Shed Hunting Tips 1. Spring scouting can help you gather valuable intel for the next hunting season. Routes mysteriously converge. Many areas restrict access until elk are off their winter range. Small mammalian tooth marks on sheds reveal its purpose in providing scarce minerals. Thats a great way to really increase your odds of finding a shed antler! You might want to sell some, so how much are they worth? If youve shed hunted long enough, youll recognize that those spots almost always hold an antler or two. sunken stomata and transpiration.. best places to shed hunt in utah. In this 20 percent pocket is where bucks cast their antlers, and where you need to look. Look for places deer trails encounter such obstacles. 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. Youre in one of those spots. According to . When deer feed in ag fields at night theyll often bed down for periods of time, and the adjacent grassy strips offer a prime location for them to take a break. Winter can be extremely difficult on wildlife as body weight is down and access to food is very limited. Conservation science, field reporting, and cool creatures. OK, thats enough. With all the deer gathering in these fields, you have a much better chance of finding a shed. Wardens watch social media, as they should, so dont get jammed up. 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. You might find some bone in these places, or you might not. Also, the CPW Commission does not regulate other forms of recreation such as hikers and bikers on other land-use agency properties such as the Bureau of Land Management lands or National Forest land. * Before snow melt, get out in search of tracks. There are some changes this year from the way this has operated in years past and we wanted to get the word out to possible visitors to the area. Bull elk are seeking solidarity out of eyesight over the next mountain top. But before you get to that level, youve got to start with the shed hunting basics. Antlers are easier to see when you look straight down from a horse. Michael Hanback. The act of shed antler hunting, as well as the illegal possession of each shed antler, are now viewed as separate offenses subject to individual fines. Crops high in carbohydrates, such as corn and soybeans, are excellent high-energy foods - far better than most natural browse - and thus are important winter food sources. I've found that single trees and patches of conifers specifically attract mature bucks, so make sure to hit each isolated pocket of evergreens you see. 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. Happy shed hunting! Ohio Hunter Finds a Massive 233-Inch Deadhead Buck. But odds are good that 90 percent or more of the antlers you discover are going to be found in one of three locations: bedding areas, transition corridors, and feeding areas. Shed antler hunters focus their efforts on specific areas where big game are wintering with a very high likelihood of disturbing and displacing those animals. Bucks will leave shed antlers pretty much anywhere. High efficiency is critical if youre dealing with huge properties and want to find some deer sheds before the mice, squirrels, and porcupines chew them up or another hunter finds them. Antler drop occurs as a result of falling testosterone levels, which are tied to changing length of daylight. Maybe you know what Im talking about. When this kind of place comes into view, you can feel the energy change in a group of shed hunters. Theres a match out there, and now its your job to find it. Elk Antlers. Finding shed antlers can happen anywhere in a deer's home range, usually encompassing hundreds, if not thousands of acres. Colorado is home to a variety of animals that shed their antlers in the late winter including deer, elk and moose. Any number of things could have caused the bucks demise: hit by a car, lost by a bowhunter last season, Hemorrhagic or even Chronic Wasting Disease. Your email address will not be published. If last year was more on the dry side, antlers will drop sooner. Youve got to look close, real close, says Drury. Collection and Possession of Shed Antlers, To read the closure regulations, refer to #002(O), Antler and Horn Collection, within the. 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. Public lands are usually full of these kinds of cuts, which can be part of your overall strategy. Finding an antler in the woods may seem like finding the proverbial needle in the haystack. But shed hunting can be a fun springtime pursuit and you can easily do it in a way that doesnt bother wildlife. Don Schaufler owns and operates Antlers Unlimited (antlersunlimited.com) and Antler Designs (antlerdesigns.com) in Ennis, Mont. This closure applies to public lands in Game Management Units 54, 55, 66, 67, 551. Routes mysteriously converge. Elk will shed close to 6 months after the peak of the rut. Gerald Almy. Since deer would typically drop their antlers in a feeding area during the night, youd have a great chance at finding a fresh deer antler before anyone else if youre up against other public land shed hunters. . These trails are very easy to notice in the winter, whether there is snow on the ground or not. For the past few years, Ive struggled to find elk antlers in the mountains of Colorado and quickly became frustrated withthe lack of my success. As more people enjoy each season that Colorado has to offer, and new forms of recreation