Deer, elk and moose might get some extra help
Course proposed for those who gather shed antlers
Source: wildlife.utah.gov
Published: Oct. 23, 2008
The Division of Wildlife Resources is proposing a change that would protect deer, elk and moose and the places they live next year.
The change would also allow you to gather antlers shed by deer, elk and moose anytime in 2009.
Learn more, share your ideas
All of the DWR's big game proposals are available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings. Once you've read the proposals, you can share your thoughts and ideas one of two ways:
RAC meetings
Five Regional Advisory Council meetings will be held across Utah. Citizens representing the RACs will take the input received at the meetings to the Utah Wildlife Board. Board members will use the input when they meet in Salt Lake City on Dec. 4 to approve rules for Utah's 2009 big game hunts.
You can participate and provide your input at any of the following meetings (two notes: the Southern Region meeting begins at 5 p.m. The Central Region meeting is being held on a Thursday.):
Southern Region
Nov. 4
5 p.m.
Beaver High School
195 E. Center St.
Beaver
Southeastern Region
Nov. 5
6:30 p.m.
John Wesley Powell Museum
1765 E. Main St.
Green River
Northeastern Region
Nov. 6
6:30 p.m.
Uintah Interagency Fire Center
355 N. Vernal Ave.
Vernal
Northern Region
Nov. 12
6 p.m.
Weber Commission Chambers
1st floor
2383 Washington Blvd.
Ogden
Central Region
Nov. 13
6:30 p.m.
Springville Junior High School
165 S. 700 E.
Springville
E–mail
You can also provide your comments to your RAC via e–mail. E–mail addresses for your RAC members are available at www.wildlife.utah.gov/public_meetings.
The group each RAC member represents (sportsman, non–consumptive, etc.) is listed under each person's e–mail address. You should direct your e–mail to the people on the RAC who represent your interest.
Gathering shed antlers
The antlers of deer, elk and moose drop off their heads each winter. The animals then grow a new set of antlers in the summer.
The time when the animals are shedding their antlers February through April is the most stressful time of the year for them. They're at the tail end of a long winter. The habitat in their low-elevation wintering areas is also wet and in delicate shape.
To protect animals and their habitat in northern Utah, shed antler gathering has not been allowed in that part of the state from February through mid-April for the past few years.
Across the rest of Utah, shed antlers could be gathered anytime of the year.
To protect all of Utah's deer, elk, moose, and the habitat they rely on, the DWR is proposing the following for 2009:
Before gathering shed antlers anywhere in Utah between Feb. 1 and April 15, you would first have to complete a free online shed antler gathering course.
The course would give you information about deer, elk and moose and the condition the animals are in in late winter and early spring. The course would also teach you how delicate the animals' habitat is and how easily it can be damaged.
After providing this background, the course would give you tips and advice that would help you gather antlers without stressing the animals and damaging their habitat.
Once you completed the course, you'd receive a course completion certificate. You'd be required to carry the certificate with you while you were gathering antlers.
Shed antler gathering would be allowed in northern Utah, and across the rest of Utah, throughout the year.
If you gathered antlers after April 15, you would not be required to complete the shed antler gathering course.
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