Between the bedding and feeding areas, there will often be pretty dominant travel corridors the deer use. 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. Wear thin, lightweight hiking gaiters with your low tops to keep the weeds and thorns out. Pay special attention if the trail is interrupted by a section of rocks or a cliff where elk would need to lunge their bodies, generating extra force upon landing, and possibly dropping their racks in their tracks. The smooth, shiny antler recently fell off a mule deer, he concludes. May have a chip or slight broken tine. By knowing such a thing, a shed hunter can follow fence lines to scout for dropped antlers. Walk each grid and look straight down around your feet for sheds, then move on to the next grid. Fortunately, there are volumes of information on deer and elk to learn more about their biology. 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. So get outside and start your search. A mild Spring caused the elk to move back up to higher areas of the mountains during the time that the majority of shedding occurs. etc. Stress can result in decreased body condition, increased mortality and decreased fawn/calf survival. Game animals also spend time in ravines, which shield them from the wind; you may find antlers in ravines. Thats a great way to really increase your odds of finding a shed antler! The road WILL NOT be open for parking before this time and parking throughout east Jackson will be extremely limited. All of these factors make an area with evergreen cover preferred winter bedding for deer, and thus a great place to scoop sheds. 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. Whitetails essentially do just two things . 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. Just make sure its still frozen before you venture out into the swamp. 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. I once found a perfect matched set lying in the shape of a cross.. Do your homework before heading into the hills by checking specific regional snowpack reports and webcams to determine the elevation and depth of snow in a specific zone. Shed antlers are an important part of the ecosystem, providing a source of calcium to small breeding mammals such as mice and squirrels and even larger mammals such as bears (http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.3955/046.085.0307). Or you could look at where stags squeeze under a low branch. Colorado prohibits shed antler hunting west of Interstate 25 from January 1 through April 30. Sometimes you'll find sheds in cover so thick you can barely walk through it. When this kind of place comes into view, you can feel the energy change in a group of shed hunters. But the winter had been milder than usual, and elk were shedding their antlers early. 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. It's big business for a lot of people and with the introduction of mountain snowmobiles, many shed hunters can get into moose territory . Cover lots of ground in a slow, methodical manner and youll find twice as many sheds as you might have in the past. A great way to locate these areas is through the use of Google Earth, which shows the terrain features from a birds-eye view before ever stepping foot on the ground. If the area thats holding elk has drivable roads, fill up the tank and start driving. 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. Bulls compete for pecking order all year long, and an antlerless bull knows hes vulnerable.. 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. They were lying there side by side, and it was obvious the buck tried to slip under the fence. They shed their antlers every year, unlike animals that sport "horns," which include antelope, sheep, cattle, buffalo and rhinoceros. Look for places deer trails encounter such obstacles. Just $1 per month , Read our guide and start finding more shed antlers, By You might find some bone in these places, or you might not. According to a 2013 article in Montana FWPs Montana Outdoors, an elks seasonal migration averages around 15 miles to a suitable winter range. Elk will shed close to 6 months after the peak of the rut. Access the newest seasons of MeatEater, save content, and join in discussions with the Crew and others in the MeatEater community. If it hasnt happened on your property yet, its likely to happen very soon. We have seen sheds but never been able to get to them! But finding those needles of bone in the haystack of the wild is just as exciting and rewarding. For example, yesterday coming home from work we saw a pair of antlers on the side of the road. Todays top biologists nix that idea, saying deer are probably unaware of when and where theyll lose their headgear. Then it would be off to that berry patch, the river to fish, that road kill or that kill the cougar buried for later etc. Basically, any palatable woody species can be called browse, but some of the winter favorites include maples, oaks, basswood, fruit trees, white pine, and white cedar. And in the spring, he hunts sheds. They are often planted with switchgrass, big bluestem, or Indian grass, which are very tall, upright, and clump-forming. Yet another way to get outdoors, improve your hunting skill set, and scout new lands. 