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If You Find Deer or Elk Antlers on the Ground, Leave Them There, Say Some States
By Market Realist,
2024-05-13
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If You Find Deer or Elk Antlers on the Ground, Leave Them There, Say Some States
Usually, when you think of poachers , images of guns and dead, bloody animals likely come to mind... gross.
But poachers don't all kill animals — some poachers might just rip live animals or even rare plants from their natural habitats, to sell them to zoos, nurseries, or pet stores. But poaching can even refer to something as seemingly harmless as taking elk or deer antlers off the ground. Yes, the activity most commonly known as shed hunting is sometimes illegal , depending on based on where you are and what time of year it is.
Even though elks shed their antlers naturally, many states still ban collecting antlers.
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Even though elk do shed their antlers naturally, collecting them brings up a number of ethical issues. Many states and parks ban the practice, while others limit when and where you can do it. Breaking the law, however, may result in citations, fines, being banned from federal lands or hunting , or even jail time , depending on your record.
Shed hunting doesn't actually cause any pain or suffering to the animals.
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The legality of shed hunting is an interesting discourse, as it doesn't actually cause any pain or suffering to the animals themselves.
But regardless, shed antler hunting is discouraged in many places for the sake of our ecosystems, and in the name of conservation.
Keep reading to learn more about the issues associated with shed antler hunting, and for a guide to the shed hunting laws and regulations in all 50 states.
Why is collecting and selling elk and deer antlers illegal in some areas?
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According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife, species in the deer family (including elk, deer, and moose) usually shed their antlers naturally once a year. It's completely painless and often makes them feel more lightweight — kind of similar to how you might feel after getting a much-needed haircut. But collecting shed antlers is often illegal in refuges because even those discarded bones play an important role in ecosystems.
Rodents eat antlers for a source of protein and calcium.
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Once discarded, other animals reap the benefits of the antlers when foraging.
Rodents such as squirrels or porcupines, for example, like gnawing on discarded deer and elk antlers for protein and calcium. They also chew on them similarly to dogs, to wear down their teeth. Bears and foxes even enjoy eating antlers.
It's also difficult to determine whether antlers were acquired ethically or by killing a deer.
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And what's more, it's difficult to prove that those antlers were left on the ground ethically, without someone hurting or killing the animal before leaving them for dead. According to NPR , this is a somewhat common and hateful crime in central Oregon .
Though animals often shed their antlers in the winter, many states ban shed hunting for part of the year to protect animals when food is scarce. For instance, from Jan. 1 through April 30, Colorado Parks and Wildlife bans it on all public lands west of I-25; and during the same dates, Wyoming Game and Fish Commission bans shed antler hunting on public lands west of the Continental Divide.
The rules differ from state to state, so it's important to know where your state stands.
The laws on shed hunting differ from state to state. Generally, in states across the Midwest, East, and South, it's legal to pick up deer antlers any time of year, as noted by Field & Stream . But in many states in the Western U.S., hunters can only collect shed antlers during certain times of the year. Previously, shed hunting was illegal in just one state: West Virginia. But as of 2023, West Virginia residents may hunt for shed antlers.
Here's a look at all 50 states, and their policies on shed antler hunting. Remember that shed hunting is always prohibited in national parks and preserves — so in states where we have listed that you can shed hunt anywhere, know that these nationally-protected lands are still off-limits for shed hunting.
Legal with a certificate from May 1 to June 30 only, and only in certain counties. Nevadans must take a free online course before attaining a certificate.
New Hampshire
Wikipedia
Legal, though New Hampshire Fish and Game recommends that people wait until spring to go shed antler hunting, to avoid disturbing deer.
Legal in wildlife areas , though the Ohio Department of Natural Resources recommends checking with the agency that manages the property to be safe. Permission is needed from landowners before shed hunting on private property.
Oklahoma
Wikipedia
Legal in wildlife areas managed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, as long as antlers are naturally detached from the skull plate.
Oregon
Wikipedia
Legal on most public property as long as the antlers are naturally detached from the skull plate. Permission must be granted from landowners before looking for sheds on private property.
Pennsylvania
Wikipedia
Legal on public land ; permission is required from private landowners before going onto their property to shed hunt.
Rhode Island
Legal, but the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management suggests throwing any "sub-par" sheds back into nature for animals to consume.
Legal on public lands , but shed hunters will need landowner permission before entering private lands.
Utah
Legal on public property statewide, but from Feb. 1 to April 15, Utah residents must obtain and carry a free antler-gathering certificate while shed hunting. The course must be completed every year. In early 2023, the state issued a temporary ban on shed hunting , so make sure to frequently check local laws.
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