Shed Hunting Season in Utah

[Daxter]

I have been to some meetings lately where there has been more and more talk of creating a shed hunting season in Utah that would not open until early/mid May. There was also talk about requiring a shed hunting stamp to pick up antlers that would cost a few dollars and would only be good during the season dates. I have mixed feelings about a shed hunting season or stamp. I wondered what you guys think. If you don't think it is a good idea, what other options could a state consider to reduce pressure on animals during the winter and early spring? Thanks.

Dax

 

[Torch]

I have mixed emotions about a shed hunting season. I used to be able to wait until later in the spring to pick up sheds and I would find plenty. Now I find myself going early because of the competition. Now If I wait until April, the sheds are few and far between.

With that being said. I used to think a shed hunting season was a good idea, but now I'm not so sure. We are already regulated to death and I don't think we need anymore laws that are hard to enforce. What would the penalties be? How are they going to prove that any sheds were picked up prior to the season? Who is going to enforce the law? I always see officers when I go to other states, but I never see them in Utah!

I also think a shed hunting season would be another law that could tempt regular law abiding citizens to break the law. Honestly, how many people do you think would leave an antler they just watched shed or stumbled across from a 180+ buck or a 360+ bull? I don't think too many people would leave it waiting for the season to start even though they would normally be regular law abiding citizens. Especially if they just got slapped on the hand for picking it up. What would be next? A season for taking pictures of wildlife where law abiding citizens may be tempted to break the law?

I think winter range closures for motorized vehicles on public land are a better solution than a season. Although it's not perfect and people will still ignore the closures and drive all over it has seemed to work fairly well in other states. I wouldn't have a problem having to buy a stamp for a few dollars to help the DWR generate more revenue, but I don't think a season is the best solution to the problem. Then the 1 or 2% that break the law will just clean house while the rest of us wait to go pick-up what is left over. Just my 2 cents.

 

[shedhunter777]

Personally I think that a season for shed hunting is way out of the question. I mean seriously people! A shed hunter is more than likely a sportsman... a hunter, a fisher, an outdoor enthusiast. a sportsman is someone who respects wildlife and doesn't run after them screaming, just praying that the buck or bull they are chasing will drop it's antlers. These types of people are the ones that put "pressure" on the animals. excuse the language but people need to pull there heads out of there ass. I have hunted horn for the most part of my life and if there ever was a bad idea, this is one! if they want to send law enforcement out to check people for shed hunting tags or to see if anyone is out looking around for antlers, they should bag that idea and send more rangers out to catch the people that are pushing the animals in hope for a shed. it is not difficult to spot a shed and then head in after it once the animals are a reasonable distance away. Also you can hunt an area that the deer/elk have been in but aren't in at that moment. Really it is just common sense and decency. It just boils down to respect people... RESPECT. I do not mind paying a fee for a tag or anythng like that but when it comes to waiting untill May thats where i get a little pissed off. You know it's always a few assholes that ruin the fun for everyone. If you pressure an animal it may not be around next year... so be a sportsman be respectful towards our animals and presurve this great sport for our children. Thanks

 

[AndymanSavage]

I agree with the post above, instead of putting all of the effort into creating a whole new system, get out in late winter and ticket the jerks who are causing the problems. If they can't even do this, how do they expect to enforce a whole new season? Of course, there is more $$ involved in new lisences so it will probably go that way even if they can't enforce it.

Andy