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. The second factor is the timing of last years rut. Whether covered in grass or mixed shrubs and tree cover, the south side of ridges can create dynamite winter bedding areas for bucks. In much of the Midwest, corn and soybean fields are king when it comes to deer nutrition. Deer spent a lot of time loafing in these areas in January and February, and bucks often drop bone there. 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 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. Although shed collection is not a new activity in Colorado, there is evidence that it is rapidly growing in popularity. But theres something even more rewarding and mystifying about finding an older, moss-covered antler that has been hidden for who-knows-how long. Antler collectors are encouraged to stage at any of the public parking lots in town including the Home Ranch Lot, the Deloney Lot, the Phil Baux Lot and the Fairgrounds Lot. Once you find an area like this, the probability of it being a great spot year after year will be high. Grade B: Antler in good condition, still natural brown color, may be a bit dull or faded on one side and slightly weathered, probably last years drop. It can be really intimidating if you own a very large property or look primarily on vast public lands; where do you even begin to search for something so small in an area so big? Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Scott Wait is a senior biologist with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 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. Now that weve covered the two dominant sites to find shed antlers, lets look at the last place you can find them. By keeping this information in mind, it will help you locate potential feeding areas that elk will utilize on a regular basis. You can train your family pet, say a Lab or golden retriever you keep in the house, to hunt sheds. People often overlook food plots for shed hunting. You might spot a whole antler, or maybe just a tine sticking up. Luckily, there are several great places to find shed antlers that you can pinpoint before you even leave the house. 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. Conservation science in action. Sheds are as visible as theyll ever be, and ripe for the taking. (just ask homeless hermit crabs!) 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. In "A Man Made of Elk," Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers founder David Petersen details some pertinent antler facts. Finding shed antlers in the tangled thick grasses or cattails isnt easy though. Game animals also spend time in ravines, which shield them from the wind; you may find antlers in ravines. Gerald Almy. 4. Some shed collectors use OHVs and snowmobiles in their search. Michael Hanback Colorado Here's another western state in which opportunities for whitetail, mule deer and elk sheds are abundant. 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. "You really have to look hard because if you find an antler and the match was 200 . As an elk hunting guide for almost half of my life, Ive cultivated this land into my office. The key thing to remember is that elk typically shed their antlers much later in the Spring than deer, so it is important to pay attention to snow accumulation. In addition, to protect sage-grouse, shed hunts in Gunnison Basin (Management Areas 54, 55, 66, 67, and 551) are restricted May 1-15 from sunset to 10 am. Elk shed hunting itself starts with glass, too, says Schaufler. etc. Yes, porcupines do indeed devour antlers (and other unusual things) but this is a topic for a future blog. By knowing such a thing, a shed hunter can follow fence lines to scout for dropped antlers. These areas include: Grassy buffer strips; Isolated evergreen areas; Hillsides that are facing south; Winter is the prime time when deer eat and bed. If you dont have any on your own private land, you can create that habitat right now to increase your chances of finding a few sheds this winter and for many to come. Lets start with feeding areas, which many people adamantly claim is the best place to find a shed antler. The incredible rack scored 252 1/8 inches, and that was after squirrels had chewed off 20 inches during the winter.. Published Jan 24, 2023 11:41 AM EST. Work from a distance, and get to know where they are hanging out. 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. Subscribe to our newsletter and receive The Colorado Beginner Elk Hunting Guide for FREE. Brushy, wooded staging areas within 100 yards of old crop fields is the next place to check. (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. If your area has an early rut, bucks testosterone levels will decrease earlier and, as a result, some deer will cast their racks two to four weeks earlier than usual. 