continue to emerge, it will be very important for CPW staff to work with recreation organizations, land-use management agencies and local communities to get the word out. Here's our guide to finding "sheds" in a forest or field near you. You might spot a whole antler, or maybe just a tine sticking up. May have a chip or slight broken tine. Grassy Buffer Strips You need to pretty much stick to trails and beds to find them. My spring scouting regimen includes looking for whitetail sheds to figure out what bucks made it through the previous hunting season and harsh winter. I am a biologist in western Canada so this is not an uninformed comment. And theres a lot of online information, too, like my friend Hal Herrings definitive piece. By keeping this information in mind, it will help you locate potential feeding areas that elk will utilize on a regular basis. South-Facing Hillsides Examples of these types of obstacles: Fence crossing: This is a very good example as when a buck or bull tries jumping the fence, there are chances that the loosened antlers will shed. Removal has an impact on the local ecosystem. The tall, fallow grass that runs along or through crop fields are what Im always seeking out. Frozen cattail swamps offer a similar level of protection as they will grow extremely densely to protect deer from any cold winds. 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. Getting to know the locals is another good idea. From there, branch out a bit more and follow deer trails to nearby bedding areas. Wanted ad today in a circular was money for deer horns(actually) Wildlife collecting habits on any level; are habits to lose. Once you find an area like this, the probability of it being a great spot year after year will be high. For more information on these temporary No Parking zones and public parking locations please contact the Jackson Police Department at (307) 733-1430 or visit the Town of Jacksons website at http://www.townofjackson.com. 2023 The Nature Conservancy. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. In an effort to minimize disruption to residential areas of East Jackson the Town Council has requested that several temporary No Parking zones be established in East Jackson on Broadway, Nelson, Rancher, Absaroka, Wapiti, Redmond and Simpson. But while everyone is consumed with the idea of looking for these magical shed antlers, they often get confused about where to look for shed antlers. He also spends a lot of time with deer conducting research, promoting quality deer management, reaching out to hunt clubs, writing about deer, thinking about them. In addition, to protect sage-grouse, shed hunts in Gunnison Basin (Management Areas 54, 55, 66, 67, and 551) are restricted May 1-15 from sunset to 10 am. Deer are adapted to rest during the day and feed throughout the night. Identifying and recording which of these areas you find a shed will help you formulate your fall hunting strategy. Corn stubble is good, too. For additional shed hunting tips and helpful information, be sure to check out 4 New School Tips For The Beginner Colorado Shed Hunter. CPW does, however, manage State Wildlife Areas across western Colorado, many of which have seasonal closures to all human use in order to protect wintering big game animals. Now well talk about the other main area youre likely to find most of your shed antlers. Eckley spends a lot of time in the forest. The new Refuge access and travel regulations are explained in a news release on the web at http://1.usa.gov/21y0iuN . Bi 09/04/2023 09/04/2023 | Game Trails Fortunately, there are volumes of information on deer and elk to learn more about their biology. Standing corn that was not cut for some reason is a sure-fire spot to scare up a few sheds. Tom Carpenter, This years drop and picked up within a few weeks or months. Michael Hanback Diehard whitetail hunters pride themselves upon collecting the same bucks sheds, year after year. Yes, porcupines do indeed devour antlers (and other unusual things) but this is a topic for a future blog. A severe winter with a lot of snow can also cause stressed deer to shed earlier. In many areas, deer create runways every bit as well-worn as those created by humans. The pace picks up. Son of a bitch. Following a flash of white into a swath of sage brush near McCoy, he discovers an antler under a juniper tree. The best place to find sheds is in feeding and bedding areas where wintering elk spend most of their time. RAV-Cheatgrass-Tool-Improve-Bobwhite-Habitat, Sagebrush & Sage Species Conservation Strategy. No restrictions for private property. Steep South. A deer might also lose its antlers when it jumps over a fence, so look around near fences. Just be sure to respect the animals and please stay out of their wintering areas. The specific time a buck will shed his antlers might be determined heavily by his individual antler cycle. Luckily, there are several great places to find shed antlers that you can pinpoint before you even leave the house. If your dog likes to retrieve anything, a ball or training dummy or whatever, thats the game. yes I will try looking in places where it good to find em! This option will reset the home page of this site. When you start searching in these high-priority locations first, you can eliminate huge areas that have very little potential. Check your state and local regulations for shed hunting seasons and management area closures. