License to Shed Hunt

[Jauwater]

The direct problem here is that shed hunters go to exactly where the elk are during the Spring. All of the other activities have pressure effects as well, both direct and indirect, but shed hunters are going in as soon as the snow has receded enough that they can hike. By that time, Backcountry skiing is mostly relegated to couloirs and alpine peaks. Snowmobile season is pretty much over as the snow has gotten patchy. Prime wintering grounds for these activities? Not so much. It’s generally considered “mud season” and is not a desirable time for Mtn biking, backpacking etc. there are pressure effects, but during this shed hunting “season”, shed hunting likely has the single greatest impact on elk. Wintering grounds that were closed to human access were just opened up and the pressure is sudden and dramatic. There are also people who do this illicitly and enter closed wintering grounds prematurely.

I don’t presume to have all of the answers but I do know that shed hunting has a significant impact.

I hear ya, and I can understand how it's a problem. As far as the activities mentioned I'm really just talking about how I feel it could go if that door was opened. I'm sure it'll eventually happen, shed licensing.

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[S.Clancy]

I am not particularly in favor of or against a license to look for sheds. But, what exactly would a license to shed hunt accomplish? I’m going out on a limb and guess that any potential shed hunting license in Montana would likely cost less than a resident elk tag, $20. Would this cost really stop people from looking for sheds and possibly harassing wildlife? I doubt it.

I do spend a significant amount of the spring looking for sheds, and I would have no problem with a minor fee. IF, the fee funds were allocated in an appropriate way, and not squandered. Like say, helping inforce regulations on motorized use in high profile wintering grounds where people often look for sheds. Every year there are snowmobile, four-wheeler or dirtbike tracks in a non-motorized zone I look for sheds. I have called the Forest Service ranger station several times and it doesn’t seem like there is a whole lot they can do without witnessing the act.. If the fee went to the conservation of the wintering grounds I’d be all for it. If the license is just another fee for FWP to give people, I am against it.

Not to go off on a tangent, but it is laughable than come the beginning of March Montana FWP will start releasing PSA’s about how people should not disturb wildlife in wintering grounds while looking for sheds, even though many districts allow an asinine shoulder season through February 15. I guess shooting at cows in chest deep snow all winter is not harassing, but somehow walking where the elk walked a day prior is?

Don't even get me started on the shoulder seasons. What a joke.

 

[BuzzH]

I am not particularly in favor of or against a license to look for sheds. But, what exactly would a license to shed hunt accomplish? I’m going out on a limb and guess that any potential shed hunting license in Montana would likely cost less than a resident elk tag, $20. Would this cost really stop people from looking for sheds and possibly harassing wildlife? I doubt it.

I do spend a significant amount of the spring looking for sheds, and I would have no problem with a minor fee. IF, the fee funds were allocated in an appropriate way, and not squandered. Like say, helping inforce regulations on motorized use in high profile wintering grounds where people often look for sheds. Every year there are snowmobile, four-wheeler or dirtbike tracks in a non-motorized zone I look for sheds. I have called the Forest Service ranger station several times and it doesn’t seem like there is a whole lot they can do without witnessing the act.. If the fee went to the conservation of the wintering grounds I’d be all for it. If the license is just another fee for FWP to give people, I am against it.

Not to go off on a tangent, but it is laughable than come the beginning of March Montana FWP will start releasing PSA’s about how people should not disturb wildlife in wintering grounds while looking for sheds, even though many districts allow an asinine shoulder season through February 15. I guess shooting at cows in chest deep snow all winter is not harassing, but somehow walking where the elk walked a day prior is?

Great post. We are going through this same thing in Wyoming right now. Some proposed regulations would make it illegal to pick up a shed antler if the cow elk you just shot in January literally landed on one.

Makes no sense.

IMO, even though its much more complicated, it would be better to make all human activity off limits in the most critical winter range areas. This would require a change in land management via the BLM, FS, State or a combo of all depending on ownership patterns.

Seems ridiculous to completely limit shed hunters while continuing to allow late big-game hunts, small game hunting, predator hunting, bird watching, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, lion hunting, bird watching, photography, dog walking, hiking, yada yada yada...

Plus, IMO/E wintering big-game seem to understand and tolerate a fair bit of human activity that time of year compared to say, the middle of hunting season. As such, I think moderate human activity, along with giving big-game reasonable distance during critical times, we can still have the best of both worlds.

 

[TREE ‘EM]

I’ve heard a lot of speculation, conjunction and theories about the shed hunting stressing animals, but have not seen no studies and hard evidence to back it up.
With all the human footprints I’ve seen in the snow you think I would’ve come across dozens of stress killed animals every year. I can’t honestly claim that that has been the case anywhere I’ve been.

All wildlife is monetized from every angle from hunting licenses, to guided hunts, to fines for illegal taking of wildlife etc. Nothing new about that.
To a certain extent I agree with not allowing the sale of meat or antlers from animals killed while hunting. That said, I can find no plausible reason to object to the sale of scavenged, renewable resource shed antlers.

I’m sure there are some people who are only in it for the money, no different then fur trapping and hunting, but I believe the vast majority partake of those sports for the enjoyment and the money is just a small bonus to offset costs.

