Frozen cattail swamps offer a similar level of protection as they will grow extremely densely to protect deer from any cold winds. Published on February 10, 2015 - Updated on October 3, 2018. Weve listed some of the best places to find shed antlers below. The deer trail. Ohio Hunter Finds a Massive 233-Inch Deadhead Buck. When you start searching in these high-priority locations first, you can eliminate huge areas that have very little potential. Windblown Hilltops. Scott Wait is a senior biologist with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Youve got to look close, real close, says Drury. Grassy Buffer Strips Wardens watch social media, as they should, so dont get jammed up. Elk shed hunting itself starts with glass, too, says Schaufler. Its no secret that quality destination food sources are an ace in the hole for piling up sheds on hunting property. Wyoming prohibits the collection of shed antlers and horns from January 1 through April 30 on public lands west of the Continental Divide. In years past shed hunters were allowed to park on the Elk Refuge access road and wait until 8am on May 1st to access the National Forest Service. Work from a distance, and get to know where they are hanging out. Harassing wildlife is a $137 violation that also includes 10 license suspension points. 2023 The Nature Conservancy. 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. Some habitat types to accomplish this goal include tall grass plantings or frozen, thick cattail swamps. Get out early, you don't want to find a half chewed antler or even worse the tracks and imprint of a shed recently picked up by a trespasser in your favorite spot. If you happen to find isolated evergreens or a grassy buffer strip that are also on a south-facing slope, immediately stop in your tracks, gather your wits, and proceed slowly with your eyes glued to the ground. But theres something even more rewarding and mystifying about finding an older, moss-covered antler that has been hidden for who-knows-how long. Its not only fun, but great exerciseespecially when youve been shut in for days. Thanks for the tips . 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. I cant tell you how many sheds Ive found that I walked right by days and weeks before, he says. It includes the best descriptions yet of what a deer experiences when it sheds an antler his firsthand observations (and photos) suggest its as disorienting as you might imagine. Maybe you know what Im talking about. South-Facing Hillsides Cover lots of ground in a slow, methodical manner and youll find twice as many sheds as you might have in the past. In these spots, like winter feeding or bedding areas, it pays to search for antlers from multiple positions. Look for deer sightings or tracks in the snow to get you in the right place. Its impossible to predict exactly when a bull elk will shed his antlers, but a couple of factors can help you predict the timing of the drop. The first is the amount of snowfall the previous year. Todays top biologists nix that idea, saying deer are probably unaware of when and where theyll lose their headgear. Other studies of captive deer show that bucks usually shed both antlers within three days of each other. 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. As a result, a growing number of people are participating. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. The pace picks up. The goal of the Police Department is to maintain a high level of quality of life for Jackson residents in the least obtrusive manner possible. Looking at maps prior to entering an area lets you visualize the terrain without wasting time and energy scouring areas that are unproductive. Sometimes you'll find sheds in cover so thick you can barely walk through it. All Rights Reserved. The road WILL NOT be open for parking before this time and parking throughout east Jackson will be extremely limited. Keep your search humane and. Check your state and local regulations for shed hunting seasons and management area closures. The Labrador retriever is by far most popular, but Dokken says that any breed with a strong instinct to retrieve can pick it up quickly. Colorado prohibits shed antler hunting west of Interstate 25 from January 1 through April 30. So get outside and start your search. Look for gentle slopes that face south or west Most years, big mule deer are going to drop their antlers during the last couple weeks of January. Elk will move down out of the high mountains in early winter when the snow gets too deep and the rifle hunting pressure abates. Scout: Just like deer hunting, scouting is essential to shed hunting. 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. NEW MEXICO You can give yourself an increased likelihood of finding antlers by looking in places where deer jump fences or ditches. Ask a local wildlife biologist or game warden for help. Mule deer country is big. Deer Jump Areas Bumping into the ground, fences or trees can loosen the antlers. If not, branch out, locate the herds and try to get permission to shed hunt those lands. Grade C: Antler faded and weathered to white and chalky, maybe with some green color, likely on the ground for 2 or 3 years. A deadhead like Moose is an incredible if sad find. My name is Carl Pelletier from the Town of Jackson, Wyoming. Before bombing over to retrieve it, keep glassing from that vantage point. Evergreens provide terrific thermal cover by way of their thick-needled branches blocking wind and snow, whether its a solitary cedar, small patch of pines, or cluster of hemlocks. My dad has been looking for 40 years! 