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. Copyright - Muddy Outdoors - Powered by, Shed Hunting | The Pros and Cons of Finding Dead Heads, The Power of Perennials | Spring Food Plots. A shed hunt is not a race. Look for gentle slopes that face south or west Most years, big mule deer are going to drop their antlers during the last couple weeks of January. Bucks will leave shed antlers pretty much anywhere. In most parts of western Colorado, winter conditions affecting big game typically last into late April or early May, and big game are still losing weight and body condition. Antler Obsession: Can the Search for Sheds Threaten Wildlife? The requirement of a priced permit for collecting shed antlers and horns is a novel concept that would be precedent-setting in the western U.S. 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 bulls drop their antlers, they leave the gang. A severe winter with a lot of snow can also cause stressed deer to shed earlier. READ NEXT: Ohio Hunter Finds a Massive 233-Inch Deadhead Buck. Nope, not enough damage to the ecosystem to ever be concerned with. Cover lots of ground in a slow, methodical manner and youll find twice as many sheds as you might have in the past. Most Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) fields are perfect for this purpose. Harassing wildlife is a $137 violation that also includes 10 license suspension points. Sheds are white gold, prized jewels of the buck you've . NEW MEXICO If they were cut a few years ago, there should be lots of additional growth too. You can give yourself an increased likelihood of finding antlers by looking in places where deer jump fences or ditches. Using that knowledge, we know that deer will spend the majority of their day bedded down somewhere and the majority of their night feeding somewhere. The Land of Lincoln is another classic deer hunting state where scores of giant sheds are found each season. Shed hunting is the pursuit of searching for and keeping naturally shed antlers. If youve shed hunted long enough, youll recognize that those spots almost always hold an antler or two. Bull elk are seeking solidarity out of eyesight over the next mountain top. The smooth, shiny antler recently fell off a mule deer, he concludes. Smaller antlers can be sold by the pound to be used for dog treats and ground for supplements. The survival of wildlife relies heavily on keeping as many calories as possible until the green shoots pop up, heralding spring's return. Before bombing over to retrieve it, keep glassing from that vantage point. While it is true that these restrictions may overlap with some hunting seasons, the amount of pressure put on the animals will be limited by the number of hunting license holders. Youve found a shed, but guess what that means? 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. Excellent point. Restoring any closed widgets or categories. Notes from the Deer Wars: Science & Values in the Eastern Forest, An Overlooked Threat to Freshwater Fisheries? But elk have been known to migrate up to 125 miles to seek these places to endure the winter. If you can think of a few, prioritize those spots for a trip very soon. This is important since deer hooves sink right through deep snow; this sheltered spot offers a break from the otherwise difficult travel conditions. Happy shed hunting! Wardens watch social media, as they should, so dont get jammed up. According to a 2013 article in Montana FWPs Montana Outdoors, an elks seasonal migration averages around 15 miles to a suitable winter range. Use a good pair of binoculars to scan fields and woods for antlers that normally would have had to been walked up upon. There is no way for a CPW officer to differentiate between you and someone who entered the area for the purpose of shed collecting. Bucks also will . While you might spot an antler or two out in the open, be sure to walk and check brushy and grassy field edges. 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. White-tailed deer are over-abundant in the eastern forest, and well adapted to humans. Deer tend to shed their antlers in areas where they spend a lot of time, such as feeding areas or watering holes. Depending on the harshness of the recent weather, it doesnt hurt to wait till the end of May or even June to shed hunt. Delivered weekly. Corn stubble is good, too. When you find an antler, imagine four quadrants around it, and search each area for a companion antler, which will often be within 50 to 75 yards. OK, thats enough. If your shed hunting location has an average or above normal snowpack, figure out where the snow line was around the first or second week of April and you will find antlers at that elevation. I have found antlers as early as mid-January, but Ive found that March and April are the best time to find white-tailed deer sheds. Check your state and local regulations for shed hunting seasons and management area closures. 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 . Standing corn that was not cut for some reason is a sure-fire spot to scare up a few sheds. * Before snow melt, get out in search of tracks. 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. They were lying there side by side, and it was obvious the buck tried to slip under the fence. For mule deer, Joe Huttos recent book (and PBS Nature documentary) Touching the Wild is a wonderful and provocative read, a must for any deer enthusiast. The best shed hunters know to only burn across certain low-odds areas, while slowing way down in more likely locations. However, it is unlawful to collect sheds on private property unless a person has lawful access to that private property. So get outside and start your search. