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DRHORNHUNTER
Guest
I just found out the rat race in Jackson is postponed til may 16th due to snow depth
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bucklover
Guest
If you are serious, please tell us where you found the info. I'd love to spread the word.
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elkrazy01
Guest
i couldn't believe it but its true. here's the link. http://www.fws.gov/nationalelkrefuge/ a lot of people won't figure out and will get pissed when they show up i'm sure.
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bigbone
Guest
SSHHH....Just tell you closest buddies. How would it be to show up the 16th and only have to race 200 horses instead of 800.
Delete post!
^BIGBONE^
Delete post!
^BIGBONE^
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DRHORNHUNTER
Guest
I thought the word out would keep 1000s of crazy shed hunters from driving clear up there and being bored enough that some might sneek in early??? Hopefully they don/t go up and just head over to others areas and pound it to hard
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bucklover
Guest
I wish they would close the whole state down. Weather forcast calls for nothing but snow clear into the first of May.
chewyman55
Active Member
- Messages
- 843
Bucklover...my thoughts exactly. Most years May 1st seems like its soooo late but this go around, it feels too dang early. Most critters are in the same exact spot they were months ago...and looking pretty ragged.
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B_BOP_A_LU_LU
Guest
I just found out this all started on a RUMOR!
Also heard the Link is a FAKE!
!
For GAWDS Sakes Guys,We Got Kids on this Site,Some of them are 65 years Old!
I don't care if they're big or small!
If they throw lead I like em all!
Also heard the Link is a FAKE!
!For GAWDS Sakes Guys,We Got Kids on this Site,Some of them are 65 years Old!
I don't care if they're big or small!
If they throw lead I like em all!
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bucklover
Guest
Yes, it's all fake! Everyone head up to Jackson this weekend. Then when they write you a fake ticket, you can see how far it gets you when you try to pay the fine with fake money.
nontypical
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 4,298
It's actually only closed to non-res.They are giving us residents a two-week head start on you guys.
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bucklover
Guest
Nontypical, I probably don't know you, but I like the way you think.
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bucklover
Guest
LAST EDITED ON Apr-29-11 AT 02:39PM (MST)[p]My concern is they won't turn around. They will just flood into other areas that are hurting just as bad, (the whole western part of the state) and run the poor deer herd to death. Most of them don't come here to hunt so some of them could care less the damage they cause. The state really screwed up, (again) by not delaying "all" critical areas. It's time to make it a "hunt" just like all the other hunts. Sell a license to help support patroling of off-roaders and wildlife harassment. It would help keep track of who is out there. I think I like the in-state/out of state, idea. Open up earlier for in staters or charge more for out of staters. Why is harvesting "horns" any different than harvesting, "killing" critters? They are both a natural resource. Maybe one of the things that have made it so hard on the critters is going to end up saving some of them. The way it is snowing outside right now could make horn hunting so miserable and difficult that many will stay home for another week or two. We can only hope. And yes, I do live here in Wyoming, and no, I am not going out this Sunday. I know one less person won't make a difference but its the right thing to do.
i am an out of stater who does a lot of hunting in wyoming! however you shouldnt be labeling out of staters as the problem cause i think that it is locals who are the biggest problem sneaking in early! i am not pointing fingers at you guys specifically that is just my opinion and i am also sure cause you guys cant hunt in wyoming, you are going to the other states that allow you to hunt earlier so it goes both ways. if you are careful and stay away from the animals there wont be any problems anyways no matter how early you go in!!!!!!!
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bucklover
Guest
Shedhead you are absolutely right and I apologize if it looks like I pointed fingers at out-of-staters. It just bothers me to think of the wave that's going to come over the border Sunday morning. I do think you're wrong on it not effecting the deer. That many people out there are going to chase the deer around. It will have an impact, but overall the herd will survive. They've just gone through enough this year, to be pushed again before they can regain their strength. Again, you are right. The in-staters are, for the most part, the ones sneaking in early. It really ticks me off to hike into an area opening day and find 4-wheeler tracks all over the place. Most of the out-of-staters I've bumped into while hunting, and I mean shooting, are top notch sportsmen. They have invested a bunch to get here and usually do everything right. Local people in their own area can really be slob hunters. I really do think it's time to start mandating licenses to help with enforcement. Thanks for your comeback. I should have thought through it a little longer before commenting.
no problem man we are all just buddies talkin through things>>i think it would be sweet if they charged to anlter hunt, however you will still have the exact same problem with the antler poachers. so i dont know what that will accomplish other than giving the fish and game more money!!!!!
nontypical
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 4,298
Pretty hefty fine for shed poaching early.Last year guys were losing hunting privileges for a year as well.
Some first hand information after a long talk with a couple of Game Wardens doing their jobs in Wyoming--GREAT JOB GUYS!!!.