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. Shed Hunting Tips 1. Wear comfortable boots and carry plenty of water. They are often planted with switchgrass, big bluestem, or Indian grass, which are very tall, upright, and clump-forming. According to a 2013 article in Montana FWPs Montana Outdoors, an elks seasonal migration averages around 15 miles to a suitable winter range. No restrictions for private property. Michael Hanback This is my favorite place to look: A scrubby, overgrown field with some browse, berries, locust trees (deer love the pods), and the like. Corn stubble is good, too. 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. Once youre allowed onto the land, get to where you watched a bull group shrink, and start looking. For example, yesterday coming home from work we saw a pair of antlers on the side of the road. So when the weather starts warming and the snows start melting, its time to get into the woods and start shed hunting. I recommend starting with the works of biologist Valerius Geist and photographer Leonard Lee Rue III. Since no one is going to walk you into a big patch of the finest tasting mushies, youll need to find spots on your own. Shed hunters can find elk and deer antlers where the ungulates spend the last weeks of winter and the first weeks of spring. Some shed collectors use OHVs and snowmobiles in their search. And he suspects he already has the deer's other antler at his cabin in McCoy. Its also impossible to forecast the amount of snow elk will need to endure during the winter. 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. 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. A shed hunt starts with glassing those small herds over time. That being said, youll want to wait to check out any bedding areas for shed antlers until you know that bucks have dropped them, simply because you can chase them to a neighboring property before theyre ready. The second factor is the timing of last years rut. These shed antlers can be sold, used for DIY projects, or kept as trophies. * Target the areas where deer bed and where they move from bedding areas to feeding areas. For many years the Refuge allowed people interested in accessing the National Forest on May 1 to line up on the Refuge Road beginning April 30. We have seen sheds but never been able to get to them! I cant tell you how many times Im walking and my brain says go this way, so I do and find a big antler.. This restriction, applying to both visitors and residents alike, will remain in place until 12:00am on May 1. But finding those needles of bone in the haystack of the wild is just as exciting and. We will also be working with local visitors bureaus to help get the information to people visiting Colorado. One of the best ways to find antlers is to look for antlers. 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. Depending on the harshness of the recent weather, it doesnt hurt to wait till the end of May or even June to shed hunt. Excellent point. If you seek out these three locations and are able to fast walk quicker than your buddy, then youll be piling up antlers this year. If your dog likes to retrieve anything, a ball or training dummy or whatever, thats the game. Well, its more of a slightly faded, brownish gold. Bi 09/04/2023 09/04/2023 That should be obvious, given how many mature bucks have been taken out of a Muddy Box Blind perched on the edge of a corn field. Stress can result in decreased body condition, increased mortality and decreased fawn/calf survival. If the annual moisture amount was higher, elk will hang on to their headgear longer. Knowing deer spend so much time snoozing winter away in these spots makes them prime for shed hunting. He dug through the leaves and uncovered a 5-point shed that scored 75 inches. Look for places deer trails encounter such obstacles. The key thing to remember is that elk typically shed their antlers much later in the Spring than deer, so it is important to pay attention to snow accumulation. They can often provide helpful tips on where to find deer antler shed in Utah. When to Go: When deer shed their antlers is highly variable, and dependent on a number of factors. Western shed hunters will backpack deep into the backcountry to find shed antlers from the biggest bulls in the unit. You might want to sell some, so how much are they worth? May have a chip or slight broken tine. Think smart and travel to areas with less hunting pressure where deers migrate to survive and drop their antlers. 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. Picking up a shed antler, esp if for education purposes is probably okay but I would not advocate make a collection of them! You can also find informational handouts at the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center which is located at 532 N. Cache Street, or on the web at http://1.usa.gov/1pyxSp2 . Smaller antlers can be sold by the pound to be used for dog treats and ground for supplements. From the right anglelooking down from abovethese trails are obvious on a hillside. Although shed collection is not a new activity in Colorado, there is evidence that it is rapidly growing in popularity. Some shed collectors use OHVs and snowmobiles in their search. 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