Emergency closure: Antler gathering closed in 11 counties

Founder · Jan 31, 2017

Did you guys catch this email by the Utah DWR?

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This winter, big game animals in many parts of Utah are trying to survive a prolonged period of deep snow and frigid temperatures.

To avoid stressing these animals further, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources has closed shed antler and horn gathering in the following 11 counties:

? Box Elder
? Duchesne
? Rich
? Wasatch
? Cache
? Emery
? Summit
? Weber
? Carbon
? Morgan
? Uintah

You are receiving this email because you've completed the DWR's shed-antler gathering course in the past.

We appreciate your cooperation with the closure and your willingness to help Utah's wildlife through a tough winter.
------------------------------------------------------

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com
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heartshot · Feb 1, 2017

Saw it on the news but never got an email.

I wonder why they don't send an email to everyone that has an account with them.

Shadow · Feb 1, 2017

I got an email today and I've never taken the course. I really didnt need an email telling me the conditions are bad and reminding me to leave them the hell alone though...nobody should need to be told.

Zeke · Feb 1, 2017

>I got an email today and
>I've never taken the course.
>I really didnt need an
>email telling me the conditions
>are bad and reminding me
>to leave them the hell
>alone though...nobody should need to
>be told.

+1
Zeke

deerkiller · Feb 1, 2017

LAST EDITED ON Feb-01-17 AT 07:13PM (MST)[p]They can't close a "season" that has never been established as a "shed season". All they can ban shed hunting on right now, that will actually hold any weight in a court room, is on the dwr managed WMAs. All other public and private lands (blm, fs) is totally fine to shed hunt during these "closures". I'm not saying I don't support leaving the animals alone this time of year, but legally they can't ban it when it's not an official season recognized and managed by our state wildlife agency

brutus54 · Feb 1, 2017

Here's more info from KSL. http://www.ksl.com/?sid=43043974&ni...antler-gathering-in-11-counties-until-april-1

HalfAce · Feb 1, 2017

>I got an email today and
>I've never taken the course.
>I really didnt need an
>email telling me the conditions
>are bad and reminding me
>to leave them the hell
>alone though...nobody should need to
>be told.

+2 Shadow. You and Zeke have common sense though, which isn't to common these days. Obviously its a big enough problem that is has to be addressed. Good on the state of Utah for shutting it down.

Vanilla · Feb 2, 2017

I got the email, even though I don't believe I've ever taken the shed antler course. I've never gone shed hunting, so not sure why I would have taken it, unless I did it just in case I was out fishing or something and found a shed. Maybe?

As for they can't legally close the shed season...ummmm, yes they can, and they just did. Follow that advice that you are free to shed hunt on private and federal lands to your own peril. The DWR has absolutely been given this authority by the legislature for this type of an emergency closure. Actual enforcement could be an issue, but they are well within their powers with what they did.

Also, if you didn't see it, beginning today, Thursday 2/2, the closure is effective statewide until April 1st.

Shadow · Feb 2, 2017

>LAST EDITED ON Feb-01-17
>AT 07:13?PM (MST)
>
>They can't close a "season" that
>has never been established as
>a "shed season". All they
>can ban shed hunting on
>right now, that will actually
>hold any weight in a
>court room, is on the
>dwr managed WMAs. All other
>public and private lands (blm,
>fs) is totally fine to
>shed hunt during these "closures".
>I'm not saying I don't
>support leaving the animals alone
>this time of year, but
>legally they can't ban it
>when it's not an official
>season recognized and managed by
>our state wildlife agency

May want to look closer at the restriction announced today.

elkassassin · Feb 2, 2017

They're Claiming They're Closing Shed Season/Hunting on Private!

This I Gotta See Enforced!

I Agree We need to take the Pressure off the Game Herds!

But I've said it for Many Years!

Show Me a Relaxed Time on Our Herds!

Stonefly · Feb 3, 2017

There have been shed hunters in Lasson draw for a couple weeks now. My daughter had the grandkids sledding near the pipeline last Saturday and watched a doe plow thro the snow untill it got to the road,then it layed down and wouldnt move. She said 2 guys actually picked it up and moved it to the side out of traffic where it layed for about an hour then walked off up the road. Snow here has been deep this year 31" in my driveway. 10 miles north or south and it looks to be about 20". It's even pushed the Elk down near the house this winter.

Founder · Feb 3, 2017

I asked Sheehan if they could regulate the antlers on private ground, and he said that until they are possessed by a person (picked up) they are property of the state. And they're saying they can't be picked up.
Obviously they can't enter a lot of private ground, so if someone is determined to break the law, it would be hard to catch them.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com
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Vanilla · Feb 4, 2017

Right now, anywhere in Utah, if you pick up a shed antler, you're violating the law. And just because you're on private property, doesn't exempt one from following it.

You can't drive while impaired on private property, or assault someone, or violate any other law on the book. And if law enforcement has probable cause to believe you broke a law, they can go on private property and enforce it. (Arrest you, give a citation, complete an investigation, etc.)

Again, this will be tough to enforce anywhere, especially on private property. But in theory, they can can do it.