Time to do something!

[bootsie13]

It seems that most of here at Monster Muleys are sick and tired of people that show little regard for animals or the environment while shed hunting. We have got to keep these idiots from taking 4-wheelers and snowmobiles cross country, man I am getting pissed just thinking about it. Why don't we stop talking about what to do and start getting ahold of the fish and game. We need to let them know our concern so perhaps stiffer rules or penalties could be enforced. I know this could result in closures until a later summer date but I don't care I would rather see a healthy deer herd so someday my kids will be able to hunt than find a few antlers on the ground. I love shed hunting if we don't do or say something, in the future we may not even be able to enjoy this past time. Who's with me?

 

[nontypical250]

I am with you 100%. I agree with there needs to be a closure date from all sorts of harassment. I never thought I would say that, but its time. Too many morons on the wintering ranges now.

 

[bigole5]

LAST EDITED ON Mar-06-06 AT 11:05AM (MST)[p]I personally think that some of the more popular winter range should be closed during the most crucial winter months. I also think the fingers should not just be pointed at snowmobiles and four wheelers. I have witnessed trucks, horses and just guys walking doing the same thing. Pressure is pressure when the snow is deep and the temp is low. Now I realize that there are some guys out riding around being lazy and pushing animals around on the winter range. With the increase in hunters and photographers on the winter range the law needs to keep up. The only way to stop it is close it! Not only to motorized but to all human activity. There are some crazy ass horn hunters out there that push pretty hard no matter the conditions or the stress they will put on the animals just to be the 1st one to an area.
I hate more regulations but it may be the only way to keep the world off the winter range. It also don't help everytime someone finds a horn they think they need to post it and fuel the fires of thousands of guys looking at it. Word of mouth and now the internet is the best way to advertise.

Bigole5

 

[Huntemup]

I agree that something needs to be done, but simply closing the areas to human activity won't solve the problem unless it is STRICTLY enforced and monitored daily. I know of some areas in Montana & Wyoming that are "supposed" to be closed to human activity until May 1st...and it's posted. The law-abiding guys, and the guys who care about the well-being of our wintering elk & deer herds stay out. However, when we go up on opening day it's rare to find a fresh shed because all the renegade guys sneak in and pick 'em all up before the opener.

So, unless our BLM, Forest Service, and Game & Fish departments decide to make it a priority to monitor this and hit the bad guys where it hurts then nothing will change except the bad apples will have a hay day! In fact, there's a lot of guys around here who would love it if they closed areas because they would clean up without as much competition!

I think that if these agencies/departments would make it as serious as poaching trophy animals then something good "could" come out of it. If a guy is caught in a closed area shed hunting then they should confiscate his vehicle/4-wheeler/motorcycle/snowmobile, take away their hunting priveledges in a multiple state area, search their homes and take any and all antlers, etc. A little $100-$500 fine won't do anything because those guys will make way more than that when they sell their antlers. They should also empower other antler hunters to do more if they see unlawful things happening out on the wintering ranges. At least use those people as resources and actually follow up on their leads!

So, I believe that unless these regulations are strictly enforced and monitored, the only people who will lose out are the law-abiding shed hunters.

 

[rumple]

I agree, but can anyone tell us what is the best, most productive way, to do something about it?
We can all sit here and b&m and post our opinions but if something is going to really happen, what is the best action to take?

 

[Droptine25]

You said it perfectly Bigole5 I got so sick of it I just quit posting pics I guess the more people that see what we are finding the more idiots that go and try to find them themselves , I do want to thank all the people that would rather wait back ( even when they witness bone hittin the ground) until the animals have moved out of the area to go in and pack it out.
Later,

Foster

 

[MULEYFANATIC]

LAST EDITED ON Mar-06-06 AT 02:12PM (MST)[p]I agree that something needs to be done about those harassing game on the winter ranges, but it is a difficult situation because yes if stricter consequences are set in place people would think twice about harassing wildlife and pushing them on winter ranges, but there are many who use their fourwheelers on designated roads to access their shed hunting areas and dont break the law, and also to completely take the preassure off the winter range is like creating a national park in a sense because you lose the privilage enjoy public lands. Also just think of the kaos that goes on now with people shed hunting at different times based on their schedules. Then think of all of those people taking a week and a half of work to all hunt the opening of shed season it would be worse than opening day of rifle season on a general unit it would be worse on the range to have a giant flood of people than to spread things out a little. I dont like the preassure on the deer and elk anymore than anyone else but we need to be careful of just how far is to far to go as restrictions.

 

[Huntemup]

If your state has a sportsmen group like the Sportsmen for Fish & Wildlife in Wyoming and Utah, you could attend their meetings and bring up your issue with them. They are beginning to have a lot of pull politically.

Also, you could contact your state legislator and review the possibilities.

Once you get that ball rolling, then it's just a matter of educating the public...which might be your best bet anyway.

Be careful what you wish for though...you just might get it! I have to remind myself of that all the time...even when I'm totally frustrated with other people abusing OUR resources.

More regulations on our public lands effects us all...and I don't know about you, but I'm already feeling regulated to death!

As far as people posting pictures on Monster Muleys...this seems like a somewhat exclusive & very open-minded group of guys sharing information (not too much though!)& pictures on the Shed Hunting forum. It's pretty cool that we have this kind of opportunity to share and compare our info. and experiences from all over. Everybody on here seems to have some great ethics and a genuine concern for our wildlife resources as well, so I say post away...just don't post what you don't want others to know about. When other people get on and see our pictures and our ethical dialog, they can see how we lead by example. Would it be worth asking MM to make the Shed Hunting forum totally member oriented, and not allow non-registered users to even access the forum? Hmmmmm...

 

[Dmanmastertracker]

You guys must not live in Washington. Washington has a very intense scrutiny by WDFW on areas to close completely during winter, close to vehicles, horses and bicycles. These are all areas where winter snow is prevalent. There are areas where we have no snow at all in the winter and the deer have no struggle to find browse. WDFW allows ethical shed hunting in these areas as long as wildlife harrassment laws are obeyed "do not cause game to flee, or push them from an area". If those laws are followed I see no problem with horn hunting within the set laws in Washington. I can't speak for other States. Snowmobiles are the only exception here. Out of any foot/ vehicle/ horse/ bicycle traffic in the winter here, we have areas that are used by a huge amount of snomobilers. These areas should be looked at a little more closely, snomobiles can leave a track and cross great spans of habitat, going much further than on foot, skis, etc. and cause game to flee even without shed hunting. If your going to close areas to walk in shed hunting, then you have to close them to recreational snomobile access too, which is now allowed in the National Forest.

 

[basinboy]

I spend about 30hrs a week trying to keep shed horn hunters off of private ground that is fenced posted and has full time security patrol and we catch on average 3 guys a week during shed horn hunting season. These are the ones who are not as sneaky as the guys who come and go that we never see. I am a avid shed hunter myself and understand why people like it so much . I just wish they would respect private property. Just like people have said before they would sneak in and pickup all the horns before the law abiding fellows start. A season would do no good because there is way to much country for a few game cops to watch. Basin Boy