So, is there an actual season for gathering sheds in Colorado? Do you have to buy a license or tag? Just curious.
Dead heads and sheds
- Thread starter IW17
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Shed Antler and Horn Collection
Shed antler and horn collection on all public lands west of I-25 is prohibited from January 1 through April 30, annually.
Holy cow! Any evidence to support some of those assertions? I'm in no way opposed to intelligent wildlife and resource management, but some of that seems pretty extreme.Shed Antler and Horn Collection
Shed antler and horn collection on all public lands west of I-25 is prohibited from January 1 through April 30, annually.cpw.state.co.us
I look at it from a practicality standpoint; Wintertime in the Rockies makes it kinda hard to walk/hike around in the snow, even in a lean Winter like we're having right now. I can appreciate CPW's approach, and May 1st isn't very far away. Besides, in the past I haven't had good luck finding sheds of any substance.
I guess I don't have a dog in the fight. I'm just amazed sometimes by how many restrictions are placed on "free" citizens by unelected bureaucrats who act like they own the public land.I look at it from a practicality standpoint; Wintertime in the Rockies makes it kinda hard to walk/hike around in the snow, even in a lean Winter like we're having right now. I can appreciate CPW's approach, and May 1st isn't very far away. Besides, in the past I haven't had good luck finding sheds of any substance.
White Falcon
Bushmaster
Nice finds.
WRHC TopGun
Guide
Found another antler today but this one wasn't a shed. It's most of a left side, broken off above the brow tine. It was laying in an open field, so maybe it was broken off in a fight with another deer.
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It’s hard to grasp our ‘shed season’. I can hike around whenever I want. Then find a shed, then… leave it there??
I think the regs are geared more towards the commercial folks using dogs. It’s big business in the high country, and a lot of trespassing occurs as part of it.
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I believe in some areas its also geared toward another disturbing the animals on their wintering grounds, but waiting until they are beginning spring movements. Not sure thats the case in CO, but pretty sure its a reason ive heard for maybe wyoming
The local WMA where I hunt for sheds the most is closed until 4/15 to help protect wintering deer and elk herds. I don't think we have an official shed season though.
Yep, true fo CO, mostly.
The elk wintering areas are usually closed for motorized travel.
Foot and non-motorized travel are open all year.
It makes sense in that regard. But its strange for guys like me, out for an adventure on foot, and just bump across a shed. I’m not out ‘shed hunting’, but I come across them, occasionally, and pick them up.
My local CPW officer has told me it’s more a matter of intent and method, than whether or not I stuff a found one in my backpack when I’m out on a hike.
It’s a gray area the CO statute doesn’t clearly define. But such is the rest of life.
Hunter4623
Scout
Found a little coues shed in a wash
IW17
Scout
Eight today in about eight miles. I'm pooped. 
IW17
Scout
Four more today. All previous years.
The boy and me putzing around the woods. He was excited to find his first dead-head (I may have pointed him in the right direction).
