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The sheds score an unbelievable 488 gross B&C points.

It was the third day of the 1993 New Mexico archery season. My brother-in-law and I were up at 4 a.m. and started walking west. After walking in for two hours we sat down on a ridge in the Gila and started bugling. After about an hour of bugling with no luck, we decided to travel to an area we have never been in before. I felt like I was being pulled in a different direction. I looked up the hill and I saw what looked like a lot of antlers, so I ran up the hill and to my surprise there were two sheds laying about five feet apart. It is rare that an elk would lose both sides in the same place and so close together. Since it was my hunting partners' first time, he could not understand my excitement. These were the first elk sheds I had ever found and what a find!

The sheds are 7x7 with one being an incredible 67 1/2-inches long and the other 64-inches long. These were the largest antlers I have ever seen and at the time one of the largest in the world. We picked them up and carried them five miles back to camp. The sheds scored 488 gross with a 64-inch inside spread. Since then, they have been seen at "The Rocky Mountain Elk Show" in Albuquerque, NM in 2001.

Cover Story Sidebar Features

The Sheds of a World Record ----->
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 ----->   "You are Here"
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

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