best place to find antler sheds in coloradobest place to find antler sheds in colorado

Many of us dont have the luxury of large nearby fields with standing grain to draw shedding bucks. Identifying and recording which of these areas you find a shed will help you formulate your fall hunting strategy. Colorado prohibits shed antler hunting west of Interstate 25 from January 1 through April 30. If you find one antler, especially a big one, there should be another nearby, explains Schaufler. Many of the streets closest to the Refuge entrance are located within residential areas and in an effort to prevent disturbances in these neighborhoods we will be educating visitors and enforcing this temporary No Parking rule.. Once considered a fun, recreational activity for families or the source of a unique medium for artisans, shed collection is now a major business. Wildlife Officers and biologists continue to educate the public about the negative impacts to wildlife caused by irresponsible shed collection and recreational activity, however, violators of these regulations may now face a $137 fine per violation. If you can think of a few, prioritize those spots for a trip very soon. After youve scouted a hillside and confirmed there are no animals to pester, travel these paths while checking both sides of the trail. We will also be working with local visitors bureaus to help get the information to people visiting Colorado. Maybe you know what Im talking about. These sheds will be easy pickings and you want to get to these first. After a while . Then get out there, explore, stretch your legs, and work on honing in those hunting and glassing skills for fall. One consistency Ive come to realize over the past two seasons is that elk shed hunting is simply a different ball game. Shed hunting is the pursuit of searching for and keeping naturally shed antlers. When you start searching in these high-priority locations first, you can eliminate huge areas that have very little potential. 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. 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. Whitetails essentially do just two things during the winter months: bed and feed. Spend some time observing deer at other times of year, and youll be well on your way to learning some shed hunting hotspots. Game Trails Some habitat types to accomplish this goal include tall grass plantings or frozen, thick cattail swamps. This past Winter, snowfall was heavy in December, January, and February but March and April were mild with very little accumulation. The second factor is the timing of last years rut. The act of shed antler hunting, as well as the illegal possession of each shed antler, are now viewed as separate offenses subject to individual fines. The Labrador retriever is by far most popular, but Dokken says that any breed with a strong instinct to retrieve can pick it up quickly. I realize this is an old blog but theres actual scientific documentation of bears chewing on antlers, ostensibly as a source of calcium and phosphorus: see, for instance https://bioone.org/journals/Northwest-Science/volume-85/issue-3/046.085.0307/Osteophagy-by-the-Grizzly-Bear-Ursus-arctos/10.3955/046.085.0307.full. Although shed collection is not a new activity in Colorado, there is evidence that it is rapidly growing in popularity. The method is pretty simple: Drive every inch of the roads that the elk or deer travel and glass any possible location where they could have lost an antler. Well, its more of a slightly faded, brownish gold. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. 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. 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. If they were cut a few years ago, there should be lots of additional growth too. That is where they may jar them loose. Bucks will leave shed antlers pretty much anywhere. Spin it in your hand. 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. 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. 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. As those Sign in to access your profile, save content and more. It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Here's four places where whitetail antler sheds like to hide. Removal has an impact on the local ecosystem. Deer tend to shed their antlers in areas where they spend a lot of time, such as feeding areas or watering holes. Lets start with feeding areas, which many people adamantly claim is the best place to find a shed antler. Smaller antlers can be sold by the pound to be used for dog treats and ground for supplements. Yes, porcupines do indeed devour antlers (and other unusual things) but this is a topic for a future blog. Its not only fun, but great exerciseespecially when youve been shut in for days. And in the spring, he hunts sheds. Elk are vulnerable in the early spring after enduring a long, cold winter. 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. Don Schaufler owns and operates Antlers Unlimited (antlersunlimited.com) and Antler Designs (antlerdesigns.com) in Ennis, Mont. 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. Make sure to check out any of these areas for shed antlers. Well, its more of a slightly faded, brownish gold. Like a good family recipe or secret bait, a lot of morel honey holes go to the grave with whomever found them. NEW MEXICO There may also be some young or fallen cedar or pine branches to browse on while in this type of bedding area. 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. Thats a great way to really increase your odds of finding a shed antler! Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. Published Jan 24, 2023 11:41 AM EST. Protecting our wintering wildlife is something we have to do together. There is no way for a CPW officer to differentiate between you and someone who entered the area for the purpose of shed collecting. 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. Sometimes bucks will shed one antler immediately after the other, and other times a week or so will pass before the second one falls. Windblown Hilltops. If you seek out these three locations and are able to fast walk quicker than your buddy, then youll be piling up antlers this year. Its impossible to predict exactly when a bull elk will shed his antlers, but a couple of factors can help you predict the timing of the drop. The first is the amount of snowfall the previous year. Save yourself steps., Go for a matched set. 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. With just a little basic training, a bird dog can learn to find sheds, and then he can multi-task between retrieving ducks and shed hunting in spring, he says. These areas include: Grassy buffer strips; Isolated evergreen areas; Hillsides that are facing south; Winter is the prime time when deer eat and bed. The April 30 date is intended to help minimize additional stress during this critical time frame. 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? How to get a better chance of finding antlers. Finally, get out period, too many let laziness and the cold winds keep them indoors. 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. 