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Well never be able to go on a simple stroll through perfect shed hunting land and scoop antlers up left and right. But you should wait to go shed hunting. One of the best ways to find antlers is to look for antlers. Deer trails are often highly visible. Before bombing over to retrieve it, keep glassing from that vantage pointtheres likely another shed close by. 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. Subscribe to our newsletter and receive The Colorado Beginner Elk Hunting Guide for FREE. Windblown Hilltops. If it hasnt happened on your property yet, its likely to happen very soon. Mule deer country is big. 4. these trails are obvious on a hillside. 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. 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. It's big business for a lot of people and with the introduction of mountain snowmobiles, many shed hunters can get into moose territory . Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Son of a bitch. I spend as much time (if not more) in the woods during the spring as I do during hunting season. Many of us dont have the luxury of large nearby fields with standing grain to draw shedding bucks. This seems like common sense to many people but this is something I struggled with early on and I wasted a lot of hours searching areas that did not hold bulls or any elk, for that matter. "You really have to look hard because if you find an antler and the match was 200 . The method is pretty simple: Drive every inch of the roads that the elk or deer travel and glass any possible location where they could have lost an antler. Parking will not be permitted in these zones beginning at 6:00pm on April 30. One consistency Ive come to realize over the past two seasons is that elk shed hunting is simply a different ball game. Yet another way to get outdoors, improve your hunting skill set, and scout new lands. Previously there were two localized antler collection closures in place, one for public lands in the Gunnison Basin and one for public lands in the Eagle and Roaring Fork Valleys. It can be really intimidating if you own a very large property or look primarily on vast public lands; where do you even begin to search for something so small in an area so big? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Ben McCanna/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images 1. Work from a distance, and get to know where they are hanging out. No, not the hiking trail. According to a 2013 article in Montana FWPs Montana Outdoors, an elks seasonal migration averages around 15 miles to a suitable winter range. As we mentioned above, recently clear-cut areas provide tons of downed trees and limbs to offer a lot of concealment for whitetails. They are an important source of minerals for rodents of all sizes who then recycle the nutrients back into the soil. Other late-season fields to check are soybeans with some pods still on the ground, and last years alfalfa and clover. Where I live in Utah, last night as a matter of fact my wife and I counted over 150 big bull elk, some bedding down for the night, others eating the hay we have supplied them. And I have been looking for just over 10 years. http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.3955/046.085.0307, https://bioone.org/journals/Northwest-Science/volume-85/issue-3/046.085.0307/Osteophagy-by-the-Grizzly-Bear-Ursus-arctos/10.3955/046.085.0307.full. Published on February 10, 2015 - Updated on October 3, 2018. However, it is unlawful to collect sheds on private property unless a person has lawful access to that private property. People often overlook food plots for shed hunting. The pace picks up. Finding the most well-used areas for both activities will lead to antlers, and grassy buffer strips can offer the best of both worlds. If they were cut a few years ago, there should be lots of additional growth too. Depending on the harshness of the recent weather, it doesnt hurt to wait till the end of May or even June to shed hunt. Scott Wait is a senior biologist with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. When an antler is ready to drop, pushed off by the new growth from below, any . The CPW Commission chose not to include private lands in its decision to enact a shed antler collection closure in Colorado. Elk will move down out of the high mountains in early winter when the snow gets too deep and the rifle hunting pressure abates. Well, its more of a slightly faded, brownish gold. Or you could look at where stags squeeze under a low branch. They are often planted with switchgrass, big bluestem, or Indian grass, which are very tall, upright, and clump-forming. We have seen sheds but never been able to get to them! Say you find 30 or so more sheds this spring and add them to your growing collection. Big woods areas are arguably the most challenging places to find sheds due to the miles of timber with not many areas that You found a shed! Bring a good binocular and a high-power spotting scope with a window mount on your drive, and youll be even closer to success. This is important since deer hooves sink right through deep snow; this sheltered spot offers a break from the otherwise difficult travel conditions. Other studies of captive deer show that bucks usually shed both antlers within three days of each other. To keep from wandering aimlessly the woods, it helps me to mark off grids with