I cant tell you how many times Im walking and my brain says go this way, so I do and find a big antler.. According to a 2013 article in Montana FWPs. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Deer are adapted to have reduced metabolisms in the winter, and their digestive tracts even adapt to include the microorganisms to efficiently digest fibrous browse. How Antler Drops Happen No, not the hiking trail. This is independent of other bucks cycles and is probably centered on birth date. OK, thats enough. If the annual moisture amount was higher, elk will hang on to their headgear longer. If you're shed hunting flat, sage brush country, then getting out and hiking grid patterns through the sage brush usually pays off. Just be sure to respect the animals and please stay out of their wintering areas. You might want to bag the hunting boots and wear sneakers or soft-soled trail runners so you can feel those big sticks you step on. The best place to find sheds is in feeding and bedding areas where wintering elk spend most of their time. That may seem like common sense, but you've probably walked by many because you weren't looking. The deer trail. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Im surprised at this article. June 16, 2020 staciwarren. Bedding refers to making a safe area where the deer and any fawns can sleep, away from predators. The best places to look for elk antlers are where the herds, themselves, hang out. As an elk hunting guide for almost half of my life, Ive cultivated this land into my office. The requirement of a priced permit for collecting shed antlers and horns is a novel concept that would be precedent-setting in the western U.S. Whitetails are habitual, and youll find more antlers there next year if crops and cover in the area remain the same. That makes the eastern forest prime shed hunting territory. Once considered a fun, recreational activity for families or the source of a unique medium for artisans, shed collection is now a major business. Hazel or dogwood thickets offer a similar benefit on undisturbed upland sites, while alder or willow swamps are the equivalents for wetland sites. With all the deer gathering in these fields, you have a much better chance of finding a shed. Keep your search humane and. My first set of matching Boone & Crockett sheds were found 200 yards apart; one on top of a windblown hill in soybean stubble and the other in . Maybe you know what Im talking about. But the odds are good; 90-percent or more of the antlers you discover are going to be found in one of three locations. The best shed hunters know to only burn across certain low-odds areas, while slowing way down in more likely locations. Deer will often rub their antlers on trees or other objects to shed them. Here are some tips to get you started. The south side of a hill gets more sun in a 24-hour period than any other part of a landscape, making these slopes a top spot for deer to find warmth during the cold months. Public lands are usually full of these kinds of cuts, which can be part of your overall strategy. The CPW Commission chose to align its restrictions more closely with Wyoming, where Colorado gets its biggest influx of both shed antler hunters . All Rights Reserved. You need to find where the deer gather and feed from January until this time of year.. On May 1st at midnight, the National Elk Refuge will open its road up so elk antler shed hunters can access forest service land to collect antlers. Excellent point. Required fields are marked *. It depends on the condition and grade of the bone: Grade A: Antler in perfect condition, brown and beautiful, with no fading, broken tines or chew marks. I am a biologist in western Canada so this is not an uninformed comment. It is also importantto be in very good physical shape if you want to attempt getting into secluded areas of elk country. Steep South March 20, 2016, Jackson, WY The National Elk Refuge recently announced a change in regard to Refuge access and travel when wintering wildlife closures are lifted this spring. RAV-Cheatgrass-Tool-Improve-Bobwhite-Habitat, Sagebrush & Sage Species Conservation Strategy. Walk each grid and look straight down around your feet for sheds, then move on to the next grid. Most Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) fields are perfect for this purpose. You need to pretty much stick to trails and beds to find them. However, it is unlawful to collect sheds on private property unless a person has lawful access to that private property. They carry their horns for life. Look for the reflection of sunlight on an antler, the graceful, sweeping curve of the main beam, and points jutting above the leaf litter or through the snow. This is an inefficient way for them to feed, and they will always seek out the easiest feeding method possible. Some habitat types to accomplish this goal include tall grass plantings or frozen, thick cattail swamps. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); https://www.gomuddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/best-places-to-find-shed-antlers_Feature.jpg, https://www.gomuddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Muddy_Logo_shadow-Low.png. The best places to find shed antlers are areas that hold deer during certain parts of their daily routine, which increases the likelihood of you finding antlers. I found a Roe shed in my back yard and wondering if that would belong to me or the mice? Thats typically what runs through my mind when I see a buddy walking towards one of those spots while shed hunting. The freshly felled trees will provide lots of young tender browse that was inaccessible to the deer, but the sudden infusion of sunlight will also produce lots of stump sprouts next summer. 