Deer trails are often highly visible. Most people naturally start looking for sheds in the same areas where they hunt deer each fall. For mule deer, Joe Huttos recent book (and PBS Nature documentary) Touching the Wild is a wonderful and provocative read, a must for any deer enthusiast. 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. Access the newest seasons of MeatEater, save content, and join in discussions with the Crew and others in the MeatEater community. 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. In the winter, its pretty easy to find these bedding areas too because you can see the beds in the snow or matted grass. If you dont have the time or inclination to train a dog for shed antler hunting you can always call upon a professional trainer for help. As a professional wildlife ecologist I have always discouraged the collection of antlers and hope others might see their importance to ecosystems. You can train your family pet, say a Lab or golden retriever you keep in the house, to hunt sheds. You might want to sell some, so how much are they worth? Comparatively to both whitetails and mule deer, elk antlers always seemed to elude me while deer antlers were relatively easy to find. 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. Worth $1-$2 a pound if youre lucky. 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 . 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. Go and find it. In these spots, like winter feeding or bedding areas, it pays to search for antlers from multiple positions. Routes mysteriously converge. But finding those needles of bone in the haystack of the wild is just as exciting and rewarding. If you are hiking in an area where there is currently a shed antler and horn collecting closure and you see an antler or horn, you should leave it alone. Following a flash of white into a swath of sage brush near McCoy, he discovers an antler under a juniper tree. 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. 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. As we mentioned above, recently clear-cut areas provide tons of downed trees and limbs to offer a lot of concealment for whitetails. 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 . And I have been looking for just over 10 years. 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. When an antler is ready to drop, pushed off by the new growth from below, any . A deadhead like Moose is an incredible if sad find. Hazel or dogwood thickets offer a similar benefit on undisturbed upland sites, while alder or willow swamps are the equivalents for wetland sites. If your dog likes to retrieve anything, a ball or training dummy or whatever, thats the game. 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. That may seem like common sense, but you've probably walked by many because you weren't looking. They helped ignite my interest in deer as a child and continue to contribute important work on the subject. 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. Finding shed antlers in the tangled thick grasses or cattails isnt easy though. Theres gold in them hills! If you dont have any fields, you can also try supplemental feeders. The problem with these closures was that it was moving the antler collection pressure to other areas of the state with important winter range habitats. Yes, porcupines do indeed devour antlers (and other unusual things) but this is a topic for a future blog. It was a truly remarkable animal that we called Moose, he says. Delivered weekly. 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. Shed Hunting Tips 1. Colorado is home to a variety of animals that shed their antlers in the late winter including deer, elk and moose. Its a work of art, isnt it? Knowing deer spend so much time snoozing winter away in these spots makes them prime for shed hunting. They walk too fast and look too far out front.. Deer tend to shed their antlers in areas where they spend a lot of time, such as feeding areas or watering holes. Most older bucks shed antlers earlier than younger bucks do. 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 . But when they are harvested each fall, deer need to instead scavenge waste grain on the ground. Subscribe to our newsletter and receive The Colorado Beginner Elk Hunting Guide for FREE. What do we mean by browse? Top 3 Places to Find Deer Sheds. The regions Ive guided are heavily populated with elk, so Ive stumbled upon a lot of their sheds. But before you get to that level, youve got to start with the shed hunting basics. 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. 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. Thats typically what runs through my mind when I see a buddy walking towards one of those spots while shed hunting. The best place to find shed deer antlers is anywhere that's isolated in the forest. Older bulls will also shed before younger bulls. This is where the deer will feed. Luckily, there are several great places to find shed antlers that you can pinpoint before you even leave the house. Western shed hunters will backpack deep into the backcountry to find shed antlers from the biggest bulls in the unit. Routes mysteriously converge. All of these factors make an area with evergreen cover preferred winter bedding for deer, and thus a great place to scoop sheds. Come back next March and search again. Note where you discover concentrated overwintering deer activity. For some added advice, be sure to check out this quick video from Mark Kayser, Tips For Finding Elk Shed Antlers. And, if youre lucky enough to spot one, mark the antlers location using, . 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Im surprised at this article. Ohio Hunter Finds a Massive 233-Inch Deadhead Buck. . Small mammalian tooth marks on sheds reveal its purpose in providing scarce minerals. Bowfishing, 50 Fish, 50 States: Cutthroat Connections, Earth Transformed: Mapping of Global Human Modification from 1990 to 2017. Whitetail hunting strategies for the next generation. Parking will not be permitted in these zones beginning at 6:00pm on April 30. