The Time Of The Year Wyoming’s Big Game Starts Dropping Antlers

It's one of the weirdest things that happens in nature, but yet it's so interesting we want to see it happen. Animals dropping their antlers.

Every year in Wyoming, deer, elk and moose will shed their antlers and get ready for a new pair to start growing back in. So for a period of time, it's a little tougher to be able to tell the difference between a male and female.

When they fall off, some folks around the state will go shed hunting, but there are lots of regulations you need to be aware of before you head out hunting the dropped antlers. Wyoming Game and Fish Department is the best source for you to check in with for those regulations, areas you can & can't shed hunt and when you can actually head out.

***Remember that these Wyoming treasures are already stressed during the winter time and any added stress can cause issues and affect the health of the animals. That includes shed hunting, so pay attention to the regulations. 

You may be wondering why the antlers fall off, if so, that's a great question.

Every year when the 'rut' is ending and the animals testosterone starts to fade, they begin dropping the antlers. After a few weeks passes, the antlers will begin to grow again and by the time 'rut' begins in the fall, they'll be full again.

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Usually moose drop their antlers November - December, mule and whitetail deer will drop theirs beginning in December and lasting until April, and elk will start in January but most will fall off in March. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation says one main factor in when they drop, is the overall health of the animal.

It's crazy how animals know when it's going to happen and sometimes it's quite the struggle. Some of those big boys look like they've had a few too many drinks.