Tread softly. But the odds are good; 90-percent or more of the antlers you discover are going to be found in one of three locations. Wardens watch social media, as they should, so dont get jammed up. Loud, fast-moving OHVs and snowmobiles are major sources of wildlife stress. Thats typically what runs through my mind when I see a buddy walking towards one of those spots while shed hunting. Youve found a shed, but guess what that means? Every shed-savvy character in sight will race to beat the next guy, while trying not to be too obvious about it. It is also, in my experience, one of the most difficult habitats to search. He dug through the leaves and uncovered a 5-point shed that scored 75 inches. And he suspects he already has the deer's other antler at his cabin in McCoy. Ultimately that means you could find more shed antlers in less time, making you a much more efficient shed hunter. Were seeing all sorts of people who just want to get out in the woods in the spring and have some fun with their dogs, says Dokken. We are encouraging all shed hunters to stage in the Fairgrounds/Rodeo Grounds parking area. 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. Bull elk are seeking solidarity out of eyesight over the next mountain top. But theres something even more rewarding and mystifying about finding an older, moss-covered antler that has been hidden for who-knows-how long. Winter can be extremely difficult on wildlife as body weight is down and access to food is very limited. 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. 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. Here are some tips to get you started. Illinois, like Iowa, is another largely agricultural state which makes zeroing in on the big sheds fairly easy. 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). 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. This option will reset the home page of this site. Spin it in your hand. Come back next March and search again. Parking in the Town of Jackson near the entrance to the Elk Refuge on April 30 will be extremely limited. 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. Matthew L. Miller is director of science communications for The Nature Conservancy and editor of the Cool Green Science blog. Heres how. These trails are very easy to notice in the winter, whether there is snow on the ground or not. Most Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) fields are perfect for this purpose. 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. One of the greatest features about OnXMaps is that it shows public and private land ownership, giving you peace of mind when accessing hunting areas. I agree with Susan any collection of Antlers apart from education or medicinal purpose if not justified. http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.3955/046.085.0307, https://bioone.org/journals/Northwest-Science/volume-85/issue-3/046.085.0307/Osteophagy-by-the-Grizzly-Bear-Ursus-arctos/10.3955/046.085.0307.full. Deer Jump Areas Bumping into the ground, fences or trees can loosen the antlers. Where to Find Shed Antlers: Three Basic Spots Dense cover near winter feeding areas is a great place to find sheds. Roaming his Iowa farm one April day, Don Kisky stepped on what felt like a stick. But before you run and post a picture of it on Facebook or Instagram, keep in mind that in most states you need a salvage permit or at least permission from a conservation officer before you can possess any buck with skull and antlers attached. And I have been looking for just over 10 years. It's big business for a lot of people and with the introduction of mountain snowmobiles, many shed hunters can get into moose territory . 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. Public lands are usually full of these kinds of cuts, which can be part of your overall strategy. Follow the Obstacle Course. Once the snow melts, revisit those sites. You need to pretty much stick to trails and beds to find them. There may also be some young or fallen cedar or pine branches to browse on while in this type of bedding area. Chalk costs between $1 to $3 per pound and strong whites have an average cost between $8 to $11. 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. Once you find an area like this, the probability of it being a great spot year after year will be high. Grassy Buffer Strips (just ask homeless hermit crabs!) You can give yourself an increased likelihood of finding antlers by looking in places where deer jump fences or ditches. Spend some time observing deer at other times of year, and youll be well on your way to learning some shed hunting hotspots. She enjoys engaging with coyotes more than shed antler hunting, but every time we hike Im amazed at the antlers she digs up buried in inches of forest duff. This is an inefficient way for them to feed, and they will always seek out the easiest feeding method possible. etc. It feels like looking for an actual needle in a haystack after a while. | In the winter, its pretty easy to find these bedding areas too because you can see the beds in the snow or matted grass. We have seen sheds but never been able to get to them! But when you said Bears get a source of calcium from them, I have to call BS. 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. If you hinge-cut the trees, it will become a thick area that can act as both a bedding and feeding area. The fence was not high, so I have no idea why he didnt just jump. The pace picks up. 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. The general price changes every year, and locations will . Yesterdays blog explored the enthusiasm some of us have for finding shed antlers and how that enthusiasm can turn into an obsession that threatens wintering mule deer and elk. 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. Published on February 10, 2015 - Updated on October 3, 2018. 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. When youre glassing a mountainside, stare a little deeper at the edges of game trails. . The concept is simple: grab a backpack, binoculars, and your good buddies and start cruising the woods looking for antlers. Picking up a shed antler, esp if for education purposes is probably okay but I would not advocate make a collection of them! These regulations protect the health of Colorado's big game herds and other wintering wildlife. Bulls just hate the imbalance when one antler is off. From the right anglelooking down from abovethese trails are obvious on a hillside. 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. Happy shed hunting! 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. The CPW Commission chose not to include private lands in its decision to enact a shed antler collection closure in Colorado. 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. The goal of the Police Department is to maintain a high level of quality of life for Jackson residents in the least obtrusive manner possible. That being said, youll want to wait to check out any bedding areas for shed antlers until you know that bucks have dropped them, simply because you can chase them to a neighboring property before theyre ready. 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. But shed hunting can be a fun springtime pursuit and you can easily do it in a way that doesnt bother wildlife. Walk each grid and look straight down around your feet for sheds, then move on to the next grid. Bucks survive to shed their antlers which is why you won't find much of these in common hunting areas. 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. Possession of antlers or horns on private property without lawful access is prohibited. Mule deer are found at lower elevations during the winter months, making them easier to pattern and are easily accessible. Its a work of art, isnt it? Bedding refers to making a safe area where the deer and any fawns can sleep, away from predators. Currently bringing $6-$10 a pound. Here's our guide to finding "sheds" in a forest or field near you. If your dog likes to retrieve anything, a ball or training dummy or whatever, thats the game. Conservation science, field reporting, and cool creatures. Although the CPW Commission decided not to require a permit at its latest meeting, it is an issue it may revisit in the future. 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). The best time to go shed hunting is when the woods are barren and brown, the grass and brush are pounded down, and crop fields and pastures are low to the dirt. Following a flash of white into a swath of sage brush near McCoy, he discovers an antler under a juniper tree. If youve shed hunted long enough, youll recognize that those spots almost always hold an antler or two. That may seem like common sense, but you've probably walked by many because you weren't looking. You might want to sell some, so how much are they worth? You can train your family pet, say a Lab or golden retriever you keep in the house, to hunt sheds. The fresher the antler, the higher in value for horn traders and our four-legged friends to gnaw on. The road WILL NOT be open for parking before this time and parking throughout east Jackson will be extremely limited. etc. 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. It is also importantto be in very good physical shape if you want to attempt getting into secluded areas of elk country. 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. In many areas, deer create runways every bit as well-worn as those created by humans. In more northern regions outside of the farm belt, dense conifer stands offer a similar level of protection from winter, with some additional benefits. , an elks seasonal migration averages around 15 miles to a suitable winter range. Look for low-hanging branches or brush that may encourage an antler to drop. Protecting our wintering wildlife is something we have to do together. I would not advocate make a collection of antlers or horns on private property without lawful access is prohibited on... If youve shed hunted long enough, youll recognize that those spots while best place to find antler sheds in colorado hunting guess what means. Fast-Moving OHVs and snowmobiles are major sources of wildlife stress that can act as both a bedding and feeding.... Okay but I would not advocate make a collection of them October 3 2018. Have been looking for antlers field reporting, and Cool creatures find them the. 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