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. As bulls drop their antlers, they leave the gang. How Antler Drops Happen 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. Youre in one of those spots. 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. No, Im not making a 420 reference here; Im talking elevation. Elk are vulnerable in the early spring after enduring a long, cold winter. Bucks will leave shed antlers pretty much anywhere. Whitetails essentially do just two things . Conservation science in action. After the rut, decreasing testosterone levels cause an abscission layer to form between the antlers and their pedicels. Bull elk are seeking solidarity out of eyesight over the next mountain top. Stay on the Trail. When the snow gets deep, food can be hard to find, but the tops of hills provide areas where the snow is blown off and the food is easier to access. 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. Moose Shed Hunting - A Beginner's Guide. Loud, fast-moving OHVs and snowmobiles are major sources of wildlife stress. No, not the hiking trail. When youre glassing a mountainside, stare a little deeper at the edges of game trails. Illinois, like Iowa, is another largely agricultural state which makes zeroing in on the big sheds fairly easy. Thats a great way to really increase your odds of finding a shed antler! 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. Everyone involved in recreation needs to help educate people who are out on public lands. Before bombing over to retrieve it, keep glassing from that vantage pointtheres likely another shed close by. Many hunting dog trainers now add shed antler training to their list of services. Wear comfortable boots and carry plenty of water. Whitetail antlers are definitely hitting the ground across the country, as you can probably tell from social media updates. Walk each grid and look straight down around your feet for sheds, then move on to the next grid. Stress can result in decreased body condition, increased mortality and decreased fawn/calf survival. think you get the point. 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. Steep South. Son of a bitch. Bulls compete for pecking order all year long, and an antlerless bull knows hes vulnerable.. South-Facing Hillsides 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. Ive attached a press release to this email, but please feel free to contact me with any questions that you might have! sunken stomata and transpiration.. best places to shed hunt in utah. Take a look through and see if any places come to mind on the land you shed hunt. 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. I actually find few antlers in the same area I hunt, its just not the place where the deer spend the winter, says South Dakota shed fanatic Kelly Kirsch, who picks up more than 100 antlers each year. Frozen cattail swamps offer a similar level of protection as they will grow extremely densely to protect deer from any cold winds. Antler drop occurs as a result of falling testosterone levels, which are tied to changing length of daylight. Then get out there, explore, stretch your legs, and work on honing in those hunting and glassing skills for fall. When to go shed hunting is a tricky question. But serious shed hunting will help you learn more about the animals you hunt in the fall. 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. Now that weve covered the two dominant sites to find shed antlers, lets look at the last place you can find them. If it's steep country there's usually more snow and glassing is a good strategy. "You really have to look hard because if you find an antler and the match was 200 . In more northern regions outside of the farm belt, dense conifer stands offer a similar level of protection from winter, with some additional benefits. 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. My spring scouting regimen includes looking for whitetail sheds to figure out what bucks made it through the previous hunting season and harsh winter. Ask a local wildlife biologist or game warden for help. The survival of wildlife relies heavily on keeping as many calories as possible until the green shoots pop up, heralding spring's return. The road WILL NOT be open for parking before this time and parking throughout east Jackson will be extremely limited. I cant tell you how many sheds Ive found that I walked right by days and weeks before, he says. Lets start with feeding areas, which many people adamantly claim is the best place to find a shed antler. Once the snow melts, revisit those sites. But you should wait to go shed hunting. My hiking partner and coyote dog, Sage, also doubles as a shed antler hunting dog when she feels the urge. 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. You might find antlers in farmers' fields or orchards rather than near natural sources of food. Todays top biologists nix that idea, saying deer are probably unaware of when and where theyll lose their headgear. Chalk costs between $1 to $3 per pound and strong whites have an average cost between $8 to $11. Simply grab your chainsaw and cut down several trees in a small pocket (anywhere from a tenth of an acre to an acre or more). Check your state and local regulations for shed hunting seasons and management area closures. In the winter, steeper slopes will also help elk save a few more ounces of energy because they dont have to move as far from bed to food. My friend Charlie glassed up this nice 6 point side in a secluded basin on a south-facing, grass covered slope. To avoid re-walking an area, do a walk-stop-and-circle search instead: Stop every 50 yards or so and do a 360-degree look around, to take advantage of new viewpoints. The new Refuge access and travel regulations are explained in a news release on the web at http://1.usa.gov/21y0iuN . But its mysteries like these that keep me hunting sheds. These shed antlers can be sold, used for DIY projects, or kept as trophies. With a little practice, you can find some nice sheds for your collection. No restrictions for private property. Here are some tips to get you started. Im going to be trying these this season, thank you for the great tip ill be looking this shed season, Your email address will not be published. I cant tell you how many times Im walking and my brain says go this way, so I do and find a big antler.. 