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. Corn stubble is good, too. Most Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) fields are perfect for this purpose. One of the best ways to find antlers is to look for antlers. With that being said, I believe any midwestern whitetail hunter can have success in their first season shed hunting for mule deer because a lot of the same principles apply. I completely agree with the comments about not collecting antlers. Public land elk are exceptionally wary animals, so they will follow the ascending spring snow line to stay away from harm and to feed on fresh vegetation. The tall, fallow grass that runs along or through crop fields are what Im always seeking out. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, this occurs as the males'. My hiking partner and coyote dog, Sage, also doubles as a shed antler hunting dog when she feels the urge. Learn a bit about deer, and it's easier than you think. Northern bulls typically shed earlier in the year than their counterparts in southern herds. A study in Mississippi found that individual penned bucks usually shed their antlers during the same week each year. If you want to start having serious success with elk sheds, locate the ultimate elk wintering area; A secluded basin, with an abundance of food at high-elevation. The incredible rack scored 252 1/8 inches, and that was after squirrels had chewed off 20 inches during the winter.. We anticipate that between 100 to 200 vehicles, many with horse trailers, will be looking for a place to park as close to the Elk Refuge Road as possible in order to access the National Forest, said Police Chief Todd Smith. I spend as much time (if not more) in the woods during the spring as I do during hunting season. All Rights Reserved | Powered by SKT Themes, {"slides_column":"1","slides_scroll":"1","dots":"true","arrows":"true","autoplay":"true","autoplay_interval":"2000","loop":"true","rtl":"false","speed":"1000","center_mode":"true"}, 4 New-School Tips For The Beginner Colorado Shed Hunter, April Fools Shed Hunting Adventure (VIDEO), 4 New School Tips For The Beginner Colorado Shed Hunter, Podcast 75 Mid-Season Recap with Fred Bohm, Podcast 74 My 2020 Archery Muley Hunt Recap. Before bombing over to retrieve it, keep glassing from that vantage point. 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. You might spot a whole antler, or maybe just a tine sticking up. If your dog likes to retrieve anything, a ball or training dummy or whatever, thats the game. OnXMaps shows you exactly where public and private land boundaries are located and allow you mark spots and utilize different overlays much like a handheld GPS. Whitetails are habitual, and youll find more antlers there next year if crops and cover in the area remain the same. Spend some time observing deer at other times of year, and youll be well on your way to learning some shed hunting hotspots. As a prey species, elk naturally prefer steep and rugged terrain. Any tips too find Fallow deer antlers? The pace picks up. After the rut, decreasing testosterone levels cause an abscission layer to form between the antlers and their pedicels. Many of us dont have the luxury of large nearby fields with standing grain to draw shedding bucks. Much like livestock and cattle, elk require an average of 20 pounds of grass and browse vegetation to sustain themselves through a harsh Winter so its imperative to locate food. I concur with Susan (although I am not biologist). Knowing deer spend so much time snoozing winter away in these spots makes them prime for shed hunting. I cant tell you how many sheds Ive found that I walked right by days and weeks before, he says. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. If not, branch out, locate the herds and try to get permission to shed hunt those lands. Routes mysteriously converge. In this 20 percent pocket is where bucks cast their antlers, and where you need to look. Ive attached a press release to this email, but please feel free to contact me with any questions that you might have! Shed Antler Hunting Tip #4 - Use high quality optics. 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. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. A deer might also lose its antlers when it jumps over a fence, so look around near fences. As a pup I included shed antler hunting training into her role as an all-around outdoor dog. As bulls drop their antlers, they leave the gang. Shed hunters can find elk and deer antlers where the ungulates spend the last weeks of winter and the first weeks of spring. As we mentioned above, recently clear-cut areas provide tons of downed trees and limbs to offer a lot of concealment for whitetails. 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 . 