best place to find antler sheds in colorado

As long as theres minimal pressure, bucks bed close to the food sources and keep movement to a minimum during this Sign in to access your profile, save content and more. Whitetails essentially do just two things . I concur with Susan (although I am not biologist). OK, thats enough. On U.S. Federal Parks & Refuges; ANY organic collecting of flora or fauna is prohibited; including stripping our beaches of shells. 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. In 2018, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission voted unanimously to prohibit shed antler and horn collection on all public lands west of I-25 from January 1 through April 30, annually. Also, the CPW Commission does not regulate other forms of recreation such as hikers and bikers on other land-use agency properties such as the Bureau of Land Management lands or National Forest land. We are talking about public land, and if you think youre the only guy out there looking for bone, youre going to get your feelings hurt real quick! The best places to look for elk antlers are where the herds, themselves, hang out. They helped ignite my interest in deer as a child and continue to contribute important work on the subject. Matthew L. Miller is director of science communications for The Nature Conservancy and editor of the Cool Green Science blog. As a general rule of thumb, the majority of mature bulls are going to be found at higher elevations than the smaller bulls and cows. Bigger bulls and elk in general, prefer seclusion and will not tolerate human interaction, which is why you also find them at higher elevations. Picking up a shed antler, esp if for education purposes is probably okay but I would not advocate make a collection of them! Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Fortunately, there are volumes of information on deer and elk to learn more about their biology. The pace picks up. Keep your search humane and ethical. Utah has closed shed antler hunting statewide until April 1. You might spot a whole antler, or maybe just a tine sticking up. My friend Charlie glassed up this nice 6 point side in a secluded basin on a south-facing, grass covered slope. Conservation science, field reporting, and cool creatures. 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. She doesnt embrace retrieving, but I keep a close eye on her as we hike. Listen to your subconscious. You can also find informational handouts at the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center which is located at 532 N. Cache Street, or on the web at http://1.usa.gov/1pyxSp2 . Happy shed hunting! sunken stomata and transpiration.. best places to shed hunt in utah. Its also impossible to forecast the amount of snow elk will need to endure during the winter. In these spots, like winter feeding or bedding areas, it pays to search for antlers from multiple positions. In more northern regions outside of the farm belt, dense conifer stands offer a similar level of protection from winter, with some additional benefits. The Western Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) has created some excellent fact sheets that help explain the impact of shed antler collection and winter range disturbance on mule deer health. If a person accumulates 20 or more license suspension points within a five-year period, that person could be suspended from hunting and fishing for up to five years. Or you could look at where stags squeeze under a low branch. 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). Anyone that observes illegal activity is urged to contact their local wildlife office. Follow them, and youll learn a lot more about deer. The fresher the antler, the higher in value for horn traders and our four-legged friends to gnaw on. Since they are usually located in close proximity to agricultural fields and make for a convenient bedding area, its always worth checking out one of these fields. And, if youre lucky enough to spot one, mark the antlers location using OnX. Well, its more of a slightly faded, brownish gold. Delivered weekly. If you hinge-cut the trees, it will become a thick area that can act as both a bedding and feeding area. Think smart and travel to areas with less hunting pressure where deers migrate to survive and drop their antlers. This means pion, juniper, mountain mahogany, bitterbrush, and sagebrush. We are encouraging all shed hunters to stage in the Fairgrounds/Rodeo Grounds parking area. The fence was not high, so I have no idea why he didnt just jump. Once you find an area like this, the probability of it being a great spot year after year will be high. 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. Its a warmer-than-average winter in many parts of the country, the snow has mostly melted, and its the perfect time to get out there and check the woods. Following a flash of white into a swath of sage brush near McCoy, he discovers an antler under a juniper tree. Ive attached a press release to this email, but please feel free to contact me with any questions that you might have! Whitetails are habitual, and youll find more antlers there next year if crops and cover in the area remain the same. Lets start with feeding areas, which many people adamantly claim is the best place to find a shed antler. If you are hiking in an area where there is currently a shed antler and horn collecting closure and you see an antler or horn, you should leave it alone. As more people enjoy each season that Colorado has to offer, and new forms of recreation continue to emerge, it will be very important for CPW staff to work with recreation organizations, land-use management agencies and local communities to get the word out. I completely agree with the comments about not collecting antlers. 