By Hailey Higgins, Local News 8 Reporter

ST. ANTHONY - Horn hunters, it's time to pack up and get ready. The St. Anthony Sand Dunes open Friday morning at sunrise.

The Sand Dunes and surrounding habitat is a critical winter range for thousands of elk, moose, and mule deer. Part of the area is closed to protect them during the winter.

 The big game shed their antlers during winter, and hundreds of visitors come to gather up the antlers in the spring.

"Now all winter the active dunes have been open for folks to ride on, no problem", said Gregg Losinski, Idaho Fish and Game.

"But now the other part is going to be open for folks to head out and collect antlers. That's what they've all been waiting for."

The Idaho Fish and Game want to remind you even though the area is open, if a route is not designated with a sign, it is still closed.

No off-road travel is allowed to stop the spread of noxious weeds. Officers will be actively patrolling the area and handing out citations.