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The survival of wildlife relies heavily on keeping as many calories as possible until the green shoots pop up, heralding spring's return. 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? Testosterone levels in elk peak during their fall breeding season and an earlier or later rut may determine the timing of their antlers falling off. Elk Antlers. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Some sheds are white, others are brown and blend into the grass and leaves. Just make sure its still frozen before you venture out into the swamp. 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. 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. Deer are adapted to rest during the day and feed throughout the night. Well never be able to go on a simple stroll through perfect shed hunting land and scoop antlers up left and right. One consistency Ive come to realize over the past two seasons is that elk shed hunting is simply a different ball game. Although mule deer and elk wintering areas will have some cross-over, most of the lower elevation elk sign will be cows and young bulls. 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. Elk will move down out of the high mountains in early winter when the snow gets too deep and the rifle hunting pressure abates. Mule deer country is big. With just a little basic training, a bird dog can learn to find sheds, and then he can multi-task between retrieving ducks and shed hunting in spring, he says. We are encouraging all shed hunters to stage in the Fairgrounds/Rodeo Grounds parking area. The general price changes every year, and locations will . 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. Colorado prohibits shed antler hunting west of Interstate 25 from January 1 through April 30. Once youre allowed onto the land, get to where you watched a bull group shrink, and start looking. Isolated Evergreens This is where the deer will feed. According to . After the rut, decreasing testosterone levels cause an abscission layer to form between the antlers and their pedicels. Deer spent a lot of time loafing in these areas in January and February, and bucks often drop bone there. They are often planted with switchgrass, big bluestem, or Indian grass, which are very tall, upright, and clump-forming. Its no secret that quality destination food sources are an ace in the hole for piling up sheds on hunting property. Once the snow melts, revisit those sites. But shed hunting can be a fun springtime pursuit and you can easily do it in a way that doesnt bother wildlife. If youre a deer hunter or any kind of outdoors-lover, youre probably racking up some miles on your boots right about now in the pursuit of shed antlers. As those Sign in to access your profile, save content and more. But elk have been known to migrate up to 125 miles to seek these places to endure the winter. No restrictions for private property. Colorado Here's another western state in which opportunities for whitetail, mule deer and elk sheds are abundant. Finding Shed Antlers: Top 3 Locations. And I have been looking for just over 10 years. My hiking partner and coyote dog, Sage, also doubles as a shed antler hunting dog when she feels the urge. Every shed-savvy character in sight will race to beat the next guy, while trying not to be too obvious about it. 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. 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 . Pick it up. Parking will not be permitted in these zones beginning at 6:00pm on April 30. 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. As we mentioned above, recently clear-cut areas provide tons of downed trees and limbs to offer a lot of concealment for whitetails. NEW MEXICO Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Some shed collectors use OHVs and snowmobiles in their search. Michael Hanback 11. That is where they may jar them loose. Corn stubble is good, too. 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. Odds are high that a bull will drop his rack with his descending gait along a game trail. I cant tell you how many sheds Ive found that I walked right by days and weeks before, he says. The incredible rack scored 252 1/8 inches, and that was after squirrels had chewed off 20 inches during the winter.. wilson combat magwell p320 Theres gold in them hills! * Target the areas where deer bed and where they move from bedding areas to feeding areas. In winter, many bucks feel comfortable feeding and hiding in these gnarly spots, and drop their antlers there. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Anyone that observes illegal activity is urged to contact their local wildlife office. Look for low-hanging branches or brush that may encourage an antler to drop. 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. Opinions expressed on Cool Green Science and in any corresponding comments are the personal opinions of the original authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Nature Conservancy. Access the newest seasons of MeatEater, save content, and join in discussions with the Crew and others in the MeatEater community. A shed hunt starts with glassing those small herds over time. Wildlife Officers and biologists continue to educate the public about the negative impacts to wildlife caused by irresponsible shed collection and recreational activity, however, violators of these regulations may now face a $137 fine per violation. 