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The most important (and only) piece of shed hunting equipment you need is a comfortable pair of boots. |
Second Season Shed Hunting
Looking for something to do in the spring in between pursuing a spring gobbler?
Six years ago, my husband introduced me to shed hunting. When I tell anyone I am going hunt for sheds, they look at me in a puzzled way and respond by asking, “You have three garages. What do you need a shed for?”
It can be frustrating at times, but looking for dropped antlers has become one of my favorite activities. The first time my husband took me, I found two sheds. So, of course, I was hooked.
The Other Deer Season
Shed season starts in late February and ends in mid-April, or whenever the woods green up with new life. We usually put up trail cameras and wait until all the bucks have dropped their antlers.
The best place to look is where deer travel between food sources and bedding areas. Find a heavily traveled deer trail and start walking. Look for parts of antlers, not for the whole antler itself. Antlers that dropped early may now be covered in leaves, so will old ones that survived squirrels who gnaw them for their rich mineral content.
What’s Mine is Mine
We each have our own shed collections. My husband gets a kick out of the fact that I won’t mix mine with his. I have them numbered and logged in a book, so we will always remember where we found each one. He even tied my engagement ring to a shed for me to find. Then, after I said yes, he asked for his shed back.
Artful Reminders
Each and every one has a special meaning and they have many uses. You can make them into a coat rack or drawer handles. They can be screwed together to hold a bottle of wine or a snack dish. My husband carves eagle heads and wildlife scenes on antlers but, we couldn’t part or deface the antlers we found ourselves, even though we have hundreds. They are reminders of our travels. So, we order antlers from the Internet for our craft projects.
Shed Addiction
Looking for antlers gives you another reason to travel and see the country. We have looked in Kansas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland and Canada. It is fun to discover how deer differ from state to state.
We have introduced our friends and family to the hobby, as well. My brother is now addicted and travels with us to Illinois every spring. It was such a thrill for me to see my brother pick up his first giant Illinois antler. I could see the obsession in his eyes. At that moment, I knew what my husband felt when I found my first antler with him. The excitement overwhelmed us all and motivated us to press on for 10 more miles.
No Off Season Here
Shed hunting has become one our favorite things to do. Even though my husband Jim and I are both avid whitetail hunters, it’s just as fun finding a set of monster buck antlers knowing he may still be around for the next season. Also, it is wonderful to spend time together seeing the countryside, learning about deer movement, and getting some exercise. — J. Bilott