Shed hunting is an awesome sport,but it can be difficult at times. When your searching for shed antlers fallow these tips.
1. Scout for shed antlers just like you would search for deer.
2. In the winter look by food sources, in the winter deer abondon does and return to there "batcholor groups"
3. Find areas with low hunting pressure, places where hunting is not allowed can be the best
4. Find the Food: In winter, finding food can be more challenging after crops are
harvested and after snowfall covers the ground. Find areas where deer
concentrate to feed. Often one field will draw all the deer while other fields are left untouched. In wooded areas identify which plants deer prefer to browse on in winter.
5. Check Beds: Deer spend a large amount of time in their beds to conserve energy in winter. Coniferous forests are prime bedding spots because the dense cover blocks the wind and the branches catch the snow before it hits the ground, making travel easier
6. Check Southern Exposures: Deer soak up the winter sun like a cat sitting in a windowsill. In winter, the southern exposure receives the most
direct sunlight, so check the south face of a hill or the south edge of a forest.
7. Look Where Deer Jump,Sudden movements caused by jumping or running can knock an antler loose. Check deer trails where they cross fences, ditches or other obstacles
8. Time Your Search,Like it or not, you will be competing for sheds with other shed hunters. More people are looking for sheds, so you may be competing with them. But you will also almost certainly be competing with squirrels, mice and porcupines, which eat sheds for their calcium. On public ground, get out early and often if you are dealing with two-legged shed hunters. On private ground, wait until March when most bucks have shed. However, in forests with lots of squirrels, such as oak forests, get out frequently. A squirrel can devour an entire shed in less than a week. In areas where squirrels are not present, such as in farm fields, you can delay your search.
9. Walk Slowly,You’re trying to spot an object on the ground that looks a lot like a cornstalk or a stick. Walk slowly and give your eyes time to process what you’re seeing.
10. Keep Your Eyes on the Ground,As elementary as this sounds, first-time shed hunters often focus too high, looking at rubs, licking
branches or actual deer. Focus on the ground.
1. Scout for shed antlers just like you would search for deer.
2. In the winter look by food sources, in the winter deer abondon does and return to there "batcholor groups"
3. Find areas with low hunting pressure, places where hunting is not allowed can be the best
4. Find the Food: In winter, finding food can be more challenging after crops are
harvested and after snowfall covers the ground. Find areas where deer
concentrate to feed. Often one field will draw all the deer while other fields are left untouched. In wooded areas identify which plants deer prefer to browse on in winter.
5. Check Beds: Deer spend a large amount of time in their beds to conserve energy in winter. Coniferous forests are prime bedding spots because the dense cover blocks the wind and the branches catch the snow before it hits the ground, making travel easier
6. Check Southern Exposures: Deer soak up the winter sun like a cat sitting in a windowsill. In winter, the southern exposure receives the most
direct sunlight, so check the south face of a hill or the south edge of a forest.
7. Look Where Deer Jump,Sudden movements caused by jumping or running can knock an antler loose. Check deer trails where they cross fences, ditches or other obstacles
8. Time Your Search,Like it or not, you will be competing for sheds with other shed hunters. More people are looking for sheds, so you may be competing with them. But you will also almost certainly be competing with squirrels, mice and porcupines, which eat sheds for their calcium. On public ground, get out early and often if you are dealing with two-legged shed hunters. On private ground, wait until March when most bucks have shed. However, in forests with lots of squirrels, such as oak forests, get out frequently. A squirrel can devour an entire shed in less than a week. In areas where squirrels are not present, such as in farm fields, you can delay your search.
9. Walk Slowly,You’re trying to spot an object on the ground that looks a lot like a cornstalk or a stick. Walk slowly and give your eyes time to process what you’re seeing.
10. Keep Your Eyes on the Ground,As elementary as this sounds, first-time shed hunters often focus too high, looking at rubs, licking
branches or actual deer. Focus on the ground.