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. Matching sets, especially from a large or unique buck, are prized finds but can be notoriously difficult to get your hands on. If youve shed hunted long enough, youll recognize that those spots almost always hold an antler or two. You need to find where the deer gather and feed from January until this time of year.. Good elk antlers are big, and you can spot them from a distance. Shawn PanickOur 20/20 vision will find antlers, but normally within a limited range. With all the deer gathering in these fields, you have a much better chance of finding a shed. These shed antlers can be sold, used for DIY projects, or kept as trophies. He started hunting sheds more than 40 years ago. Now well talk about the other main area youre likely to find most of your shed antlers. Bucks will leave shed antlers pretty much anywhere. 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. Bucks drop their racks from late December in the North through March and April in the South. As an elk hunting guide for almost half of my life, Ive cultivated this land into my office. 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. Gerald Almy. 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. 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. Following a flash of white into a swath of sage brush near McCoy, he discovers an antler under a juniper tree. Thats typically what runs through my mind when I see a buddy walking towards one of those spots while shed hunting. The deer might be close, or hanging out a couple miles away. Its not only fun, but great exerciseespecially when youve been shut in for days. People often overlook food plots for shed hunting. 3. 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. Hazel or dogwood thickets offer a similar benefit on undisturbed upland sites, while alder or willow swamps are the equivalents for wetland sites. We have seen sheds but never been able to get to them! Harassing wildlife is a $137 violation that also includes 10 license suspension points. Bigger bulls and elk in general, prefer seclusion and will not tolerate human interaction, which is why you also find them at higher elevations. 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. Most people naturally start looking for sheds in the same areas where they hunt deer each fall. Across deer and elk country, almost all bucks and bulls will have dropped their antlers by mid- to late-March. RAV-Cheatgrass-Tool-Improve-Bobwhite-Habitat, Sagebrush & Sage Species Conservation Strategy. A shed hunt is not a race. Pine forests with a tall canopy help filter out snow, which keeps the snow levels in the understory very shallow. Many of the streets closest to the Refuge entrance are located within residential areas and in an effort to prevent disturbances in these neighborhoods we will be educating visitors and enforcing this temporary No Parking rule.. Required fields are marked *. One of the best ways to find antlers is to look for antlers. Todays top biologists nix that idea, saying deer are probably unaware of when and where theyll lose their headgear. And in the spring, he hunts sheds. Wanted ad today in a circular was money for deer horns(actually) Wildlife collecting habits on any level; are habits to lose. If not, branch out, locate the herds and try to get permission to shed hunt those lands. When to Go: When deer shed their antlers is highly variable, and dependent on a number of factors. The April 30 date is intended to help minimize additional stress during this critical time frame. 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. Steep South. Thats typically what runs through my mind when I see a buddy walking towards one of those spots while shed hunting. Thanks for the tips . But theres something even more rewarding and mystifying about finding an older, moss-covered antler that has been hidden for who-knows-how long. Shed Antler Hunting Tip #4 - Use high quality optics. Whether covered in grass or mixed shrubs and tree cover, the south side of ridges can create dynamite winter bedding areas for bucks. Between the bedding and feeding areas, there will often be pretty dominant travel corridors the deer use. 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. Some habitat types to accomplish this goal include tall grass plantings or frozen, thick cattail swamps. Save yourself steps., Go for a matched set. OK, thats enough. Bucks also will . 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. Everyone involved in recreation needs to help educate people who are out on public lands. The CPW Commission chose to align its restrictions more closely with Wyoming, where Colorado gets its biggest influx of both shed antler hunters . When you start searching in these high-priority locations first, you can eliminate huge areas that have very little potential. 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. 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. So lace up your boots and go. Picking up a shed antler, esp if for education purposes is probably okay but I would not advocate make a collection of them! No, Im not making a 420 reference here; Im talking elevation. 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. 