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Time to change Utahs antler gathering laws!

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8.1K views 72 replies 33 participants last post by  10yearquest  
#1 ·
OK,,I've seen enough!

The last few weeks shed hunters EVERYWERE..

WMA units in central Utah pounded, Even on weekdays.
I turn my radio scanner on at home and listen in to all
the stupid stuff being said..

Trucks lined up with spotters hang on the windows waiting for antlers
to fall off,,,,,then race up the hill,, EVERY DAY? I mean really..

Wyoming had to change there antler law because of Utah residents
flocking over there,,,,,,,,maybe that why the crowed down here now?

I hear the Henry's has been a freak'in joke the last few weeks too..

Time to change the law,, No antler gathering PERIOD until May 1st.
 
#3 ·
kill_'em_all said:
im all for it, but all that will do is screw the honest guys. some guys will just see this as an opportunity to find more horns because of the restrictions set in place for everyone else.
+1

The dwr don't have enough people to cover ever where.Plus people will still go hiking and pick up sheds and then ditch them and come back at night and pick them up.The problem is no body turns these sob in for chasing deer,elk and so on.
 
#4 ·
To each his own, I suppose. Everybody is entitled to hobbies and things they like to do, but they need to use some common sense while doing so. I'm not sure that the general public understands the possible problems that result from stressing the deer at this critical time of the year.

What I really don't understand, however, is why people go out of their way to search for dropped antlers in the first place. What exactly do people do with these things once they get them home? It's not exactly like they're trophies from a hunt — they're just discarded bones.
 
#9 ·
Alton said:
Maybe UWC should lobby the DWR to change the dates on shed hunting. I think that would help the deer herds with all those people out there it must be putting undo stress on the deer.
Agree, this would be a challenge, but lets see if UWC would support? If they prove theirselfs on this count me in UWC.

o-|| o-||
 
#10 ·
In all legal reality, I don't see DWR as having any jurisdiction on shed gathering. The only place they would have a play is when wildlife are harassed. But once the antler falls off the deer, it becomes the property of land owner - just like the turds that come out the other end. Unless the antler falls on land owned by DWR, they have no jurisdiction. I'd love to see the shed hunting rules challenged in court because DWR has overstepped their bounds on this one.

Now that said - I'm personally not up with the shed hunting thing. We used to collect them way back before it was such a big deal. What I see now is the inner juju within people to connect with nature in any way they can. In a day when 95% of Utah lives in the big 'ol city, we all have an inner drive to reconnect with the natural world in any way we can. If we can't hunt because we don't have enough points, well, sure enough we'll get out on wheelers and find some antlers. Or take pictures. Or hike around. Or whatever it takes. We all need that connection. If we had that connection other ways, I really don't see that many people out chasing some kind of connection to big game.
 
#12 ·
And while we are at it. Lets do away with cougar pursuit permits. Would you go for that Goofy? ;)
 
#13 ·
pheaz said:
Legal reality then why did the Northern Region use to have a season date?
Good question. In my opinion, they have no jurisdiction to set a date. Setting a season and regulating access on land that belongs to other agencies or private parties I believe is illegal and goes beyond their authority. It is my opinion that they have no legal authority to govern shed gathering in any way. Once the antler drops off the animal, DWR loses any kind of jurisdiction as I see it. It is then part of the landscape and the owner/manager of the land to govern, be it Forest Service, BLM, SITLA, or private land owner. For DWR to assert legal authority over a shed antler is as silly as them asserting authority over tracks, droppings, or winter hair that is shed. I'd like to see it challenged in court for nothing more than to clarify.

Where DWR does have authority is in harassment of wildlife. And while that does occur by shed hunters, it is not absolutely inclusive. In other words, antlers can and do drop regardless of the animal being harassed.
 
#14 ·
pheaz said:
Alton said:
Maybe UWC should lobby the DWR to change the dates on shed hunting. I think that would help the deer herds with all those people out there it must be putting undo stress on the deer.
Agree, this would be a challenge, but lets see if UWC would support? If they prove theirselfs on this count me in UWC.

o-|| o-||
Yep, it is already being considered.

Personally as a die hard shed hunter I agree with a shed season, but enforcement will be tricky.
 
#15 ·
speaking from a turkey hunters point of view -- I think shed hunting should be banned until May 1st. It drives me nuts that I have to take into consideration how many numb-buts on ATVs will be screwing up my turkey hunt because they want to find some sheds...


For those of you that will be out looking for sheds during the month of April: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE have some consideration for those of us that are trying to hunt turkeys!!
 
#16 ·
PBH said:
speaking from a turkey hunters point of view -- I think shed hunting should be banned until May 1st. It drives me nuts that I have to take into consideration how many numb-buts on ATVs will be screwing up my turkey hunt because they want to find some sheds...

For those of you that will be out looking for sheds during the month of April: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE have some consideration for those of us that are trying to hunt turkeys!!
If you want it delayed because of turkey hunting you need it to go to June 1. Not all of us get a LE turkey hunt ya know...
 
#18 ·
I don't get this hobby either, along with a lot of guys. I do hear many similar stories of these numb nuts driving everywhere and sometimes chasing the bucks to encourage them falling off. So, my only concern is how it effects the deer, like Goofy. At the same time, can we really count on the gov to dictate every single principle of common sense? How stupid are these people? Apparently the same stupid people who are working on getting ATV use further restricted while also seriously hurting the deer. Enforcement of existing laws seems like the only obvious answer and that can only happen with help from the public, but with such vague laws it would be very difficult to enforce and prosecute. That is why most DWR policies are so over the top, to simply make enforcement more easily achieved. Too bad common sense is so uncommon, especially among those with mullets, antlers and ATV's!
 
