Shed hunters assoctiation?

Hey everyone, we are thinking of starting up a Utah Shed Hunters Assoctiation. What we are looking at doing is offering a quarterly Shed hunters magazine, window decal, hat and your opinoin to take back to our lobbiest to save shed hunting in Utah and help enforce and keep laws for the future of shed hunting.
At this time we are looking to see if we could get enough members to make it possible. Like to hear from all you to see what you think and your feedback.

Thanks
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bigbuck92
what would be the fee to join if we did?
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For this to happen we would need 500 members to join, the cost per year would be $30.00/USD membership fee.
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bigbuck92
i would have to think about joining then until more people sign up
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is it just for folks in utah? cause if it is that aint fare for the rest of the folks from other states.
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No, it is not limited to Utah. Anyone may join and in the magazine we will share stories and pictures from all over the United States and other countries.
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9er
I think alot of people would join, but before everyone jumps on the bandwagon, i think you need to tell us some of your ideas and thoughts that you will be taking to the lobbyist so we can decide if we should join!

9er
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bigbuck92
ya what 9er said :)
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NONYA
What do you mean by "save shed hunting"? :222
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Show_Me_Your_Rack
i would do it
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We are looking to start this for the future of shed hunting, and hunting in general! There has been a lot of talk lately about shed hunting and possible new laws and regulations that would affect shed hunting ,shed hunters, and our way of life!

1: By joining this association it will give the people involed a voice in any laws or regulations that could possibly affect shed hunting!

2:By becoming a member this will possibly give members more rights when it comes to shed hunting!

3:by joining you will have the oppotunity to share stories with others and show how shed hunting is not only a sport but a hobbie for all to enjoy!

4:Not only can this affect the future of shed hunting but as well as ALL areas that shed hunting takes place by helping to protect all species and land that shed hunting takes place! We are always open to more suggestions and oppinions that could make this Association a success!

Everyone who joins will have equal rights and opinions on what we as shed hunters would want shed hunting to be for our future
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9er
wildantlerman

thanks for sharing what your purpose is! can you explain a little more about #2. How will you be able to do that?

9er
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"9er" wrote:wildantlerman thanks for sharing what your purpose is! can you explain a little more about #2. How will you be able to do that?

9er
 This is not a for sure thing but it could be possible in the future! This will definetely help to at least give us a right to have a say in what happens for the future of shed hunting instead of just finding out about new laws when they come about.
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NONYA
No offense but I dont think that first $15,000 would be enough to do anything about a law that your legislators are looking at.
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We are not looking at making money but to give everyone who loves to shed hunt the right opportunity to be able and voice their oppinion in what they want as law. Some laws may be good when others may be bad. The money will be spent on having not only ALL our voices heard but a association that will play an impact on nothing but the future of all shed hunters/hunting. Along with this a chance for evryone at any age to have a chance to show how shed hunting can be fun and a tradition to enjoy for generation.
Besides this is what we have figured to start and kick off a great program that we feel will have an affect in many ways and years to come.
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NONYA
I think you would need about 10,000 members to have enough $ to hire the lawyers needed to fund the lobbyists that bribe the lawmakers. :222
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I believe you. But at the same time we can start now and enjoy shed hunting for all to share and to see what it becomes and when the time comes for something to take place, we may have the money that it takes to do so. With that said along with the help of everyone who joins and the sure to come sponsorships, we feel that we all need a place to start, this is what we need for that future. Like I said we are just getting info to see if this would be for those who want to help protect this great sport we all enjoy before we get some legislatures who has never hunted or knows nothing about shed hunting in any day of their lives, but yet who wants to tell us what we should or shoul'nt do. Not knowing how others feel.
I mean common its $30.00/USD a year per membership, which they would not only would they recieve four magazines a year, hat, decal and a membership card that shows they are a shed hunter saying they obey all laws/regulations of shed hunting and protecting the land and speices that live their. Also to top it off whos opinion will count when it comes down to it. Make yourselves be heard.
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NONYA
We dont have any problems with laws concerning shed hunting here,I dont forsee any either.What are they trying to do there?
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Last year they closed down part of northern Utah in not allowing shed hunters in areas from Jan. 1 to May 1 cause of the harrasement on the wildlife in their winter range not allowing shed hunters to pick up any antlers in this period, also has been some talk for a few years from the great vine in having to purchase tags.
This association would be to help protect shed hunters rights and allow them whom are members to give their oppinions in any change in laws. Not only this being a huge advantage in the future to come but allow every shed hunter or anyone to enjoy a new magzine which could ensure the future and past of this.
We just want to provide something for the great of heart and give back in a way we can to our kids and theirs. We would talk to the Wildlife Authorities and administrations and work with them in giving them more help and advice in protecting the wildlife. We also would show to younger generations the true ethnics in this sport. Working together is the best way.
We are not saying their is much of a problem nor threat, but why wait for one to come about. Acting now is better then to waite till there is one!
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NONYA
Im not worried up here,we dont have the numbers of people in the field you seem to have,nor do we have all the guys on 4wheelers running through wintering grounds,ours are closed till june 1st and i think its a good idea,we dont need morons running around on the wintering ground while the game is trying to get back in shape after winter.I dont think shed hunting is in any danger in Monatana.
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RooDog
NONYA you might not have problems with shed hunting now but in the future you might if the surrounding states put more and more laws/regulations in effect. Shed hunters will travel to your state that don't have any laws and ruin it for you in Montana and us in Colorado. I'm not saying all shed hunters are bad but it only takes a few bad apples to ruin it for everyone.

