Colorado hikers can keep an eye out for antlers during ‘shed hunting’ season

Every year wildlife deer elk pronghorn and moose naturally shed their antlers in the fall and winter then grow a new set in spring and summer For hikers going out in search of these fallen antlers shed hunting can feel like a treasure hunt A deer s antler is part of the scenery at Steamboat Lake Provided by Colorado Parks and Wildlife On population lands in Colorado there is seasonal access to certain areas where antler-shedding animals roam According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife shed hunting is permitted on constituents lands west of Interstate starting May That includes the majority of the foothills and mountains There are rules on the collection and possession of shed antlers and horns on constituents lands because they are considered wildlife disclosed Bridget O Rourke statewide inhabitants information officer for Colorado Parks and Wildlife The purpose of this regulation is to reduce stress on wintering big match animals during the time of year when big contest animals such as deer elk pronghorn and moose are majority of vulnerable There are approximately Rocky Mountain Elk and about mule deer in Colorado according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife East of I- shed hunting is allowed year-round on residents lands It s major to note that private lands are not included in these regulations but people need lawful access to possess antlers or horns on any private property There are fines and other consequences for illegal shed hunting In Vermejo in northern New Mexico you can sign up for guided shed hunting on the private -acre Ted Turner Reserve where there are an estimated elk and deer It might seem odd to have restrictions on something that an animal has naturally discarded but CPW explains that it can help wildlife by reducing any feasible human disturbance to their habitat Mule deer attempt to minimize their power expenditures in winter because of reduced available habitat and low-quality forage its website states Winter disturbance by humans can require deer to expend unnecessary vigor which can affect survival and reproduction Stress associated with movement and displacement of mule deer by shed antler hunters adds to their physiological strain and potentially reduces their survival to spring Lower survival and reproduction can ultimately reduce the number of deer available for hunting and viewing Shed hunting can also add depth to a hike as hunters need to focus on the details around them looking closely at the slope of the land for signs of the white-ish grey antlers poking up And rather than hiking ahead to a destination say a waterfall or a lake you move more slowly pausing and peering down into watersheds where deer and elk may have gathered and taking a closer look at trees rocks and tiny flowers along the way Colorado Parks and Wildlife s advice for responsible shed hunting Don t harass mule deer or other wildlife and document any harassment you witness to a wildlife officer Constantly keep your distance from wildlife for your safety and the well-being of the animals Keep your pets leashed while shed hunting Stick to designated roads and trails both on foot and in vehicles For those lucky enough to find several horns or antlers left behind you have choices on what to do next One option is to take photos and leave them where you discovered them The two main reasons to leave sheds in the circumstances are that they provide valuable mineral tools to small mammals declared O Rourke The second is that coming out of winter big encounter animals are vulnerable and disturbing them by trying to collect shed antlers can provide unnecessary stress Related Articles Meadow Creek Trail to be closed throughout the summer for repairs Alligator that starred in Happy Gilmore dies of old age in Colorado New apartments at edge of Lakewood s Belmar Park win planning OK after long-running conflict Rusty crayfish an aquatic nuisance discovered in northern Colorado river Fights persist over oil and gas drilling near Front Range homes six years after reorganization law changed permitting If you take the antlers wash them with soap and water Antlers are essentially bones that may have been exposed to various dirt and bacteria since shedding They can then be used as d cor in the home as a conversation piece If you are interested in selling them prices for antlers vary depending on the type smaller ones are likely to be priced by the pound Mindy Sink is a Colorado-based freelance writer specializing in the outdoors Subscribe to our weekly newsletter The Adventurist to get outdoors news sent straight to your inbox