FILE – DWR is halting all shed hunting due to the deep snow and the condition of the big game this season.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is halting “shed hunting” across the state Today in an effort to help wintering big game, particularly deer populations. Big game in the state are struggling due to high snow depths and lack of food.
The antler gathering restrictions went into effect Feb. 7 through April 30, 2023 across the state on both private and public lands.
DWR biologists have monitored the condition of deer, snow depths and winter temperatures across Utah since early December. They are watching body condition and health assessments conducted during the big game captures that take place each December. Biologists record overall deer condition, body fat levels and fawn weights of the animals going into winter. Biologists also place GPS collars on deer to monitor animal migrations and survival.
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Director J. Shirley said in the current conditions big game animals are weakened and highly vulnerable to repeated human-caused disturbances.
Shirley said the unnecessary expenditure of energy and stress associated with disturbance like being repeatedly followed by someone gathering shed antlers may cause decreases in the survival rates of big game animals, particularly deer, this winter.
“Closing the shed antler and horn gathering season will minimize a major source of disturbance in the areas and during the time periods when big game animals are the most exposed and vulnerable,” he said. “Shed antler gathering is not the only winter activity with the potential to disturb wintering wildlife. We encourage everyone to be aware of wildlife during this vulnerable period and do their best to not disturb them.”
These temporary restrictions also apply to looking for horns and antlers still attached to the skull plate of a deceased animal, in addition to naturally shed antlers.
DWR conservation officers will be conducting additional patrols this winter to enforce the antler gathering restrictions and to ensure that people aren’t disturbing wintering wildlife. Violators may be cited.
The DWR has also implemented emergency deer feeding in parts of Cache, Rich and Summit counties to help wintering big game there. DWR biologists will continue to monitor winter conditions and the condition of the deer across Utah and may feed deer in additional locations, if emergency feeding criteria are met.
DWR will not feed deer suffering from chronic wasting disease.
DWR Big Game Coordinator Dax Mangus said he knows “shed hunting is a popular pastime for many families in Utah, and we appreciate everyone’s understanding and cooperation in waiting to go gather antlers until after April 30.
“These efforts will help reduce stress on Utah’s big game animals and increase their chances of surviving the winter.”
The DWR biologists will continue to monitor deer and the winter conditions across the state and may lift the closures earlier than April 30, if conditions allow.