Apparently there must be some evidence that shed hunting has or is having a negative impact in the area in question, I cant be sure, but I assume the governing body believes such - whether they have justification or not, it's not my call, I don't have the evidence before me. I do happen to believe that there are enough people now out in field disturbing wildlife for a whole host of reason, that some rules area necessary. I'm sure you have heard just as many "war-stories" as I have about guys chasing bucks in order for them to loose their antlers. . .
Therefore, if people who are out shed hunting are also bothering wildlife (as my last post cleary points out) than I'd say that's the answer.
Here's a quote from one place I found,
"A committee comprised of sportsmen, people from the agricultural community, and state and federal wildlife officials have determined that helping more fawns survive the winter is one of the first steps to increasing deer populations in Northern Utah. Based on the group's recommendations, all five of Utah's Regional Advisory Councils and the Utah Wildlife Board voted to restrict the collection of shed antlers in Northern Utah this year."
Why dont you ask your committee why they made the rule - have you tried that yet?
Not much beyond the obvious I guess. Fleeing animals use energy, in some case energy they do not have to waste on fleeing because some guy has entered their space.
I guess if you want to argue that law breakers will break the law and therefore they will bother deer anyway you could do that, you are the only one that can answer for yourself if youre doing the right thing. Some people were raised with more information and obedience than others.
Nothing now, changes the fact that the law says you cant do it. If you have an issue with the law, or you dont think it's a "just" law, then go to the legislature and show them YOUR evidence.
By the way, have you studied the reason for limiting shed hunting and access - the information used to convince the legislature to make the law? Just curious. . .
Some years are worst than others. Some years there may be deer in the area on May 1, in other's they may be long gone.
I believe there needs to be rules, just what rules is a tougher question, but I know that things change over time and maybe there's room for some revisions? Who knows. . .
A little research comes up with this:
"You may not gather shed antlers in the DWR's Northern Region from Feb. 1 through April 30. This closure was put in place to prevent big game animals from being harassed during the time of year when they're in their poorest health because of the stress of a long winter. In addition to the closure in the Northern Region, the Utah Wildlife Board has directed the Division of Wildlife Resources to study the effects antler gathering is having on big game animals across Utah. Board members want to learn if a shed antler gathering season should be implemented statewide. . . ."
"After a long winter, the energy reserves that big game animals have are already low. Those reserves are taxed even more when antler gatherers enter the picture.
Careless shed antler and horn hunters can tip the delicate energy
balance, and that can contribute to more big game animals dying this time of the year. The worst threat to big game animals usually comes from irresponsible OHV use. Off-road travel is illegal and should not be practiced at any time, especially when gathering antlers. The DWR has received reports of OHV riders chasing deer and elk through trees to knock off their antlers. This practice is extremely damaging and illegal. Anyone caught harassing wildlife will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. When you're collecting shed antlers and horns, please pay attention to the body language of the animals you see. If they appear to be nervous or begin to move away, give them more space by backing off or traveling in another direction."
Either your saying these things do not happen, or your saying the people dont know what they are doing when they wrote the rules, or your saying that NO amount of pressure will harm wildlife therefore keep it wide open and encourage people to push the animals around. Clearly there is a problem, maybe another fix is in order. got any better ideas than the classic, "do nothing?"
