Drop the Shed! Nevada Department of Wildlife limits shed collecting in 6 counties

​by Daniel Montero

The Nevada Department of Wildlife has made it illegal to collect shed antlers--"sheds" being naturally lost pieces of bone, in contrast to horns, which are not lost and have a different structure--in 6 Nevada Counties during some winter and early spring months when shed hunters might disturb the animals. There are reports of shed hunters disturbing wildlife, disturbing natural habitat with off-road vehicles, and even harassing animals to cause them to shed!

These new regulations affect Elko, Eureka, Lander, Lincoln, Nye and White Pine Counties and the ban on collecting is in effect from January 30 to April 30 each year.

It is never legal to collect horns or antlers that have not been naturally lost (i.e., that belong to a dead animal). But shed antler "hunting" is generally legal in Nevada and throughout the West, but the practice has become somewhat heated for the abovementioned reasons. In places,  shed hunting has taken on additional pressure due to the high value that sheds can bring for uses such as chandeliers and even dog chew toys!  Last winter, Utah banned collection in an emergency measure and now requires shed hunters to complete a shed antler training program and Wyoming has also banned the practice during the winter and early spring  west of the continental divide.

When out in the Basin and Range, it can be a very fun activity to keep your eye out for sheds, and they can be wonderful finds for anyone enjoying the outdoors, but please be responsible!

Here's a link to the NDOW article on this.