From a personal perspective , my fur trapping/hunting and shed collecting ventures throughout the year gross an average of $8,000-$12,000 annually. Overhead probably takes about half of that, sometimes significantly more than half. Let’s just say I ain’t in it for the money. If I didn’t have a decent job I wouldn’t be able to afford to make money shed hunting.

 

[realunlucky]

I’ve heard a lot of speculation, conjunction and theories about the shed hunting stressing animals, but have not seen no studies and hard evidence to back it up.
With all the human footprints I’ve seen in the snow you think I would’ve come across dozens of stress killed animals every year. I can’t honestly claim that that has been the case anywhere I’ve been.

All wildlife is monetized from every angle from hunting licenses, to guided hunts, to fines for illegal taking of wildlife etc. Nothing new about that.
To a certain extent I agree with not allowing the sale of meat or antlers from animals killed while hunting. That said, I can find no plausible reason to object to the sale of scavenged, renewable resource shed antlers.

I’m sure there are some people who are only in it for the money, no different then fur trapping and hunting, but I believe the vast majority partake of those sports for the enjoyment and the money is just a small bonus to offset costs.

From a personal perspective , my fur trapping/hunting and shed collecting ventures throughout the year gross an average of $8,000-$12,000 annually. Overhead probably takes about half of that, sometimes significantly more than half. Let’s just say I ain’t in it for the money. If I didn’t have a decent job I wouldn’t be able to afford to make money shed hunting.

I'm ready where is your research that shed hunting has no impact? Oh so it's just speculation on your part.
Would it matter anyway? Would you stop or just say hell the other guys are doing it anyways so what's one more guy beside I'm doing it the right way so there no impact.

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[realunlucky]

Is there one down side to waiting until later in spring? Why not error on the side of caution. Not like the antlers are going anywhere else.

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[TREE ‘EM]

I'm ready where is your research that shed hunting has no impact? Oh so it's just speculation on your part.
Would it matter anyway? Would you stop or just say hell the other guys are doing it anyways so what's one more guy beside I'm doing it the right way so there no impact.

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To reiterate, no studies have been done to either approve or dispel the stress theory speculation that gets thrown around here. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that animals are not dying from stress induced by shed collecting.

I’m no hypocrite and if the data proves me wrong, I’ll gladly acknowledge it. During nearly 4 decades in the ADC field I’ve conducted several environmental/wildlife impact studies and assisted on numerous others. As a general rule you don’t find nature contradicting anecdotal evidence with hard evidence in the opposite.

 

[Poser]

To reiterate, no studies have been done to either approve or dispel the stress theory speculation that gets thrown around here. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that animals are not dying from stress induced by shed collecting.

I’m no hypocrite and if the data proves me wrong, I’ll gladly acknowledge it. During nearly 4 decades in the ADC field I’ve conducted several environmental/wildlife impact studies and assisted on numerous others. As a general rule you don’t find nature contradicting anecdotal evidence with hard evidence in the opposite.

Recent collar studies near Vail suggest that hiking in elk habitat has a significant effect on elk during calving season. A cow and calf who have 10 human encounters during calving season results in a 100% mortality rate for the calves.
Since shed hunting is fundamentally hiking and since hiking effects elk, shed hunt impacts elk. The only work around here is a matter of stating that studies on hiking don’t apply to shed hunting since there have been so direct studies on shed hunting.

 

[realunlucky]

To reiterate, no studies have been done to either approve or dispel the stress theory speculation that gets thrown around here. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that animals are not dying from stress induced by shed collecting.

I’m no hypocrite and if the data proves me wrong, I’ll gladly acknowledge it. During nearly 4 decades in the ADC field I’ve conducted several environmental/wildlife impact studies and assisted on numerous others. As a general rule you don’t find nature contradicting anecdotal evidence with hard evidence in the opposite.

Sorry I thought it was pretty accepted across the board that during hash winters that mother's don't carry full term due to stress. This in turn helps them survive themselves.

Is there a single down side for the wildlife to waiting until later in spring to pick up a shed?

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[Poser]

Is there one down side to waiting until later in spring? Why not error on the side of caution. Not like the antlers are going anywhere else.

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Around here, wintering grounds generally open up on April 15, though that can be delayed in a big snow year. That seems to be right around the time that elk vacate the Local wintering grounds and start moving back up to higher elevations. I’d could give 2 ***** about sheds myself. I don’t want to carry them around and I really don’t have anything to do with them except take up more space in the house. That being said, I have yet to come across a single elk shed in the spring as the rabid “shed hunters” treat shed season like Black Friday and will pick entire areas clean in a weekend.

