JACKSON, WY — The May 1 shed opener is always a frenzy. But this year, one hunter’s story blew the antlers off every other headline.
Dylan Heide — known on Instagram as @fishhuntwyo — pulled off what many shed hunters only dream of: matching up a giant elk set measuring a jaw-dropping 403 6/8 inches. That’s right — 403 and change.
“I never imagined I would even come CLOSE to this,” Dylan shared in an emotional recap. “I stumbled upon the first side with eight groups behind me… I lost my freaking mind.”
Despite feeling miserable from a recent illness, Dylan made a bold call mid-race: he dove into untouched timber while others flooded the obvious trails. That’s where he spotted what first looked like a stick, but turned out to be the miracle match.
The rough scores?
- Right side: 171 5/8”
- Left side: 187 1/8”
- Spread credit: 45”
Put it all together, and it’s a 403 6/8″ bull — one of the largest matched sets ever documented in the Jackson Hole area.
But for Dylan, it’s about more than score:
“The 400” prize is great, but God’s free gift of salvation is the greatest gift there can be. I don’t lose sight on what matters the most in life.”
He thanked his family, friends, and photographer @angelaowens for capturing the moment.
One run. One dream set. One legendary elk.
This is the kind of story that keeps Jackson’s shed season wild — and makes believers out of even the most seasoned hunters.
📍Follow Dylan on Instagram: @fishhuntwyo
📷 Photo credit: @angelaowens