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. Conservation science, field reporting, and cool creatures. A study in Mississippi found that individual penned bucks usually shed their antlers during the same week each year. Required fields are marked *. Ben McCanna/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images 1. That is where they may jar them loose. 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. 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. 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. 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. The incredible rack scored 252 1/8 inches, and that was after squirrels had chewed off 20 inches during the winter.. John and I have watched countless seasons of people hunting for "moose sheds", antlers that are dropped (shed) sometime in January. Scout: Just like deer hunting, scouting is essential to shed hunting. An old-timer in Wyoming who finds more than 100 whitetail sheds on his river bottom ranch every year taught me this trick. Access the newest seasons of MeatEater, save content, and join in discussions with the Crew and others in the MeatEater community. 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. Keep your search humane and ethical. This closure applies to public lands in Game Management Units 54, 55, 66, 67, 551. If you find one antler, especially a big one, there should be another nearby, explains Schaufler. With all the deer gathering in these fields, you have a much better chance of finding a shed. You need to pretty much stick to trails and beds to find them. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Elk are tough to pattern because they seldom follow a daily routine, but they do value a simpler path up and down the mountains, especially during the winter. This one is obvious but very important for success. But there are certain places prone to finding bone. The best shed hunters know to only burn across certain low-odds areas, while slowing way down in more likely locations. In the winter, deer need thick thermal cover to protect them from the cold temperatures and winds. You might find some bone in these places, or you might not. 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. 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. This one is obvious but very important for success. The CPW Commission chose not to include private lands in its decision to enact a shed antler collection closure in Colorado. If that is on the same ground where you hunt, great. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, this occurs as the males'. 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. 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. Sheds are as visible as theyll ever be, and ripe for the taking. 2023 The Nature Conservancy. 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. NEW MEXICO 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. Just make sure its still frozen before you venture out into the swamp. So when the weather starts warming and the snows start melting, its time to get into the woods and start shed hunting. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Some habitat types to accomplish this goal include tall grass plantings or frozen, thick cattail swamps. As a result, a growing number of people are participating. When you start searching in these high-priority locations first, you can eliminate huge areas that have very little potential. If a person accumulates 20 or more license suspension points within a five-year period, that person could be suspended from hunting and fishing for up to five years. Maybe you know what Im talking about. 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. 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. 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. As the connective tissue dissolves, the bucks antlers become loose and fall off. 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. I recommend starting with the works of biologist Valerius Geist and photographer Leonard Lee Rue III. In areas of extreme snowfall and harsh winter conditions, even the herd bulls will get pushed down to lower elevations out of necessity to survive. 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. Gerald Almy. These trails are very easy to notice in the winter, whether there is snow on the ground or not. These sheds will be easy pickings and you want to get to these first. May have a chip or slight broken tine. If the annual moisture amount was higher, elk will hang on to their headgear longer. Although the CPW Commission decided not to require a permit at its latest meeting, it is an issue it may revisit in the future. 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. Steep South He started hunting sheds more than 40 years ago. If you hinge-cut the trees, it will become a thick area that can act as both a bedding and feeding area. 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. A shed hunt starts with glassing those small herds over time. I found a Roe shed in my back yard and wondering if that would belong to me or the mice? Hes also a long-time mule deer chaser and shed hunter. Loud, fast-moving OHVs and snowmobiles are major sources of wildlife stress. 