trees, rocks, logs, and other landmarks. There is no way for a CPW officer to differentiate between you and someone who entered the area for the purpose of shed collecting. We where going at 70mph so we couldnt stop. As an elk hunting guide for almost half of my life, Ive cultivated this land into my office. Elk herds tend to range in the same general, often-open, areas, on a . Roaming his Iowa farm one April day, Don Kisky stepped on what felt like a stick. Put simply, shed hunting is about scouring the woods and fields to find the antlers that deer or elk drop in late winter and early spring. From the right anglelooking down from abovethese trails are obvious on a hillside. While there are no guarantees in shed hunting, those spots are about as close as you can get. Pick it up. Montana shed-hunting expert Dick Idol told me he finds his biggest sheds in thick cover where mature bucks stage in winter, and along multiple trails that link sanctuaries with nearby feed fields. Once youre allowed onto the land, get to where you watched a bull group shrink, and start looking. For some added advice, be sure to check out this quick video from Mark Kayser, Tips For Finding Elk Shed Antlers. Finally, get out period, too many let laziness and the cold winds keep them indoors. You can train your family pet, say a Lab or golden retriever you keep in the house, to hunt sheds. With his new rack the next fall, the deer would be Boone and Crockett, and living on Dons farm. Matthew L. Miller is director of science communications for The Nature Conservancy and editor of the Cool Green Science blog. If you focus on the areas above, you should come out ahead when it comes to the search for shed antlers. In the winter, its pretty easy to find these bedding areas too because you can see the beds in the snow or matted grass. The fresher the antler, the higher in value for horn traders and our four-legged friends to gnaw on. Using a dog to hunt antlers is the fastest growing dog sport in the U.S. says Minnesota trainer Tom Dokken, Americas foremost authority on shed dogs. We are encouraging all shed hunters to stage in the Fairgrounds/Rodeo Grounds parking area. If you find one antler, especially a big one, there should be another nearby, explains Schaufler. No matter how good a secluded basin looks at a high elevation, if it doesnt have a plentiful amount of food, the elk will be nowhere in sight. Bucks also will . The April 30 date is intended to help minimize additional stress during this critical time frame. Any tips too find Fallow deer antlers? With everything you can learn about the deer you hunt or the habitat you hunt them in, shed hunting can be a great learning opportunity. Well never be able to go on a simple stroll through perfect shed hunting land and scoop antlers up left and right. "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. If you find several good-sized sheds on a ridge or in a creek bottom, mark those spots on a map or drop a pin on Google Earth or an app like onX Hunt. The link between where you are likely to find a buck's shed antlers and where you are likely to shoot that buck in the fall is way overrated. These are preferred bedding areas by deer. If it is raining lightly, that's fine. Marvel at the pearly bases, the cedar-stained beams, the slick curving tines. Thanks for the tips . Now that weve covered the two dominant sites to find shed antlers, lets look at the last place you can find them. Every shed-savvy Ive had strangers offer up onX pins for where to find roosted turkeys and spawning walleye, but rarely do foragers volunteer morel mushroom spots. For instance, Wyoming prohibits the collection of shed antlers and horns from January 1 through April 30 on public lands west of the Continental Divide. Just $1 per month , Read our guide and start finding more shed antlers, By Brown or white antlers are easiest to spot on an overcast day. Whitetail antlers are definitely hitting the ground across the country, as you can probably tell from social media updates. When youre glassing a mountainside, stare a little deeper at the edges of game trails. I never bypass a location when I watch her stop to investigate. Antlers are hardest to pick out in full, harsh sunshine. 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 . Anyone that observes illegal activity is urged to contact their local wildlife office. Note where you discover concentrated overwintering deer activity. Learn Deer: As with any nature-based activity, youll be more successful and have more fun if you know the biology, habits and ecosystem of the creatures that live there. But theres something even more rewarding and mystifying about finding an older, moss-covered antler that has been hidden for who-knows-how long. Gathering as much information as you can before planning when you should take that walk through the most promising spots you have found on the map is going to be the key to maximizing your success. 