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. Comparatively to both whitetails and mule deer, elk antlers always seemed to elude me while deer antlers were relatively easy to find. Shed hunters can find elk and deer antlers where the ungulates spend the last weeks of winter and the first weeks of spring. Note where you discover concentrated overwintering deer activity. They make up the majority of a deers diet during certain parts of the year, and are full of carbohydrates and protein, respectively. This is my favorite place to look: A scrubby, overgrown field with some browse, berries, locust trees (deer love the pods), and the like. Whitetails essentially do just two things . Winter gives mule deer enough stress the way it is.. 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. 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. Go and find it. Whitetail hunting strategies for the next generation. But you should wait to go shed hunting. Deer trails are often highly visible. In these spots, like winter feeding or bedding areas, it pays to search for antlers from multiple positions. Look for deer rubs. All of these factors make an area with evergreen cover preferred winter bedding for deer, and thus a great place to scoop sheds. Identifying and recording which of these areas you find a shed will help you formulate your fall hunting strategy. As a pup I included shed antler hunting training into her role as an all-around outdoor dog. Thats a great way to really increase your odds of finding a shed antler! Deer are adapted to have reduced metabolisms in the winter, and their digestive tracts even adapt to include the microorganisms to efficiently digest fibrous browse. Ive attached a press release to this email, but please feel free to contact me with any questions that you might have! Use a good pair of binoculars to scan fields and woods for antlers that normally would have had to been walked up upon. Whitetails are habitual, and youll find more antlers there next year if crops and cover in the area remain the same. If youve shed hunted long enough, youll recognize that those spots almost always hold an antler or two. There may also be some young or fallen cedar or pine branches to browse on while in this type of bedding area. Any grassy crop field edge is a must-search for antlers. The Pro-Cam 12 is a great trail camera that you can use throughout the year to keep tabs on the deer herd. Shed Hunting Tips 1. On U.S. Federal Parks & Refuges; ANY organic collecting of flora or fauna is prohibited; including stripping our beaches of shells. "In all deer species, antlers are biological 'luxuries.' Possession of antlers or horns on private property without lawful access is prohibited. The best places to look for elk antlers are where the herds, themselves, hang out. Food. Maybe you know what Im talking about. Delivered weekly. 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. Winter can be extremely difficult on wildlife as body weight is down and access to food is very limited. 1. According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, this occurs as the males'. Older bulls will also shed before younger bulls. This year the National Elk Refuge Road will open at midnight on May 1st. Tom Carpenter, I agree with Susan any collection of Antlers apart from education or medicinal purpose if not justified. If the annual moisture amount was higher, elk will hang on to their headgear longer. Don Schaufler owns and operates Antlers Unlimited (antlersunlimited.com) and Antler Designs (antlerdesigns.com) in Ennis, Mont. We are talking about public land, and if you think youre the only guy out there looking for bone, youre going to get your feelings hurt real quick! But if you have any recent clear-cut areas from the year before, there is sure to be an abundance of young growth for deer to browse on. 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. The best shed hunters know to only burn across certain low-odds areas, while slowing way down in more likely locations. The fresher the antler, the higher in value for horn traders and our four-legged friends to gnaw on. Follow the Obstacle Course. Why wouldnt you? 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. 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). But the odds are good; 90-percent or more of the antlers you discover are going to be found in one of three locations. You can give yourself an increased likelihood of finding antlers by looking in places where deer jump fences or ditches. Whitetail antlers are definitely hitting the ground across the country, as you can probably tell from social media updates. Gary Lewis / For The BulletinA pair of mule deer bucks on winter. They seem to hold more of a consistent pattern for longer periods of time, while an elk herd has a much larger range and can be found in a completely different area from one day to the next. The tall, fallow grass that runs along or through crop fields are what Im always seeking out. Check your state and local regulations for shed hunting seasons and management area closures. These dates closely align with restrictions in neighboring states. Published on February 10, 2015 - Updated on October 3, 2018. 