Time to Get Back in the Woods

If you’re like most people, February and March are the least exciting months of the year.  The holidays are over and we’re all gearing up for spring turkey season, morel mushrooms, fishing, or simply enjoying those sunny warm days outdoors.  A great & beneficial way to pass these cold, mundane, late-winter afternoons is shed hunting.

Scouting for sheds can be valuable in multiple ways: It provides vital information concerning the size and age of the bucks that survived hunting season, gives you a benchmark of the size potential for the coming season & it gets you out and about – enjoying those late winter afternoons while getting some exercise to boot.

If you live in the Midwest like we do, there is generally a fair amount of snowfall on the ground through February and early March. While this may seem a bit discouraging at first, shed hunting with a light snowfall on the ground can be a great scouting exercise and can help you to discover hidden secrets in your target hunting area.  The snow allows you to detect major travel patterns late in the year - from bedding areas to food sources - as well as fresh deer sign.  Details such as this can aide you in relocating a stand; better positioning you to harvest that mature buck the following season.

The most commonly asked question when it comes to shed hunting is; where do I look?  While every piece of land comes with its own set of attributes & features, keying on a few specific tips can significantly increase your chances of a successful shed hunt.

1. Search bedding areas, late season food sources (such as food plots & fields) and travel corridors to and from the bedding areas.  

2. South-facing hills and slopes are another great site to search. These areas are more apt to get direct sunlight exposure during winter months; aiding in snow melt-off and making it easier for deer to bed, travel and find food.

3. Search along travel routes where the deer have a tendency to jump; such as fences, ditches, river ways, creek banks or crossings.  The jarring can increase the odds of an antler breaking loose.

4. Look beneath cedars, evergreens and along less used trails.  The thicker brush and overgrowth can easily knock an antler loose.  Sheds may even be found hanging in the branches just above ground level.

5. Walk slowly and look straight down, not ahead.  This tip takes practice and focus.  Remember, if you find yourself gazing out ahead, you’re potentially missing something lying right at your feet.

6. Kneel down and scan your surroundings from a different angle. Sometimes the mere change in your light source will reveal something you might have otherwise missed. Searching on overcast days may also increase your success rate as the bright sunshine has a tendency to make everything glare.

7. Bring your friends and family. The more eyes the better and the more ground you’ll get covered, increasing your chances of a successful hunt.

8. Once you find a shed, slowly begin scanning the area around it.  After losing one antler, bucks tend to feel imbalanced and will usually drop their other side reasonably close - enabling you to find a matching set.

While there are numerous additional suggestions we can make, (grid searching, using a GPS to mark your findings, glassing from high vantage points, etc.), the key is to have fun. Shed hunting is an excellent opportunity to get out, breath-in some fresh air and learn more about the big boys that are trolling your area. 

Good luck!