Effective Immediately Commission Lifts Antler Collecting Ban

IDAHO FALLS - At the suggestion of IDFG staff, the Idaho Fish & Game Commission at their recent meeting removed a longstanding ban on the collection of antlers during the winter months in certain hunting units in Eastern Idaho. The decision of the Commission went into effect immediately, but still does not allow for the harassment of wildlife or access into specific big game winter closure areas such as the Egin-Hamer Project Closure near St. Anthony. According to Regional Conservation Officer John Hanson, "It was a good idea at the time when it was first put in place, but the world has changed. There are a whole lot of people out there now doing other legitimate activities so it doesn't make sense to just limit the antler collectors." One way that the world has changed is that while the collecting of antlers was prohibited, hi-tech gathers had been using GPS (Global Positioning Systems) to mark the locations of shed antlers for collection at a later date when doing so was legal. According to Hanson, "The people are already there, besides it's still a violation if they harass wildlife to get antlers to drop or chase them for fun using ORV's or snow machines." "Areas closed for other management reasons still remain closed. This change just involves the collecting of shed antlers." Said Acting-Regional Wildlife Manager Justin Naderman." Department staff suggested the change because many areas that were involved in the antler collecting prohibition were at the same time open to lion hunters as well as winter recreationalists. Any questions concerning this regulation change can be directed to the Upper Snake Regional Office at 525-7290 or the Southeast Regional Office at 232-4703.