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Shed Antler Collecting Season Still Closed
Wyoming Game And Fish Department Reminding People That Collecting Shed Anlters/Horns Prohibited In Much Of Western Wyoming Through April 30

Shed Antler Collecting Season Still Closed

Wyoming Game & Fish Department

GREEN RIVER, WY --(AmmoLand.com)- After some Wyoming shed antler gatherers were recently arrested in Pinedale, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is reminding people that the season to collect shed antlers or horns is closed.

Following a series of public meetings held in November 2009, the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission enacted a regulation to establish a season for the collection of shed antlers and horns on public lands west of the Continental Divide.

Under the regulation, shed antler gathering is prohibited on most public lands west of the Continental Divide between Jan. 1 and Apr. 30. Public lands in the Great Divide Basin are excluded from the regulation. Public lands include federal lands and lands owned or administered by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission. The regulation will not affect most winter ranges in Teton County which are already off limits to antler gathering from December through April.

The purpose of the regulation is to minimize harassment or disturbance to big game animals on their winter and spring ranges when animals are most vulnerable to stress, and potentially displace them to less productive habitats. Colorado and Utah already have similar regulations.

Game warden Neil Hymas says that most shed antler gatherers have adhered to the new regulation, and he is pleased to say that the amount of wildlife harassment this winter has been much lower than in previous winters.

“We have investigated a few reports of people ignoring the new regulation and sneaking onto public lands to pick up shed antlers,” Hymas said.

“These violators are cheating legal sportsmen out of an opportunity to pick up shed antlers when the season does open on May 1. Violators that are apprehended will be subject to strict penalties. Most people realize how stressful winter and human disturbance is on our local game herds. We are looking forward to working with legal antler hunters to discourage violations of the new regulation.”

The regulation was developed after legislation (W.S. 23-1-302) passed in 2009 giving 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.

Anyone with information on illegal shed antler or horn collection, or any wildlife violation, can call and report the violation to the Stop Poaching Hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP. Violations may also be reported on-line at /wildlife/enforcement/stoppoaching/submitTip.aspx (contact: Lucy Diggins (307) 875-3223)

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Wyoming State Hunting Championships May 8 in Upton

Wyoming Game & Fish Department

Upton, WY --(AmmoLand.com)- Of all high school state championships – football, golf, soccer, speech/debate, track and field, etc. – none are more “Wyoming” than the state hunting championships.

The Youth Hunter Education Challenge, as its officially called, will be held May 8 in Upton and young hunters do not need to qualify in a regional or district tournament to compete. All Wyoming and South Dakota youth 18 and under who have passed hunter education are eligible to showcase their hunting skills and probably learn a little.

The challenge tests youngsters in sporting clays style trap shooting, .22, muzzleloader and archery marksmanship, wildlife identification, orienteering and hunter safety judgments.

“The challenge is designed to be a fun event for all participants – not just the winners,” said Jim Dawson, the Game and Fish’s hunter education coordinator.

This is the third year the challenge has been hosted by the Upton Gun Club and officially sanctioned by the National Rifle Association. Winners in both age categories – 15-18 and 14 and under – are eligible to advance to the international competition to be held July 26-30 at a top-notch shooting complex near Mansfield, Pa.

In addition to the department and the gun club, the challenge is sponsored by the Wyoming Friends of the NRA and a variety of Wyoming businesses. All participants receive a prize for competing.

In the spirit of interstate cooperation, South Dakota young hunters can also participate in this challenge for the right to represent their state at the international competition.

“Because Upton is close to the border, we’re teaming up with the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks and holding their challenge at the same time,” Dawson said.

He adds that although the youngsters from both states will take part in the same tests, they will not be competing against each other. Winners will be crowned from both states.

To participate, youngsters need to submit copies of their hunter education card, birth certificate, photo and pay a $10 entry fee. Entry forms are available at the Game and Fish Web site and offices and must be submitted by April 30.

For more info, call the Game and Fish’s Jim Dawson or Jeff Obrecht at (307) 777-4600 or Rick Rothleutner of the Upton Gun Club at (307) 281-9980.

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