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I recieved this in an email today. It is from the Wyoming Game and Fish and it is very 
to see this going on. Read the contents of the email and then read the newsletter from the Game and Fish. I think they was supposed to send out the edited version but thats not what I got.[/size][/#808000][/font]
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Hello. This past weekend we received multiple calls on the Stop Poaching Hotline with complaints of people and dogs chasing deer and elk. Because of the severe winter conditions and our concern for the survival of local wildlife we appreciate any help in getting our message out to people to stay away from wintering wildlife and keep their dogs away as well. (I had several internal edits on this release so I apologize for not getting it to you sooner.)
The photo was taken by Neil Hymas, Cokeville Game Warden and he writes the following description:
This is a mule deer buck that gave in to the harsh winter conditions near Cokeville last week. I believe he may have had an injury to a foot, which lessened his chances of surviving the winter. He was also subject to some dog harassment and a little human contact before he finally died.[/size][/font]
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That a good read Braz, It s
that these antlers have such a high price tag on them that people who consider themselves sportsman would go to this extent to get them. [unsure]
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That's a good post thanks...we've all gotta chip in and remember not to bump the wildlife around at all they've got it tough already as it is. I love filming and photographing wildlife and it's tough this time of year cuz i know i could get so close and get good footage but it's not worth the toll on the animals.
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That's a good post thanks...we've all gotta chip in and remember not to bump the wildlife around at all they've got it tough already as it is. I love filming and photographing wildlife and it's tough this time of year cuz i know i could get so close and get good footage but it's not worth the toll on the animals. [/reply]
[font "Tempus Sans ITC"][#808000][size 3]Very Well said, I wish others shared your same conviction.[/size][/#808000][/font]
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We need to use common sense this year especially as the animals have struggled with the deep snow and the prolonged cold.
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So...now that we're on the subject. Where I live in Northern Utah, it's illegal to "hunt" antlers until warmer weather returns. When I first heard this I was infuriated at the thought of glassing big bucks all winter and not being able to find their antlers. As many of us know by the time it opens up there aren't near as many antlers left from those "full moon" guys and such.
Say there was no law...do ya'll feel like we shouldn't hunt antlers even if doing as much as possible to prevent disturbing the deer or should we just stay completely out of the field until the snow is nearly gone? Obviously just an opinion question and I love to hear!!
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I think we should definitely leave the animals alone until they seem like they are ready to move back to their summer range. I'm glad that No. Utah has the "rule" for shd hunters, especially for this year.
Regardless of what any of us think or do, there will still be a bunch of people breaking the rules, and going out and harrassing the deer and elk.
Even people that that say that they "obey" the rules try to get around it. Last year when the elk left Hardware ranch I had a good spot scouted to get some sheds. On opening morning I was surprized to see the game warden up close to my spot with several antlers. I later found out that some guys had been stashing all of the antlers in a spot and on opening morning they went up and grabbed the all and when they got back to their truck, the game warden got them to confess and confiscated all the antlers.
That kind of crap makes me mad. I could have found some of those antlers legally, but instead some guys had to ruin it. I ended up with three sheds all day, and no elk sheds. I'm afraid the same type of thing will happen this year. This year guys will actually harrass deer to their death without even caring about it. In years past the winters have been super mild, and the deer could handle people in the field. This year they really need their space.
Hookjaw
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We try and protect our wildlife and then the dumb A$@#& want to put wolves in to chase and kill whats left.
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[font "Tempus Sans ITC"][#808000][size 3]Here is the same article as I posted above except it is unedited, and isn't as politically correct.[/size][/#808000][/font]
ANTLER HUNTERS/DOGS BAD NEWS FOR WINTERING WILDLIFE
COKEVILLE—After responding to complaints of dogs chasing and killing deer, and complaints of people on snowshoes running off deer and elk to get their antlers, one local game warden suggests it's time that people take control of their ethics and their pets and stop harassing the wildlife.
Cokeville game warden Neil Hymas, a 30-year veteran of the Wyoming Game & Fish Department, has responded to calls involving unethical antler gatherers and deer-killing dogs before, but the recent tough winter makes these sorts of calls more distressing.
"Anyone who has driven through Cokeville lately can't help but notice the deer, elk and antelope moving alongside the highway in search of food," Hymas said. "The influx of wildlife watchers has increased because these animals are so visible and close to Highway 30. The reality is these animals are starving and they can't afford to waste energy from any actions that cause them to move away from where they are trying to feed."
