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

[CorbLand]

I guess everyone has a different take on a pretty penny.


I can get behind doing something that pays your expenses, that's why I trapped. But covering expenses ain't no pretty penny, it's paying for a hobby.

What’s an elk shed weigh? 15-20 pounds? 15 pounds at 14 bucks a pound equals 210 for one shed.

I would call that a pretty penny.

Your talking guys are walking out with 1000-2000 bucks in their pack.

 

[Huntinaz]

Interesting discussion, was wondering if all the opinions were already stated on the other thread. Nope

A lot of this seems very narrow-minded to me. Public land is not just for hunters. Shed hunters and hikers and campers and wood-cutters have just a much right to be out there as anyone else

I feel sorry for the people that think hiking should be relegated to trails. There’s a lot of indoor cats that think they are outdoor cats. Also, who sticks to a trail when scouting?

It’s disappointing to see so many people think their preferred use of public land is the only credible use and others should be banned from using it in other ways. The idea that a man can only leave a trail to hunt or scout is gross

The comparison of selling mushrooms or game meat to selling antlers is not a parallel. The comparison of antlers to elk crap is far more valid. Antlers aren’t alive
The idea of creating rules to protect animals during vulnerable times is far different than the idea of banning the sale of antlers and the difference is stark. And frightening. I’m all about minimizing stress on a species where it actually matters and where they are vulnerable, and I do believe there are aspects of shed hunting where that can and does happen in some areas of some states. So why not address those exact problems instead of going totalitarian on an activity because you have no interest in said activity or think it impacts your preferred activity?

I really take issue with broad, overreaching legislation which impacts everyone to protect a problem perceived by one group, especially when it wipes out a lot of good wholesome opportunity for others. A lot of people in this country think we should ban hunting altogether. Ban firearms. Ban logging. The ultimate minority of the population that has a greater knowledge of these activities and a vested interest in protecting them usually take issue with these calls for banning and for good reason

 

[Huntinaz]

What’s an elk shed weigh? 15-20 pounds? 15 pounds at 14 bucks a pound equals 210 for one shed.

I would call that a pretty penny.

Your talking guys are walking out with 1000-2000 bucks in their pack.

A big shed is 9lbs. The ones pictured in the original thread average about 9lbs each. The average 5+ point elk antler weights 4-7lbs. A 300” bull is about where you start hitting 7lbs. A rag 5 point 3-4lbs

Prices last couple years are more like $14-17/lb for browns

It’s far less lucrative than some here seem to think. It’s fun, and pays for gas and sometimes a little extra for the average Joe. It’s a hobby for almost everyone that does it

 

[Billy Goat]

What’s an elk shed weigh? 15-20 pounds? 15 pounds at 14 bucks a pound equals 210 for one shed.

I would call that a pretty penny.

Your talking guys are walking out with 1000-2000 bucks in their pack.

I'd be curious to see the time put in.


Shame whitetail sheds don't bring that. What those guys are carrying out on their backs is what one shed will cost me in a tire.

 

[Huntinaz]

To my knowledge, the bulk of the end market is China where they make tea and crap out of it and supposedly it gives them better hardons and they use it for a whole bunch of other holistic witchcraft

Lately there is competition from the US market as dog chews

The government makes money on sales tax in the US and no doubt China pays import taxes and Chinese money comes to the U.S.

 

[loganwayne]

Im on the east coast. Deer sheds dont last long here with squirrels chewing them up. If i find one its usually in a pasture or fresh less than a week old. Ive only picked up about a dozen or so here in the mountains in the last 10 years. but find a dozen or so down east every year.
If you limited the amount of people that could sell then I don't think you would see an instant drop in shed hunters. but after a couple years and people start filling up rooms and their garages they still may go out but they will only pick up the cream of the crop.

 

[S.Clancy]

I really think it has little to do with money, more to do with likes.


But maybe guys are bringing in more cash then I think.

It's money.

 

[Huntinaz]

Again, some guys saying “hey Huntinaz what you do looks pretty okay but some guys in my state impact the herd. So ultimately it should all be banned”

Well, I understand that’s no skin off your asses, but it’s skin off mine. And hey I agree, if there are actual animal deaths resulting from shed hunting on critical winter ranges, we should target THAT. But what I do here has nothing to do with what’s happening there, and I will say my mind when I hear calls for keeping me from doing what I love when it’s not bothering your state’s herds at all

And it’s not just my rights I’m worried about. I think the land belongs to us all. We ain’t all gonna agree on how to manage every aspect of it but I’ll speak up for your right to do it so long as conservation of species can be protected

 

[Huntinaz]

It's money.

It’s much much more than that for almost everyone. Everyone I know who does it with any success and spends much time at it all hunt elk, love elk, are well invested in the conservation of the species

 

[S.Clancy]

It’s much much more than that for almost everyone. Everyone I know who does it with any success and spends much time at it all hunt elk, love elk, are well invested in the conservation of the species

Maybe for the people that were doing it 10+ years ago. The recent influx is all $$$

 

[Hnthrdr]

I’ll throw my 2 cents in, make the opener coincide with Turkey opener, it’s logical, most guys can wait till early April, and heck charge a tag fee. Plus with all the aimless walking looking for the 1 Tom in a 15 mile radius it’s nice to be able to pick up a horn and not feel like a total loser every outing…

 

[CorbLand]

I'd be curious to see the time put in.