 

[Huckleberry Hound]

Ridiculous. Even aside from the license fee, the season thing is a joke. So the idea is to keep people from disturbing animals in the winter, i get that. But say shed hunting is closed until april or whatever... well guess what, im in the deer and moose wintering range when theyre dropping antlers, and i will be even if shed hunting isnt allowed at that time. What better place and time to hunt predators? Id be out calling cats regardless, but if i pick up a moose paddle in the process, now im hurting the wildlife? But if i leave it there and wait a few months until its chewed up im not? Screw that. Cant believe so many guys want big daddy government to keep regulating us to death, putting more and more restrictions on our outdoor recreation. In the mean time cross country ski and snowshoers can go tromping around disturbing wildlife on winter range no problem, but dont you dare pick up a piece of bone. What a joke. If im in the woods predator hunting or doing whatever im doing, no "closed shed season" would stop me from picking up an antler, thats just absurd.

 

[WyoHnt300]

Maybe the solution isn't a new license but rather the requirement of an existing revenue source. Whether it is shed hunting, backpacking or a late season bull tag that draws you into or onto our public lands to enjoy nature, wouldn't requiring the purchase of a conservation stamp in that state satisfy a lot of these questions?
Just my 2 pennies.

 

[zach14]

There has been a lot of good comments on both sides of the coin here. I have seen the insanity first hand and if you think there are not people out there tracking the animals on a daily basis waiting for them to shed and then swooping in the second that antler hits the ground you are naive. It truly is a problem and the animals are consistently pushed around in the spring, when they are at their weakest point all for a pile of bone. I don't know what the best solution is, but to say it is not a problem is just plain ignorant. Also, other recreational activities going on at that time of year do not put the same pressure on the animals as they are not specifically targeted.

 

[Huckleberry Hound]

Is there one down side to waiting until later in spring? Why not error on the side of caution. Not like the antlers are going anywhere else.

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They get bleached out and chewed to shit by rodents.

 

[Poser]

Ridiculous. Even aside from the license fee, the season thing is a joke. So the idea is to keep people from disturbing animals in the winter, i get that. But say shed hunting is closed until april or whatever... well guess what, im in the deer and moose wintering range when theyre dropping antlers, and i will be even if shed hunting isnt allowed at that time. What better place and time to hunt predators? Id be out calling cats regardless, but if i pick up a moose paddle in the process, now im hurting the wildlife? But if i leave it there and wait a few months until its chewed up im not? Screw that. Cant believe so many guys want big daddy government to keep regulating us to death, putting more and more restrictions on our outdoor recreation. In the mean time cross country ski and snowshoers can go tromping around disturbing wildlife on winter range no problem, but dont you dare pick up a piece of bone. What a joke. If im in the woods predator hunting or doing whatever im doing, no "closed shed season" would stop me from picking up an antler, thats just absurd.

Way to oversimplify the problem. The problem is not the act of picking up antlers, it’s the sheer amount of people who are obsessed with collecting antlers, track herds to collect them the moment they hit the ground, move in tight on them, sometimes purposely bumping the herd to get elk out of the way so they can collect the antlers on the ground. There is going to be a certain amount of indirect pressure in areas that are not closed, but what we are talking here is direct pressure.

 

[zog]

I don't see the difference between shed hunting and going for a nature hike. If you want to give more money to the state, how about a license to hike?

We've already paid for the public lands. If you are bent on giving the state more money to waste, why not skip the hassle of license and just donate?

 

[Huckleberry Hound]

Way to oversimplify the problem. The problem is not the act of picking up antlers, it’s the sheer amount of people who are obsessed with collecting antlers, track herds to collect them the moment they hit the ground, move in tight on them, sometimes purposely bumping the herd to get elk out of the way so they can collect the antlers on the ground. There is going to be a certain amount of indirect pressure in areas that are not closed, but what we are talking here is direct pressure.

Oh, i oversimplified? Well how about i more properly simplify. In areas that are known major elk wintering ranges where they are more vulnerable and subject to harrassment by shed hunters, close those areas during those times, keep people out, address the problem in the areas where the problem exists, rather than have a blanket season and license that covers entire states in areas where there is not the problem that occurs in specific areas. Most states already have some variety of wildlife harassment laws. Start enforcing those.

 

[TREE ‘EM]

Recent collar studies near Vail suggest that hiking in elk habitat has a significant effect on elk during calving season. A cow and calf who have 10 human encounters during calving season results in a 100% mortality rate for the calves.
Since shed hunting is fundamentally hiking and since hiking effects elk, shed hunt impacts elk. The only work around here is a matter of stating that studies on hiking don’t apply to shed hunting since there have been so direct studies on shed hunting.

Please post a link to the study.
I along with others would like to read it.

 

[Poser]

Oh, i oversimplified? Well how about i more properly simplify. In areas that are known major elk wintering ranges where they are more vulnerable and subject to harrassment by shed hunters, close those areas during those times, keep people out, address the problem in the areas where the problem exists, rather than have a blanket season and license that covers entire states in areas where there is not the problem that occurs in specific areas. Most states already have some variety of wildlife harassment laws. Start enforcing those.

I agree and proposed exactly that as an alternative to licenses earlier in this thread.

 

[Poser]

Please post a link to the study.
I along with others would like to read it.

Links to this study has been posted and discussed extensively on Rokslide recently so I assumed it was a known topic. Here is a link:

Hiking trails are a path to destruction for Colorado elk - High Country News

Recreationalists in Vail are having a devastating impact on the local herd.

www.hcn.org