AI (Antler Intelligence) Helps Catch Shed Hunting Trespassers

It's technology that might be the envy of every 4-legged predator tracking its prey.

ANTLER "STING OPERATION" CAUSING DEBATE

The Montana Outdoor Radio Show shared a story first published by Mark Heinz with Wyoming's Cowboy State Daily about how a tracking device inserted into elk antlers assisted ranch owners catching trespassers shed hunting on their private land. But it hasn't happened without controversy.

ENTRAPMENT?

Mark Heinz reports that, fed up with people trespassing on their land to hunt shed antlers, some Hot Springs County (WY) ranchers agreed to let game wardens plant antlers with tracking devices in them on their properties.

One of them was picked up by a 7-year-old from a family that owns neighboring property, and the boy’s father was cited for trespass by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Miles Galovich, who was cited, told Cowboy State Daily that from his perspective, it was an innocent mistake. And he also has some questions about where the tracking devices were placed, making him wonder if “entrapment” was involved.

He said that he was convinced that he was driving through a section of state land in April of this year when his son spotted a five-point shed elk antler, which he claims was about 20 yards from the road.

So, Mr. Galovich gave his son permission to get out of the vehicle and retrieve the antler, which the boy later returned to game wardens.

So, part of the controversy seems to stem from whether the antlers were "shed" or planted.

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GAME WARDENS WAITING

When the Galoviches later returned home, three Game and Fish agents were on the property. The wardens told him that a shed antler with a tracking device in it had “popped up there” (pinged at that location).

Miles Galovich was cited on April 19 for hunting, fishing, trapping or collecting antlers/horns on private land without permission, according to court records. That charge carries a bond forfeiture of at least $435, and a fine of up to $1,000, if the case goes to court. Penalties can also include the loss of hunting and fishing privileges.

A court hearing is set for May 15.