Like wildantlerman said you have to start some where. So count me in!
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NONYA
NOBODY is gonna stop me from shed hunting on our ranches where I do most of my lookin,not worried,I dont think you guys who do it on public land have much to worry about either.
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the way our government is runing you might have an issue in the future.
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Everyone-
Wes has asked me to join forces with him for making this organization and magazine happen, and i'm gladly taking him up on his offer....thanks Wes!

As far as the "organization" goes, we want to form this group to be a "voice" if you will, not necessarily against the state, but to try to work with them and have more of an input on the laws and issues because it's here to stay and is only going to spread. ](*,) Beleive me, as this sport of shed hunting grows, other states are watching us and taking lessons. With this organization, we can have chapters from all states that want to be involved and we think now is the time to get this started at "ground level" as this sport grows and spreads.

As far as a magzine goes, it will require lot's of pictures and short stories of all our shed hunting experiences, good ones and bad. I realize there is not quite the dramatization in finding a shed as there is taking an animal, but with enough interest, i really feel it will be a good magazine and fun to see and read. There will be differen't articles on shed hunting, laws, maybe even predator issues on winter range and the impact that has, ect ect, ect...the sky is the limit and i would want everyone's input on ideas, pro's and con's.

Keep letting us know your thoughts and issues, we will definately take them all under consideration! =D>
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NONYA
All of our F&G controlled wintering grounds are closed till June 1st,I dont see a problem with that,it has been this way for many years,long before shed hunting became what it is.As far as a tag is concerned we have to buy a conservation liscence/state lands use permit to access our state lands and this is for any purose,so we have been paying to do it for a long time now.In MT we can pick up anything except a bighorn sheep skull,this is the only shed /skull related law i do not agree with,I could understand having to check them in with the F&G but if i find a BH skull on MY LAND,I am supposed to leave it and notify the F&G so they can TRESSPASS and pick it up.Due to the value of a large ram skull I doubt any amount of $ or petitions will ever change it.We have never had shed hunting come up as an issue in front of our commision,I dont see why it would,I guess you guys just have too many pepole in the field and it has become a problem. :222
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Yes NONYA, it IS a problem here, it's getting out of control!

As far as your private land that you apparently own-
I'm not sure what your laws are up there, but here in Utah, we only own the land, THEY own the wildlife that reside there and they CAN site us for shed hunting on our own property and call it "harrassment" if we are caught picking up sheds before May 1st.

And "no"....i don't agree with that either, but that's the law and at the time there was not much of a "voice" to lobby against it.
Neither can we pick up an antler attatched to a skull ANYTIME of the year, i don't agree with this law either, but i'm willing to fight for some kind of "permit" to pick one up if i find one i'd like to keep.