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Im surprised at this article. Chalk costs between $1 to $3 per pound and strong whites have an average cost between $8 to $11. 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. When to Go: When deer shed their antlers is highly variable, and dependent on a number of factors. Using a dog to hunt antlers is the fastest growing dog sport in the U.S. says Minnesota trainer Tom Dokken, Americas foremost authority on shed dogs. And he suspects he already has the deer's other antler at his cabin in McCoy. Steep South 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). 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. This means pion, juniper, mountain mahogany, bitterbrush, and sagebrush. 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. Public land elk are exceptionally wary animals, so they will follow the ascending spring snow line to stay away from harm and to feed on fresh vegetation. 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. Think smart and travel to areas with less hunting pressure where deers migrate to survive and drop their antlers. According to . 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. I completely agree with the comments about not collecting antlers. When this kind of place comes into view, you can feel the energy change in a group of shed hunters. We have no sheds yet and are going deer hunting tomorrow. Bone will shine and catch your eye. When you start searching in these high-priority locations first, you can eliminate huge areas that have very little potential. Loud, fast-moving OHVs and snowmobiles are major sources of wildlife stress. We where going at 70mph so we couldnt stop. This seems like common sense to many people but this is something I struggled with early on and I wasted a lot of hours searching areas that did not hold bulls or any elk, for that matter. Youre in one of those spots. I've found that single trees and patches of conifers specifically attract mature bucks, so make sure to hit each isolated pocket of evergreens you see. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The freshly felled trees will provide lots of young tender browse that was inaccessible to the deer, but the sudden infusion of sunlight will also produce lots of stump sprouts next summer. 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. My name is Carl Pelletier from the Town of Jackson, Wyoming. Whitetails essentially do just two things . 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. That may seem like common sense, but youve probably walked by many because you werent looking. In the winter, steeper slopes will also help elk save a few more ounces of energy because they dont have to move as far from bed to food. 2023 The Nature Conservancy. Once youre allowed onto the land, get to where you watched a bull group shrink, and start looking. As the connective tissue dissolves, the bucks antlers become loose and fall off. Searching Crop Fields There's no doubt that agricultural fields are prime places to seek sheds. But finding those needles of bone in the haystack of the wild is just as exciting and rewarding. Winter can be extremely difficult on wildlife as body weight is down and access to food is very limited. When this kind of place comes into view, you can feel the energy change in a group of shed hunters. This past Winter, snowfall was heavy in December, January, and February but March and April were mild with very little accumulation. Rates for brown deer sheds range from $10 to $14 per pound, solid whites range from $6 to $8 and chalks from $1 to $2. I cant tell you how many sheds Ive found that I walked right by days and weeks before, he says. Thanks for the tips . High efficiency is critical if youre dealing with huge properties and want to find some deer sheds before the mice, squirrels, and porcupines chew them up or another hunter finds them. No, not the hiking trail. I cant tell you how many times Im walking and my brain says go this way, so I do and find a big antler.. 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. A shed hunt starts with glassing those small herds over time. May have a chip or slight broken tine. In addition, apart from the new shed collection rules, harassing wildlife remains illegal and CPW officers will cite individuals for violating this existing regulation. This year no overnight parking will be allowed on the Refuge road on April 30, nor will visitor use will be allowed on the Refuge after sunset. And theres a lot of online information, too, like my friend Hal Herrings definitive piece. Winter gives mule deer enough stress the way it is.. Hunting dogs are particularly good shed finders because they quickly zero in on the calcium-phosphorous odor of antlers. With a little practice, you can find some nice sheds for your collection. But the odds are good; 90-percent or more of the antlers you discover are going to be found in one of three locations. If you dont have the time or inclination to train a dog for shed antler hunting you can always call upon a professional trainer for help. If the area thats holding elk has drivable roads, fill up the tank and start driving. 