Documentation Needed to Collect and Keep Antler Sheds

June 2, 2016

Question: I work on a ranch with a lot of property. Among the wildlife on the property, there are a lot of deer. Whenever I hike around I find antler sheds. I was wondering if it is legal for me to take them, and if so, what documentation would I need to keep them? (Lindy K., Sacramento)

Answer: It is legal to collect antlers that have been naturally shed or dropped by deer or elk in California. No documentation is needed to possess them. Keep in mind that everything in nature is recycled. Many mammals, rodents in particular, gnaw on shed antlers as they are valuable sources of calcium and other micronutrients. Recognize that if you remove it from the field, you are denying that source of nutrient. Next time you find a shed antler, inspect it closely and you will often see teeth marks from these animals. Also, be sure to check local regulations because some areas (e.g. most parks) do not allow collecting of sheds in areas under their jurisdiction. Fish and Game Code, section 3039(c) provides the authority to have them and sell them.

So cure the rodent problem by picking up antlers. Got it.

I hope you're kidding....
When I did my thesis work I found quail nests that appeared to have the eggs gnawed by rodents. I set a bunch of traps and caught Peromyscus (deer mice).  I haven't seen much in the literature to document it, but I speculate that when rodents can't find enough calcium they may increase the pressure on bird nests.. so I'm not in favor of reducing the availability of antlers to them...

Aahhh you reduced the deer herd in California!

I hope you're kidding....
When I did my thesis work I found quail nests that appeared to have the eggs gnawed by rodents. I set a bunch of traps and caught Peromyscus (deer mice).  I haven't seen much in the literature to document it, but I speculate that when rodents can't find enough calcium they may increase the pressure on bird nests.. so I'm not in favor of reducing the availability of antlers to them...

The amount of antlers shed in California is so small, the calcium that could be derived from the consumption would be insignificant. If that was the case, and the deer mice relied on antlers for their calcium exclusively or as their PRIMARY source, deer mice would be dropping of osteoporosis and broken limbs, 15 years ago. I collect shed antlers, when I find them. I have only found two deer antlers in California. I am sure private land has more, certain areas with higher concentrations may have more. The buck:doe ratio is out of whack in CA, which leends to my claim that the antler calcium contribution as a whole regarding rodent's diets is very minimal. Just my scientific educated guess. (yes, I majored in biology and geology in college, I took a few classes on wildlife)

Surely the coyotes and mountain lions leave enough bones for the deer mice to gnaw on. This is California remember.

Surely the coyotes and mountain lions leave enough bones for the deer mice to gnaw on. This is California remember.

Amen

They might get enough  from the human bones from joggers and such that Mt Lions get. I do not think they eat all the bones.

They might get enough  from the human bones from joggers and such that Mt Lions get. I do not think they eat all the bones.

And migrant marijuana workers. Plenty of them go missing every year.