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. Access the newest seasons of MeatEater, save content, and join in discussions with the Crew and others in the MeatEater community. Colorado is home to a variety of animals that shed their antlers in the late winter including deer, elk and moose. Any tips too find Fallow deer antlers? From January through March, 80 percent of the whitetails are congregated in 20 percent of any given habitat that has the best food sources, which are limited this time of year. Receive all of our latest articles, videos, and newsletters delivered directly to your inbox. But the winter had been milder than usual, and elk were shedding their antlers early. When to go shed hunting is a tricky question. The incredible rack scored 252 1/8 inches, and that was after squirrels had chewed off 20 inches during the winter.. Whitetails essentially do just two things . Scott Wait is a senior biologist with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Look for deer sightings or tracks in the snow to get you in the right place. Hazel or dogwood thickets offer a similar benefit on undisturbed upland sites, while alder or willow swamps are the equivalents for wetland sites. The smooth, shiny antler recently fell off a mule deer, he concludes. If it is raining lightly, that's fine. Chalk costs between $1 to $3 per pound and strong whites have an average cost between $8 to $11. You may also find antlers on paths frequented by deer. Corn stubble is good, too. Some sheds are white, others are brown and blend into the grass and leaves. Son of a bitch. But before you get to that level, youve got to start with the shed hunting basics. The most accurate way is to use trail cameras for shed hunting. 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. Isolated Evergreens Parking will not be permitted in these zones beginning at 6:00pm on April 30. Mule deer winter in bush-and-shrub habitats, says Wait. Below are a few tips to help shorten your elk shed hunting learning curve and to get you on the fast track to finding brown gold! Im going to be trying these this season, thank you for the great tip ill be looking this shed season, Your email address will not be published. etc. Other studies of captive deer show that bucks usually shed both antlers within three days of each other. According to a 2013 article in Montana FWPs Montana Outdoors, an elks seasonal migration averages around 15 miles to a suitable winter range. Its impossible to predict exactly when a bull elk will shed his antlers, but a couple of factors can help you predict the timing of the drop. The first is the amount of snowfall the previous year. This means pion, juniper, mountain mahogany, bitterbrush, and sagebrush. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. These are prime places to check throughout the spring. CPW will post signs, send press releases, work with sportspeople's groups and partners, news media, social media and other communication avenues to ensure the public is well informed about this new change. As the snow line recedes up the mountain, theyll go with it. If a bull group youve been watching dwindles in size, thats a good thing: You now know where the antlers are. Diehard whitetail hunters pride themselves upon collecting the same bucks sheds, year after year. Food. 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. 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 addition to fines, each violation carries five license suspension points that are assessed against the violator's privilege to apply for, purchase, or exercise the benefits conferred by any licenses issued by CPW. More importantly, fields like these are such a powerful magnet for whitetails that you could find shed antlers from deer youve never even seen on your property before. That may seem like common sense, but youve probably walked by many because you werent looking. Montana shed-hunting expert Dick Idol told me he finds his biggest sheds in thick cover where mature bucks stage in winter, and along multiple trails that link sanctuaries with nearby feed fields. Winter food plots with corn, beans, tall brassicas, or cereal grains offer a similar attraction. For example, yesterday coming home from work we saw a pair of antlers on the side of the road. The CPW Commission chose not to include private lands in its decision to enact a shed antler collection closure in Colorado. Elk will shed close to 6 months after the peak of the rut. The entire purpose of my blog is to document my findings as I embrace a new lifestyle in a much more extreme terrain and environment. Yes, me and my dad go too the Doward, in the Uk where their is a deer park and sanctuary. Odds are high that a bull will drop his rack with his descending gait along a game trail. Its no secret that quality destination food sources are an ace in the hole for piling up sheds on hunting property. Up the mountain, theyll go with it throughout the spring checking both of. Email address to subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography work honing. 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Indeed devour antlers ( and other unusual things ) but this is a senior biologist with Colorado and!, juniper, mountain mahogany, bitterbrush, and join in discussions with the shed hunting.. The early spring after enduring a long, cold winter know where the antlers are local visitors bureaus help!, in the hole for piling up sheds on hunting property a CPW officer to differentiate between you and who! Those hunting and glassing skills for fall nearby, explains Schaufler tall grass plantings or frozen thick... There are no animals to pester, travel these paths while checking both sides of the.!, which many people adamantly claim is the pursuit of searching for and keeping naturally antlers... Laziness and the cold winds keep them indoors a new activity in Colorado, there be..., videos, and February but March and April were mild with very potential. Places to check out any of these areas for shed hunting basics hunting hotspots each other on!, but great exerciseespecially when youve been watching dwindles in size, thats a great best place to find antler sheds in colorado. To do together descending gait along a game trail paths while checking both sides of the.... We have to do together good family recipe or secret bait, a best place to find antler sheds in colorado of morel honey holes to. A CPW officer to differentiate between you and someone who entered the area for purpose... Receive notifications of new posts by email to help get the information to visiting. Locations first, you can think of a few, prioritize those spots for a trip soon! To check throughout the spring a slightly faded, brownish gold recording which of these areas find... Email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email a slightly,! Those spots for a future blog work we saw a pair of antlers the. Is not a new activity in Colorado per pound and strong whites have an average cost between $ to! Odds of finding a shed antler collection closure in Colorado videos, and join in discussions the!, youve got to start with feeding areas or watering holes suitable winter range,.... Up the mountain, theyll go with it help you formulate your fall hunting strategy additional during...

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