Shame whitetail sheds don't bring that. What those guys are carrying out on their backs is what one shed will cost me in a tire.

Probably depends on the area but there are people that can pull 10-12 sheds in an eight hour day.

I have no problem with people selling them. But like every thing, when money gets involved, competition follows and people do stupid things.

Let people sell them but there needs to be a season on it. Some states that season could be year round, other states not so much.

I use to think that it would be better to not have a season and just close it when need be but I watched a lot of people have a melt down this year. We had a record breaking winter and people lost their minds that they couldn’t shed hunt.

 

[akcabin]

As a fellow that has taught our Chesapeake to hunt antlers.
I also ask. Where's the beef. Lot of them animals on federal land that compete pretty hard for food stocks for a lot of different animals. Probably somewhere on or in your body. Population grows better grow more cattle.
Lots of indigenous folks that carve waluss n such. Trap otter. Make some beautiful artwork. Maybe in your office now. Trappers have to cruise the bush a lot. Kinda like deer hunters. How about folks that build houses on lakes n rivers that I can no longer use.
The options. How many of us have brought someone new out hunting ! Teach them how to respect the land. But to take an altler home as a memoir. Maybe carve it n sell it.

Like a lot of when folks get riled up concerning issues in life. Now that parts of big weather have given rise to wildlife. I believe that wildlife is great concerning looking after themselves until folks start deciding on what is best for them.
And a kazillion organizations that will jump on a chance to demonize anything that make it harder until everything is illegal. And those folks always looking for ways to make more money for government.

Ya know I'm just a guy. Got married built a home. Raised kids so I worked a lot. Never had enough money but richest man in the world.
I get to live in Alaska like I always wanted. Now that I'm all broken n worn out, just a bit, I kinda like grabbing the grandkids up n taking them out in the woods. If they found a prized antler or jaw bone. Now they can't touch it. Or another prize while out sledding and find chaga.
Hey this is America folks. And now folks want to continue to control my life. And tax me more just because I want to go take our grandkids out to look for antlers. Just to make sure it's do right we have to go through a government process. Jeesh
So like where do you stop ? Personally I do not think that more government is the answer.

 

[CorbLand]

So like where do you stop ? Personally I do not think that more government is the answer.

Neither is thinking people will just do the right thing.

Animals and in this case, sheds, are a public resource and it is the Governments job to regulate public resources.

I am not a fan of making people buy a license or tag to pick up sheds like some have suggested but you have to remember what a license or tag is and why you purchase them. It is not paying the Government to do something, you are paying to take a public resource and privatize it. The Government has been entrusted to manage the resource, which is why they collect. It is literally the best form of "taxation" that can exist. You only pay for what you consume.

 

[realunlucky]

Again, some guys saying “hey Huntinaz what you do looks pretty okay but some guys in my state impact the herd. So ultimately it should all be banned”

Well, I understand that’s no skin off your asses, but it’s skin off mine. And hey I agree, if there are actual animal deaths resulting from shed hunting on critical winter ranges, we should target THAT. But what I do here has nothing to do with what’s happening there, and I will say my mind when I hear calls for keeping me from doing what I love when it’s not bothering your state’s herds at all

And it’s not just my rights I’m worried about. I think the land belongs to us all. We ain’t all gonna agree on how to manage every aspect of it but I’ll speak up for your right to do it so long as conservation of species can be protected

Elk and deer shed where they winter and every single encounter has a impact so rather you admit it or not your causing extra stress on the wintering herd if your entering those areas at the same time as animals are still utilizing them.

 

[Huntinaz]

Elk and deer shed where they winter and every single encounter has a impact so rather you admit it or not your causing extra stress on the wintering herd.

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Seeing a human doesn’t kill an elk. Again, regional differences matter? The number of elk killed by stress from shed hunters in AZ I’d be willing to bet is zero. So the sale of sheds should be banned? Should people be allowed to hike in elk country? Should we not allow predator hunting or spring Turkey hunting in case an elk sees someone? What’s the argument here?

Of course there is “an impact” with an encounter, confused at what I’m not admitting. In most instances the impact is the elk leaves and goes somewhere else and is just fine. There are times and places this may be a bigger deal. I’ve admitted as such and don’t disagree with some rules that target the actual problem, when they are there

 

[realunlucky]

Seeing a human doesn’t kill an elk. Again, regional differences matter? The number of elk killed by stress from shed hunters in AZ I’d be willing to bet is zero. So the sale of sheds should be banned? Should people be allowed to hike in elk country? Should we not allow predator hunting or spring Turkey hunting in case an elk sees someone? What’s the argument here?

Of course there is “an impact” with an encounter, confused at what I’m not admitting. In most instances the impact is the elk leaves and goes somewhere else and is just fine. There are times and places this may be a bigger deal. I’ve admitted as such and don’t disagree with some rules that target the actual problem, when they are there

The argument is shed hunters are specifically targeting wintering areas as that's where sheds are dropped

 

[Mykolaivka887]

Animals and in this case, sheds, are a public resource and it is the Governments job to regulate public resources ....

You are paying to take a public resource ..... The Government has been entrusted to manage the resource ......

Bingo /\ /\ /\ /\

 

[Lawnboi]

I’m getting sick of the pile Iv accumulated. Maybe I should sell them.

 

[Huntinaz]

The argument is shed hunters are specifically targeting wintering areas as that's where sheds are dropped

I don’t think anyone has attempted to refute this? I certainly haven’t