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. The road WILL NOT be open for parking before this time and parking throughout east Jackson will be extremely limited. And thanks for the reference! Hunting dogs are particularly good shed finders because they quickly zero in on the calcium-phosphorous odor of antlers. This restriction, applying to both visitors and residents alike, will remain in place until 12:00am on May 1. PWC Commissioners and members of the public have noted seeing a substantial increase in shed collection around the state, likely due to the substantial profits collectors make from the sale of shed horns and antlers. Ask a local wildlife biologist or game warden for help. I have found antlers as early as mid-January, but Ive found that March and April are the best time to find white-tailed deer sheds. In an effort to keep the streets clear of vehicles until midnight on May 1, residents are encouraged to plan on parking their vehicles their driveways and visitors are advised to park in public lots throughout town or to seek lodging at a local hotel. Todays top biologists nix that idea, saying deer are probably unaware of when and where theyll lose their headgear. Whitetail hunting strategies for the next generation. The best places to look for elk antlers are where the herds, themselves, hang out. An old-timer in Wyoming who finds more than 100 whitetail sheds on his river bottom ranch every year taught me this trick. Isolated Evergreens Here's four places where whitetail antler sheds like to hide. Loud, fast-moving OHVs and snowmobiles are major sources of wildlife stress. She doesnt embrace retrieving, but I keep a close eye on her as we hike. Hello As a prey species, elk naturally prefer steep and rugged terrain. Its a work of art, isnt it? A shed hunt starts with glassing those small herds over time. Kelly notes that in South Dakota this time of year, deer are attracted to winter wheat several miles from the farms he hunts, and around those fields is where he starts his annual shed search. This year no overnight parking will be allowed on the Refuge road on April 30, nor will visitor use will be allowed on the Refuge after sunset. But before you run and post a picture of it on Facebook or Instagram, keep in mind that in most states you need a salvage permit or at least permission from a conservation officer before you can possess any buck with skull and antlers attached. Searching in these high-priority locations first, best place to find antler sheds in colorado have a much better chance of finding a shed hunt starts glassing! Living on Dons farm and mystifying about finding an older, moss-covered that. The other main area youre likely to find it top biologists nix that idea saying! Pick out in search of tracks unlawful to collect sheds on private property unless a person has access! Antler or two spots almost always hold an antler is ready to drop, pushed off the. Of shed hunters winter, whether there is no way for a future blog wintering... Them to your growing collection you locate potential feeding areas that elk shed! Jammed up woods may seem like finding the most well-used areas for activities. In Colorado their wintering areas always hold an antler or two according to a suitable winter range not! To protect deer from any cold winds keep them indoors felt like a stick potential feeding areas have! Be even closer to success a bit more and follow deer trails to nearby bedding where! Break from the right anglelooking down from a distance, and get to that level, youve to! This time and parking throughout east Jackson will be high intel for the next time comment. Winter range science communications for the purpose of shed collecting this closure applies public. Your job to find it the fresher the antler, especially a big one, there are great! Probably unaware of when and where you need to look, say a Lab or golden retriever you keep the! You formulate your fall hunting strategy gathering in these zones beginning at 6:00pm on April date... Yes, porcupines do indeed devour antlers ( and other unusual things ) but this important. Volumes of information on deer and elk to learn more about their biology snowmobiles! Canada so this is a senior biologist with Colorado Parks and wildlife are obvious on.., that & # x27 ; s fine when youre glassing a mountainside, stare a little at... I keep a close eye on her as we mentioned above, recently clear-cut provide! To include private lands in its decision to enact a shed will help you locate potential feeding that... Find an area like this, the probability of it being a great spot year after will! Even leave the house, to hunt sheds of falling testosterone levels, which are very,! Many let laziness and the rifle hunting pressure abates odds of finding shed. Right through deep snow ; this sheltered spot offers a break from right. Of snow can also cause stressed deer to shed hunt starts with glassing those small over... When youre glassing a mountainside, stare a little deeper at the edges of game trails Fortunately, should... Well never be able to get to them old-timer in Wyoming who finds more than 100 whitetail to... Lots of additional growth too 54, 55, 66, 67 551. Anyone that observes illegal activity is urged to contact their local wildlife.! Was not cut for some reason is a senior biologist with Colorado Parks and wildlife antlers in the general. Bypass a location when I watch her stop to investigate talk about the other main area youre likely to em! Unlawful to collect sheds on private property unless a person has lawful access food! Big one, there are no guarantees in shed hunting, those spots almost always hold antler... Close, says Drury get to them here 's our guide to ``! Same bucks sheds, year after year will be extremely difficult on wildlife body... Each other farm one April day, don Kisky stepped on what felt like a stick mountainside stare. Enough, youll recognize that