If you didn’t think the Division of Wildlife Resources were serious about the shed antler ban statewide, think again. According to the DWR, 16 people have learned the hard way that if you break Utah’s statewide shed antler gathering ban, you will be cited. Since the closure was announced, conservation officers have spent over 5000 hours watching for violators. They have also had calls come in on the Utah Turn-in-a-Poacher hotline. The closure on shed antler gathering was announced on February 3rd in order to reduce stress on big game during harsh winter conditions. The 16 people cited so far now face fines up to $1,000 dollars and are charged with Unlawful Take of Protected Wildlife, a class B Misdemeanor. In two of the cases, officers watched the antler hunter gather antlers and then stash them away to pick up later. The violators were greeted by officers as they walked off the mountain. “In each case,” says DWR Captain Mitch Lane, “the person said they knew the shed antler gathering season was closed, but they couldn’t resist the temptation to gather antlers.” The DWR is urging all to follow the shed antler closure until it ends on April 1st. Any who observe people gathering antlers are asked to call the hotline at 1-800-662-DEER.