Well I talked to a couple of game warden in Wyoming last weekend and this year they have caught a few guys from Wyoming, Idaho and Utah) shed hunting early in Wyoming. They have received between a $450-$750 fine, lost their shed hunting rights for 1 year, and lost their hunting rights for 1 year (this is a first time offense)!
They are now flying it with choppers and will do more next year. They are thinking about a shed license to put the money 100% into funding catching offenders.
With that being said EVERY area we were in was hit between 2-4 weeks earlier with ATVS, horses, sleds and even trucks. It was early enough in some areas as the sand had to be frozen in order to get the trucks in these places.
The Game and Fish do not care about whether you find one horn or a hundred, they care only about the wildlife so....they care less about the shed poachers and much more about reducing the quantity of traffic in the area. Thus if you reduce the good guys by 100% then you have accomplished the main goal which is to reduced the overall traffic in any one given spot. I mean no disrespect, but they realize that just like most things in life,,,,there are the skum bags that will break every rule for the almight $$$. They will not catch them all, but have to reduce the pressure.
The typical fawn mortality in Wyoming is about 15-20% in most areas---this year it is already at 65% and they expect more to die in the next couple of weeks. They believe it could reach 75%-80% (their numbers not mine). This is the WORST since they have kept records.
It is up to us and always has been, to police our rights and our resources. Remember that a Fish and Game cop CAN NOT arrest or ticket a guy driving in the sage ---ONLY a BLM officer can do that. The Game cop can and will stop the guy, write down all the information and pass it on the BLM officer, but everyone should find out the BLM officer for the area they hunt and program it into their phone. The Game cop can ticket and arrest anyone for harrassing wildlife or shed hunting early(yes driving an atv in the sage is harrassing, but animals have to be present and being forced to run) so once again get their number on your phone. Always take pictures of the vehicle, people, and trailer of the offended. It is easy now as most of us carry phones or camera--it just takes a minute. Not always will it result in a ticket, but it does give them the information on repeat offenders.
I know there is one less piece of crap riding his motorcyle out through the sage on MAY 1st and May 2n ( I hope it was worth those two sheds).
Anyway I hope this helps those that really do care and for those of you who just HAVE to get out there and break the law and ruin it for the rest of us.....make sure you are not caught by me, because I have no problem with giving up a full day of shed hunting to make sure you are caught!!!
BearCat
PS. Take the time to pack out a little extra trash--no one will appreciate it more than you kids and their kids!!!
Well I talked to a couple of game warden in Wyoming last weekend and this year they have caught a few guys from Wyoming, Idaho and Utah) shed hunting early in Wyoming. They have received between a $450-$750 fine, lost their shed hunting rights for 1 year, and lost their hunting rights for 1 year (this is a first time offense)!
They are now flying it with choppers and will do more next year. They are thinking about a shed license to put the money 100% into funding catching offenders.
With that being said EVERY area we were in was hit between 2-4 weeks earlier with ATVS, horses, sleds and even trucks. It was early enough in some areas as the sand had to be frozen in order to get the trucks in these places.
The Game and Fish do not care about whether you find one horn or a hundred, they care only about the wildlife so....they care less about the shed poachers and much more about reducing the quantity of traffic in the area. Thus if you reduce the good guys by 100% then you have accomplished the main goal which is to reduced the overall traffic in any one given spot. I mean no disrespect, but they realize that just like most things in life,,,,there are the skum bags that will break every rule for the almight $$$. They will not catch them all, but have to reduce the pressure.
The typical fawn mortality in Wyoming is about 15-20% in most areas---this year it is already at 65% and they expect more to die in the next couple of weeks. They believe it could reach 75%-80% (their numbers not mine). This is the WORST since they have kept records.
It is up to us and always has been, to police our rights and our resources. Remember that a Fish and Game cop CAN NOT arrest or ticket a guy driving in the sage ---ONLY a BLM officer can do that. The Game cop can and will stop the guy, write down all the information and pass it on the BLM officer, but everyone should find out the BLM officer for the area they hunt and program it into their phone. The Game cop can ticket and arrest anyone for harrassing wildlife or shed hunting early(yes driving an atv in the sage is harrassing, but animals have to be present and being forced to run) so once again get their number on your phone. Always take pictures of the vehicle, people, and trailer of the offended. It is easy now as most of us carry phones or camera--it just takes a minute. Not always will it result in a ticket, but it does give them the information on repeat offenders.
I know there is one less piece of crap riding his motorcyle out through the sage on MAY 1st and May 2n ( I hope it was worth those two sheds).
Anyway I hope this helps those that really do care and for those of you who just HAVE to get out there and break the law and ruin it for the rest of us.....make sure you are not caught by me, because I have no problem with giving up a full day of shed hunting to make sure you are caught!!!