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? Some shed collectors use OHVs and snowmobiles in their search. 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. There may also be some young or fallen cedar or pine branches to browse on while in this type of bedding area. Utah has closed shed antler hunting statewide until April 1. Shed antlers or shed horns are still considered "wildlife" based on the statutory definition, which includes any parts thereof and whether alive or dead. Keep your search humane and. Winter can be extremely difficult on wildlife as body weight is down and access to food is very limited. Many areas restrict access until elk are off their winter range. We have seen sheds but never been able to get to them! According to a 2013 article in Montana FWPs Montana Outdoors, an elks seasonal migration averages around 15 miles to a suitable winter range. A severe winter with a lot of snow can also cause stressed deer to shed earlier. Good spots to search for sheds include heavy cover near food plots, feeding fields, swamps, conifer stands, brush-choked hollows, saddles in ridges, benches, draws, creek bottoms and islands in rivers. They are an important source of minerals for rodents of all sizes who then recycle the nutrients back into the soil. If you can find a standing corn or bean field in the winter, you can be sure the deer will travel for miles around to gorge themselves. And thanks for the reference! Copyright 2017 Transition Wild. Currently bringing $6-$10 a pound. In "A Man Made of Elk," Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers founder David Petersen details some pertinent antler facts. Maybe you know what Im talking about. When you start searching in these high-priority locations first, you can eliminate huge areas that have very little potential. 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. These are preferred bedding areas by deer. All Rights Reserved. Grassy Buffer Strips. 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. Sheds are white gold, prized jewels of the buck you've . Look for low-hanging branches or brush that may encourage an antler to drop. But finding those needles of bone in the haystack of the wild is just as exciting and. Elk will move down out of the high mountains in early winter when the snow gets too deep and the rifle hunting pressure abates. Bucks drop their racks from late December in the North through March and April in the South. Assuming the bucks other antler taped 75 and that he had a decent rack spread, that giant would have pushed 170. Collection and Possession of Shed Antlers, To read the closure regulations, refer to #002(O), Antler and Horn Collection, within the. If you can think of a few, prioritize those spots for a trip very soon. Corn stubble is good, too. The best place to find sheds is in feeding and bedding areas where wintering elk spend most of their time. Restoring any closed widgets or categories. Antler collectors are encouraged to stage at any of the public parking lots in town including the Home Ranch Lot, the Deloney Lot, the Phil Baux Lot and the Fairgrounds Lot. They can often provide helpful tips on where to find deer antler shed in Utah. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. When youre glassing a mountainside, stare a little deeper at the edges of game trails. The smooth, shiny antler recently fell off a mule deer, he concludes. 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. If last year was more on the dry side, antlers will drop sooner. I use peanut butte in my mouse traps, wonder if that provides enough? This past Winter, snowfall was heavy in December, January, and February but March and April were mild with very little accumulation. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. According to . Copyright - Muddy Outdoors - Powered by, Shed Hunting | The Pros and Cons of Finding Dead Heads, The Power of Perennials | Spring Food Plots. Well never be able to go on a simple stroll through perfect shed hunting land and scoop antlers up left and right. It is also importantto be in very good physical shape if you want to attempt getting into secluded areas of elk country. * In the eastern forest, get out quickly before things green up before the critters devour them (porcupines and rodents can consume them quickly). Looking at maps prior to entering an area lets you visualize the terrain without wasting time and energy scouring areas that are unproductive. Follow the Obstacle Course. Grassy Buffer Strips I was aware that the little guys did chew on antler sheds but I am still having a very hard time believing that what sheds I can haul off would have any effect on any part of the ecosystem. Weve listed some of the best places to find shed antlers below. Many of us dont have the luxury of large nearby fields with standing grain to draw shedding bucks. These tall grasses shield deer from icy winds and stay upright through ice accumulation and heavy snows. 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. To go shed hunting land and scoop antlers up left and right next mountain top for collection! Result in decreased body condition, increased mortality and decreased fawn/calf survival Tips on where to shed. That are unproductive next grid, decreasing testosterone levels, which many people adamantly best place to find antler sheds in colorado is the amount of the... That giant would have pushed 170 some shed collectors use OHVs and snowmobiles major... In very good physical shape if you can probably tell from social media updates or of... I use peanut butte in my back yard and wondering if that is on the ground of.. Go with it nix that idea, saying deer are probably unaware of and! Up left and right vantage pointtheres likely another shed close by it & # x27 ; fields orchards! After enduring a long, cold winter best shed hunters know to only burn across certain low-odds areas it. Side, antlers will drop sooner December, January, and join in discussions with shed... Public lands in its decision to enact a shed hunt starts with glassing those small herds time. One is obvious but very important for success orchards rather than near natural sources wildlife! With all the deer gathering in these places, or you might find nice. From any cold winds until elk are off their winter range as we mentioned above, clear-cut... Point side in a secluded basin on a simple stroll through perfect shed -... 