Jackson Hole Shed Antler Run
May 3rd, 2006 David King - King's Outdoor World
For those of you who are familiar with the annual shed hunting run in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, you will get a kick out of these photos. As you can see from the photos below, it can get pretty crazy. Justin R Williams took the time to travel to Jackson Hole and get his chance at shed hunting on forest land that borders the elk refuge. This special area where a lot of elk winter is closed off to the public from December until May 1st, therefore no shed hunting until May 1st.
Here is some great commentary from Justin along with his photos of his Jackson Hole Shed Antler Run! Click on photos for a bigger image.
May first is the opening of the public land(National forest Land that borders the National Elk Refuge), Elk Refuge land is off limits all year long except for the road that passes through it. After May 1st you can drive up to the National Forest land any time until season closer in December. There are antlers all over up there, all year long if you look for them. The line up happens only on the opening day and has gained popularity over the past few years. This year we talked to some guys at the front of the line that were there 3 days before to wait in line!!! Most people are from Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Utah, even saw plates from colorado, Oregon, and Arizona!! Lots of horse trailers, about half of the line had horses this year. There were about 200 vehicles in line Monday morning when the gate opened. When the gate opens you have to stay on the road until you leave the Refuge boundary before you can get out. It is illegal to walk on Refuge property, there are antlers on the side of the road through the boundary but only for decoration, because you can’t stop to pick them up. Most people are there for the opening of the gate experience and top it off hopefully with a load of antlers during the first day of the run
Well I made it again up to the Jackson Hole antler run. We got there at 10 am the day before and were 88th in line!! The usual crowd of horses and foot people. There was plenty of excitement waiting in line, the drunk folks, horses running wild and what not. I met the Teton County Sheriff and visited with him while he was assessing the crowd. I froze during the 26 degree morning and the exhaust from vehicles warming up and the whiff of the portapotty nearby about did me in. Excietment in the air at 8 am opening morning was fun and we hauled butt up the mountain. I was able to scrounge up two six pointsand a two point moose bone. It was alot of fun. The other guys I was with came home empty handed, so I guess I was lucky. Here are a few pics to share.
Front Line of the Refuge
Back of the line, Jasons truck on the left, the big ol muley
The Tetons
Buried Treasure!
From both Ends, Moose treasure!!
The lucky dog!!
Entry Filed under: News and Stuff
10 Comments Add your own
1. Justin Williams | May 3rd, 2006 at 3:42 pm
I just have to clarify that you can NOT pick up shed antlers ON the Refuge, only on the National Forest land next to the Refuge. It is a hoot of a time if you can stand sitting in you truck or on a chair in the middle of the road, being carefull not to get run over by a horse. Overall it is a good time!!
2. Jason Rindlesbach | May 3rd, 2006 at 8:31 pm
Swampage, that was fun. Just wish I had run up the mountain a bit faster and I could have had that huge winterkill. Oh well there is always next year
Jason “The Big Ol’ Muley”
3. jeremy | July 24th, 2006 at 5:28 pm
I’ve gone to jackson the last five years and i must say its a rat race!!! It sure is alot of fun though. In 2003 we picked up 48 elk horns, this year we only picked up 7 horns. There was alot of snow this year so it kept the elk on the refuge longer this year.
4. Mighty Hunter | October 20th, 2006 at 7:53 am
YES HE IS LUCKY!! NICE SET!!!!!
5. Dude.......... | October 20th, 2006 at 7:55 am
Nice rack…………
6. truman | August 10th, 2007 at 8:59 am
that looks so much fun im going to try it
thanks!
7. Felissia | November 10th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
If anybody can give me more information on this I would be very greatful! I’ve searched the web and can’t seem to find out anything about this.
8. Mike hanks | December 1st, 2007 at 3:18 am
Im 14 years old and went on my first trip to jackson hole shed hunt last year…..it was a blast cashed in on ivorys big time
9. ivan yarmolich | January 27th, 2008 at 2:04 am
wow i have been shed hunting 3 years, the first year i found aroud 10 freash ones, next year i found 62 on public land, also i found a 7 point gaint elk shed less than ten feet away from hyway. i am wonding when people go to jakson hole to hunt sheds, do you have to have horses! because if horse people go, who stands a chance on foot
10. Bj richardson | April 24th, 2008 at 11:13 am
I just love the outdoors and it looks like you have a great program here with the shed hunting wyoming offers. The elk dropped a little late here in montana, but its still been a good spring and I have found 3 sets of 6by6 elk and a bunch of rag horns over here in the elkhorn mountains
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