SUBLETTE COUNTY – During the March 30 Pinedale Town Hall focused on pronghorn and mule deer unable to find winter forage, a citizen asked Gov. Mark Gordon and Wyoming Game and Fish Director if this year’s upcoming shed-antler collection will still open for state residents on May 1.

Nesvick said there might be a delay, depending on how much snow is left and if mule deer and pronghorn can access natural feed on their winter or spring ranges Moose and elk,, which are faring much better also shed their horns but the public’s rush to collect them could interfere with deer and pronghorn survival.

Now halfway through April, it’s a little too soon to tell if winter conditions will allow the shed-antler season to open on time, said Pinedale Region Supervisor John Lund.

“We are monitoring winter conditions and animal movements daily to see if a delay will be warranted,” Lund said in an April 13 email.  “If conditions don't improve significantly and quickly, there will likely be a delay to the opener. Once a decision has been made we will notify the public and the media immediately.”

Some winter elk feedgrounds in Sublette County, such as Dell Creek Feedground, are still covered with feet of snow and the feeders are still feeding elk.

The Wyoming Legislature recently passed legislation that sets out-of-state horn hunters back seven days from the season’s usual May 1 opening, with only Wyoming residents able to collect antlers for seven days. The change in the law doesn't take affect until July.