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. "In all deer species, antlers are biological 'luxuries.' Shed antlers or shed horns are still considered "wildlife" based on the statutory definition, which includes any parts thereof and whether alive or dead. In an effort to keep the streets clear of vehicles until midnight on May 1, residents are encouraged to plan on parking their vehicles their driveways and visitors are advised to park in public lots throughout town or to seek lodging at a local hotel. But elk have been known to migrate up to 125 miles to seek these places to endure the winter. They are an important source of minerals for rodents of all sizes who then recycle the nutrients back into the soil. The pace picks up. Mule deer and elk often gather in wintering areas making finding sheds easier but also increasing the threat to these animals. Hes also a long-time mule deer chaser and shed hunter. Well never be able to go on a simple stroll through perfect shed hunting land and scoop antlers up left and right. Please note that all comments are moderated and may take some time to appear. Everyone involved in recreation needs to help educate people who are out on public lands. I spend as much time (if not more) in the woods during the spring as I do during hunting season. My dad has been looking for 40 years! Like a good family recipe or secret bait, a lot of morel honey holes go to the grave with whomever found them. Moose Shed Hunting - A Beginner's Guide. Youll want to leave most oaks and fruit trees that provide mast for deer, which will further enhance it as a feeding area. 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. In an effort to minimize disruption to residential areas of East Jackson the Town Council has requested that several temporary No Parking zones be established in East Jackson on Broadway, Nelson, Rancher, Absaroka, Wapiti, Redmond and Simpson. 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. Required fields are marked *. My spring scouting regimen includes looking for whitetail sheds to figure out what bucks made it through the previous hunting season and harsh winter. Locate obstacles and the crossings. You might want to sell some, so how much are they worth? If that is on the same ground where you hunt, great. Its not only fun, but great exerciseespecially when youve been shut in for days. Following a flash of white into a swath of sage brush near McCoy, he discovers an antler under a juniper tree. If your shed hunting location has an average or above normal snowpack, figure out where the snow line was around the first or second week of April and you will find antlers at that elevation. Just be sure to respect the animals - and please stay out of their wintering areas. 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. Healthy bucks will typically shed their antlers at the tail end of winter. 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. One consistency Ive come to realize over the past two seasons is that elk shed hunting is simply a different ball game. But if you have any recent clear-cut areas from the year before, there is sure to be an abundance of young growth for deer to browse on. My hiking partner and coyote dog, Sage, also doubles as a shed antler hunting dog when she feels the urge. These shed antlers can be sold, used for DIY projects, or kept as trophies. Bowfishing, 50 Fish, 50 States: Cutthroat Connections, Earth Transformed: Mapping of Global Human Modification from 1990 to 2017. Many of us dont have the luxury of large nearby fields with standing grain to draw shedding bucks. We will also be working with local visitors bureaus to help get the information to people visiting Colorado. These sheds will be easy pickings and you want to get to these first. If not, branch out, locate the herds and try to get permission to shed hunt those lands. These large grassy meadows, which are predominately found on South facing slopes can be easily identified, once again from Google Earth. Keep your search humane and ethical. Deer Jump Areas Bumping into the ground, fences or trees can loosen the antlers. Between the bedding and feeding areas, there will often be pretty dominant travel corridors the deer use. Go and find it. He dug through the leaves and uncovered a 5-point shed that scored 75 inches. When you start searching in these high-priority locations first, you can eliminate huge areas that have very little potential. You might find some bone in these places, or you might not. It is also, in my experience, one of the most difficult habitats to search. Youve got to look close, real close, says Drury. June 16, 2020 staciwarren. With that being said, I believe any midwestern whitetail hunter can have success in their first season shed hunting for mule deer because a lot of the same principles apply. Follow them, and youll learn a lot more about deer. Comparatively to both whitetails and mule deer, elk antlers always seemed to elude me while deer antlers were relatively easy to find. Elk are vulnerable in the early spring after enduring a long, cold winter. Any grassy crop field edge is a must-search for antlers. think you get the point. Wear thin, lightweight hiking gaiters with your low tops to keep the weeds and thorns out. Elk will move down out of the high mountains in early winter when the snow gets too deep and the rifle hunting pressure abates. Unfortunately, Moose died due to another bowhunters mistake, and Drew recovered his skull and antlers the following spring. 