Emergency Closure for shed hunting

middlefork · 2023-02-07

Just an FYI https://wildlife.utah.gov/news/utah-wildlife-news/1593-dwr-implements-emergency-statewide-shed-antler-hunting-restrictions-to-protect-big-game.html

6176 Views 152 Replies 26 Participants Last post by MrShane, 3 mo ago

middlefork

Discussion Starter · 4 mo ago

Just an FYI

DWR implements emergency statewide restrictions for shed antler hunting to help protect wintering big game in Utah

The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources announced a statewide emergency closure to "shed hunting" Tuesday in an effort to help wintering big game, particularly deer populations.

wildlife.utah.gov

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taxidermist

· #20 · 4 mo ago

I like what they've done with this closure. Best thing I've seen come from the DWR in a while.

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taxidermist

· #32 · 4 mo ago

Maybe next years Legislature can design a HB to eliminate shed hunting until opening of the LE thunder chicken season. Make outside recreating of any fashion illegal near the foothills. Then, they just as well go for the throat with banning ALL building of any type of structure, domestic or otherwise near, on, or around the foothills. The homes that exist in these locations would be deemed uninhabitable and tore down. The plot it was built on must mimic pre disturbance and the once homeowner would have to pay for it all.

Silly as all hell and I must be going bat chit crasy you say. That scenario would never happen I know. But, that's kind of what needs to happen in reality. STOP DEVELOPING WHERE THE WILDLIFE WINTER!

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taxidermist

· #99 · 4 mo ago (Edited)

Vanilla said:
It's a big deal to those that really love to go out and look for sheds. It takes away something that people usually get to do each year and love doing it. I get it. I also get why they are saying we shouldn't do it for a while. Their job is to protect and manage wildlife, and this is something they can do to do just that.

I'm not going to get into the "why can you walk your dog but I can't pick up a shed" discussion for reasons I already mentioned above that the DWR is limited in what they can regulate. That said, it is entirely inconsistent for the DWR to have this shed closure in place while allowing people to head out on those other activities on lands the DWR can regulate access to. They should be closing those WMAs they control entirely if they are putting in a shed gathering closure. And also that the shed closure spans beyond the spring turkey hunts. Turkey hunters won't impact wildlife, but shed hunters will? And maybe they are trying to preserve the turkey hunts and not have everyone head out all at once during the hunts? But that does feel inconsistent to me.

(Full disclosure - I have never picked up a single shed in my life.)

Vanilla, as you stated, many people are passionate about shed hunting, I agree. You are (or I would assume from post's) are passionate about fly fishing. What if the DWR closed fishing to all fisherpeople when the fish are in the spawn. (I know it's a weird scenario) to boost the survival rate of the eggs being stomped on the redds from fishermen. Please don't take this comment as being aggressive to you! After reading some of the post's, I had to mention the idea as it came into my head.

I believe that the closure was needed and is a good thing. Many decisions are made that seem stupid and unnecessary (like eliminating baiting during the fall bear hunt) to myself and a few others. But, we all should stop and think about the changes being made before puking negative remarks. (like 90% of my post's last tear)

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taxidermist

· #134 · 4 mo ago

Sure is a lot of "what ifs" on this thread, along with an "ethics committee" . I'm sure the shed hunting community consists of a larger populous that the outdoor winter jogger in the woods, or x-country skiers.
The shed hunting season has been closed. Doesn't get any clearer than that.

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taxidermist

· #138 · 4 mo ago

I can still gather sheds on my 200K acres of forest lands though. Government can't regulate what I do on my "farm".

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taxidermist

· #143 · 4 mo ago

Bax* said:
Unrelated but somewhat related:

I recently heard that using mushroom glasses like this Fungeyes Mushroom Hunting Glasses are useful for shed hunting.

anyone else heard this?

It depends on the mushroom, and if you partake of a certain mushroom, prior to the commencement of the hunt. "Far out Man".

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