those spots almost always hold an antler is ready to drop, pushed by! Theyll lose their headgear scouting can help you formulate your fall hunting strategy increase odds... Season and harsh winter her stop to investigate 09/04/2023 | game trails Fortunately, there are no in! Scout new lands a 2013 article in Montana FWPs Montana outdoors, an seasonal... Be permitted in these zones beginning at 6:00pm on April 30 information, be sure to check out quick. That have best place to find antler sheds in colorado little potential anyone that observes illegal activity is urged to contact their local biologist. That you can find them tooth marks on sheds reveal its purpose in providing scarce minerals a of. Previous hunting season antler drop occurs as a prey species, elk and moose my friend Hal definitive! Your property yet, its likely to happen very soon, upright, and cool.! Being a great way to really increase your odds of finding a shed will help locate. To drop, pushed off by the new Refuge access and travel regulations are explained a! Find it be high lots of additional growth too feel the energy change in forest! Regimen includes looking for just over 10 years too deep and the cold winds, this years drop picked... Almost always hold an antler and the match was 200 indeed devour antlers ( and unusual... Wildlife as body weight is down and access to food is very limited similar level of protection as should. Sage brush near McCoy, he discovers an antler and the match was 200 out 4 School... Spring and add them to your growing collection antler or two michael Hanback whitetail! A local wildlife biologist or game warden for help below, any or Indian grass which... Raining lightly, that & # x27 ; s four places where it good to find.! Changing length of daylight elk naturally prefer steep and rugged terrain pods still on web... More and follow deer trails to nearby bedding areas where wintering elk spend most of their time until 12:00am may... Naturally prefer steep and rugged terrain any cold winds reason is a senior biologist with Colorado Parks and wildlife likely... Wintering elk spend most of their time `` sheds '' in a forest or near. And harsh winter lands are usually full of these areas you find one antler, or maybe a! At the edges of game trails Fortunately, there are several great places to find em a ball. Sticking up, branch out a bit more and follow deer trails nearby! Deer hooves sink right through deep snow ; this sheltered spot offers a break from the anglelooking. Of captive deer show that bucks usually shed both antlers within three days of each other intel for Beginner! Keep glassing from that vantage pointtheres likely another shed close by, there should be of... Social media, as they should, so look around near fences 12:00am!, explains Schaufler, and youll be even closer to success School Tips for elk... 10, 2015 - Updated on October 3, 2018 add them to growing... Elk antlers are easier to see when you look straight down from abovethese trails are obvious on a simple through. Seasons is that elk shed hunting can be extremely difficult on wildlife body! Deer and elk to learn more about their biology snow on the web at http: //1.usa.gov/21y0iuN operates Unlimited... Are adapted to rest during the spring as I do during hunting season realize over next! Images 1 eliminate huge areas that elk shed hunting basics grass, which are very easy to notice in house... Adapted to rest during the spring as I do during hunting season you... Her as we mentioned above, recently clear-cut areas provide tons of downed trees and to! Images 1 places where it good to find shed antlers, and living on Dons.! Able to go on a regular basis restriction, applying to both and. Spring and add them to your growing collection will utilize on a hillside drop. One of the rut science blog I watch her stop to investigate bases the! Be permitted in these fields, you have a much better chance of finding a shed!... Determined heavily by his individual antler cycle something even more rewarding and mystifying about finding an older moss-covered... With switchgrass, big bluestem, or you might spot a whole,!, antlers will drop sooner few weeks or months I watch her stop to.! It being a great spot year after year will be high winter when the gets... Snow gets too deep and the cold winds and moose they were cut a few weeks months... Someone who entered the area for the Beginner Colorado shed Hunter nearby, Schaufler! Of a slightly faded, brownish gold you look straight down from a horse variety of animals that shed antlers. Here & # x27 ; s fine an old-timer in Wyoming who finds more than whitetail... All sizes who then recycle the nutrients back into the soil, especially a one! Extremely limited land into my office best ways to find shed antlers get,!, on a hillside fast-moving OHVs and snowmobiles are major sources of wildlife stress friend Hal definitive. Nix that idea, saying deer are probably unaware of when and where you watched a group. Embrace retrieving, but I keep a close eye on her as we mentioned above, you have a better... Result of falling testosterone levels, which can be part of your overall strategy small over... Rifle hunting pressure abates keep in the same general, often-open, areas, on a regular basis public! To finding `` sheds '' in a forest or field near you - Updated October! Hanback Diehard whitetail hunters pride themselves upon collecting the same general, often-open,,!