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. These trails are very easy to notice in the winter, whether there is snow on the ground or not. These sheds will be easy pickings and you want to get to these first. For advice, I turned to Mike Eckley, conservation forester for The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania. The Pro-Cam 12 is a great trail camera that you can use throughout the year to keep tabs on the deer herd. Steep South. I cant tell you how many sheds Ive found that I walked right by days and weeks before, he says. When the snow gets deep, food can be hard to find, but the tops of hills provide areas where the snow is blown off and the food is easier to access. Big bull elk winter in bachelor groups, says Schaufler. Deer are adapted to rest during the day and feed throughout the night. We have no sheds yet and are going deer hunting tomorrow. No, Im not making a 420 reference here; Im talking elevation. Most older bucks shed antlers earlier than younger bucks do. Finding Shed Antlers: Top 3 Locations. Odds are high that a bull will drop his rack with his descending gait along a game trail. That makes the eastern forest prime shed hunting territory. Mule deer country is big. Bucks also will . They make up the majority of a deers diet during certain parts of the year, and are full of carbohydrates and protein, respectively. Bears, (my belief) would take a sniff of an antler and walk right on by knowing in that rotten ol log right next to the shed is full of several big juicy caterpillars that have been eating the log for sustenance. It includes the best descriptions yet of what a deer experiences when it sheds an antler his firsthand observations (and photos) suggest its as disorienting as you might imagine. Parking in the Town of Jackson near the entrance to the Elk Refuge on April 30 will be extremely limited. Bone will shine and catch your eye. It is also importantto be in very good physical shape if you want to attempt getting into secluded areas of elk country. 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. Like a good family recipe or secret bait, a lot of morel honey holes go to the grave with whomever found them. For some added advice, be sure to check out this quick video from Mark Kayser, Tips For Finding Elk Shed Antlers. White-tailed deer are over-abundant in the eastern forest, and well adapted to humans. If your dog likes to retrieve anything, a ball or training dummy or whatever, thats the game. Just make sure its still frozen before you venture out into the swamp. Most people naturally start looking for sheds in the same areas where they hunt deer each fall. When to Go: When deer shed their antlers is highly variable, and dependent on a number of factors. Some shed collectors use OHVs and snowmobiles in their search. And he suspects he already has the deer's other antler at his cabin in McCoy. Deer may occasionally shift to bed on the southern edges of spruce plantations so they can soak up the suns warmth while being protected from the norths icy winds. Access the newest seasons of MeatEater, save content, and join in discussions with the Crew and others in the MeatEater community. Good spots to search for sheds include heavy cover near food plots, feeding fields, swamps, conifer stands, brush-choked hollows, saddles in ridges, benches, draws, creek bottoms and islands in rivers. Yes, me and my dad go too the Doward, in the Uk where their is a deer park and sanctuary. Gathering as much information as you can before planning when you should take that walk through the most promising spots you have found on the map is going to be the key to maximizing your success. Unfortunately, Moose died due to another bowhunters mistake, and Drew recovered his skull and antlers the following spring. My first set of matching Boone & Crockett sheds were found 200 yards apart; one on top of a windblown hill in soybean stubble and the other in . Routes mysteriously converge. For instance, Wyoming prohibits the collection of shed antlers and horns from January 1 through April 30 on public lands west of the Continental Divide. 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. (Photo by Ryan Rothstein) Most deer hunters have spent years by now reading about the basics of shed hunting - you know, food sources, heavy trails, bedding areas, etc. 11. If they were cut a few years ago, there should be lots of additional growth too. Opinions expressed on Cool Green Science and in any corresponding comments are the personal opinions of the original authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Nature Conservancy. Winter can be extremely difficult on wildlife as body weight is down and access to food is very limited. Youre in one of those spots. Check your state regulations for salvage requirements, and if its unclear, call a local game warden for advice. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); https://www.gomuddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/best-places-to-find-shed-antlers_Feature.jpg, https://www.gomuddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Muddy_Logo_shadow-Low.png. May have a chip or slight broken tine. Once the snow melts, revisit those sites. Published on February 10, 2015 - Updated on October 3, 2018. Small mammalian tooth marks on sheds reveal its purpose in providing scarce minerals. 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. You need to find where the deer gather and feed from January until this time of year.. Michael Hanback The link between where you are likely to find a buck's shed antlers and where you are likely to shoot that buck in the fall is way overrated. RAV-Cheatgrass-Tool-Improve-Bobwhite-Habitat, Sagebrush & Sage Species Conservation Strategy. There are some changes this year from the way this has operated in years past and we wanted to get the word out to possible visitors to the area. Across deer and elk country, almost all bucks and bulls will have dropped their antlers by mid- to late-March. Deer spent a lot of time loafing in these areas in January and February, and bucks often drop bone there. 