Shed Poaching
A commercial antler dealer and shed poacher from Montana recently pleaded guilty to felony and misdemeanor charges in Wyoming. Joshua Anders Rae faced legal trouble for shed poaching incidents on public land in 2016 and 2021. The U.S. Forest Service released investigation details on April 21, just before Wyoming’s shed season opener in May.
During both incidents, Rae violated closed-season regulations by collecting and concealing elk antlers in Bridger-Teton National Forest. He owned Old West Antlers, an online dog chew retailer, and intended to profit from selling the illegally obtained sheds. In October 2022, Rae was sentenced for violating the Lacey Act and probation terms.
The Offense
In April 2021, law enforcement officers discovered Rae hiding antlers under cover of darkness during a winter range closure near Jackson, Wyoming. They found approximately 44 pounds of cut antlers, some matching those sold through his online business. These violations occurred while Rae was on federal probation for a 2019 misdemeanor Lacey Act conviction in the same area.
Officers made this discovery on April 30, one day before Wyoming’s shed hunting season opened. The timing suggested Rae was stashing the antlers on public ground to retrieve them legally during the open season. This tactic is common among shed poachers in the West, according to past reporting.
Rae’s shed hunting crimes on Wyoming public land date back to April 2016. Federal investigators received a tip about unlawful entry into the National Elk Refuge outside Jackson. The refuge was closed to the public during that time to minimize wildlife disturbance. Rae pleaded guilty in 2019 to possessing and transporting over 100 pounds of unlawfully taken elk antlers. He received probation, a ban from several parks, a hunting license revocation, and restitution payments.
By April 2021, Rae had changed his business name but continued to cache elk antlers on National Forest land. Officers found approximately 44 pounds of elk antlers cut for dog chews.
Punishment
The repeat nature of Rae’s wildlife crimes led to bigger penalties. In March 2022, he was indicted for a felony Lacey Act violation and misdemeanor violations. Rae pleaded guilty in July 2022 and faced an additional guilty plea for violating probation terms. He received 90 days of home confinement, five years of supervised felony probation, a hunting ban, and a five-year restriction from federal public lands.
This case serves as a reminder that no one is above the law. Engaging in illegal activities, especially repeatedly, leads to consequences. Compliance and ethical behavior are crucial for fair and sustainable practices in shed hunting and wildlife conservation.
To learn more about Wyoming’s regulations on shed hunting, visit their website here. To read more about hunting for antlers in the West visit our website and read our articles written about the topic here.
