![]() ![]() Once they get off, they never recover from that kind of stress, and they’ll actually die in and around the feed area.” - Washington Wildlife Enforcement Capt. “They may not drop dead on site, but some of them do. Instead, some shed hunters cruelly endanger the health of deer and elk so they can be the first to snatch up those prized antlers. Washington and Oregon have imposed rules to make sure that “shed hunters” don’t harm elk and deer. At the same time, a growing number of people are heading out to wild places, hunting for those shed antlers to collect, make into decorations, or sell for big money. This could be a really, really nice one.’ I’ve never quite been able to explain that feeling,” Tanner said.įor nearly a decade, antlers have been popular in decor and fashion. “You’re trying to just find something that looks out of the ordinary,” said Rob Tanner while he makes his way through bitterbrush and around blooming sagebrush and juniper trees with his brother-in-law, Troy Capps.Įvery year deer and elk shed their antlers, and every year these two men make it their mission to find them. The trick to finding fallen antlers is to never look up. Some of those collectors harass these animals to death by chasing them down with ATVs. Learn more about the Elk and Vegetation Management Plan.A growing number people head out to wild places in search of the antlers that elk and deer shed. The plan's goal is to maintain a more natural population of 600-800 elk in the park's low-elevation valleys during the winter. The current Elk and Vegetation Management Plan addresses these issues. The population grew to record high numbers in the late 1990's causing deterioration of vegetation and other wildlife communities. The resulting decrease in predators and hands-off management of elk hastened the recovery of Rocky's elk population. Around the same time, an all-out effort began to eliminate predators-including the gray wolf and the grizzly bear. In 19, before the national park's establishment, the Estes Valley Improvement Association and United States Forest Service transplanted 49 elk from Yellowstone National Park to this area. As Euro-Americans settled the Estes Valley, they hunted elk intensively, sending much of the meat to market in Denver. ![]() North American elk, or wapiti, were once plentifulin the Rocky Mountain National Park area. History of Elk in Rocky Mountain National Park When we respect wildlife, viewing wildlife in their natural habitat is fun and rewarding! It is illegal to use artificial lights or calls to view or attract wildlife.Harassing or feeding wildlife is illegal in all national parks.For animals like elk and bighorn sheep, keep back at least 75 feet, or two bus lengths.If a wild animal changes its behavior due to your presence, you are too close. If wildlife approaches you, back away and maintain a safe distance.Take steps back until the animal is completely hidden. If you can still see the animal, you are too close. How close to too close? When viewing wildlife, follow the "Rule of Thumb." When viewing wildlife, make a thumbs up extend your arm all the way close one eye and see if you can hide the animal with your thumb.Look for elk in meadows and where meadow and forest meet. Elk can be seen anytime, a popular viewing period being the fall rut, or mating season.Fishing in those sections of Fall River, Big Thompson River, or Colorado River within the areas listed above are closed from 5 p.m.Foot travel off established roadways and designated trails or on closed roadways or trails.To prevent disturbance and harassment of elk during the fall mating period and to enhance visitor elk-viewing opportunities, areas in Horseshoe Park, Moraine Park, Upper Beaver Meadows, Harbison Meadow, and Holzwarth Meadow are closed to the following acts from 5 p.m. ![]()
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