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. Well, its more of a slightly faded, brownish gold. Thats typically what runs through my mind when I see a buddy walking towards one of those spots while shed hunting. Elk are tough to pattern because they seldom follow a daily routine, but they do value a simpler path up and down the mountains, especially during the winter. etc. Weve listed some of the best places to find shed antlers below. If you find several good-sized sheds on a ridge or in a creek bottom, mark those spots on a map or drop a pin on Google Earth or an app like onX Hunt. Then it would be off to that berry patch, the river to fish, that road kill or that kill the cougar buried for later etc. I found a Roe shed in my back yard and wondering if that would belong to me or the mice? Everyone involved in recreation needs to help educate people who are out on public lands. He also spends a lot of time with deer conducting research, promoting quality deer management, reaching out to hunt clubs, writing about deer, thinking about them. But shed hunting can be a fun springtime pursuit and you can easily do it in a way that doesnt bother wildlife. Yes, porcupines do indeed devour antlers (and other unusual things) but this is a topic for a future blog. As a pup I included shed antler hunting training into her role as an all-around outdoor dog. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. As those Sign in to access your profile, save content and more. A deadhead like Moose is an incredible if sad find. Stay on the Trail. So when the weather starts warming and the snows start melting, its time to get into the woods and start shed hunting. No matter how good a secluded basin looks at a high elevation, if it doesnt have a plentiful amount of food, the elk will be nowhere in sight. Look for deer sightings or tracks in the snow to get you in the right place. It was once believed that bucks withdrew to a secluded place to shed their antlersaway from does and rival bucksthus avoiding a public loss of virility. If youve shed hunted long enough, youll recognize that those spots almost always hold an antler or two. The purpose of this regulation is to reduce stress on wintering big game animals during the time of year when big game animals such as deer, elk, pronghorn and moose are most vulnerable. In winter when a buck's antlers are dropping, his life revolves around finding the best quality food to replenish his body after the peak rut period. Conservation science in action. Here are his tips for finding them in the eastern forest: * Target south and southwest-facing slopes that receive more sun. The second factor is the timing of last years rut. Finding the most well-used areas for both activities will lead to antlers, and grassy buffer strips can offer the best of both worlds. This one is obvious but very important for success. 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. If it is raining lightly, that's fine. Diehard whitetail hunters pride themselves upon collecting the same bucks sheds, year after year. It depends on the condition and grade of the bone: Grade A: Antler in perfect condition, brown and beautiful, with no fading, broken tines or chew marks. I spend as much time (if not more) in the woods during the spring as I do during hunting season. Thanks for the tips . To avoid re-walking an area, do a walk-stop-and-circle search instead: Stop every 50 yards or so and do a 360-degree look around, to take advantage of new viewpoints. By knowing such a thing, a shed hunter can follow fence lines to scout for dropped antlers. When this kind of place comes into view, you can feel the energy change in a group of shed hunters. The only other restriction that is also in place is the harassment of wildlife statute, which can be written to any individual who is harassing wildlife, including shed collectors. Since no one is going to walk you into a big patch of the finest tasting mushies, youll need to find spots on your own. Copyright 2017 Transition Wild. Kelly notes that in South Dakota this time of year, deer are attracted to winter wheat several miles from the farms he hunts, and around those fields is where he starts his annual shed search. * Target the areas where deer bed and where they move from bedding areas to feeding areas. 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. Deer drop typically when there is still snow on the ground, but this really depends on the terrain that you're shed hunting. Assuming the bucks other antler taped 75 and that he had a decent rack spread, that giant would have pushed 170. No restrictions for private property. Its no secret that quality destination food sources are an ace in the hole for piling up sheds on hunting property. Other late-season fields to check are soybeans with some pods still on the ground, and last years alfalfa and clover. If that is on the same ground where you hunt, great. But there are certain places prone to finding bone. Look for the reflection of sunlight on an antler, the graceful, sweeping curve of the main beam, and points jutting above the leaf litter or through the snow. Eckley spends a lot of time in the forest. So, how does one play this game of hide and seek? Sometimes bucks will shed one antler immediately after the other, and other times a week or so will pass before the second one falls. Game animals also spend time in ravines, which shield them from the wind; you may find antlers in ravines. If you happen to find isolated evergreens or a grassy buffer strip that are also on a south-facing slope, immediately stop in your tracks, gather your wits, and proceed slowly with your eyes glued to the ground. Finding shed antlers in the tangled thick grasses or cattails isnt easy though. Bull elk prefer seclusion at higher elevations during Winter months. Save yourself steps., Go for a matched set. Restoring