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

[Huntinaz]

Where has anyone said it should be a “totalitarian” ban? Did you just read the first paragraph of my post?

If you want a specific answer, ask a specific question.

Read the whole thread. And also, this stemmed from another thread where that notions were proposed that “It should be illegal to sell antlers, only hunters should be able to gather sheds while hunting, etc” They’ve appeared in this thread or the other and are opinions being advocated

Spot hunting single posts of a conglomerate is difficult to navigate so I understand how this is getting convoluted. Which is partly why threads devolve into nonsense after awhile. I actually think a real conversation between 6-8 people in real life would be far more productive. But that’s not where we’re at

P.S.
Did you see my posts about how much elk sheds actually weigh?

 

[CorbLand]

Read the whole thread. And also, this stemmed from another thread where that notions were proposed that “It should be illegal to sell antlers, only hunters should be able to gather sheds while hunting, etc” They’ve appeared in this thread or the other and are opinions being advocated

Spot hunting single posts of a conglomerate is difficult to navigate so I understand how this is getting convoluted. Which is partly why threads devolve into nonsense after awhile. I actually think a real conversation between 6-8 people in real life would be far more productive. But that’s not where we’re at

P.S.
Did you see my posts about how much elk sheds actually weigh?

I have read the entire thread and still can’t find a single person that has said that it should be a “totalitarian” ban that you keep saying people have.

I don’t think there is a single person that has said it should be banned.

Yes I did see your post about what an elk antler weighed. Your response did not change the point I was making.

 

[Huntinaz]

.

I have read the entire thread and still can’t find a single person that has said that it should be a “totalitarian” ban that you keep saying people have
I don’t think there is a single person that has said it should be banned.

Ok let’s get on the same page. There have been a number of calls for the ban of sales. Quotes from the first page of the thread:

“I’ll also mimic others on this forum and say selling of antlers should fall under the same restrictions as wild game meat.”

What’s the law on selling game meat? Hard no


“In CA we cannot sell sheds. Honestly I think it’s reasonable that this should be applied in other states. I don’t think wildlife should be commercialized especially if it is having a negative effect.”

“I don’t sell sheds so I don’t care if there’s a ban on selling them or not”

“I think a ban on selling them and also closure of more sensitive wintering grounds is needed”

“ I think a ban on selling antlers and some specific shed seasons would be a more widely accepted solution.”


I consider a ban on the sale of antlers to be totalitarian. I see the implementation of rules directed at the entire country based on immediate needs of specific locations as totalitarian and overreacting

To clarify, points like “I’m not for a total ban but you can’t sell and you can pick them up while you’re hunting” I find to be half totalitarian (banning sales) and half ignorant (the rest of it)

And, as I’ve stated a number of times throughout the thread, I do see utility in something like a shed season to protect critical winter habitat in areas that actually need it, supported by scientific evidence. A nationwide rule on this is overreaching. A National date set is overreaching. My examples on differences between Arizona and Wyoming are meant to highlight this

What else can I clarify? And which parts of this seem unreasonable?

 

[LoggerDan]

How many times do you have to repeat yourself?

 

[Huntinaz]

In CA we cannot sell sheds. Honestly I think it’s reasonable that this should be applied in other states. I don’t think wildlife should be commercialized especially if it is having a negative effect.

How do we feel about hunting shows and guiding?

I also think shed season is a good idea in states affected by winter kill. It should be pushed back far enough to avoid any potential effects on wintering wildlife.

What about states not affected by winter kill? And should these states fall under the sales ban too?

 

[loganwayne]

How do we feel about hunting shows and guiding?

What about states not affected by winter kill? And should these states fall under the sales ban too?

If your going to ban the sale of sheds in one state you should ban in all. Other wise what's keeping someone from going to a state you can't sell in filling a pickup truck or two up and taking it to another state.

Plenty of people did this during the fur boom days. To get the most prime furs during the season and went from state to state

 

[CorbLand]

.

Ok let’s get on the same page. There have been a number of calls for the ban of sales. Quotes from the first page of the thread:

“I’ll also mimic others on this forum and say selling of antlers should fall under the same restrictions as wild game meat.”

What’s the law on selling game meat? Hard no


“In CA we cannot sell sheds. Honestly I think it’s reasonable that this should be applied in other states. I don’t think wildlife should be commercialized especially if it is having a negative effect.”

“I don’t sell sheds so I don’t care if there’s a ban on selling them or not”

“I think a ban on selling them and also closure of more sensitive wintering grounds is needed”

“ I think a ban on selling antlers and some specific shed seasons would be a more widely accepted solution.”


I consider a ban on the sale of antlers to be totalitarian. I see the implementation of rules directed at the entire country based on immediate needs of specific locations as totalitarian and overreacting

To clarify, points like “I’m not for a total ban but you can’t sell and you can pick them up while you’re hunting” I find to be half totalitarian (banning sales) and half ignorant (the rest of it)

And, as I’ve stated a number of times throughout the thread, I do see utility in something like a shed season to protect critical winter habitat in areas that actually need it, supported by scientific evidence. A nationwide rule on this is overreaching. A National date set is overreaching. My examples on differences between Arizona and Wyoming are meant to highlight this

What else can I clarify? And which parts of this seem unreasonable?

The way you made it sound was that you were saying people were calling for a ban on shed hunting or I read it wrong.

