As we learned last time, hunting for shed antlers is an exciting sport for hunters and sportsmen.
Shed hunting is a great way to enjoy the beautiful early spring weather and gather information about next season’s hunt and animals. Last time we talked about the best time to go hunting for shed antlers and reasons why it’s a favorite sport among sportsmen. However, today, we’re giving you all the tips and tricks you need to know for shed hunting, such as where to look, how to find them, and more.
Find out more about shed hunting below.
Tips and Tricks for Hunting Shed Antlers
INCLUDE YOUR FURRY FRIEND — Do you have a hunting dog? Train your pup to help you find shed antlers. Dogs with a fair amount of drive and a decent nose usually make for great shed dogs. Since teaching an older pooch new tricks has proven to be tricky, it’s best to begin your training early.
WHERE TO LOOK — You can find shed antlers in many places, but you’ll have the best luck if you look in the following spots:
Feeding Locations — After the exhausting hunting season, bucks are looking to find areas with concentrated food sources to nourish their depleted bodies. Begin your search near orchards, oak ridges, cutovers, food plots, and agricultural fields — especially looking in areas with dips and deep ravines (to hide against prevailing winds) since these are often reliable places to find large sheds.
Bedding Areas — Deer and other big game spend a lot of their days resting and hiding away in bedding areas. Bedding areas are often found in places with tall grass, brushy thickets, and heavily wooded pockets of land where they can easily keep to themselves. Many of these animals prefer south-facing slopes, which allows them to soak up as much sunlight as possible.
Travel Trails — Always check out the travel corridors and trails between feeding and bedding areas — especially in places where the deer or other mammals would have to jump over objects, like a fence, which can loosen antlers, causing them to fall.
GATHER PERMITTING — As previously mentioned in last week’s article, it is necessary to have a permit or certificate that allows you to shed hunt during peak season (February to April) in several states. For example, those in Utah must complete an online Antler Gathering Ethics Course to obtain their free certificate.
DRESSING FOR THE WEATHER — Like hunting, hunters should dress in layers for shed hunting excursions. Spring weather fluctuates, so be prepared for either cold or warm weather.
SNOWY AREAS — Speaking of weather, the mountain slopes may not have had enough time and sunlight to melt away snowdrifts depending on the current climate. Always check beneath snowy areas where antlers could be hiding.
Contact R & K Hunting Company
Hunting for shed antlers is an exciting way to spend your spring and prepare for your autumn hunting season with R & K Hunting Company.
Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime Utah and Wyoming hunting experience with the expert guides at R & K Hunting company. The exciting Rocky Mounting adventure and knowledge and skills of our professionals will leave you coming back year after year, season after season. Contact the experienced team at R & K Hunting Company to book your next hunt today.