These are the types of things we want to go after with some power and input if we can get this shed hunting "alliance" going, but if not....well, we sure had good intensions!! =D>
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NONYA
With the relativly low numbers of shed hunters we have here I doubt it will become an issue,anytime a group forms around here in the intrest of a hunting issue it usually results in negative results unless they are sponsored by a larger group like the Rocky mtn elk foundation or SCI,maybe you should look into groups like these and ask them for support. :222
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Thanks for that input NONYA, we have talked about looking into support from some of the "big guns", we'll see what happens.
My fear is that they don't or won't have any interest in helping out a small group of shed hunters, but all we can do is ask and see where it takes us.
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Sign me up. Wes
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For everyone who would like to become a member please pm me or email me at wesspencer@wildantlercreations.com
This will take some time to get rolling, but we ensure you as soon as 500 members join us we will send out some more information either via email or letter. So when you contact us to join we will need your mailing address or email. We are hoping to kick this off before the first of the year.
Like we have said before we need your help as well to do this and please give us input on what you would like to see.
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I am definetely in on this one! I know if you just let the politicians have there way there will be laws before you even know there laws, at least this way we get to put our input and suggestions on this. As far as the money goes you dont get laws with money you get laws with ideas and I know if theres more of us than them at least we will have a chance, In the end the votes are what count it dont matter how much money you bring, it matters how many votes you get!!! :thumb
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NONYA
You wont get any votes without the $ to get your ideas out,even on the F&G commision level you need petitions with X amount of signatures to get an issue recognized,it takes $ to get your issue publicized,it takes $ to get those signatures gathered,on petitions that need to be printed and spread around the state.Whenever you decide to fight or try to get a new law enacted it takes $,you can try without it but you would be wasting your time.
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Word of mouth is the best advertisement there is! Id rather have people on my side than money, at least we could say we tried instead of sit back and watch Right!!! We arent trying to make laws we are trying to keep the good laws and keep the bad ones from becoming laws and all that takes is a voice and then a vote !
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NONYA
It takes organization and support of a recognized sportsmans group = $
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waynedevore
NONYA, I'm only a outsider, but I can see the time when MT will make it illegal to pick up a skull with horns. Like right now you can't keep a roadkill with horns of anykind. Nothing fresh what-so-ever with horns/antlers of any kind.
Am I wrong? No matter if your on private property or not, a wardens stops you, you have a skull with some blood on it, I think you may be in trouble. Unless of course you know people. I'm not talking about sheds, but what's next?
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NONYA
I dont remember ever hearing about any of the past F&G commsions even considering the issue,so far it hasnt been a problem,like I said we have a relativly small amount of people who do it on a regular basis.They actually changer the law to allow us to pick up winter killed mtn goat skulls and moose many years ago.I think it would only become an issue if they have a rash of poachers claiming their heads were picked up rather than shot.I really dont see our F&G making an issue of it,they dont have the manpower needed to regulate our hunting seasons,they arnt going to hire more wardens to walk the hills during spring and summer look for some guy picking up deer skulls.We have VERY common sense F&G organization,probably the best in the US as far as the hunter is concerned,they are entirly against adding more regulation,not worried at all.BTW wardens dont have the keys needed to unluck several locked gates to enter our ranch's,never seen one one either place that wasnt hunting lions with us.
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NONYA-
Can i ask you why all the negativity from you about something that you obviously aren't interested in, especially being from Montana where everything is cushy cushy as it is for now? Noone is asking you to join this! Joining this organization is a choice, you take it or you leave it. Please don't try to suck the life out of something that obviously isn't a concern to you in your state. This issue is impacting Utah right now, and there's no doubt that Wyoming will be next because they are having issues as well with the growing numbers of shed hunters and i'm sure Idaho, Nevada and Colorado will have something like it in the very near future.
Wes (wildantlerman) put this post on here to get ideas and a feel for the numbers of people that might be interested in being a part of this and supporting our goals, which in turn is their best interests. But to have someone from an area that has no clue as to the real problems and issues we are having here right now is pretty disheartening to say the least.

For all that ARE interested and can see the good that this oragnization could bring, i'm have a meeting with Don Peay from the Sportsman's For Fish and Wildlife (SFW) to discuss first hand what we need to do to get this thing rolling, and he was very excited to see someone "stepping up to the plate on this important issue".

In a nut shell- If shed hunting opportunities and your state government are not an issue to you or your area on this subject, please don't bother voicing your negative opinion please. This organization is for those people affected by the new laws, and those who are about to be.