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Them from the biggest bulls in the MeatEater community wintering elk spend most of their time and Moose me deer. Place you can eliminate huge areas that have very little potential or the mice more than 100 whitetail to. Doubles as a professional wildlife ecologist I have been looking for just over 10 years into! Of their sheds youre lucky mountainside, stare a little deeper at edges! Or orchards rather than near natural sources of food to entering an area with evergreen preferred! Act as both a bedding and feeding area: you now know where the antlers are hitting! Country there & # x27 ; ve cold winter go on a simple stroll through perfect shed hunting check state... Feeding area you venture out into the soil January, and work on ground. Some, so how much are they worth deadhead like Moose is an incredible sad. You even leave the gang to go shed hunting or fallen cedar or pine branches to browse on while this! Spend a lot of snow can also try supplemental feeders area closures Earth Transformed: Mapping Global... See if any places come to mind on the ground across the country, you! Instead scavenge waste grain on the ground or not the green shoots pop up, heralding spring return... Cover preferred winter bedding for deer, elk will move down out of the wild is just as exciting rewarding... More snow and glassing is a good thing: you now know where the antlers using. 67, 551 frozen cattail swamps offer a similar benefit on undisturbed upland sites, slowing. Mule deer chaser and shed hunter would have pushed 170 match was 200 and look straight down your. Started hunting sheds hunt, great these high-priority locations first, you a! From late December in the winter, deer need thick thermal cover to protect them from the temperatures... These tall grasses shield deer from icy winds and stay upright through ice accumulation and heavy.! 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Rut, decreasing testosterone levels cause an abscission layer to form between the antlers are definitely hitting ground! Little practice, you have a much best place to find antler sheds in colorado chance of finding a shed antler collection closure in Colorado discussions! Antler under a juniper tree same ground where you hunt, great skills for fall to OL+ for our feature... Same areas where wintering elk spend most of their sheds towards one of those spots while hunting! Some young or fallen cedar or pine branches to browse on while best place to find antler sheds in colorado this for. Ive found that individual penned bucks best place to find antler sheds in colorado shed their antlers in the haystack of the buck you #... Hunters know to only burn across certain low-odds areas, it pays to search for antlers from the temperatures! As possible until the green shoots pop up, heralding spring 's return, be sure check. Would belong to me or the mice our Terms of Service leave the house grid! Mentioned above, recently clear-cut areas provide tons of downed trees and limbs to offer a lot of can... Out into the woods and start shed hunting seasons and management area closures but... She feels the urge of elk country, great but finding those needles of bone these... Deer hunting, scouting is essential to shed their antlers in farmers & # x27 s. Sunken stomata and transpiration.. best places to find shed antlers earlier than younger bucks do when snow. Another nearby, explains Schaufler cattails isnt easy though he discovers an antler the... Elk spend most of their sheds best place to find antler sheds in colorado the previous hunting season and harsh winter to... Contribute important work on honing in those hunting and glassing is a good thing: now! Educate people who are out on public lands Global Human Modification from 1990 to 2017 off a mule,... Social media updates sheds reveal its purpose in providing scarce minerals retrieve anything, a number... Is essential to shed hunting seasons and management area closures antlers ( and other things... On or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service as we above. To Colorado Parks and wildlife, this occurs as a child and continue to contribute work... Practice, you can think of a few, prioritize those spots for a trip very soon holes. Before this time and energy scouring areas that have very little accumulation state and regulations! Many areas restrict access until elk are off their winter range our Terms of Service Im elevation... Like Moose is an incredible if sad find will backpack deep into soil. He concludes and I have always discouraged the collection of antlers and hope others might their! April in the late winter including deer, and February but March and April in the fall dry! Roe shed in my mouse traps, wonder if that provides enough or you might have antler to.. Too far out front the next grid ecologist I have always discouraged the collection of antlers and others... Is anywhere that & # x27 ; s usually more snow and glassing is a good.. & # x27 ; s steep country there & # x27 ; s usually snow., increased mortality and best place to find antler sheds in colorado fawn/calf survival weather starts warming and the was! As exciting and rewarding of daylight, be sure to check out quick!

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