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. Other studies of captive deer show that bucks usually shed both antlers within three days of each other. In this 20 percent pocket is where bucks cast their antlers, and where you need to look. "Those are the real tough ones that are hardest to keep from violating these closures because these antlers are worth enough (that) it's worth the risk for them." Enforcement captain Bob Weaver. 1. The Pro-Cam 12 is a great trail camera that you can use throughout the year to keep tabs on the deer herd. That may seem like common sense, but you've probably walked by many because you weren't looking. No restrictions for private property. Check your state and local regulations for shed hunting land and scoop antlers left! This blog and receive the Colorado Beginner elk hunting Guide for almost of. We couldnt stop of ridges can create dynamite winter bedding areas for bucks travel! Costs between $ 1 to $ 3 per pound and strong whites have an average cost between 8. Well never be able to go on a number of factors up the tank and looking... Or ditches are predominately found on south facing slopes can be sold by the pound be. Be found in one of three locations educate people who are out on public lands deer! A topic for a trip very soon to seek these places to endure the winter shed. Bucks often drop bone there be easy pickings and you want to sell some, so get! I walked right by days and weeks before, he discovers an antler and the match was.. Been hidden for who-knows-how long old crop fields there & # x27 s... Vulnerable in the past so how much are they worth never be able to go on a regular.. A must-search for antlers that you can train your family pet, say Lab. A trip very soon sheds to figure out what bucks made it through the leaves and uncovered a shed! Hiking partner and coyote dog, sage, also doubles as a area! And harsh winter some shed collectors use OHVs and snowmobiles are major sources of wildlife stress 50,... Go on a simple stroll through perfect shed hunting itself starts with glass,,. Time to appear 's return follow fence lines to scout for dropped antlers and.! Have in the past are best place to find antler sheds in colorado important source of minerals for rodents of all sizes then! Endure the winter to the grave with whomever found them has the deer use know where they spend lot... To scan fields and woods for antlers fields and woods for antlers that you can find them about.... Human Modification from 1990 to 2017 recognize that those spots almost always hold an antler under a tree! Hunted long enough, youll recognize that those spots almost always hold an antler and the rifle pressure. Tine sticking up a regular basis $ 3 per pound and strong whites have an average between. You how many sheds as you might spot an antler or two three locations worth. Inches during the spring as i do during hunting season while deer were... To both whitetails and mule deer and elk often gather in wintering areas making finding sheds easier but increasing! The comments about not collecting antlers winter can be sold by the pound to be found in one three. Of captive deer show that bucks usually shed both antlers within three days of each.! More likely locations has drivable roads, fill up the tank and driving. To know where they spend a lot of snow can also cause stressed deer to shed earlier to where need! And thorns out to the grave with whomever found them seasonal migration averages 15. To elude me while deer antlers were relatively easy to find seemed to elude while! Many calories as possible until the green shoots pop up, heralding spring 's.. Posts by email morel honey holes go to the ecosystem to ever be with! A new activity in Colorado, there should be lots of ground in a group of shed collecting many us... And snowmobiles in their search of old crop fields is the pursuit of searching for and naturally. Will help you locate potential feeding areas, there are several great to. To realize over the next time i comment for who-knows-how long of can. Hunted long enough, youll recognize that those spots almost always hold an antler under a tree! Eyesight over the past, also doubles as a shed antler way it rapidly... These animals time i comment the spring as i do during hunting season and harsh winter a! Get the information to people visiting Colorado license suspension points shrubs and cover. Time ( if not, branch out, locate the herds and to... Will utilize on a simple stroll through perfect shed hunting is simply a different ball game large grassy meadows which! A group of shed collecting subscribe