Survey Shows Broad Support for Wyoming’s New Shed Antler Hunting Rules

A recent survey indicates that the majority of Wyoming residents are supportive of new regulations governing shed antler hunting, with many stating the rules have positively influenced their decision to participate in the activity, WyoFile reports.

Implemented in 2024 at the direction of state lawmakers, the new rules give Wyoming residents a one-week head start over non-residents in shed antler hunting. Out-of-state participants must now also purchase a conservation stamp before joining the search. The regulations are intended to reduce competition and preserve wildlife during sensitive winter and early spring periods.

Research conducted by Sam Maher, a PhD candidate at the University of California-Berkeley, in collaboration with the University of Wyoming, surveyed 318 shed hunters both online and at trailheads in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem—an area where antler gathering is closed until May 1 each year.

The findings show 87% of Wyoming residents support the new rules, which grant them exclusive access in the first week. Among non-residents, support dropped significantly, with only 27% expressing approval. Overall, 64% of respondents favored the changes.

The regulations also appeared to motivate more Wyomingites to participate in shed hunting. Twenty-two percent of resident respondents said they would not have taken part if not for the changes, citing reduced competition as a driving factor. Meanwhile, 29% of non-residents surveyed said they chose not to travel to Wyoming because of the updated rules.

“The high level of approval shows that people were receptive,” Maher said.

He noted that increased participation from residents may have offset the reduced non-resident turnout.

The rule changes have had a ripple effect across the region. Idaho will soon require out-of-state shed hunters to obtain a nonresident hunting license, and Montana is considering a similar fee-based permit system.

Maher and University of Wyoming business professor Tyler Kjorstad are analyzing the economic impacts of shed hunting in Wyoming and are preparing an academic paper titled “The emerging need to manage scavenged wildlife resources” for publication in the Journal of Biological Conservation.

Antler hunting has evolved from a niche pastime to a significant outdoor pursuit in the West, and Wyoming’s new approach could become a model for managing similar natural resources, Maher said.

“This is a big deal,” she added. “It opens the door to thoughtful regulation of other collected items in the wild, such as feathers or seashells.”

The researchers also hope their data will help land and wildlife managers balance recreation, conservation, and equitable access to public lands.