GREEN RIVER - 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 1 and April 30 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, 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.”