They are getting serious!

JACKSON, Wyo. - At least two people have been fined under a new law prohibiting people from collecting antlers during the first four months of the year.

Wyoming Game and Fish Department wardens have cited five people accused of violating the shed antler season in the Pinedale area, and another was caught on private property without permission.

Officials said 40-year-old William Barnett of Freedom and 29-year-old Jeremiah Stewart of Thayne were fined $380 each, lost hunting privileges for a year and received a year of probation that bars them from antler hunting in that time.

The new regulation was meant to keep antler collectors off big-game winter range during a critical time for wildlife. It applies to public lands west of the Continental Divide.

That is great news. I shed hunted an area of Wyoming in the 1990s and it was great. We would head up in May and find antlers everywhere. Over time the competition became more stiff and people went earlier. I stopped going to the area because I don't like pushing the deer in March. I never do it for the money. So we went up on May 1 this year and it was just like old times. I found 26 in 7 hours, with a large set and a few large singles. Many browns. The regulation worked and I believe it helps the animals.

Great job to Wyoming for enforcing the law and good the Judge hit them hard. Make examples and the majority will not want to take the chance.