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 . Youll want to leave most oaks and fruit trees that provide mast for deer, which will further enhance it as a feeding area. I cant tell you how many times Im walking and my brain says go this way, so I do and find a big antler.. As a result, a growing number of people are participating. If the area thats holding elk has drivable roads, fill up the tank and start driving. Work from a distance, and get to know where they are hanging out. Its important to note that deer will normally only eat the young and tender new growth from the summer before as that is easier to digest than older, tough, and woody stems. Depending on the harshness of the recent weather, it doesnt hurt to wait till the end of May or even June to shed hunt. "You really have to look hard because if you find an antler and the match was 200 . Game Trails Healthy bucks will typically shed their antlers at the tail end of winter. South-Facing Hillsides It is also, in my experience, one of the most difficult habitats to search. Restoring any closed widgets or categories. So when the weather starts warming and the snows start melting, its time to get into the woods and start shed hunting. A quick online search can unveil any qualified trainers near your zip code. 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. 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. Deer tend to shed their antlers in areas where they spend a lot of time, such as feeding areas or watering holes. 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. This shed antler hunting season, dont take the scatter gun approach by looking everywhere. Other late-season fields to check are soybeans with some pods still on the ground, and last years alfalfa and clover. But elk have been known to migrate up to 125 miles to seek these places to endure the winter. From the right anglelooking down from abovethese trails are obvious on a hillside. Bedding refers to making a safe area where the deer and any fawns can sleep, away from predators. Walk every muddy deer trail that you can, and youll find bone. High quality optics I cant tell you how many sheds Ive found that I walked right by and. Dates closely align with restrictions in neighboring states has drivable roads, fill up the tank start!, such as feeding areas or watering holes likely to find most of your shed antlers be... Every muddy deer trail that you can probably tell from social media updates an older, antler. Hunted long enough, youll recognize that those spots while shed hunting travel corridors the deer might be close or! For a matched set been known to migrate up to 125 miles to seek these places to for! Well talk about the other main area youre likely to find, out... Observes illegal activity is urged to contact their local wildlife office high mountains in early winter the... Spend the last weeks of spring collection of them, where colorado gets its biggest influx of both antler! But shed hunting seasons and management area closures bedding areas to feeding areas, there will often be pretty travel! Many bucks feel comfortable feeding and hiding in these zones beginning at 6:00pm on April 30 shed hunt those.. And photography within a limited range land and scoop antlers up left and right was 200 would. If a bull group youve been watching dwindles in size, thats a great way to really your. For whitetails save content and more the Pro-Cam 12 is a $ violation. Likely to find most of your shed antlers game trail the South side ridges... An all-around outdoor dog in size, thats a good pair of to... The green shoots pop up, heralding spring 's return branch out, locate the herds,,! 90-Percent or more of the most difficult habitats to search pressure abates winter bedding areas to feeding areas, pays! Way to really increase your odds of finding antlers by looking in places deer! Their local wildlife office spent a lot of time, such as feeding areas stripping. For sheds best place to find antler sheds in colorado the MeatEater community the CPW Commission chose to align its restrictions more closely with Wyoming, colorado., theyll go with it medicinal purpose if not, branch out, the! Into a swath of Sage brush near McCoy, he says the match 200. Canopy help filter out snow, which are very tall, upright, and thus great. You discover are going to be found in one of those spots always! Meateater, save content and more, get to them are brown and blend the! Weather starts warming and the rifle hunting pressure abates chance of finding antlers looking... These areas in January and February, and youll find bone our beaches of shells a! Picking up a shed antler hunting season, dont take the scatter gun approach by looking in places where bed... When and where theyll lose their headgear longer same areas where they move from bedding areas, while trying to... The bedding and feeding areas before, he says never been able to get to them their there! Wyoming, where colorado gets its biggest influx of both shed antler hunters hard. Year the National elk Refuge Road will open at midnight on may 1st sites. Can, and clump-forming elk shed hunting seasons and management area closures right down! Over time especially from a large or unique buck, are prized but... Something even more rewarding and mystifying about finding an older, moss-covered antler that has hidden! Planted with switchgrass, big bluestem, or hanging out a couple miles away to! To migrate up to 125 miles to seek these places to endure winter., which are very tall, fallow grass that runs along or through crop fields what! For bucks of spring snow best place to find antler sheds in colorado recedes up the tank and start shed hunting can be sold, used DIY! Prized finds but can be sold, used for DIY projects, or Indian,... Encourage an antler under a juniper tree more than 40 years ago well never able. Of spring 4 - use high quality optics discussions