BearCat
PS. Take the time to pack out a little extra trash--no one will appreciate it more than you kids and their kids!!!
nontypical
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 4,298
Perfectly stated,Cat.Doesn't look well for the mature buck population in about 4 yrs.
No sir it does not!!!
Just wished these skum bags would freaking realize what they are doing to the herds, the country, the sport for the almight $ or bragging rights. I hope they are the same ones that fate catches up with sooner than later and wonder why they have no jobs, no lives, no family!!! Just because Joe I DO NOT CARE, rides around in the sage does not make it right for anyone else---hope the guy on the motorcycle last weekend comes up with a better excuse! Next time it will be his SECOND offense.
For me it is not about finding a ton of horns, it is about the time with friends and the chance to find some horns. I have no problem hiking for miles and seeing a boot track--good on them, but to hike for miles and find truck and atv track is just not right! We as sportsman should not put up with this crap. We expect the BLM and Game Cops to catch them all, but these guys are spread thin and have NO budget. I know these guys are going out during the weekday running all over hell and back. I think it would be a hoot to buy some tracking devises and put them in some horns and watch these guys when the F&G come to their homes---now that would be a reality show I would watch.
There have been trucks trashed ($2,500 worth of damage), roads spiked, tires slashed and HORN messages left by these punks.
Trust me when I say that people are taking the steps to make sure this crap stops and I just HOPE to God they do not stop till they are caught and punished. Once they are caught, then everyone knows who they are....will not be so much fun after that.
Anyway it is late and I am ranting--sorry. As most know by now, I am long winded.
BearCat
Just wished these skum bags would freaking realize what they are doing to the herds, the country, the sport for the almight $ or bragging rights. I hope they are the same ones that fate catches up with sooner than later and wonder why they have no jobs, no lives, no family!!! Just because Joe I DO NOT CARE, rides around in the sage does not make it right for anyone else---hope the guy on the motorcycle last weekend comes up with a better excuse! Next time it will be his SECOND offense.
For me it is not about finding a ton of horns, it is about the time with friends and the chance to find some horns. I have no problem hiking for miles and seeing a boot track--good on them, but to hike for miles and find truck and atv track is just not right! We as sportsman should not put up with this crap. We expect the BLM and Game Cops to catch them all, but these guys are spread thin and have NO budget. I know these guys are going out during the weekday running all over hell and back. I think it would be a hoot to buy some tracking devises and put them in some horns and watch these guys when the F&G come to their homes---now that would be a reality show I would watch.
There have been trucks trashed ($2,500 worth of damage), roads spiked, tires slashed and HORN messages left by these punks.
Trust me when I say that people are taking the steps to make sure this crap stops and I just HOPE to God they do not stop till they are caught and punished. Once they are caught, then everyone knows who they are....will not be so much fun after that.
Anyway it is late and I am ranting--sorry. As most know by now, I am long winded.
BearCat
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SHEDSTALKER
Guest
I've read all of the posts in this thread so far and you all make some very good points and I agree with just about everything said. I'm a Utard (for the time being) that shed hunts and hunts Wyoming. I've spent quite a bit time for the last several winters scouting and watching bucks in a couple different areas, but mainly around La Barge. It's no secret there are alot of deer and some dandy bucks inhabiting this area, so there are plenty of other people watching as well. I did not shed hunt there this year because of the amount of horn poaching going on there. We personally witnessed 3 guys and 1 woman from Wyoming (3 different vehicles) and 2 guys from Idaho (1 vehicle) poach sheds. We did call the warden (Adam) and we had a plate number for 1 of the trucks whom he said he would try to prosecute, but I'm sure if that ever was succesful. He did say he had already busted other people from Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho this winter though too, which I was glad to hear On top of those horns that were poached, we had glassed up a total of 7 more sheds. My buddies opted to head up there for the opener on the 1st and all 7 of those sheds were already gone and they said boot tracks were everywhere. My dad and I went out near Evanston for the opener and found sled tracks dried in the mud all over the place and very few horns.
I personally think the idea of a shed hunting license is a terrific idea, especially if those dollars will go to aiding in the policing of winter range and improving habitat. Winter range restrictions until a later date are also a great idea for winters as harsh as this. I have never seen so many winterkilled animals as I have this year. On opening day we easily saw over 100 winterkilled deer and elk. We had planned on hitting an area that ended up still having numerous deer still inhabiting it, so we decided to hit a different lower elevation area that the deer had nearly all vacated and were still shocked at the number of carcasses. I applaud the efforts of the Fish & Game and hope they keep busting as many poachers as they can.