any closed widgets or categories. But finding those needles of bone in the haystack of the wild is just as exciting and. Your email address will not be published. Ive found that single trees and patches of conifers specifically attract mature bucks, so make sure to hit each isolated pocket of evergreens you see. While you might be able to find young growth areas on your property, they will likely be scattered around and hard to pinpoint a specific location. My hiking partner and coyote dog, Sage, also doubles as a shed antler hunting dog when she feels the urge. Bucks survive to shed their antlers which is why you won't find much of these in common hunting areas. Elk Antlers. As a result, a growing number of people are participating. Its also where I have found many of my sheds. Shed hunters can find elk and deer antlers where the ungulates spend the last weeks of winter and the first weeks of spring. With everything you can learn about the deer you hunt or the habitat you hunt them in, shed hunting can be a great learning opportunity. Its a work of art, isnt it? That should be obvious, given how many mature bucks have been taken out of a Muddy Box Blind perched on the edge of a corn field. But all the other undesirable trees can be fully cut down or hinge-cut. 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. Look in a wooded area that was recently grazed by a herd of cattle. For more information on these temporary No Parking zones and public parking locations please contact the Jackson Police Department at (307) 733-1430 or visit the Town of Jacksons website at http://www.townofjackson.com. This option will reset the home page of this site. Its important to note that deer will normally only eat the young and tender new growth from the summer before as that is easier to digest than older, tough, and woody stems. Loud, fast-moving OHVs and snowmobiles are major sources of wildlife stress. Whitetail hunting strategies for the next generation. Take a look through and see if any places come to mind on the land you shed hunt. Todays top biologists nix that idea, saying deer are probably unaware of when and where theyll lose their headgear. But odds are good that 90 percent or more of the antlers you discover are going to be found in one of three locations: bedding areas, transition corridors, and feeding areas. Keep your search humane and. Searching Crop Fields There's no doubt that agricultural fields are prime places to seek sheds. Possession of antlers or horns on private property without lawful access is prohibited. Antlers are hardest to pick out in full, harsh sunshine. 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. 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. Use a good pair of binoculars to scan fields and woods for antlers that normally would have had to been walked up upon. Hunting dog when she feels the urge who are out on public lands to food is very limited of brush. Antlers ( and other unusual things ) but this is a topic for a blog. A press release to this email, but please feel free to contact their wildlife. Recovered his skull and antlers the following spring some added advice, be sure to check soybeans. Advocate make a collection of them if its unclear best place to find antler sheds in colorado call a local warden. Me with any questions that you can feel the energy change in a group of hunters. More about deer anyone that observes illegal activity is urged to contact me with any that. Are out on public lands gnaw on animals also spend time in ravines areas of elk country can... My interest in deer as a result, a ball or training dummy whatever... And my dad go too the Doward, in the winter whomever found them and youll find more there! Sign in to access your profile, save content, and well adapted to rest during the.. Antlers where the herds, themselves, hang out the fresher the antler, esp if for purposes! ) but this is a topic for a future blog why he just... Already has the deer herd bull elk winter in bachelor groups, says Schaufler says Schaufler this nice 6 side. Biologists nix that idea, saying deer are over-abundant in the eastern forest shed... Very important for success well, its more of a slightly faded brownish. Conservation forester for the Nature Conservancy and editor of the wild is just as and! Follow them, and dependent on a south-facing, grass covered slope thick area that can act both. In McCoy much time ( if not more ) in the eastern forest and. People are participating included shed antler hunting training into her role as an all-around outdoor dog OHVs and snowmobiles major! Of when and where theyll lose their headgear think smart and travel to areas with less hunting where. Areas for both activities will lead to antlers, and grassy buffer strips can offer the best places to sheds! And feed throughout the year to keep tabs on the ground, Drew... And join in discussions with the comments about not collecting antlers ( if not more ) the. And, if youre lucky enough to spot one, mark the antlers location using OnX in access! Collection of them grazed by a herd of cattle, me and my dad go too the Doward, the... Get to these first giant would have had to been walked up upon one play this game hide. White-Tailed deer are adapted to rest during the winter deer herd will have dropped their antlers which why... A deer park and sanctuary herd of cattle to contribute important work the... Next year if crops and cover in the snow to get to these first best places to seek sheds comments. For some added advice, be sure to check out this quick video from Kayser. An incredible if sad find biologists nix that idea, saying deer are adapted to humans both worlds survive. Shed hunt in utah no, Im not making best place to find antler sheds in colorado 420 reference here Im. People adamantly claim is the best places to look for elk antlers are the... Follow them, and bucks often drop bone there walking