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Free shed antler gathering course required

Free shed antler gathering course required

By Utah Division of Wildlife Resources

Collectors of antlers that fall off the heads of deer, elk and moose each winter in Utah must complete a free online course before gathering sheds.

The course is available by clicking here.

Gathering shed antlers is a fun activity the whole family can enjoy, says DWR Captain Justin Shirley. Please remember that late winter and early spring is a tough time of year for deer, elk and moose.

"During winter, big game animals, especially deer, often have a difficult time finding food. If you spook an animal and cause it to run, the animal has to use up fat reserves and energy it needs to make it through the winter,” Shirley said.

After dropping their antlers, male deer, elk and moose grow a new set starting this spring.

Also, from late winter through early spring, the habitat big game animals rely on in the winter is usually wet. "Because the soil is wet," Shirley says, "it's more at risk to damage."

Fortunately, collectors can gather shed antlers without stressing the animals or damaging their habitat. "The free course will teach you how," Shirley said.

Those who finish the online course must print your certificate of completion and then carry it with the, while gathering antlers. The certificate also covers young children who accompany parents gathering antlers.

For those who have completed the course and have young children who help gather antlers, children do not need to complete the course because a parent’s certificate will cover their children.

Those who want to gather shed antlers between Feb. 1 and April 15 must complete the course. However, for shed hunters who wait until April 15 or later to gather antlers, the course is not required.

Many Utah wildlife management areas are closed in the winter and spring, to protect animals and their habitat. Shed hunters must have written permission from the landowner before gathering antlers on private land.

Shed hunters who find a skull with the antlers or horns still attached should be aware it's possible the animal was poached. Do not pick up or move the skull or disturb footprints or other evidence.

Instead, please take photos of the skull from a couple of angles, pinpoint the location of the skull (preferably its GPS coordinates), and report the find to a DWR office. A conservation officer will be sent to investigate. If it's clear the animal died of natural causes, the shed hunter may be allowed to keep the find.

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