#19 ·
EmptyNet said:
PBH why would atvs mess up your hunt? Do you turkey hunt from the road?
I don't mean this to be offensive, but you must hunt from one, correct? Those who use them regularly don't seem to appreciate just how loud they are; they can be heard from about a mile away, and clearly they don't just stay on the roads. I would guess that many of them are not aware of the turkey seasons and many of them would not even care as many don't appear to care about about the deer; why would they care about a fellow sportsman's hunt??>
 
#20 ·
Part of the problem stems from antlers having a market value. I personally don't sell antlers and have a bit of an opinion on antler markets. I think the prospect of making 3 or 4 hundred bucks from a day of grabbing elk sheds causes some folks to do some fairly unethical things, such as growing a mullet. :mrgreen:
 
G
#22 ·
GaryFish said:
But once the antler falls off the deer, it becomes the property of land owner - just like the turds that come out the other end. Unless the antler falls on land owned by DWR, they have no jurisdiction.
it dont believe thats true. the way we had it explained to us by a sheriff and DWR guy, the horn is property of the state once it hits the dirt. then it becomes property of who ever finds it once it is picked up. thats why trespassing isnt a big deal for shed hunters. if they do get caught all they need to do is pay the trespassing fine and they get to keep the horns they collected on the property. :roll:
 
#23 ·
goofy elk said:
Time to change the law,, No antler gathering PERIOD until May 1st.
I think this makes sense. I said it here last year that shed hunting will become the new general deer season. It's only going to get worse.

The real dilemna here isn't creating a season. I think most will be somewhat ok with that. There will be some challenges but I think by and large it will have the desired effect. The problem in the future will be do we limit the number of folks that can do it each year....goes back to the "pressure" question. If we limit the number of people in given areas do we charge a fee? If we do where does it go?

These will be the tough questions looking into the future.

Oh and I almost forgot...some people challenge whether the DWR even has domain over a shed antler. Another obstacle.
 
#24 ·
Huge29 said:
EmptyNet said:
PBH why would atvs mess up your hunt? Do you turkey hunt from the road?
I don't mean this to be offensive, but you must hunt from one, correct? Those who use them regularly don't seem to appreciate just how loud they are; they can be heard from about a mile away, and clearly they don't just stay on the roads. I would guess that many of them are not aware of the turkey seasons and many of them would not even care as many don't appear to care about about the deer; why would they care about a fellow sportsman's hunt??>
:lol: I can always count on remarks like this from someone. Yes I ride a wheeler and would be willing to bet that PBH does also, but have never "hunted" from a wheeler, and would be willing to bet that PBH hasn't either. You are more than welcome to tag along with me any time I go hunting if you would like, that way you can judge my ethics a little closer if you like Huge29.

Just cause you can hear some motor noise doesn't mean your hunt is messed up, You think wildlife isn't used to hearing a little noise. How do you think any of us get to where we are going, you have to drive or ride to get to where you are going to hike into. Have you ever seen any wildlife get spooked because of a plane or jet flying over? Have you ever hunting in an area that has miles of OHV trails(Piaute, Arapeen, Paunsaugunt the list goes on and on.)?

You assume too much Huge29, I am not easily offended by someone guessing how I hunt.
 
#25 ·
EmptyNet said:
PBH why would atvs mess up your hunt? Do you turkey hunt from the road?
Huge29 said:
...they [ATVs] can be heard from about a mile away, and clearly they don't just stay on the roads. I would guess that many of them are not aware of the turkey seasons and many of them would not even care ...
BINGO. If ATVs would stay on designated open roads and trails, there wouldn't be a problem.

As for where I hunt turkeys: I hunt the turkeys where the turkeys are located. If they are near a road, then yes -- I'll hunt near the road/trail, etc.

All I'm asking is that shed hunters have some consideration of turkey hunters. Be aware that there are other sportsmen in the field pursuing other interests -- something that might be affected by you. You might be on an ATV, or you might be hiking up a cottonwood filled canyon. Just be aware, and show a bit of courtesy.
 
#26 ·
EmptyNet said:
Huge29 said:
EmptyNet said:
PBH why would atvs mess up your hunt? Do you turkey hunt from the road?
I don't mean this to be offensive, but you must hunt from one, correct? Those who use them regularly don't seem to appreciate just how loud they are; they can be heard from about a mile away, and clearly they don't just stay on the roads. I would guess that many of them are not aware of the turkey seasons and many of them would not even care as many don't appear to care about about the deer; why would they care about a fellow sportsman's hunt??>
:lol: I can always count on remarks like this from someone. Yes I ride a wheeler and would be willing to bet that PBH does also, but have never "hunted" from a wheeler, and would be willing to bet that PBH hasn't either.
You assume too much Huge29, I am not easily offended by someone guessing how I hunt.
My only assumption was that YOU owned one and use it to hunt as insinuated by your comment for PBH to get off of the road. Many of those in your group seem to park right at your spot walk 30' and can't believe what a shizzy job the DWR has done since you did not see a single elk/deer all morning, not realizing that you just scared everything away from the noise created by the ATV. That is not unethical. just silly. The other side is those who don't even bother parking them, but ride them everywhere, this group is small, but make an awful mess for the 95% of owners who do use them legally.
May I also assume that for no less than 5 years of your life you had a mullet? :mrgreen:
BTW jahan, the mullet must be on the way back, been doing some people watching in socal and they seem to be evolving from the ugly long hair everywhere AKA AK47 look to the mullet; Darwin was correct.