Bureau of Land Management Reminds Shed Hunters: Egin-Hamer Closed Through April to Protect Wildlife
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REXBURG, ID – Although the snow is melting, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and partnering agencies want to remind the public that the popular shed-hunting area known as Egin-Hamer is still closed until sunrise on May 1, 2017. “We work diligently with our partners and local counties to tell people why this closure is so important for wildlife,” said Jeff Roberts, Ranger for the BLM. “Unfortunately, harassment of the animals continues and we’ve already had four cases this year involving illegal horn collecting.”
The Egin-Hamer closure has been in place since 1987 and applies to both public and private lands. “The area provides critically important winter habitat for elk, deer and other big game animals,” said Devin Englestead, wildlife biologist for the Upper Snake area. Englestead says the area becomes even more important when abnormally harsh winters occur. “Big game animals have definitely needed the sand creek desert area this year,” said Englestead. “The 'no human entry' closure is necessary to ensure healthy populations continue.”
After being tipped off in March, the BLM, with assistance from other agencies, recovered approximately 80 illegally gathered sheds with a street value of $1,000. The horns were returned to Idaho Falls this week after being tracked to Kansas. The individuals who took the horns admitted to illegally entering the Egin-Hammer closure and transporting the antlers across state lines. The antlers will be returned to IDFG and sold at public auction.
The BLM hopes that actively prosecuting illegal behavior will deter others from entering the closure area. “This closure is in place to protect big game, and it’s not fair to the animals, or the antler collectors who respect the closure, for others to enter before May 1,” said Roberts.
Violation of the Egin-Hamer closure can result in a class A misdemeanor with penalties of up to a year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Individuals who transport illegally gathered animal parts across state lines are in violation of the Lacey Act, which can result in a misdemeanor of up to a year in jail and a $10,000 fine. The ramifications are even steeper for commercial violators.
More information on this closure is available online at https://www.blm.gov/press-release/egin-hamer-closure-goes-effect-jan-1st or by contacting the Upper Snake Field Office at 208-524-7500.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.