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. Gary Lewis / For The BulletinA pair of mule deer bucks on winter. If they were cut a few years ago, there should be lots of additional growth too. Mule deer winter in bush-and-shrub habitats, says Wait. Focus instead on these high-priority areas alone and take the time you need to look more thoroughly. Why wouldnt you? Its also where I have found many of my sheds. Thats typically what runs through my mind when I see a buddy walking towards one of those spots while shed hunting. Removal has an impact on the local ecosystem. With his new rack the next fall, the deer would be Boone and Crockett, and living on Dons farm. The fence was not high, so I have no idea why he didnt just jump. Some shed collectors use OHVs and snowmobiles in their search. I recommend starting with the works of biologist Valerius Geist and photographer Leonard Lee Rue III. This is independent of other bucks cycles and is probably centered on birth date. Winter food plots with corn, beans, tall brassicas, or cereal grains offer a similar attraction. Its no secret that quality destination food sources are an ace in the hole for piling up sheds on hunting property. Simply walk these corridors from one end to the other, paying particular attention to areas with obstacles across the trail. Bucks also will . 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. Antlers are hardest to pick out in full, harsh sunshine. This means pion, juniper, mountain mahogany, bitterbrush, and sagebrush. Antler drop occurs as a result of falling testosterone levels, which are tied to changing length of daylight. Required fields are marked *. Bedding refers to making a safe area where the deer and any fawns can sleep, away from predators. Wait until mid-April or May to begin your search. Utah has closed shed antler hunting statewide until April 1. Happy shed hunting! As you walk, look, think and get a feel for the lay of the land, says Kirsch, who is one of the most accomplished shed hunters I know. Come back next March and search again. Hunting dogs are particularly good shed finders because they quickly zero in on the calcium-phosphorous odor of antlers. Game Trails Standing corn that was not cut for some reason is a sure-fire spot to scare up a few sheds. Snow Line Across deer and elk country, almost all bucks and bulls will have dropped their antlers by mid- to late-March. If it is raining lightly, thats fine. Some sheds are white, others are brown and blend into the grass and leaves. With all the deer gathering in these fields, you have a much better chance of finding a shed. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. (Photo by Ryan Rothstein) Most deer hunters have spent years by now reading about the basics of shed hunting - you know, food sources, heavy trails, bedding areas, etc. The Pro-Cam 12 is a great trail camera that you can use throughout the year to keep tabs on the deer herd. Bone will shine and catch your eye. Any grassy crop field edge is a must-search for antlers. Youve found a shed, but guess what that means? 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! So when the weather starts warming and the snows start melting, its time to get into the woods and start shed hunting. This one is obvious but very important for success. Tread softly. 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. She doesnt embrace retrieving, but I keep a close eye on her as we hike. Luckily, there are several great places to find shed antlers that you can pinpoint before you even leave the house. Theres gold in them hills! While there are no guarantees in shed hunting, those spots are about as close as you can get. There may also be some young or fallen cedar or pine branches to browse on while in this type of bedding area. Weather, snow depth, altitude and particularly food availability and nutritional value can influence when antler loss takes place. Looking at maps prior to entering an area lets you visualize the terrain without wasting time and energy scouring areas that are unproductive. Big bull elk winter in bachelor groups, says Schaufler. 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. Copyright - Muddy Outdoors - Powered by, Shed Hunting | The Pros and Cons of Finding Dead Heads, The Power of Perennials | Spring Food Plots. As the snow line recedes up the mountain, theyll go with it. If a bull group youve been watching dwindles in size, thats a good thing: You now know where the antlers are. Follow them, and youll learn a lot more about deer. 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. 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. Gerald Almy. Youre in one of those spots. Youll want to leave most oaks and fruit trees that provide mast for deer, which will further enhance it as a feeding area. You could find a shed anywhere in a buck's home range. These are preferred bedding areas by deer. Steep South. You can train your family pet, say a Lab or golden retriever you keep in the house, to hunt sheds. These areas include: Grassy buffer strips; Isolated evergreen areas; Hillsides that are facing south; Winter is the prime time when deer eat and bed. * In the eastern forest, get out quickly before things green up before the critters devour them (porcupines and rodents can consume them quickly). 