The western Wyoming shed season will be closing on 12 a.m. Saturday, January 1st. The shed season closure prohibits anyone from picking up shed antlers on public lands. This also includes Wyoming Game and Fish administered lands west of the Continental Divide.
The state of Wyoming classifies shed hunting as searching for, stockpiling, or possessing shed antlers and horns of big game animals. The Wyoming Game and Fish would like to remind people that attempts to collect shed antlers or “horns” during the closed season can result in fines, forfeiture of collected shed antlers and “horns”, and/or loss of hunting and fishing privileges.
Shed Season Closure Goals
The main goal behind the closure of the shed season is to protect wintering big game animals. The winter is one of the hardest times of the year for big game animals. During the winter, typically, snow covers much of their forage. Likewise, the cold temperature causes them to burn their extra fat reserves. The fear is that shed hunters will push the animals around or out of the area and cause them to burn more of their fat reserves.
“The shed collection closure is meant to protect wintering big game. Shed antler enthusiasts can help wildlife tremendously by obeying the shed antler and horn hunting regulations and other winter range closures statewide. All wildlife enthusiasts statewide can help wildlife by giving them space over the winter and early spring.” – Wyoming Game and Fish News Release
As stated above this closure is for public lands in western and southern Wyoming. However, shed hunters are still able to gather sheds of private lands. In addition, the Wyoming Game and Fish reminds people that it is illegal to trespass on private property without permission no matter the time of year.
The Wyoming Game and Fish have released a map of the closure area. This map can be found by clicking here. Likewise, you can read more about Wyoming hunting news by checking out our Wyoming page. That page can be found by clicking here.
So, what are your thoughts on the shed season closure? Are you for or against it? Let us know in the comments!
