May Day: A modern-day gold rush

During the past two days, I accompanied David, one of the Jackson district rangers, on his patrol during May Day. May Day is the first day of May and signifies the removal of winter travel restrictions on forest roads. When the restrictions are lifted, people have access to elk antlers that have been shed during winter on forest land. Antlers are collected by May Day participants then usually sold to the furniture industry. For many participants, May Day is an annual event. While many do it to supplement their income, many also do it as tradition.

Yesterday, I walked down the line of cars at Flat Creek with David, as he answered questions for May Day participants. In total, there were approzimately 80 vehicles at the end of Elk Refuge Road. People brought ATVs and horses to use in their mission to grab as many antlers as possible. Horses are the most popular method to get around the forest during May Day.

The National Elk Refuge borders Bridger-Teton National Forest. The Elk Refuge Road leads into Flat Creek Road and Curtis Canyon Road, both forest roads. The restrictions were not lifted until 8am this morning, so the participants had to line up at the end of Elk Refuge Road. Most of the participants had questions about access to certain areas of the forest. Many hoped to get information that would give them an advantage over other participants. People also enter through other parts of the forests. Some of these areas lift restrictions at midnight, giving those participants a time advantage. Most of the participants at Flat Creek were anxious to begin, as they knew others had entered the forest at midnight.

At 6am this morning, I drove out with David and Kerry, the wildlife biologist for the district, to patrol Flat Creek Road. We drove through Elk Refuge Road, where people were preparing to enter the forest at 8am. Once we arrived at Flat Creek, we came upon a handful of people that had entered the forest at midnight through other routes. Most had a few antlers. I only witnessed one participant that came away with no antlers, despite coming into the forest at midnight. The patrol didn't bring up many issues and from what I have heard, it usually does not. The biggest issues are people taking antlers from the Elk Refuge, which is not allowed, and people taking the heads of winter kills without tags from Wyoming Game and Fish. The second issue is usually resolved by people purchasing tags after they take the winter kill.

A winter kill

Around 8am, we turned around on Flat Creek Road and headed back to the forest entrance. As we arrived at the end of Flat Creek Road, people that had lined up on Elk Refuge Road had begun to head into the forest. People came in droves with their horses. There were also many that hiked into the forest or road on ATVs or mountain bikes. At the same time, many people that entered the forest at midnight through different routes were exiting the forest at Flat Creek Road.

Kerry had described May Day as a "modern-day gold rush". I can't find a better way to describe it. The event is important for many people. They were determined to enter the forest today and leave with a sack full of antlers. Many did but many also left empty-handed. The unlucky wants won't let their lack of antlers deter them from returning next year. They will be back, scheming and planning on how to do better than this year.

Two of the lucky ones that walked off with lots of antlers.