https://www.fws.gov/press-rele...fine-and-hunting-ban



PRESS RELEASE

Antler Poaching Leads to Fine and Hunting Ban

Apr 16, 2024
Media Contacts
Christina Stone



JACKSON, Wyo., — On March 11, 2024, an Idaho man who poached elk antlers from the National Elk Refuge and Bridger-Teton National Forest and initiated efforts to sell them — in violation of state and federal law — has been fined $6,000, banned for three years from Wyoming public lands, and lost all hunting privileges worldwide for three years.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department worked together on this case. State and federal authorities hope the sentence, announced weeks before Wyoming’s May opening of legal shed and horn hunt season, will deter others from flouting shed antler collection rules.

The defendant pled guilty to a felony charge of the attempted transport and sale of more than 1,000 pounds of poached antlers, valued at roughly $18,000. Illegally collecting and selling antlers is a violation of the federal Lacey Act, which prohibits the transportation and sale of illegally obtained wildlife. The state of Wyoming also forbids off-season antler collection from public lands west of the Continental Divide.

In Wyoming, antler collection is prohibited until May to protect wildlife, including elk, bighorn sheep and mule deer, from the stress of human presence when the animals are weak and just emerging from harsh winter conditions. Encounters with humans can reduce the animals’ odds of survival.

Buyers of shed antlers have turned them into dog chews, buttons, knife handles and wall ornaments. Demand for shed antlers has grown so high that hundreds of cars line up on the entrance road to the National Elk Refuge each year on opening day May 1.

“These types of violations are an ongoing problem, as the market value of antlers keeps going up, we are experiencing more theft and trespassing on the Elk Refuge,” said Service Regional Chief of Refuge Law Enforcement David Bonham. “The opening of the shed antler season is a big deal out here, for quite a while. We send 5 to 7 additional officers to the Refuge for this event each year to serve as first responders. Our goal is to make sure everyone stays safe and prepared for whatever the conditions may be.”

Legal antler collection season opens May 1 for Wyoming residents. Under a state law passed in 2023 and effective this year, non-state residents must wait until May 8 to legally collect shed antlers from public lands. To learn more about where you can shed hunt, please visit Jackson Hole Antler Hunt Information.

Antler collection is illegal at all times on the National Elk Refuge.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov, or connect with us through any of these social media channels: Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Flickr, and YouTube.

How can someone be prevented from hunting worldwide by the State or Federal government?

Well if he is a felon, he probably couldn't travel outside the nation. Not to Canada anyway without a lot of money in legal fees.

My cousin had a DUI and he spent 15,000 to be able to travel to Canada again. Not even a felony.

The actual execution of the hunting, I think they would have a hard time locking down.

It used to be a Felony in Canada for DUI.

Some people are just nuts
Serves him right

quote:

How can someone be prevented from hunting worldwide by the State or Federal government?

LOL, that doesn't sound/seem possible. A lot of Western states do have reciprocity in that regard though.

I'm glad to see my tax dollars out there kickin' ass and bringin' in the bad guys. Although this dude sounds like an idiot, during the course of this investigation an insane amount of fentanyl came across our southern border along with tens of thousands of military-age males. But don't worry about that, we got the antler guy!!