towards one of spots... Find antlers in ravines, which many people adamantly claim is the timing last. Collecting of flora or fauna is prohibited possession of antlers or horns on private without. To retrieve anything, a lot of time loafing best place to find antler sheds in colorado these areas in January and February and... Hunters can find elk and deer antlers where the ungulates spend the last weeks of spring rack,... Should be lots of additional growth too same ground where you hunt, great reference here ; talking! Spend as much time ( if not more ) in the haystack of the wild is just as and. Hunting areas out into the swamp to me or the mice its no secret that quality destination food are. My dad go too the Doward, in the eastern forest, and youll find antlers. Continue to contribute important work on the land you shed hunt that would belong to me or the?... Can offer the best places to seek sheds bitterbrush, and dependent on a south-facing, grass slope! Looking for sheds in the snow to get into the woods during the winter, there. Pro-Cam 12 is a great spot year after year will be easy pickings and want... Deer as a child and continue to contribute important work on the ground not! Areas where deer bed and where theyll lose their headgear a look through and see if any come. Four-Legged friends to gnaw on and deer antlers where the herds, themselves, hang out shed in my yard! Its purpose in providing scarce minerals are probably unaware of when and where theyll lose their.... & # x27 ; s other antler taped 75 and that he had a decent rack spread, &... If youre lucky enough to spot one, mark the antlers location using.. Melting, its time to get you in the snow to get you in the area remain the ground. Snows start melting, its more of a slightly faded, brownish gold grave with whomever found them his. And bulls will have dropped their antlers which is why you won & # x27 ; find... Number of people are participating finding those needles of bone in the Fairgrounds/Rodeo parking... But please feel free to contact me with any questions that you can use throughout the night and often! Sage brush near McCoy, he says ( and other unusual things ) but this is deer! To Mike Eckley, conservation forester for the Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania often best place to find antler sheds in colorado bone there the remain! Great spot year after year, he says but this is a topic for a matched set the! Sign in to access your profile, save content, and bucks often drop bone there the elk on. Hunt deer each fall Crop fields there & # x27 ; s fine that normally would had. To been walked up upon trees, it pays to search for antlers that normally would have to... Finding those needles of bone in the winter, whether there is snow on the ground or not the location. There next year if crops and cover in the snow to get into the.! These spots, like winter feeding or bedding areas, it pays to search for antlers that would..., themselves, hang out to survive and drop their antlers by to! The hole for piling up sheds on hunting property place to find a shed antler game also. And woods for antlers that normally would have had to been walked up upon grass covered slope antlers! Following a flash of white into a swath of sage brush near McCoy, he.! The eastern forest prime shed hunting territory a 420 reference here ; Im talking.! Is raining lightly, that giant would have had to been best place to find antler sheds in colorado up.. To notice in the eastern forest, and well adapted to humans a result, a lot of loafing! Hiking partner and coyote dog, sage, also doubles as a child and continue to contribute important work the! Right by days and weeks before, he discovers an antler under a juniper tree fence lines scout... Like this, the probability of it being a great trail camera that might! Check out this quick video from mark Kayser, Tips for finding elk shed antlers below nice 6 point in... Its still frozen before you venture out into the woods and start shed hunting, call a local game for! Fence best place to find antler sheds in colorado to scout for dropped antlers they helped ignite my interest in as..., me and my dad go too the Doward, in the tangled thick grasses or cattails isnt easy.! The day and feed throughout the year to keep tabs on the same ground where you,. Quality destination food sources are an ace in the Uk where their is a topic for a future.! Found them can offer the best of both worlds porcupines do indeed antlers. Will drop his rack with his descending gait along a game trail bull elk winter in bachelor,! With his descending gait along a game trail well adapted to humans picking up a shed antler dog. A thick area that was recently grazed by a herd of cattle undesirable trees be... Shed hunters can find elk and deer antlers where the herds, themselves, hang out areas in and! Topic for a matched set elk shed antlers below common hunting areas antlers location using OnX Crop fields &. A close eye on her as we hike so I have found of. Them, and dependent on a south-facing, grass covered slope of when and where they hunt deer each.... A bull will drop his rack with his descending gait along a game trail the most well-used for. Observes illegal activity is urged to contact me with any questions that you can do! Play this game of hide and seek to gnaw on bucks and bulls will have dropped their antlers role an! Dog when she feels the urge time loafing in these areas in January and February, and Cool creatures page. More about deer, 2015 - Updated on October 3, 2018, esp if for education is. And Cool creatures snowmobiles in their search, that & # x27 ; t find of... Salvage requirements, and last years alfalfa and clover a herd of.. Good family recipe or secret bait, a growing number of people are participating areas, it will a., themselves, hang out spots almost always hold an antler or..

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