Dipping, Poaching and Picking up Sheds in Places You Shouldn't

Disclaimer: The story you are about to read is true (thought slightly embellished), but the names have been changed to protect the not-so-innocent.

Across the river a couple tourists had already spotted Frank, his horse and his mule loaded down with Yellowstone National Park elk sheds.  Frank turned back in the saddle again and gave the unresponsive mule another slap in the face with the lead-rope.  Yep, no way on earth was that mule going to back up the steep embankment that led down to the river.    Frank had already warned his partner, Chris, not to follow him out of the timber and down to the river. 

They had apparently become disoriented and instead of conspicuously crossing back over the Yellowstone Park border, they were now at the edge of a large campground and wildlife viewing area.  Shed hunting in national parks or private land without permission (often called “dipping” or poaching) is illegal and highly frowned upon by park rangers.  Only weeks before, Frank and Chris were “dipping” with some friends in an isolated area of Yellowstone.  They had taken a break from finding antlers to gorge themselves on berries, when suddenly a huge bolt of lightning hit a large tree in the middle of the meadow where they sat eating.  With a wry sense of humor Chris remarked, “Better spread out boys, if I were God I wouldn’t want to miss a chance like this.”  Perhaps God had saved Frank’s punishment for this moment at the park campground.

Realizing there was no way but forward, Frank his horse and his mule barreled down the side of the hill and crossed the river into the campground.  About one hundred tourists were present that day and most were elated to see “a real cowboy with his horse and mule”.  Oohs and ahhs greeted Frank as they marveled at the elk sheds loaded high on his mule’s pack.  Frank, seizing their interest and lack of legal knowledge, summoned his deepest John Wayne voice and bellowed, “Stand aside Pilgrim!  I’ve got to get a move on!”  The crowd parted even though many were disappointed they didn’t have the opportunity to pet the horses and take pictures.  Frank nervously made his way through the campground to the timber on the other side, urging his equaling nervous animals passed the gawking tourists.  He kept glancing around, but to his amazement there were no park rangers. 

Frank never got caught and later repented of his “dipping” ways when he met Jesus.  It’s now been 35 years since he ventured into the park for that purpose but the allure of antlers is quite tantalizing for many a Montana outdoors man with questionable ethics.  The reasoning goes like this, “It may be trespassing but no one else is using them and they’re just rotting!”   Teton National Park allows the boy scouts to pick up sheds and there are arrangements whereby out-of-state owned ranches allow a select few to come in and pick up sheds, but there are certainly areas that never get picked.  Especially on what is known as “Uncle Teddy’s Ranch”.  But misuse of resources doesn’t give you the right to take them.

Then there’s the money motivation.  Depending on demand, brown elk antlers are worth $10/pound. One antler from a mature bull can weigh 10lbs so it can be a lucrative side business if you find an untapped source.  Antler furniture makers buy a large amount, especially larger sets to make chandeliers and various other pieces of furniture.  To their chagrin, many antlers are cut into small pieces and sold to kennels as dog chews because they don’t splinter or hurt dogs’ teeth.  Some antlers are also sold to Asia where they are ground into powder and used as an aphrodisiac.  Yes, you read that right.  Somewhere in Japan right now there’s probably an old man raising his glass of Saki and saying “Here’s to the Montana horn hunters!”