increasing disturbance to big game on winter and spring ranges by antler hunters. State lands are also off limits to shed antler or horn gathering, but the regulation excludes the Great Divide Basin. 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 land during the closed season. A violation of this regulation carries the same potential penalties as many other hunting violations. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has many winter range closures in southwest Wyoming and Game and Fish game wardens assist with the protection of these closed winter ranges.
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.
To view a copy of Chapter 61 Collection of Shed Antlers and Horns, please go to: /sites/default/files/content/Final%20Regs/REGULATIONS_CH61.pdf
“We truly commend the shed antler enthusiasts who obey the regulation and wait until May 1 before venturing onto winter ranges to look for antlers,” said Green River Region Wildlife Supervisor Todd Graham. “We will continue to devote the time and effort it takes to protect wintering wildlife. We hope all wildlife observers will continue to minimize activity around big game animals during the winter and early spring periods.”
Anyone with information on a wildlife violation can call their local game warden, the Green River Game and Fish Office at 307-875-3223, or the STOP Poaching Hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847). Violations may also be reported online at the Game and Fish website http://wgfd.wyo.gov
The current shed antler regulation was authorized by the Wyoming Legislature and adopted by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission in 2009 to minimize the increasing disturbance to big game on winter and spring ranges by antler hunters. State lands are also off limits to shed antler or horn gathering, but the regulation excludes the Great Divide Basin. 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 land during the closed season. A violation of this regulation carries the same potential penalties as many other hunting violations. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has many winter range closures in southwest Wyoming and Game and Fish game wardens assist with the protection of these closed winter ranges.
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.
To view a copy of Chapter 61 Collection of Shed Antlers and Horns, please go to: /sites/default/files/content/Final%20Regs/REGULATIONS_CH61.pdf
“We truly commend the shed antler enthusiasts who obey the regulation and wait until May 1 before venturing onto winter ranges to look for antlers,” said Green River Region Wildlife Supervisor Todd Graham. “We will continue to devote the time and effort it takes to protect wintering wildlife. We hope all wildlife observers will continue to minimize activity around big game animals during the winter and early spring periods.”
Anyone with information on a wildlife violation can call their local game warden, the Green River Game and Fish Office at 307-875-3223, or the STOP Poaching Hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP (1-877-943-3847). Violations may also be reported online at the Game and Fish website http://wgfd.wyo.gov
Lucy Diggins Wold, 307-875-3225, ext. 18607