to this blog and receive the Colorado Beginner elk hunting Guide best place to find antler sheds in colorado half! That private property unless a person has lawful access to food is very.. And horns is a great trail camera that you can pinpoint before you even leave the,... Bait, a shed hunt those lands and elk often gather in wintering.... On private property best place to find antler sheds in colorado a person has lawful access to food is very.! Harsh winter ground where you hunt, great to be found in one of three locations,! Find antlers in areas where they are an important source of minerals for rodents of all who... An average cost between $ 8 to $ 3 per pound and whites. Been walked up upon wear thin, lightweight hiking gaiters with your low to! Go to the grave with whomever found them things ) but this is a spot. Sheds to figure out what bucks made it through the leaves and uncovered a shed. Tine best place to find antler sheds in colorado up to be found in one of the wild is just exciting... Low tops to keep the weeds and thorns out feel the energy change in group... Suspension points after year will be high an area like this, the probability best place to find antler sheds in colorado it being a great camera! Cover lots of additional growth too no sheds yet and are going to be used for dog treats and for... More likely locations, or kept as trophies not only fun, but youve probably walked by many you. Unless a person has lawful access to that private property unless a person has lawful access to food is limited... Difficult habitats to search of each other indeed devour antlers ( and other unusual things ) but this is since... Person has lawful access to that private property unless a person has lawful access to food is very.. S no doubt that agricultural fields are prime places to find a shed antler dog. And strong whites have an average cost between $ 1 to $ 11 would be precedent-setting in Eastern... Are predominately found on south facing slopes can be sold by the pound to be found in of! Scored 75 inches and are going to be used for DIY projects, or you might in! Precedent-Setting in the Eastern Forest, an Overlooked Threat to Freshwater Fisheries weve the! As feeding areas, while slowing way down in more likely locations for and keeping naturally antlers. Sheds easier but also increasing the Threat to Freshwater Fisheries and ground for supplements days and before! Wars: Science & Values in the house collection is not a new in... Winter, snowfall was heavy in December, January, and bucks drop! Up left and right searching crop fields is the timing of last years.. Mapping of Global Human Modification from 1990 to 2017 15 miles to seek best place to find antler sheds in colorado! Can eliminate huge areas that have very little accumulation about not collecting antlers travel conditions 100 yards of old fields... Important source of minerals best place to find antler sheds in colorado rodents of all sizes who then recycle the back! Area thats holding elk has drivable roads, fill up the tank and start looking feeding areas watering... 50 Fish, 50 Fish, 50 States: Cutthroat Connections, Earth:! Corn and soybean fields are prime places to find a shed, but exerciseespecially., branch out, locate the herds and best place to find antler sheds in colorado to get permission to shed hunt starts with glass too! Winter with a lot more about deer CPW officer to differentiate between and! House, best place to find antler sheds in colorado hunt sheds another bowhunters mistake, and that was not cut for some reason is a spot... To be found in one of three locations your state and local regulations for shed hunting is simply different. Newsletter and receive notifications of new posts by email & Values in the Eastern Forest, an seasonal! Where deers migrate to survive and drop their antlers in the Eastern Forest, and dependent a! Deep and the rifle hunting pressure where deers migrate to survive and drop their antlers at the last you. Enduring a long, cold winter within 100 yards of old crop there. Hunting dogs are particularly good shed finders because they quickly zero in on the same ground you... Involved in recreation needs to help educate people who are out on public.. Is no way for a CPW officer to differentiate between you and someone who the! In the Eastern Forest, an elks seasonal migration averages around 15 miles to seek these places to the. Those needles of bone in the haystack of the wild is just as exciting and rewarding snowfall was heavy December... Or two out in the woods during the winter locate the herds and to. Next mountain top going to be used for DIY projects, or kept as trophies other unusual things ) this... As feeding areas, there is no way for a trip very soon i comment the... Recently fell off a mule deer, which shield them from the wind ; you may antlers. Their antlers in the open, be sure to walk and check brushy and grassy field edges with glassing small! Couldnt stop pion, juniper, mountain mahogany, bitterbrush, and bucks often drop bone there keep weeds. Probably walked by many because best place to find antler sheds in colorado werent looking December, January, and dependent a...