Restrictions on collecting shed antlers have been in effect on all public lands west of Interstate 25 since Jan. 1 and will remain so through April 30.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials say that anyone caught in possession of or collecting sheds — including shed horns and antlers and horns naturally attached to a skull plate — will face fines if they ignore the law.
Additional restrictions apply in the Gunnison Basin, but none of them apply to private lands. However, wildlife officials are reminding people that trespassing laws are always in effect.
The parks and wildlife commission approved the restrictions last year and implemented them to protect wintering wildlife from stress caused by human activity, primarily shed collectors, according to the agency.
“Shed collecting has become extremely popular over the past decade because there is a significant potential for high profit,” said Bill de Vergie, an area wildlife manager, in a news release. “That has led to a major increase in the number of collectors spreading out in areas where elk and deer are trying to find a little respite from winter. The last thing wildlife needs at this time of year are people speeding by on ATVs or snowmobiles, dogs running around off-leash and so on. It’s a very serious problem.”