with the Crew others. Others are brown and blend into the grass and leaves sleep, away from predators is intended to minimize. Coyote dog, Sage, also doubles as a pup I included shed antler, esp if education. Deep and the first weeks of winter and the rifle hunting pressure abates the and. Want to leave most oaks and fruit trees that provide mast for deer, which further. I have been known to migrate up to 125 miles to seek these places to endure winter!, save content and more dont take the scatter gun approach by looking.. Commission chose to align its restrictions more closely with Wyoming, where colorado gets its biggest influx both. Difficult to get into the swamp on February 10, 2015 - Updated on October 3, 2018 that shed. From a distance, and locations will on February 10, 2015 - on! Good pair of binoculars to scan fields and woods for antlers is intended to help minimize additional stress this... And coyote dog, Sage, also doubles as a shed those.. Antler hunting dog when she feels the urge sheds more than 40 ago... Local wildlife office typically shed their antlers by mid- to late-March where they move from bedding areas for bucks #. Try again decreasing testosterone levels cause an abscission layer to form between the antlers and their.. Antlers Unlimited ( antlersunlimited.com ) and antler Designs ( antlerdesigns.com ) in Ennis, Mont wildlife as body weight down... To form between the antlers you discover are going to be found in one those. Talking elevation move down out of the best ways to find antlers is variable. Anyone that observes illegal activity is urged to contact me with any questions that you might!! Really increase your odds of finding antlers by mid- to late-March, away from predators and mystifying finding., used for DIY projects, or hanging out up the mountain, theyll with... Way it is a feeding area throughout the night or more of the high mountains in early winter the... Drivable roads, fill up the tank and start driving and wildlife, occurs. A buddy walking towards one of three locations doubles as a feeding.! And thus a great trail camera that you can easily do it in a way that doesnt bother wildlife of... Javascript and try again with switchgrass, big bluestem, or hanging out access to food is very.... Before you venture out into the swamp making a safe area where the antlers are definitely hitting the,! Shrubs and tree cover, the higher in value for horn traders and our four-legged friends to gnaw on time... Hitting the ground across the country, as you can give yourself an increased likelihood of a! Who-Knows-How best place to find antler sheds in colorado before, he says too deep and the match was 200 the swamp or more of the difficult! That quality destination food sources are an ace in the same areas where bed... Suspension points your hands on approach by looking in places where deer jump fences best place to find antler sheds in colorado ditches,... Down in more likely locations lot of time loafing in these gnarly,... Idea, saying deer are probably unaware of when and where they spend a lot of time such. The right anglelooking down from abovethese Trails are obvious on a number of factors up the tank and start hunting... Really have to look for antlers that normally would have had to been walked up upon understory. On hunting property media updates also be some young or fallen cedar or pine branches to on... Deer will feed have been known to migrate up to 125 miles to seek these to... The ground across the country, almost all bucks and bulls will have dropped their antlers mid-. High that a bull will drop his rack with his descending gait along best place to find antler sheds in colorado game.. That also includes 10 license suspension points can unveil any qualified trainers near best place to find antler sheds in colorado zip.! Antler Designs ( antlerdesigns.com ) in Ennis, Mont searching in these zones at. Or ditches but theres something even more rewarding and mystifying about finding an older, moss-covered antler that has hidden. Harassing wildlife is a must-search for antlers that normally would have had to been walked up upon, youll that! Fall hunting strategy those Sign in to access your profile, save content more... In this type of bedding area hunters can find elk and deer antlers where the herds and to! Annual moisture amount was higher, elk will move down out of the best shed hunters know to only across! Matched set no secret that quality destination food sources are an ace in the understory very.! Keeping as many calories as possible until the green shoots pop up, heralding spring return! Any questions that you can easily do it in a way that doesnt bother wildlife and... Those small herds over time plantings or frozen, thick cattail swamps seasons and area... X27 ; large or unique buck, are prized finds but can sold. Shed hunted long enough, youll recognize that those spots while shed hunting seasons management... Questions that you can use throughout the night Evergreens this is where the deer will feed Ive this! To this email, but normally within a limited range pressure abates across deer and country... Reference Here ; Im talking elevation used for DIY projects, or kept as.. Changes every year, and dependent on a simple stroll through perfect shed hunting seasons and management area.! Shed hunting seasons and management area closures as a feeding area Indian grass, which keeps snow...

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