Finding antlers in Colorao

[nclonghunter]

A relative told me if I find an elk shed or antler in Colorado it is illegal to bring it home, or out of that state I suppose. Anyone knwo about this, I did some internet searches but found nothing.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Never heard of such a thing. Hope that's not the case.

 

[MuleyHunter]

Not true at all ! Here in Colorado you can pick up and take home any shed antler. There is nothing that says you can not take them across state lines either.

 

[Mountain Bowhunter]

I don't see why they would care about antlers leaving the woods

 

[Dinkshooter]

If this is true, I'm certainly going to jail.

 

[windymtnman]

I know for a fact you can gather sheds on public lands in Colorado, EXCEPT in certain places.  Specifically, you can't hunt sheds in The Great Sand Dunes National Park.  They consider them to be archealogical artifacts and a mineral source for critters.  So, perhaps National or State Parks may have local rules for this.

 

[nclonghunter]

Some states have laws against bringing the SKULL into their state because of CWD.  Some taxidermists require a permit or something before they will mount a head. It has to be properly cleaned and documented I think.

 

[COelkaholic88]

I know for a fact you can gather sheds on public lands in Colorado, EXCEPT in certain places.  Specifically, you can't hunt sheds in The Great Sand Dunes National Park.  They consider them to be archealogical artifacts and a mineral source for critters.  So, perhaps National or State Parks may have local rules for this.

You nailed it on the head. It is legal to pick sheds in Colorado and the sport is getting more popular by the year. There are a few areas where collecting antlers is ILEGALL in colorado such as wildlife preserves and national parks like the sand dunes as noted above. There is an additional closure to shed hunting in the gunnison basin area. However this closure is annual and occurs from march until the middle of may. The closure allows certain species like sage grouse to nest, and allows an unpressured winter range for bigger game.