4. Worth $1-$2 a pound if youre lucky. While this post focuses mainly on finding white-tailed and mule deer sheds, the principles also apply for moose, elk and other antlered critters. In the winter, deer need thick thermal cover to protect them from the cold temperatures and winds. Loud, fast-moving OHVs and snowmobiles are major sources of wildlife stress. etc. Since they are usually located in close proximity to agricultural fields and make for a convenient bedding area, its always worth checking out one of these fields. But before you get to that level, youve got to start with the shed hunting basics. Want to find antlers without bothering wildlife? Yesterdays blog explored the enthusiasm some of us have for finding shed antlers and how that enthusiasm can turn into an obsession that threatens wintering mule deer and elk. In these spots, like winter feeding or bedding areas, it pays to search for antlers from multiple positions. In addition, to further protect the Gunnison sage-grouse, the new regulations include a time-of-day closure in the Gunnison Basin May 1 - 15 from sunset to 10 a.m. Thats typically what runs through my mind when I see a buddy walking towards one of those spots while shed hunting. Bone will shine and catch your eye. Shed Hunting Tips 1. Food. Spend some time observing deer at other times of year, and youll be well on your way to learning some shed hunting hotspots. Restoring any closed widgets or categories. And thanks for the reference! Frozen cattail swamps offer a similar level of protection as they will grow extremely densely to protect deer from any cold winds. I once found a perfect matched set lying in the shape of a cross.. Yet another way to get outdoors, improve your hunting skill set, and scout new lands. The best shed hunters I know cover 7, 10 or maybe 15 miles per day in a slow, controlled pattern (more on that later). But elk have been known to migrate up to 125 miles to seek these places to endure the winter. Most deadheads have small to medium-size racks, but each year a few people chance upon a monster. The cows uncover and kick up fresh antlers from this year, and chalky ones that are a year or two old. By keeping this information in mind, it will help you locate potential feeding areas that elk will utilize on a regular basis. Prices vary among antler buyers, but Grade A bone is currently fetching $16-$20 a pound. My spring scouting regimen includes looking for whitetail sheds to figure out what bucks made it through the previous hunting season and harsh winter. Think smart and travel to areas with less hunting pressure where deers migrate to survive and drop their antlers. With just a little basic training, a bird dog can learn to find sheds, and then he can multi-task between retrieving ducks and shed hunting in spring, he says. If the annual moisture amount was higher, elk will hang on to their headgear longer. "You really have to look hard because if you find an antler and the match was 200 . Finding an antler in the woods may seem like finding the proverbial needle in the haystack. Copyright - Muddy Outdoors - Powered by, Shed Hunting | The Pros and Cons of Finding Dead Heads, The Power of Perennials | Spring Food Plots. If youve shed hunted long enough, youll recognize that those spots almost always hold an antler or two. You can train your family pet, say a Lab or golden retriever you keep in the house, to hunt sheds. While you might spot an antler or two out in the open, be sure to walk and check brushy and grassy field edges. Shawn PanickOur 20/20 vision will find antlers, but normally within a limited range. Check your state and local regulations for shed hunting seasons and management area closures. South-Facing Hillsides Theres a match out there, and now its your job to find it. These tall grasses shield deer from icy winds and stay upright through ice accumulation and heavy snows. Its a warmer-than-average winter in many parts of the country, the snow has mostly melted, and its the perfect time to get out there and check the woods. After the rut, decreasing testosterone levels cause an abscission layer to form between the antlers and their pedicels. Searching Crop Fields There's no doubt that agricultural fields are prime places to seek sheds. In 2018, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission voted unanimously to prohibit shed antler and horn collection on all public lands west of I-25 from January 1 through April 30, annually. While you might be able to find young growth areas on your property, they will likely be scattered around and hard to pinpoint a specific location. But if you have any recent clear-cut areas from the year before, there is sure to be an abundance of young growth for deer to browse on. Currently bringing $6-$10 a pound. If you dont have any on your own private land, you can create that habitat right now to increase your chances of finding a few sheds this winter and for many to come. In addition to fines, each violation carries five license suspension points that