The Wyoming Game and Fish Department reminds antler hunters that gathering of horns or shed antlers is prohibited from January 1st through April 30th on public lands west of the Continental Divide in Wyoming. This regulation has been in effect since 2009 and includes all state-owned lands as well as federal lands.
In addition, many big-game winter ranges in both Teton and Sublette counties have further restrictions to either human presence or motor vehicles during the winter months. However, the shed antler regulation does apply to all other federal or public lands not covered under such winter range closures.
Similarly, Wildlife Habitat Management Areas managed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department in the Jackson and Pinedale Regions are closed to human presence December 1st through April 30th.
The purpose of the seasonal closure is to minimize harassment or disturbance of big game animals on their winter and spring ranges when animals are most vulnerable to stress and displacement to less productive habitats.
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