Sheds of a World Record : Hunting Illustrated Spring 2002

Hunting Illustrated Spring 2002: The Sheds of a World Record

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The Sheds of a World Record - "Cover Story"
by Editor

After eight unsuccessful years, the sheds of a world record are found.

In the fall of 1993 Lloyd Barton harvested, arguably, the biggest, and most impressive mule deer of the 90s. Lloyd's buck has 29 scorable points and is 38 inches wide. It is the Muzzleloader World Record with an official score of 293 6/8. It also has two points and about 10 inches of antler that were shot off. The day before Lloyd harvested this buck, one unlucky hunter understandably got buck fever and shot high, taking off two cheaters with one shot. Shed hunters that knew where the buck was harvested had searched this remote area of southern Utah starting where the buck was harvested and then searching the winter range to the south. Even after many antler crazed hunters have searched for eight years without success, antler addicts still talked about finding a pair of the sheds from Lloyd's monster.

Skip Kemp holding the Barton Sheds In the fall of 2001, eight years later, one more piece of the Barton buck puzzle was found. Skip Kemp and Lynn Button came across the giant pair of sheds in the bottom of a sandy wash. They said at first glance it appeared to be a dead deer's rib cage because of all the tines sticking out. However, upon closer inspection they saw the second horn and realized they had found a one-in-a-million pair of sheds. There were 13 points on the right and an incredible 21 points on the left side. The sheds have several points broken and the left side main beam was rotted off from laying in the wet sandy wash. Even with seven points missing, the pair scores 288 inches. Later repaired, the sheds scored an impressive 305 gross, and 295 2/8 net. Even at 288 gross B&C, Skip Kemp's sheds may be the highest scoring pair of non-typical shed antlers ever found.

-----> Read the Story on the Barton Buck

Cover Story Sidebar Features

The Buck of Justice Once Again is Judged ----->

The most talked about desert buck of the past decade is found dead

The Sheds of a World Record -----> "You are Here"
After eight unsuccessful years, the sheds of a world record are found

The Most Famous Sheds ----->
The famous Popeye buck eluded hunters year after year but showed off during spring

One of the largest elk sheds ever found ----->
The sheds score an unbelievable 488 gross B&C points

The Boom of Shed Hunting ----->
The popularity of shed hunting has become as exciting as opening day of the deer hunt for many

Winter Range Ethics

Shed hunting is at its most popular time as far as the number of people heading into the hills. Like most good things, it will come to an end if we don't manage our actions and make wise choices. Deer and elk lose their antlers on the winter range and during a very crucial time of survival. The winter range is an area of retreat where deer and elk migrate to from the higher elevations to escape the deep snow. This winter range area is vital to the survival of the deer and elk herds. This is a time when they must conserve energy to get through the bitter cold conditions and decreased food supply.

Why is this information important for the shed hunter? Because shed hunters, anxious to be the first to get the dropped antlers, can put life threatening pressure on these animals if they pursue them in the hills. The energy that has been stored to get these deer and elk through the winter will instead be used to flee ignorant shed collectors and eventually lead them to an early death. This is a problem that will only get worse as the popularity of shed hunting increases. For example, in 1997 when Popeye was just about to drop his second side, there were 27 trucks lined up on the winter range watching and in pursuit.

Whether you are a die-hard shed hunter or just a weekend beginner, if we don't act with integrity and follow the ethics of nature, shed hunting will be taken from us. Southeast Idaho is already closed to shed hunting until May 1 and similar restrictions have been submitted into legislation for Wyoming. Other areas throughout the West have road closures and date restrictions as well. Like hunting itself, we want our kids and our grandkids to enjoy the thrill and fun of shed hunting and enjoy the beauty of wildlife and the outdoors. Let's not allow this to be taken away from us because of our own ignorance and selfishness.

What do you need to know before heading out into the hills
* Put wildlife first - keep your distance
* Do not chase, push, or pursue game during this crucial time
* Keep ATVs and trucks on designated and legal roads
* Go out on foot or horseback and get permission before entering private property
* Check the hunting proclamation for any regulations on shed collecting for your state
* Take a friend along and have fun