are assessed against the violator's privilege to apply for, purchase, or exercise the benefits conferred by any licenses issued by CPW. Now that you have a good idea of where to start your search for antlers, and have secured permission to access as many private fields and woods that you can, get out there and go. In most parts of western Colorado, winter conditions affecting big game typically last into late April or early May, and big game are still losing weight and body condition. But serious shed hunting will help you learn more about the animals you hunt in the fall. It makes sense then that deer are more likely to shed antlers in one of these two areas since thats simply where they spend most of their time. Just make sure its still frozen before you venture out into the swamp. From January through March, 80 percent of the whitetails are congregated in 20 percent of any given habitat that has the best food sources, which are limited this time of year. Weve listed some of the best places to find shed antlers below. Well never be able to go on a simple stroll through perfect shed hunting land and scoop antlers up left and right. Look for deer rubs. If your shed hunting location has an average or above normal snowpack, figure out where the snow line was around the first or second week of April and you will find antlers at that elevation. It's big business for a lot of people and with the introduction of mountain snowmobiles, many shed hunters can get into moose territory . But there are certain places prone to finding bone. You may also find antlers on paths frequented by deer. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. These sheds will be easy pickings and you want to get to these first. Bi 09/04/2023 09/04/2023 Assuming the bucks other antler taped 75 and that he had a decent rack spread, that giant would have pushed 170. So get outside and start your search. So lace up your boots and go. Work from a distance, and get to know where they are hanging out. Odds are high that a bull will drop his rack with his descending gait along a game trail. Whitetail antlers are definitely hitting the ground across the country, as you can probably tell from social media updates. Deer may occasionally shift to bed on the southern edges of spruce plantations so they can soak up the suns warmth while being protected from the norths icy winds. 11. But finding those needles of bone in the haystack of the wild is just as exciting and rewarding. Any grassy crop field edge is a must-search for antlers. Then get out there, explore, stretch your legs, and work on honing in those hunting and glassing skills for fall. Depending on the harshness of the recent weather, it doesnt hurt to wait till the end of May or even June to shed hunt. Heres how. Youve found a shed, but guess what that means? I use peanut butte in my mouse traps, wonder if that provides enough? Its important to note that deer will normally only eat the young and tender new growth from the summer before as that is easier to digest than older, tough, and woody stems. The regions Ive guided are heavily populated with elk, so Ive stumbled upon a lot of their sheds. You know I am just a dumbbell I guess, as I have never ever stopped picking up Moose, Elk, or Deer sheds due to the furry little animals I may be robbing a meal from. Most people look right over antlers, says my friend and whitetail expert Terry Drury. I find a few antler sheds is all but my point is there are just too many elk to worry about a mouse getting enough calcium. And I have been looking for just over 10 years. Across deer and elk country, almost all bucks and bulls will have dropped their antlers by mid- to late-March. Grade B: Antler in good condition, still natural brown color, may be a bit dull or faded on one side and slightly weathered, probably last years drop. The fresher the antler, the higher in value for horn traders and our four-legged friends to gnaw on. But shed hunting can be a fun springtime pursuit and you can easily do it in a way that doesnt bother wildlife. Bigger bulls and elk in general, prefer seclusion and will not tolerate human interaction, which is why you also find them at higher elevations. All of these factors make an area with evergreen cover preferred winter bedding for deer, and thus a great place to scoop sheds. These are prime places to check throughout the spring. "Those are the real tough ones that are hardest to keep from violating these closures because these antlers are worth enough (that) it's worth the risk for them." Enforcement captain Bob Weaver. I have been known to migrate up to 125 miles to seek these places look... Get out there, explore, stretch your legs, and get to these first is also be. Been known to migrate up to 125 miles to seek these places to look hard because if want! And i have been known to migrate up to 125 miles to sheds. In feeding and bedding areas, it will help you learn more about the animals you hunt in the of! 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Full of these kinds of cuts, which can be a fun springtime pursuit and you want attempt! As exciting and rewarding thats typically what runs through my mind when i see a buddy walking one! Hunting can be part of your overall strategy work on honing in those and. Expert Terry Drury a game trail his descending gait along a game trail respect the animals you hunt in haystack.