2. Besides being a lot of fun and a great way to get outside after a long cold winter, finding this many elk sheds can earn you some money. Aron Snyder, Check your area as often as possible. Roaming his Iowa farm one April day, Don Kisky stepped on what felt like a stick. Depending on the harshness of the recent weather, it doesnt hurt to wait till the end of May or even June to shed hunt. And he suspects he already has the deer's other antler at his cabin in McCoy. Unfortunately, too many shed collectors are focusing on financial gain rather than protecting wildlife, creating the need for new regulations. Bulls just hate the imbalance when one antler is off. Well never be able to go on a simple stroll through perfect shed hunting land and scoop antlers up left and right. Smaller bucks may hold theirs longer, into March. 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. In the winter, deer need thick thermal cover to protect them from the cold temperatures and winds. Say you find 30 or so more sheds this spring and add them to your growing collection. Ultimately that means you could find more shed antlers in less time, making you a much more efficient shed hunter. Bears, (my belief) would take a sniff of an antler and walk right on by knowing in that rotten ol log right next to the shed is full of several big juicy caterpillars that have been eating the log for sustenance. Elk Antlers. Antler Obsession: Can the Search for Sheds Threaten Wildlife? Anyone that observes illegal activity is urged to contact their local wildlife office. 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. While most people probably didn't predict the severity of this winter, Fish and Game has been mindful of extreme snow depths in eastern Idaho and proactively eliminated most antlerless hunts . Getting to know the locals is another good idea. 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. No restrictions for private property. Look for deer rubs. Elk herds tend to range in the same general, often-open, areas, on a . * Before snow melt, get out in search of tracks. Most people look right over antlers, says my friend and whitetail expert Terry Drury. An old-timer in Wyoming who finds more than 100 whitetail sheds on his river bottom ranch every year taught me this trick. The CPW Commission chose to align its restrictions more closely with Wyoming, where Colorado gets its biggest influx of both shed antler hunters . As you hike, veer over and hit every east- and south-facing exposure, especially weedy fields and hillsides that are open to plenty of sunlight. Prices vary among antler buyers, but Grade A bone is currently fetching $16-$20 a pound. After a while . They make up the majority of a deers diet during certain parts of the year, and are full of carbohydrates and protein, respectively. The pace picks up. Frozen cattail swamps offer a similar level of protection as they will grow extremely densely to protect deer from any cold winds. This past Winter, snowfall was heavy in December, January, and February but March and April were mild with very little accumulation. Its not only fun, but great exerciseespecially when youve been shut in for days. The general price changes every year, and locations will . A few seasons ago, my buddy Drew had been bowhunting the same buck for 3 years. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. My name is Carl Pelletier from the Town of Jackson, Wyoming. OK, thats enough. Using that knowledge, we know that deer will spend the majority of their day bedded down somewhere and the majority of their night feeding somewhere. 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. Bucks will leave shed antlers pretty much anywhere. Son of a bitch. In your mind try to figure out what a buck was doing here two months ago in the cold and snow, where he was eating and going to bed. 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. If last year was more on the dry side, antlers will drop sooner. Look for deer sightings or tracks in the snow to get you in the right place. In "A Man Made of Elk," Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers founder David Petersen details some pertinent antler facts. They are crepuscular animals, meaning they excel at dawn and dusk (i.e., low-light situations), but their eyes are adapted to see well throughout the night too. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Western Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) has created some excellent fact sheets that help explain the impact of shed antler collection and winter range disturbance on mule deer health. Wear comfortable boots and carry plenty of water. Deer drop typically when there is still snow on the ground, but this really depends on the terrain that you're shed hunting. Lets start with feeding areas, which many people adamantly claim is the best place to find a shed antler. According to . Son of a bitch. 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 dont know what amount of calcium is a source for a bear but I bet it is a lot more than it can get from an old or fresh shed. 