Last month, Wyoming Game and Fish Department game wardens conducted increased law enforcement efforts on southwest Wyoming crucial big game winter ranges, with the goal to thwart the illegal collection of shed antlers before the May 1st antler season opener. Mountain View Game Warden Dustin Kirsch said the increased efforts were to protect the wintering herds of elk, deer, antelope, and moose from unnecessary harassment on the winter range. “Protection of these big game herds on the winter range between January 1st and April 30th of each year is crucial in our efforts to help them during these critical time periods,” Kirsch said. “Big game animals, especially deer and antelope, in Wyoming’s climate are normally stressed during winter and spring periods, and are subject to weight loss and higher rates of mortality during this period. Disturbance of big game animals during winter and early spring time periods decreases their chance of surviving and reproducing successfully. This is why the antler collection regulation was initiated in 2010.”
Three individuals from Big Piney were the first violators to be apprehended with a collective total of 10 shed antlers in their possession on public lands. In the Kemmerer area two individuals are awaiting charges of collecting shed antlers in the big game winter range located near Miller Mountain west of LaBarge. One individual was apprehended collecting shed antlers in the Cumberland Flats near Evanston off of Highway 189. Kirsch said through the use of fixed wing aircraft and several other tactics a total of 11 individuals were caught with 34 antlers in their collective possession on public land located in the Leroy basin west of Mountain View. Charges are pending on all individuals who were apprehended this spring.
Under the current regulation, shed antler gathering is prohibited on most public lands west of the Continental Divide between Jan. 1 and Apr. 30. Public lands in the Great Divide Basin are excluded from the regulation. Public lands include federal lands and lands owned or administered by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission.
Three individuals from Big Piney were the first violators to be apprehended with a collective total of 10 shed antlers in their possession on public lands. In the Kemmerer area two individuals are awaiting charges of collecting shed antlers in the big game winter range located near Miller Mountain west of LaBarge. One individual was apprehended collecting shed antlers in the Cumberland Flats near Evanston off of Highway 189. Kirsch said through the use of fixed wing aircraft and several other tactics a total of 11 individuals were caught with 34 antlers in their collective possession on public land located in the Leroy basin west of Mountain View. Charges are pending on all individuals who were apprehended this spring.
Under the current regulation, shed antler gathering is prohibited on most public lands west of the Continental Divide between Jan. 1 and Apr. 30. Public lands in the Great Divide Basin are excluded from the regulation. Public lands include federal lands and lands owned or administered by the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission.
No comments:
Post a Comment