Finding Shed Antlers

It’s that time of year again, early spring. After a winter sleep, mother nature decides it’s time to wake up again. So many things are beginning to kick off right now in the outdoors. Turkey season, morel mushrooms, fish spawn and shed antlers.

Today, we’re taking a dive into hunting shed antlers. To me, this is an extended version of deer season. It’s something my wife likes to do as well. It’s a cheap date. And what better way to spend time with your spouse? A win/win for everybody.

Shed hunting is like deer hunting. Your’re not always gonna find ’em. They can drop anywhere a buck happens to wander. Might be along a trail or some obscure place that they hardly ever go to.

Being a successful shed hunter is about searching the woods and fields meticulously. Everyone has their reasons for doing it. It’s a great way to find out what deer survived the hunting season and possibly help hunters learn a thing or two about travel patterns.

Most deer shed antlers between January and March. Deer with health issues or injuries can shed early. Big healthy bucks shed theirs later.

Search Winter Hangouts

The early spring provides a great time to get out and hunt. Revisiting your old hunting spot could be a place to start, especially if it’s over a food source that’s still around in the spring. For example, farmers will plant wheat fields in the fall. Usually by January and February, the wheat has grown some and the deer will have trails leading to it from all directions. I have heard they will travel a great distance to get winter wheat. I know from my own observations, you might see 5 or 6 in a 20 acre wheat field during deer season. As we move into the colder winter months, seeing 20 to 30 is not uncommon. This year, I am experimenting with feeding corn again to see what happens. It’s March, things are trying to green up. Maybe a little spring time corn is something they would like. If nothing else, the other animals will get some use out of it.

I have heard about shed antler traps and using corn as bait. While I imagine it could be an effective method for collecting antlers, it’s not for me. I just can’t get on board with the idea rigging up a contraption that could possibly injure a buck. Mainly by ripping off antlers prematurely and damaging the pedicle. Plus, this goes against my ethical reasons for getting out in the first place. Shed hunting is not just about antlers. Just like fishing is not just about catching fish. It’s about the experience outdoors. It’s about scouting and looking around. It’s interesting to see all of the old scrapes and rubs from the previous hunting season.

Game trails

Trails leading to these fields are another good place to look. We live in coyote country. This year I have noticed every trail leading to the field has coyote fur on the bottom wire of the fence. Coyotes are burning up the trail, but so are the deer. I see plenty of sign pointing to that, i.e., tracks, droppings, hair, and seeing deer there.

Another thing to remember is to look on the side of the trails. Bucks can shake their head and sling an antler off to the side. Walking slowly, and methodically surveying the landscape is a must.

Any place a deer has to jump is another area to pay attention to, like a fence or creek. Trails leading through thick brush could dislodge an antler. If possible, a trail camera can be used to help narrow the search on trails. You can also see what bucks are still carrying a rack and which ones have dropped.

One more piece of advice in finding shed antlers on trails. Be prepared to do a lot of walking. You might get lucky and find one early. Realistically, your’re gonna put in a lot of steps. With the crop fields, sitting and glassing an area seems to work. I have seen people use side by sides, and drive along the edge of fields too.

I prefer to walk and look around. Crossing creeks and squatting down to get through heavy brush. It’s a fun way to get exercise

Cloudy Days

Cloudy days provide more contrast. Antlers stand out a little better, especially if the cloudy day has rain. The moisture puts a shine on the antler, causing it to stand out. Sometimes this may not be possible. Most people go antler hunting whenever they can, rain or shine. Spotting antlers can be a challenge. I imagine people walk past them all of the time. An overcast day might give you the edge you need. The picture below is taken on a sunny day.

Rodents and other Critters

So we have discussed places, times and conditions concerning antler hunting. There’s still one other problem standing between you and the antlers.

Rodents!!!

You may want an antler to make a knife handle, but rodents need them for the mineral content. They can eat an antler up before you find it. However, they don’t get them all. Sometimes for whatever reason they miss one or two. I know this because I have found antlers year round. Most of the time they have chew marks on them, but still remain intact. So not all antlers get ate up by rodents. These rodents include mice, squirrels and porcupines.

While rodents are the main culprit in antler consumption. Coyotes, wolves and bears have been known to eat them as well. At home, I have to keep my antlers up high and out of the reach of the dogs. Chewing on antlers is something they seem to enjoy.

When antlers drop, the timing is perfect. The rodents that need minerals the most at this time of year, get them from sheds. In the life of a female squirrel, this is very important. She needs the calcium and phosphorus in her diet to help with nursing newborn. Antlers also provide good oral care to squirrels. A squirrels teeth never stop growing, so chewing on antlers wear them down.

I guess it’s safe to say that not only hunters enjoy healthy buck populations but so do the other animals. I wonder if there is any correlation between squirrel and buck populations. In areas with high buck numbers, do you find more squirrels too? That’s something that should be studied if it hasn’t been already. I see a lot of squirrels when I’m hunting deer. It’s amazing to see how nature takes care it’s own.

Follow the Law!

As we discussed previously, many animals rely on shed antlers for different reasons. As a result, removing them from public land could be illegal. The law varies on this significantly depending on state and federal land. Some places it is forbidden, while other places require permits along with the timing of a season. If you plan to hunt on public land, make sure you know the rules and follow them. This is a no joke situation. I have seen videos of game wardens installing tracking devices on shed antlers and catching people taking them. And yet, reading the comments on these videos proves most people have no understanding of why this is important.

These laws don’t forbid you from finding antlers. In this day and age, everyone has a camera in their pocket. Take a picture and admire it’s beauty. Just leave it where you found it and don’t move it. These laws also apply to bones and skulls as well.

If you plan to hunt sheds on public land, understand the rules. if you are unsure, call the game warden or park ranger in the county you plan on hunting. Get the answers you need. After all, if you get checked, he’s the one you will be dealing with. I have done this many times on a variety of things. It’s been my experience that most are very helpful and happy to answer any questions concerning game laws.

Happy hunting and thank you for reading.

Bryan