How to Find Antler Sheds
Research the animals whose antler sheds you will be looking for., Spend some time pre-scouting., Look for deer and elk sign., Walk slowly and scan everywhere., Be prepared to walk a LONG time and not find a shed., When you find a shed, snap a photo...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Research the animals whose antler sheds you will be looking for.
When do they drop their antlers? In Michigan, deer drop their antlers between late December and late January.
Elk drop their antlers in late March to mid April.
Know what types of cover or locations the animals frequent during the time period that their antlers are shed.
Spend some time in the woods in the winter.
Where do you see a lot of deer tracks? Deer and elk are like people.
They don't like unnecessary effort.
They will concentrate in areas that have food and are easy to get around in, like protected gullies and cedar stands near rivers and streams.
This is especially true in areas with heavy snow. -
Step 2: Spend some time pre-scouting.
This is an excellent way to spend your time during the hunting off-season.
Find a topo map.
Look for low elevation areas that likely to be protected from wind and heavy snow in winter.
Talk to hunters and people that are in the woods a lot.
Where are the deer in January? Where are the elk in April? It does not do much good to look for antlers where there were not deer or elk when the shed antlers dropped. , You will usually find the most antler sheds by walking deer and elk trails.
Watch for areas that would cause an antler to fall off.
Good places to look:
Near fallen trees and branches on trails, on steep hills, and near thickets and thick cover that would catch on antlers.
Also look where deer trails cross fences and roads.
Whenever a deer or elk jumps, it may cause an antler shed to drop! , You never know where you will find a shed.
When you cross deer or elk trail intersections, look both ways down the trails. , You may find one in the first five minutes of walking, or it may take you three trips to find one.
Part of the fun of antler shed hunting is in the challenge. , It's fun to show your friends the photo of a "shed in the wild".
Kind of like a 'Where's Waldo?' game. , Mark the location where the original antler was located.
Often, the second antler will be relatively close to its partner.
Search in a grid pattern, or circle the original antler in an expanding diameter in order to find the second antler. , There are many ways to display shed antlers.
Matched pairs can be displayed in an antler mount, or you may choose to wait until you have several sheds and make an antler chandelier or mirror frame.
Single sheds also look great as rustic decoration in hunting cabins or on mantles, or weathered sheds may be made into knife handles or antler clothes buttons. -
Step 3: Look for deer and elk sign.
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Step 4: Walk slowly and scan everywhere.
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Step 5: Be prepared to walk a LONG time and not find a shed.
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Step 6: When you find a shed
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Step 7: snap a photo before you pick it up.
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Step 8: Look for the matching antler to the one that you found.
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Step 9: Treasure your trophy.
Detailed Guide
When do they drop their antlers? In Michigan, deer drop their antlers between late December and late January.
Elk drop their antlers in late March to mid April.
Know what types of cover or locations the animals frequent during the time period that their antlers are shed.
Spend some time in the woods in the winter.
Where do you see a lot of deer tracks? Deer and elk are like people.
They don't like unnecessary effort.
They will concentrate in areas that have food and are easy to get around in, like protected gullies and cedar stands near rivers and streams.
This is especially true in areas with heavy snow.
This is an excellent way to spend your time during the hunting off-season.
Find a topo map.
Look for low elevation areas that likely to be protected from wind and heavy snow in winter.
Talk to hunters and people that are in the woods a lot.
Where are the deer in January? Where are the elk in April? It does not do much good to look for antlers where there were not deer or elk when the shed antlers dropped. , You will usually find the most antler sheds by walking deer and elk trails.
Watch for areas that would cause an antler to fall off.
Good places to look:
Near fallen trees and branches on trails, on steep hills, and near thickets and thick cover that would catch on antlers.
Also look where deer trails cross fences and roads.
Whenever a deer or elk jumps, it may cause an antler shed to drop! , You never know where you will find a shed.
When you cross deer or elk trail intersections, look both ways down the trails. , You may find one in the first five minutes of walking, or it may take you three trips to find one.
Part of the fun of antler shed hunting is in the challenge. , It's fun to show your friends the photo of a "shed in the wild".
Kind of like a 'Where's Waldo?' game. , Mark the location where the original antler was located.
Often, the second antler will be relatively close to its partner.
Search in a grid pattern, or circle the original antler in an expanding diameter in order to find the second antler. , There are many ways to display shed antlers.
Matched pairs can be displayed in an antler mount, or you may choose to wait until you have several sheds and make an antler chandelier or mirror frame.
Single sheds also look great as rustic decoration in hunting cabins or on mantles, or weathered sheds may be made into knife handles or antler clothes buttons.
About the Author
James White
Creates helpful guides on crafts to inspire and educate readers.
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