CHEYENNE – Following a series of public meetings the Wyoming
Game and Fish Commission has enacted a regulation to establish a season
for the collection of shed antlers and horns on public lands west of the
Continental Divide.
Under the regulation,
shed antler gathering is prohibited on most public lands west of the
Continental Divide between Jan. 1 and Apr. 30. Public lands in the Great
Divide Basin are excluded from the regulation.
Public lands include federal lands and lands owned or
administered by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission.
The regulation will not affect most winter ranges in Teton County
which are already off limits to antler gathering from December through
April.
The purpose of the
regulation is to minimize harassment or disturbance of big game animals
on their winter and spring ranges when animals are most vulnerable to
stress as well as potential displacement to less productive habitats.
Colorado and Utah already have similar regulations.
The regulation was made
possible by legislation (W.S. 23-1-302) in the 2009 legislative session
that gave the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission authority to regulate and
control the collection of shed antlers and horns of big game animals
west of the Continental Divide.
(Contact: Al Langston (307) 777-4540)
-WGFD-