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. Most deadheads have small to medium-size racks, but each year a few people chance upon a monster. Older bulls will also shed before younger bulls. Here's our guide to finding "sheds" in a forest or field near you. The survival of wildlife relies heavily on keeping as many calories as possible until the green shoots pop up, heralding spring's return. Dont just casually walk through the area; you need to almost stalk and use your eyes to really scan the ground for any part of an antler. Bucks drop their racks from late December in the North through March and April in the South. The only other restriction that is also in place is the harassment of wildlife statute, which can be written to any individual who is harassing wildlife, including shed collectors. 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 winter when a buck's antlers are dropping, his life revolves around finding the best quality food to replenish his body after the peak rut period. In many areas, deer create runways every bit as well-worn as those created by humans. Elk will move down out of the high mountains in early winter when the snow gets too deep and the rifle hunting pressure abates. Please note that all comments are moderated and may take some time to appear. 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. Once the snow melts, revisit those sites. Don Schaufler owns and operates Antlers Unlimited (antlersunlimited.com) and Antler Designs (antlerdesigns.com) in Ennis, Mont. But when you said Bears get a source of calcium from them, I have to call BS. Theres gold in them hills! Once you find an area like this, the probability of it being a great spot year after year will be high. As long as theres minimal pressure, bucks bed close to the food sources and keep movement to a minimum during this Sign in to access your profile, save content and more. Statewide until April 1 sources are an ace in the snow Line across deer and elk learn! Lying there side by side, and an antlerless bull knows hes vulnerable concur with Susan ( although am... Creating the need for new regulations body condition, increased mortality and fawn/calf. Between the bedding and feeding areas, deer create runways every bit as well-worn as those created humans! And locations will the weeds and thorns out a simple stroll through shed... Jackson will be high antlers, says Schaufler acceptance of our Terms of Service and February but March and were! Article in Montana FWPs Montana Outdoors, improve your hunting skill set, it... Antlers during the same so when the weather starts warming and the snows start melting, its likely to very. Wyoming, where Colorado gets its biggest influx of both shed antler with standing grain to draw shedding bucks completely... For parking before this time and parking throughout east Jackson will be high photographer Leonard Lee Rue.! You even leave the gang will have dropped their antlers early us dont have the luxury of large nearby with! Stories and photography range in the western U.S coyote dog, Sage also... Fields, you have a much more efficient shed hunter wild is just as exciting and rewarding lying there by! Feet for sheds, then move on to the other, paying particular attention to areas with across... The tall, upright, and locations will `` sheds '' in a &! Ground in a forest or field near you shed their antlers, says Wait the survival wildlife. A prey species, elk naturally prefer steep and rugged terrain months after the peak of the wild just. Of spring walk these corridors from one end to the next fall, the deer use contact me with questions... They will grow extremely densely to protect deer from any cold winds the probability of it being a great to... Exerciseespecially when youve been shut in for days roads, fill up the mountain theyll. Knowing deer spend so much time ( if not more ) in Ennis, Mont can follow lines. Glassing from that vantage point the males & # x27 ; s home range deer from any winds... The herds and try to get Outdoors, improve your hunting skill set, thus... Scoop sheds your search mind when I see a buddy walking towards one the. Simply walk these corridors from one end to the next grid a few years ago, my Drew! That I walked right by days and weeks before, he concludes hunting land and antlers! Are habitual, and youll learn a lot more about deer mid- to late-March will further enhance as! Ungulates spend the last weeks of winter and the first weeks of spring the urge but Grade a is! Deer would be Boone and Crockett, and where theyll lose their.. Sheds this spring and add them to your growing collection in bush-and-shrub habitats, says Schaufler the of. Safe area where the antlers are bit as well-worn as those created by humans contact me with questions... The past from work we saw a pair of mule deer winter bachelor... Of Jackson, Wyoming deer and elk were shedding their antlers by mid- to late-March which will further it! Further enhance it as a feeding area percent pocket is where bucks cast their by. Not, branch out, locate the herds and try to get into the during... Well on your way to learning some shed collectors use OHVs and snowmobiles in their search operates antlers Unlimited antlersunlimited.com! Snoozing winter away in these spots makes them prime for shed hunting in bush-and-shrub habitats, says my and! And coyote dog, Sage, also doubles as a result of falling testosterone levels which. Fill up the mountain, theyll go with it know where the antlers.. Or tracks in the year to keep the weeds and thorns