Thank you
SKULL KRAZY
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NONYA
If i was trying to suck the life out of it I would ask if they have the small buisness liscence required to operate somthing bringing in over 10,000$.I was trying to illistrate what is required to do what you would like and the issues that I have seen come up with local issues concerning our F&G rulings.If you dont have one of the big boys backing you on an issue odds are they will be against it and that spells doom for anyhting you want to change or protect.If the RMEF shows up to a F&G commision meeting and shares their opion that they think the regulations are in the best intrest of the states wildlife you better bet you just lost your case.I have been through the commision ringer on a few occasions and i know exactly what they will be up against,GOOD LUCK!
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NONYA-
We have already taken everything you've stated under consideration about the obsticles we'll undoubtedly face. We know we'll need liscensing and "backing from the big boys".
After taking with Don Peay today (SFW), he gave me great confidence that this thing will work and is desperately needed.
And if you are concerned that we are only in this for monetary reason's, please rest assured that we're not. We know it is a small group for now and it will take every penny earned from sponsors and members to just keep it alive. We are in this to simply be a "voice, or a "back bone" if you will, not just one or two people shouting profanities at the F&G at the rack meetings about why they can't pick up a shed until May 1st (yes, even on their own private property).
Thanks for wishing us "good luck", i hope it was genuine and sincere.
And good luck to you as well and to your great state that you won't be facing these issues like we are.
SKULL KRAZY
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NONYA
Absolutly sincere,I have fought the fight on seperate issues,its a tough one.Our attempt to stop the RMEFs request to make the area one of our ranches sits in a draw only area for bull elk was squashed by "experts" brought in on the RMEFs dime to "prove" they were looking out for the elk and in the best intrest of Montanas wildlife.After a century of general elk seasons this area started to produce some real trophy class bulls so THEN the rmef stepped in and basiclly shut it down,they decided the locals should have a once in a lifetime opportunity to shoot a bull where they had been hunting for generations and they got it.My uncle sat on the commision at the time and they offered the commisioners everything short of cash in a brown paper bag to sway the vote,my uncle was the only no vote on that commision.After 7 years of this new rule the elk numbers have DROPPED and i havnt drawn a tag.When the new gov. (a RMEF member) stepped in a few years ago he immediatly replaced my uncle with a more suitable member,a lawyer that doesnt hunt.....I have no concern about the $,you will need every dime you recieve to stand a chance.When you get the magazine ready to roll let me know and I will donate some photos of Montana wildlife and shed hunting for you to use. :222
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I totally understand and can see your frustration on what's happened up there, we have had things like that happen here in Utah as well. ](*,) Some fights we just cannot win, but at least we tried and created an obsticle for them.
These ridiculous shed laws that went into place down here went right into place with ease and very little resistance from the public because there was no "voice" form anyone but a few singles that were un organized. I'm glad we had at least that, but it obviously wasn't enough and they mowed over us like a street roller. All we can do it try NONYA, if we fail at least we can look back as a group and say "well boys and girls, we did everything we could". =D>
And like i said and want to stress here, we're not going in to "fight" the laws necessarily, :nono: we're just hoping to give them a differen't angle to look at and think about. [-o< They didn't have that to begin with and wrote the laws as they saw fit. :>/
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waynedevore
"wildantlerman" wrote:Hey everyone, we are thinking of starting up a Utah Shed Hunters Assoctiation. What we are looking at doing is offering a quarterly Shed hunters magazine, window decal, hat and your opinoin to take back to our lobbiest to save shed hunting in Utah and help enforce and keep laws for the future of shed hunting.
At this time we are looking to see if we could get enough members to make it possible. Like to hear from all you to see what you think and your feedback.

Thanks
 wildantlerman, Have you checked in with the NASHC?
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waynedevore-
I have looked at it and am somewhat familiar with their organization.
They seem to be mainly a "record keeper" of shed antlers, we are trying to be more of an "activist" group and will work closely with them on recording sheds, but our goals are a bit differen't.
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NONYA
Once you get organized I would start by drafting a proposal to amend their skull rule to allow you to pick up skulls as long as you check them in with w F&G office.I would think they could use the data provided by these check ins to track winter mortality rates and deer age.IT would be like having a couple hundred biologists in the field every spring counting the winter kill and aging the dead,might be a few common sense guys on your commision that would appreciate the effort.
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Bingo NONYA, your all over it!!
This skull thing is a pet peave of mine, and many others i'm sure...as i wrote in my previous reply. (hence my title "skull Krazy") :thumb

Thanks for staying open minded and tossing ideas and concerns our way, i really appreciate it very much! =D>
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proutdoors
I sent you an e-mail skull krazy. Thanks for letting me know about this. I like the idea. I also don't believe you need lawyers/lobbyists to make a HUGE difference. It is teh Division and WIldlife Board that request law changes that affect shed hunting. A group like what you guys are talking about CAN make a huge difference.

PRO
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Torch
At least you are trying to do something and that's more than most people will do. It sounds like a great idea....I'm in!
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TheGreatwhitehunter
Thats a great idea
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