Shed Hunting: Where’s the beef and what’s the best way to manage it?

[willfrye027]

Starting a new thread to minimize the derailment of another

It seems there are strong opinions about shed hunting which I admit is curious to me as an Arizonan. The request for information on antler buyers around Denver sparked a debate and maybe we can discuss it here

It seems there is reasonable concern for the protection from displacement while animals are on critical winter range

There also seems to be unreasonable concern about what the public should be entitled to do with public resources and use public lands, with cries for government oversight, overreach, and all out banning


In Arizona, the business does not impact the herds. Other western states have real winters and some have a problem or a perceived problem with encroachment of winter range when the animals are vulnerable and have passed laws to mitigate this. In these instances it seems reasonable to have some reasonable rules to manage this


My opinion in a nutshell as a starting point is that dropped antlers on public land is a public resource and the public should have access to it, and when done ethically is a wholesome and worthwhile activity for a myriad of reasons. Quite obviously, this activity should not be done in a matter that negatively impacts the herds or comes at a notable expense to the species as conservation of the species is the goal of hunters as a group and the general public interest besides. On the topic of emotion-based, reactionary opposition to a legal activity that one doesn’t participate in and therefore feels the need to condemn it outright for these reasons, well, I don’t think very highly of this line of thought. The example that picking up a shed to put on my mantle is just and picking up an antler and selling it is unjust, seems about as reasonable as someone not liking the color of my truck or the type of beer I drink

I absolutely love shed hunting. It’s a great way to get out in the offseason, to find new habitat and learn travel patterns and scout for hunting spots, to spend time outdoors and stay in shape, and to generally find cool stuff. Everything about it is wholesome and what I listed above is celebrated almost universally unless you add “while I was shed hunting” at the end of the sentence, then some people appear to think that completely derails it

So shall we discuss?

Antlers are freaking cool

Found this set while guiding a deer hunt. I still have them. Ethical or unethical???:

Found this set while shed hunting with my daughter. Still have them too. That okay?:

If I decide I don’t want them anymore for whatever reason, unethical to sell them then?

I love shed hunting as much as the next guy. I think we as a group might need to embrace some restrictions for the benefit of the animals we love to hunt.

 

[Olympics777]

Not directing this toward anybody in general, but the whole “what’s the difference between hikers and shed hunters” is so dumb. How many shed hunters are walking down hiking marked trails? Not any that want to find sheds! Most shed hunters are hunting sheds in places that elk and deer are living, which is RARELY next to a trail. When I shed hunt, I’m bushwhacking south facing slopes, getting away from trails, glassing for animals then going to those animals. Not a lot of leaf lickers are doing that, actually none.

That’s fair. I’d imagine it depends on where you live, around my spots there is a lot of winter sports activities like snowmobiling, cross country skiing, etc. the critters are used to seeing people. I don’t always hike on trail either. Also, yesterday, for example, I was bear hunting. I didn’t see any sheds, but say I had, what’s the harm in picking it up? I’m already out doing an activity that fish and game approves of. Any animals that I’m disturbing are not being disturbed because of shed hunting.

 

[sacklunch]

Needs a lottery/tag system for days..buy/draw single/2-day tags. Make it $$ to disincentivize those doing it to turn a profit at the expense of wildlife. Think about the pressure/stress even one guy puts on a herd averaging a few hundred sheds per season when most "pros" will say they average maybe 10-15 miles per shed.

Use the money to help manage those same resources.

most folks don't have issue with you picking up a set or two a year, and its a great way for the average person to get out after a long winter, often with family or friends and enjoy the outdoors. Although you do a nice job playing the victim, I don't think most folks criticisms of shed hunting are mostly aimed at folks like you. But just like everything else, folks have to take advantage of a good thing and ruin it for the rest of us.

 

[Ucsdryder]

That’s fair. I’d imagine it depends on where you live, around my spots there is a lot of winter sports activities like snowmobiling, cross country skiing, etc. the critters are used to seeing people. I don’t always hike on trail either. Also, yesterday, for example, I was bear hunting. I didn’t see any sheds, but say I had, what’s the harm in picking it up? I’m already out doing an activity that fish and game approves of. Any animals that I’m disturbing are not being disturbed because of shed hunting.

I think the problem with your bear example is that there’s NOTHING wrong with it. It’s like speeding. You’re on a freeway at 2am, all alone and it’s a 5 miles stretch, straight as an arrows, 3 lanes and not a car around. What’s the problem with doing 80mph instead of 55? Absolutely nothing!

The reality though is there are too many effing people now. Too many hunters, too many shed hunters, etc. let’s face it, the VAST majority of laws are made for the 10% that mess it up for the rest of us! It’s a sad reality. Just like my example of the idiot chasing a moose with his drone.

 

[Ucsdryder]

I love shed hunting as much as the next guy. I think we as a group might need to embrace some restrictions for the benefit of the animals we love to hunt.

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Love those chocolate antlers. I see oak behind it. Any chance those are monster black tails?

 

[Olympics777]

I think the problem with your bear example is that there’s NOTHING wrong with it. It’s like speeding. You’re on a freeway at 2am, all alone and it’s a 5 miles stretch, straight as an arrows, 3 lanes and not a car around. What’s the problem with doing 80mph instead of 55? Absolutely nothing!

The reality though is there are too many effing people now. Too many hunters, too many shed hunters, etc. let’s face it, the VAST majority of laws are made for the 10% that mess it up for the rest of us! It’s a sad reality. Just like my example of the idiot chasing a moose with his drone.

I agree, there is too many hunters. I just don’t see banning people from going in the woods in winter time as a solution(especially in Idaho, good luck with that).