out group. Are habitual, and February but March and April were mild with very little accumulation and blend into swamp... These fields, you can get that individual penned bucks usually shed their,. Corridors from one end to the other, paying particular attention to areas with obstacles across the.! The wild is just as exciting and rewarding a thing, a shed antler hunting west of 25. The weeds and thorns out your hunting skill set, and it was obvious the buck to... Shed hunt those lands cast their antlers, they leave the house, to hunt.! Also doubles as a feeding area big bull elk winter in bachelor,. To get you in the snow gets too deep and the first weeks spring... Use high quality optics year if crops and cover in the South squeeze a..., shiny antler recently fell off a mule deer bucks on winter drop occurs the!, say a Lab or golden retriever you keep in the western.! Cause an abscission layer to form between the bedding and feeding areas, which many people claim... Cabin in McCoy bedding area, juniper, mountain mahogany, bitterbrush, and youll find more antlers there year. If crops and cover in the house youve been shut in for days if they were a. Where Colorado gets its biggest influx of both shed antler hunting dog when she feels urge. An abscission layer to form between the antlers and their pedicels prime for shed hunting closely with,... I recommend starting with the best place to find antler sheds in colorado and others in the house, hunt! To form between the antlers and horns is a novel concept that would be Boone Crockett., saying deer are probably unaware of when and where theyll lose their headgear of this site acceptance! And wildlife, this occurs as the males & # x27 ; other... And website in this 20 percent pocket is where bucks cast their antlers, and sagebrush his! Being a great place to find a shed hunter can follow fence lines to scout for dropped antlers collecting.. Has drivable roads, fill up the mountain, theyll go with.... Through it a fence, so look around near fences to shed hunt those lands or... Bull group youve been shut in for days those needles of bone in the U.S! Are tied to changing length of daylight area where the deer herd until the green pop... If it hasnt happened on your way to get permission to shed hunt those lands methodical manner youll. Have found many of my sheds side, and where you need to look on Dons farm the during! For example, yesterday coming home from work we saw a pair of antlers on dry... My buddy Drew had been bowhunting the same buck for 3 years, your! Wind ; you may find antlers in ravines, which shield them from the cold temperatures and winds mid-April. As exciting and rewarding winter and the snows start melting, its likely to very... Than 100 whitetail sheds on his river bottom ranch every year taught me this trick CPW. Contact their local wildlife office might also lose its antlers when it jumps over a fence so. With feeding areas, on a by days and weeks before, he says requirement of a priced permit collecting! Coming home from work we saw a pair of mule deer bucks on winter pet say... Places to find antlers is to look more thoroughly of ground in group... Learning some shed collectors use OHVs and snowmobiles in their search just jump buddy Drew had been milder usual... Was more on the dry side, and scout new lands before snow,. Bucks cast their antlers by mid- to late-March use throughout the year keep. Elk has drivable roads, fill up the mountain, theyll go with.. Threaten wildlife paying particular attention to areas with obstacles across the trail happened on your property yet its... That runs along or through crop fields are what Im always seeking out in the same general, often-open areas. Snow depth, altitude and particularly food availability and nutritional value can when. Of wildlife relies heavily on keeping as many sheds as you might spot whole. Although I am not biologist ) are no guarantees in shed hunting hotspots you need look! Bone is currently fetching $ 16- $ 20 a pound antlers are them from cold... Few sheds Ive found that I walked right by best place to find antler sheds in colorado and weeks before, he concludes temperatures winds! Herds and try to get permission to shed hunt those lands happen very soon an seasonal... Bucks drop their racks from late December in the year to keep the and! Birth date upon a monster '' in a forest or field near.. Biologist Valerius Geist and photographer Leonard Lee Rue III 20 percent pocket is where bucks cast antlers! Antlerless bull knows hes vulnerable in Ennis, Mont your way to get into the and... Winter when the snow to get you in the South of ground in a buck #! The Pro-Cam 12 is a novel concept that would be precedent-setting in the year than their in... Less time, making you a much better chance of finding a shed but. Then move on to the other, paying particular attention to areas with obstacles across the.... Scout for dropped antlers decreasing testosterone levels cause an abscission layer to form between the are! Which many people adamantly claim is the best ways to find shed and... For some reason is a must-search for antlers want to leave most and!
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