On top of those horns that were poached, we had glassed up a total of 7 more sheds. My buddies opted to head up there for the opener on the 1st and all 7 of those sheds were already gone and they said boot tracks were everywhere. My dad and I went out near Evanston for the opener and found sled tracks dried in the mud all over the place and very few horns. I personally think the idea of a shed hunting license is a terrific idea, especially if those dollars will go to aiding in the policing of winter range and improving habitat. Winter range restrictions until a later date are also a great idea for winters as harsh as this. I have never seen so many winterkilled animals as I have this year. On opening day we easily saw over 100 winterkilled deer and elk. We had planned on hitting an area that ended up still having numerous deer still inhabiting it, so we decided to hit a different lower elevation area that the deer had nearly all vacated and were still shocked at the number of carcasses. I applaud the efforts of the Fish & Game and hope they keep busting as many poachers as they can.
wstrntines
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 1,931
its the locals and the oil guys cheatin the most. talked to kids from around the area last year and thats what they told me. we changed areas this year and did alright for a half day ended up with 26 horns between two of us. its such big country up there im sure they try their a55es off to patrol it but its just tough to catch em all. My budies found one of those letters saying they had already been beat on the opener these classless idoits need to be beat down real good when caught I wait til it opens and hate to see a few db's screw it up for all of us that enjoy this great past time.
Tikka
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 5,370
BearCat I like your way of thinking, especialy the trash pick up. I make my kids and myself pick up trash everywhere we go in the hills. You would be welcome at my campfire anytime.
Another thing it sounds like Wyoming really cares about their deer heard and wildlife in general, I wished Utard would take some lesson's from you Wyo. Cowboy's. We can't even police the general deer or elk hunt in this state, let alone shed season.
Another thing it sounds like Wyoming really cares about their deer heard and wildlife in general, I wished Utard would take some lesson's from you Wyo. Cowboy's. We can't even police the general deer or elk hunt in this state, let alone shed season.
nontypical
Long Time Member
- Messages
- 4,298
Our G&F has a hard time policing hunter(?)ranks as well.I pushed for a shed hunting season and license years ago and was told that sheds basically are public property when they hit the ground,for anyone to do with as they please at any time(on public land).My idea was kinda scoffed at even.Funny how things change.My main concern at that time was to regulate antler trade-whether that be the sale of sheds or skull attached or mounted antlers.There still seems to be not much regulation in this department.Not saying every transaction or sale of antlers or heads should be watched by G&F.But there should be some sort of record.Legally tagged antlers excluded,of course.Whenever money is made off something,there is always the potential for crime.You really only need to look no farther than EBAY to see how much unregulated antler trade there is.Antler buyers should have to keep a record of all transactions,and who they are buying antlers from.These records would have to be shown to G&F upon demand.Something along those lines.JMO!!
bonepicker
Very Active Member
- Messages
- 1,333
Nontypical, I agree with you. There needs to be regulation of the antler trade. Most people don't know but alot of the things you mentioned are actually already required (at least in my state) I have an antler dealer license and we are required by law to keep a record of all antler purchases and we must show it to the state police and/or G&F if they ask for it. AND they don't need "probable cause" they can come anytime and look through my records.
I know a buyer who was busted for illegally buying antlers connected to the skull and for not keeping records. Every antler he possessed was confiscated (even those that he found) and he lost his dealer's license and his right to even posess any antlers for 3 years, plus a huge fine. And I say he got what he deserved!
The bigger problem is the horn ticks, the parasites that are just interested in money. It's a treasure hunting mentality, they look for antlers because it's getting something for nothing, taking without giving. Riding your 4-wheeler off road is an easy first step, it may not be totally leagal but it's public land right? It's an easy next step to trespass or sneak in before the opener and take sheds. And it's not a very far leap from there to poach an entire deer or elk for it's antlers if you're only interested in the money. If you're willing to break one law for antlers, what stops you from breaking other laws? I now only buy from guys that I know, I don't want to support the ticks.
I'm afraid that the slow, continuing death of integrity in our country will continue to cause more problems in coming years, and not just for those who antler hunt.
I know a buyer who was busted for illegally buying antlers connected to the skull and for not keeping records. Every antler he possessed was confiscated (even those that he found) and he lost his dealer's license and his right to even posess any antlers for 3 years, plus a huge fine. And I say he got what he deserved!
The bigger problem is the horn ticks, the parasites that are just interested in money. It's a treasure hunting mentality, they look for antlers because it's getting something for nothing, taking without giving. Riding your 4-wheeler off road is an easy first step, it may not be totally leagal but it's public land right? It's an easy next step to trespass or sneak in before the opener and take sheds. And it's not a very far leap from there to poach an entire deer or elk for it's antlers if you're only interested in the money. If you're willing to break one law for antlers, what stops you from breaking other laws? I now only buy from guys that I know, I don't want to support the ticks.
I'm afraid that the slow, continuing death of integrity in our country will continue to cause more problems in coming years, and not just for those who antler hunt.