 

[Olympics777]

I love shed hunting as much as the next guy. I think we as a group might need to embrace some restrictions for the benefit of the animals we love to hunt.

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Nice antlers Hopefully you can find their original owners in the fall.

 

[Ucsdryder]

I agree, there is too many hunters. I just don’t see banning people from going in the woods in winter time as a solution(especially in Idaho, good luck with that).

Yeah I don’t think banning people from being outdoors is a good idea. I think it’s a terrible idea! But I don’t think restricting shed hunting is!

 

[Olympics777]

Yeah I don’t think banning people from being outdoors is a good idea. I think it’s a terrible idea! But I don’t think restricting shed hunting is!

Yeah, my original issue was with the gentleman above saying that winter activities should not be allowed. Unless I am misunderstanding him.

 

[MTN Humper]

What else is concentrated with elk, deer and antelope on the winter range? Predators. Wolves, coyotes, bobcats, cougars etc. In some places it makes predator control much much easier with them concentrated in a smaller area.

So if there is a shed season I can’t pick up an antler I find while predator hunting or trapping? If the range is closed altogether then I can’t hunt and trap predators at the time they are the most concentrated and vulnerable and can do the most good?

There is much more to think about than just shutting down areas thinking you’re saving all the ungulates. Predator control is extremely important and is many times the most effective at the same winter ranges. What difference will it truly make if I pick up a shed antler at the same time I am killing coyotes? Shut the area down no one can can go after predators either. How does that help the herds?

 

[sacklunch]

What else is concentrated with elk, deer and antelope on the winter range? Predators. Wolves, coyotes, bobcats, cougars etc. In some places it makes predator control much much easier with them concentrated in a smaller area.

So if there is a shed season I can’t pick up an antler I find while predator hunting or trapping? If the range is closed altogether then I can’t hunt and trap predators at the time they are the most concentrated and vulnerable and can do the most good?

There is much more to think about than just shutting down areas thinking you’re saving all the ungulates. Predator control is extremely important and is many times the most effective at the same winter ranges. What difference will it truly make if I pick up a shed antler at the same time I am killing coyotes? Shut the area down no one can can go after predators either. How does that help the herds?

Sure you can...buy a shed tag (limited in number/days designed to reduce overall pressure) the same you do for pred hunting.

Maybe we can get Randy and the Influencers on board and they can help ruin the shed draw odds like they have with big game.

 

[Rich M]

Whenever $ and “prestige” is tied into something it quickly becomes abused an unmanagable. Way too much entitlement out there by folks who dont own any land but want to control “public land”.

States could sell a license and tags for say 10 antlers.

Be funny to read responses to this. I think finding them is neat but i dont go look for em and could care less but folks whine and cry over them, so regulation is necessary cause of the whiners.

Are there official shed hunting gear and boots? The elite clothing places should take note. Folks will buy it..,

 

[willfrye027]

Love those chocolate antlers. I see oak behind it. Any chance those are monster black tails?

They would be considered California mule deer in this area. We actually have a great age class around here, some deer probably dying of old age despite almost 10,000 tags. They seem to behave more like a migratory blacktail and hang out in the thick and nasty country until the rut. Tough to kill a good one but they’re easy to find in the rut of course!

 

[Eastfork]

I love shed hunting as much as the next guy. I think we as a group might need to embrace some restrictions for the benefit of the animals we love to hunt.

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i love the browns!! blacktails?

 

[willfrye027]

Yeah, my original issue was with the gentleman above saying that winter activities should not be allowed. Unless I am misunderstanding him.

I would like no entry into some specific critical areas, during a limited time frame. There’s already wildlife areas in Wyoming that do this. Doesn’t have to be the whole winter range. With GPS collar data should be pretty easy to map out where to focus. Totally understand that would rub a lot of guys the wrong way but I’d still like to see it in some places.

 

[Olympics777]

Sure you can...buy a shed tag (limited in number/days designed to reduce overall pressure) the same you do for pred hunting.

Maybe we can get Randy and the Influencers on board and they can help ruin the shed draw odds like they have with big game.

I think we need to convince the people over at Instagram that shed hunting hurts the deer and elk and they need to ban photos of sheds

 

[MTN Humper]

Sure you can...buy a shed tag (limited in number/days designed to reduce overall pressure) the same you do for pred hunting.

Maybe we can get Randy and the Influencers on board and they can help ruin the shed draw odds like they have with big game.

A “shed tag” would do nothing to reduce overall pressure. I would still be out there hunting predators at the same time, same place. I just wouldn’t pick up the shed.

 

[sacklunch]

A “shed tag” would do nothing to reduce overall pressure. I would still be out there hunting predators at the same time, same place. I just wouldn’t pick up the shed.

Again dude, not everything is about you, as much as you'd like it to be. It's about the folks out for 2 months straight every spring, running those herds ragged.

you are also fundamentally incorrect to assume that a shed tag/quota would do nothing to limit overall pressure. Most "shed hunters" are not out primarily doing other activities (pred hunting, xc skiing, hiking, etc) they are out to primarily hunt sheds. It's illogical to imply that a tag/quota on that woukd not reduce pressure. Same as a big game unit going limited entry.

Let's all play the victim though, that's what the internet's for, right

 

[Raghornkiller]

Would we set up a preference or bonus point system for antler tags? Would Go Hunt and Huntin Fool have draw odds and application strategies? Honestly I dont care, I dont even pick them up while hunting anymore.I have more antlers than I know what to do with and I find the shed hunting craze slightly amusing.I'd rather get my work done this time of year and spend more time in the woods with a tag in my pocket.

 

[LoggerDan]

Shed Hunters=losers


you know who I’m talking about