Hey guys, I went looking for sheds for a couple hours today. I walked all over the woods across from my house, (I jump deer out of beds everytime I go over there), and didn't find one shed. It's a reletively small area and I'm pretty sure I know where they are bedding down. I've been seein bucks with only one antler on they're head (mocking me) and I just don't get it. I'm either walking over them and not seeing them, or they're going some place I don't know about. Maybe the antler fairy is coming and taking them. Anyway, my question is, can any of yall give me some tips on looking for them? What to look for, where to look, etc? Thanks!
Don't get frustrated, you are looking for a needle in a hay stack.
If you think about how much area a deer covers in a week or two, then realize you are looking for about 3-4 sq feet in that area where his sheds are laying.
Bedding areas are good, as are feeding areas and any trail, especially where they might have to jump, (over a fence or up a bank) are good places.
Relax and enjoy it you'll find them when you are least expecting it.
They are hard to find in the woods,look in hay or grass fields if there are any close.Look in the pines too.I look for anything white,and look for the points sticking up.
Throw some corn down into some wild rose or briar tickets. They'll go diggin' in there . Should help you find some. :saywhat: Find a food source. This time of year they stick close to food until it's gone.
Thanks guys. I'm gonna go back out tonite and again tomorrow. This is the first year I've really hit the sheds hard. I saw a really nice 4 point this summer that I would love to have. Honestly though, I'd be happy with a spike, just to know that I finally found one...
Don't forget to look off the ground. I've found a few in brush and in the trees. Squirrels?
Hap
By the time you can find any in Pa., the squirrels and other rodents pretty much have them eaten.
Sorry but I put this on new topic.
antler traps
I always carry an antler with me when shed hunting and toss it ahead of me. This helps me train my eye for what to look for and also gives you a different view of the woods when you stoop down to pick yours up. I'm no expert but I've found a few this way.
South facing slopes are good areas to start looking inside the woods. Also, slim fingers where a ridge begins to taper into a bottom are hotspots as well. Find a slim finger with southern exposure and you've stuck gold, at least in my area.
Shed hunting can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack but you'll develop a "feel" and start picking them up fairly regular. Good luck.
There is a gentleman in KC Missouri that according to the "Missouri Conservationist" magazine raises and trains dogs to find deer sheds. It sound too expensive for me, but $1500.00 for a started pup and $5000.00 for a trained dog.
I start out by taking my dog for a hike,and he usually finds them for me,{oh yeah,and carcasses and other stinkers}.
Someone else may be combing it also.
I read another thread on building antler traps, which I am going to try. Search on that here if you haven't read about them.
Went back out yesterday and all I found was a dead coon. Gonna try the trap idea. I like it. Havn't seen any with antlers still on but who knows, I could get lucky. Thanks guys.
found one the other day. I was running rabbits with my beagles & they take this rabbit right over the stone wall right. Well I go over to see & get up on the wall for the return trip & there on top of the wall is a shed. It looks as though it was dragged up there by a squirel or something as it had chew marks all over it. Not a large shed but really cool just lying up there. Mike
Just got in from a short hike with the dogs. Nothing. Snow is still too deep. I found a 155" 4point shed on Wednesday and my Lab found a small 2 pt. I don't get too serious until March. Some still carrying. Hang in there. I figure I have 3 hours walking for every one I find.
I find mine by tripping over them in tall broam hay! I hardly ever find them when I am actualy looking for them. Just take your wife with you and tell her your not going shopping until she finds two or three! She will find them quicker then you can blink an eye! LOL
I FOUND ONE!!!!!!!!!!!! I was on my way back today and notice the last 1-2" of the points sticking up out of the snow and leaves. It was a nice little three point. I saw it's owner today to, spooked him out when I was looking. Had the other antler still on his head.
Glad you found one. I don't know how bad shed hunting is in northern Utah but down here is southern Utah you better be there when it drops.
Everybody shed hunts hard down here. I know I always have a hard time finding them.
The land I'm hunting on is private. As far as I know, me and a couple of farmers are the only ones on it. But even at that, my dad and I have never found one. Theoretically, there should be hundreds down there waiting to be found, but they just... disappear.
Small animals will eat them....or at least knaw on them. I once found one hanging in a fork of a bush about 16 inches up. Something had knawed on the tines. I like the idea of an antler trap. Thanks, I think I might use it sometime.
I set three of them today. I'll check em next weekend when I get time.