On Saturday, February 16th, the Game and Fish Stop Poaching Hotline received calls from dismayed wildlife viewers near Sage Junction south of Cokeville. Warden Hymas says winter conditions have been stressful for wildlife, and several groups of deer and elk were using the more favorable south -facing slopes to forage and use the sun’s warmth to conserve energy.
"Some concerned citizens watched as two men on snowshoes crossed the snow-covered slopes, causing large numbers of deer and elk to flee from the slopes into the deeper snows," Hymas said. "The observers recognized that this disturbance was going to result in the animals burning up critical reserves and felt that this unnecessary harassment violated wildlife laws, so they reported the disturbance to the Stop Poaching Hotline."
"When I responded to the report I discovered that two men from Utah had driven to Wyoming to hunt for shed antlers, even though the slopes were still covered with snow. They informed me that the Northern Region in Utah was closed to the hunting of shed antlers from February 1 through April 12 to prevent the molestation of wintering wildlife, so they had driven to the Sage Junction area of Wyoming to hunt for antlers because Wyoming has no season on antler gathering."
During the same week, Game and Fish biologist Ron Lockwood encountered a similar situation south of Kemmerer along Wyoming Highway 189. Lockwood watched as Utah antler hunters waded through knee-deep snow and deer scattered from the slopes and draws they were seeking shelter in. Once again, the antler hunters explained that they had come to Wyoming because from Utah wildlife officials had closed the Northern Region to antler hunting.
Hymas says during a winter when sportsmen and wildlife officials are concerned about the survival of big game, it is difficult for wildlife managers to protect big game from unnecessary disturbance.
"The current laws on harassment of wildlife in Wyoming pertain mainly to the use of motorized vehicles, and the Legislature in Wyoming has not granted specific authority to the Game and Fish Commission to regulate antler hunting," Hymas said. "Due to the competitive nature of many antler hunters, good ethics alone have not been enough motivation to get some hunters to wait until wintering animals can leave the crucial winter ranges before scouring the areas."
"We realize that not all antler hunters harass wildlife. The current laws on harassment of wildlife in Wyoming pertain mainly to the use of motorized vehicles, and the Legislature in Wyoming has not granted specific authority to the Game and Fish Commission to regulate antler hunting. Due to the competitive nature of many antler hunters, good ethics alone have not been enough motivation to get some hunters to wait until wintering animals can leave the crucial winter ranges before scouring the areas."
In spring of 2001, the Game and Fish attempted to address complaints about wildlife harassment, including unethical antler gatherers and wildlife photographers. The opinions concerning these winter recreation activities are very strong, ranging from one extreme to the other.
After receiving many complaints of wildlife harassment during the 2001 season-setting process, Game and Fish formed a wildlife harassment committee. The committee received input from hundreds of residents about what to do about unethical antler gatherers and wildlife photographers. Eight options were brought to the public, including an antler hunting season. A regulation creating an antler hunting season was brought before the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission in December of 2002. The antler season failed because it did not receive the necessary number of votes to pass.
In addition to the problem of human disturbances to wildlife, game wardens in southwest Wyoming have also responded to several recent cases of dogs chasing and injuring big game recently.
"I discovered a deer that had been forced into Pine Creek, killed and fed upon by dogs that were running at large," Hymas said. "Another complaint was filed by wildlife watchers that observed two sheep guard dogs attack a herd of deer and drag down a small deer in Nugget Canyon along US Highway 30 on February 18."
Kemmerer game warden Jim Olson also cited a dog owner on February 18, whose dog had attacked and injured deer in the deep snow near Kemmerer.
Wyoming law allows peace officers to kill any dog in cases where big game animals have been injured or are being threatened with immediate injury by dogs. A peace officer may also arrest or issue a summons to the owner of any dog injuring or threatening a big game animal with immediate injurey, unless the dog has been trained, and was attempting, to protect livestock.
"This is a crucial time for wintering big game. Deep snows often result in big game animals congregating in close proximity to towns and roads as they seek shelter and food. Wildlife managers are asking everyone to help our wildlife survive the winter months by being considerate of their needs. More animals can survive if they are allowed to conserve their energy and forage undisturbed."
"The best advice is to stay away from wintering wildlife. If you must look for antlers then do so later on when the snows have melted and the game animals can move up to higher ground away from humans and dogs. Show respect to the very animals providing the recreational opportunity. Give wildlife plenty of space and if you do see anyone harassing wildlife call your local game warden or the Stop Poaching Hotline at 1-877-WGFD-TIP."
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