JACKSON HOLE, WYO — A timely reminder from our friends Jackson Hole EcoTour Adventures. As spring arrives in Jackson Hole, shed antlers from mule deer, elk, and moose are beginning to appear.
Annual antler growth is an amazing feat requiring high caloric intake throughout the early summer. Developing bone is protected under a fuzzy velvet covering, during peak periods antlers will grow as much as an inch a day. All this effort put in by bulls and bucks to be the one who gets to do the majority of the mating in the fall.
Shed hunting is prohibited inside National Parks and on the Elk Refuge, but it is a popular pastime in other areas. It’s tempting to head out in search of sheds right now, however this could be deadly for wildlife, and is also illegal until May.
Mule deer across the state are having a hard winter. Some areas of Wyoming are reporting mortality of 2/3 of last year’s fawns. It is a critical reminder of the importance of not disturbing animals during this time of year.
Shed hunting in NW Wyoming opens up on May 1 at midnight.
