Want to gather shed antlers from Feb. 1 through April 15? Take the free, mandatory ethics course

Salt Lake City — Collecting shed antlers from many big game species, including deer, elk and moose, is a popular pastime in Utah. But before you head outdoors to collect shed antlers during the next few months, you are required to complete the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources' Antler Gathering Ethics course.

After dropping their antlers each winter, male deer, elk and moose will grow a new set of antlers starting in spring. Looking for the shed antlers is a fun activity that many Utah families enjoy. However, late winter and early spring are a tough time of year for deer, elk and moose, which is why the educational ethics course is required if you want to go "shed hunting" between Feb. 1 and April 15.

"During winter, big game animals, especially deer, often have a difficult time finding food," DWR Law Enforcement Capt. Chad Bettridge said. "As a result, they often survive on fat reserves they have built up prior to winter. If the animals are receiving constant pressure from people and repeatedly having to run or move, the animal has to use up those fat reserves and energy that it needs to make it through the winter."

While there has been heavy snowfall this winter, shed hunting will still be allowed at this point. The DWR will continue to monitor winter conditions and the condition of the deer and will assess if a shed hunting closure is necessary. DWR conservation officers will also be adding additional patrols to ensure that people looking for antlers aren't disturbing wintering wildlife. People who haven't taken the mandatory Antler Gathering Ethics course or who are harassing protected wildlife may be cited.

From late winter through early spring, the habitat that big game animals rely on is usually wet, which means it's more at risk for damage. The free antler gathering ethics course can help you learn how to minimize stress to wildlife and avoid damaging their habitats during this critical time of year.

You can find the free course on the DWR website. About 20,000 people take the mandatory course each year in order to go look for shed antlers in Utah. After you finish the course, you must print your certificate of completion and then carry it with you while you're "shed hunting." Completing the course is mandatory if you want to gather shed antlers from Feb. 1 through April 15, and the course must be completed each year. However, if you wait until after April 15 to gather antlers, you don't need to complete the course.

After you've completed the course, you can gather antlers in many locations across Utah. However, some notable exceptions include:

• Wildlife management areas: Many of the state's wildlife management areas are closed in the winter and spring to protect animals and their habitat. Make sure to double check for any closures before entering a WMA to gather shed antlers. You can find a list of Utah's wildlife management areas and any seasonal closures on the DWR website.
• Private property: You must have written permission from the landowner before gathering antlers on private land.
• Native American lands, national parks and many national monuments are also closed to antler gathering.

If you find a skull with the antlers or horns still attached, it's possible the animal was poached. Do not pick up or move the skull or disturb footprints or other evidence at the scene. Instead, please do the following:

• Take photos of the skull from a couple of angles
• Pinpoint the location of the skull (preferably using GPS coordinates)
• Report your find to the nearest DWR office or by texting 847411
• Provide specific details in your report

The DWR will send a conservation officer to investigate. If it's clear the animal died of natural causes, you might be allowed to keep your find.

For more information about gathering shed antlers in Utah, call the nearest DWR office.