A nation wide date would not be possible. The States would be the ones that can set that rule.

The only nation wide rule that could be implemented would be a ban on selling them. It could possibly fall under the Lacey Act.

Like I said, when I comes to a season, generally people say that with the implication that a State would manage the season based on their area.

 

[willfrye027]

How do we feel about hunting shows and guiding?

What about states not affected by winter kill? And should these states fall under the sales ban too?

Hunting shows..mixed feelings. At the end of the day they bought a tag and want to film it. They should (most probably don’t) have a film permit. It’s harder to measure or quantify the negative affect this is having on animals. Maybe it has increased interest in western hunting, but tag number are already set. Shed hunting is basically a free for all at this point with lots of downside for animals and no real upside.

Guiding…fine with it. Never done a guided hunt. I don’t like outfitter quotas and such. Don’t believe in government propping up businesses especially if it requires public land. Again this is regulated by tag numbers and easier to control impact on wildlife.

Shed hunting at current levels leaves too much room for exploitation of wildlife without any benefit to wildlife. I think it needs a little more regulation, unfortunately.

 

[Mykolaivka887]

....... Shed hunting is basically a free for all at this point with lots of downside for animals and no real upside.

Shed hunting at current levels leaves too much room for exploitation of wildlife without any benefit to wildlife. I think it needs a little more regulation ......

Agree, 100%.

 

[taskswap]

Exactly my point. I’m arguing against totalitarian bans on shed hunting and selling antlers

I’m using Arizona as an example of why this widespread totalitarian crap is not cool, because it breaks a lot of arguments for such bans

The original post was specifically about Arizona, but the TITLE of the post was very generic, so we're getting opinions from folks in a lot of different states.

Every state makes its own decisions based on its own priorities, wildlife management goals, herd needs, and so on. Colorado doesn't make Arizona's rules. So far I haven't seen anybody here advocate that Colorado should set rules for Arizona or vice versa so I'm not sure what "widespread totalitarian crap" you mean? Can you elaborate, if you want to refocus just on AZ? Was there a specific example? I re-read the OP and I'm still not clear.

 

[CJohnson]

I consider a ban on the sale of antlers to be totalitarian. I see the implementation of rules directed at the entire country based on immediate needs of specific locations as totalitarian and overreacting

I don't really follow this point. Do you consider the Lacey Act to be totalitarian or necessary to protect a vulnerable resource? How does a ban on the sale of antlers affect a person's ability to get out and shed hunt for all of the reasons you listed in your first post?

As an aside, how bored do you have to be to watch videos of dudes going around and picking up sheds? I didn't even know those existed until reading through this thread and doing some poking around youtube.

As another aside, if shed hunting is this popular, why isn't there a dedicated sub-forum on here talking tips, tactics, gear, best loading methods, glassing spot determinations, what socks to wear based on the relative humidity and moon phase etc.?

 

[TheTone]

Someone mentioned film permits for those making a living on it. My guess is most if not all the shed influencers with lots of sponsors and monetized YouTube pages aren’t getting the film permits they should be if they’re on public land

 

[5MilesBack]

You have inspired me.


You know how much free range, organic elk fertilizer is probably worth?



Perfect for those little apartment vegetable gardens.

I was thinking more like "elkdud necklaces". And when they become really popular, you'd see the states sweep in and regulate it.

 

[5MilesBack]

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

Then the state wildlife agencies should also be targeting those same areas for enforcing current laws of wildlife harassment. I mean if they are going to add regs about shed hunting, they need to be there to enforce those, so might as well enforce the current laws.

 

[realunlucky]

Then the state wildlife agencies should also be targeting those same areas for enforcing current laws of wildlife harassment. I mean if they are going to add regs about shed hunting, they need to be there to enforce those, so might as well enforce the current laws.

Guess since all laws aren't enforced at all times we don't need any and each individual can just be tasked with doing the right thing as they obviously know what that is.

The same principle applies to all legal actions the more charges the more the penalties compound and the likely hood of a conviction increases. More chances of return of the investment of investigation and court action.

 

[Ucsdryder]

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

So you’d have no issue with them banning the commercial sale? Go pick them up, just don’t sell them. What’s the beef?

 

[BRTreedogs]

I've never seen a bigger bunch of Karen's then the anti shed hunters on Rok.

But while we're banning things. I think we need to ban the grazing of any domestic breeds on public land.
It would definitely increase the winter survival of game.

 

[realunlucky]

I've never seen a bigger bunch of Karen's then the anti shed hunters on Rok.

But while we're banning things. I think we need to ban the grazing of any domestic breeds on public land.
It would definitely increase the winter survival of game.

Atlest they pay even if it's not fair market value

Understanding collected data and making behavior adjustments accordingly doesn't make you a Karen or does it?

 

[BRTreedogs]

Atlest they pay even if it's not fair market value

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

I don't have a problem with paying per say.
It would be gathering the info and remembering.

In times past if had a DOT day in WY or UT and thought ohh ill go wonder around a little bit on this beautiful public. Then on the way out was like poop. They require xxx here.

Idk about other states but in Oregon the Antler buyers have to have a license.
And my vote would be for them to collect a tax at your sell then forward that to the state.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Atlest they pay even if it's not fair market value

Understanding collected data and making behavior adjustments accordingly doesn't make you a Karen or does it?

Oregon must also have weak enforcement on grazing.
Because they terrorize the landscape imo