Searching for shed antlers: A cure to cabin fever
January 10, 2013
Cory Trego
Staff Writer
For the outdoor enthusiast, the latter months of winter can be a time of restlessness. Snow no longer blankets the ground across much of the state, but bitterly cold temperatures and the bland colors of a barren, frozen wasteland do not yet hint of spring. Outdoor activities no longer possess the excitement that accompanied the first few snowfalls. Always seeking new reasons to hit the woods and fields, outdoor enthusiasts have found yet another excuse to pry themselves away from mundanities of everyday life. Once only used by hunters as a scouting tactic, shed antler hunting is quickly gaining popularity across the country.
An old scouting tactic, shed antler hunting, has become a recreational sport. Whitetail deer lose their antlers easily after mating season. Towards the end of February into early March, “shed hunters” plan trips in search of shed antlers where deer are plentiful, such as areas full of food and water.
Whitetail deer can be found throughout the eastern half of the nation. Their mating season runs from late October through mid December across the Northeast. Levels of testosterone peak during mating season, but once mating is over, testosterone levels drop sharply. This drop in hormone levels stimulates the activation of osteoclasts, which are cells that absorb calcium and degrade bone. This weakened state usually occurs from January through March. During this time period, any slight jarring could result in the painless loss of a buck’s headgear.
Heading into the woods to search for a small stick-like object could appear to be a daunting task, but with a few pointers and some time in the field, anyone could become an expert shed hunter.
When looking for antlers, don’t head into the field until you are sure that most of the buck in your area have shed. Traipsing through the woods before deer have lost their antlers would likely force deer to relocate and could cause unnecessary stress on them. Once you are fairly certain most of the deer have shed (usually around the end of February to early March), begin searching in the areas where deer would likely spend most of their time. In late winter, deer spend most of their time close to a significant food source. In agricultural areas, they usually bed in thickets that boarder unharvested crop fields. Thick cover allows deer to conserve energy because it shields them from the wind, and it provides protection from predators. These thickets are usually the most productive areas when shed hunting. Trails leading to and from food sources are also highly productive. Be sure to keep an eye out for unique features in the terrain. Small gullies, lone cedar trees, or small aspen thickets are favored travel corridors used by deer throughout the year.
Large wooded areas often contain numerous deer but can be difficult to search simply because of their sheer size. Wandering through the open woods aimlessly rarely produces results. Use topographic maps to scout out draws and ridgelines. These are often used as travel corridors by many deer. In areas that receive significant snowfall, deer usually congregate around pine groves. The thick canopy of evergreen needles shields the ground from snowfall and dampens the wind. Once again, thickets near any kind of food source also prove to be reliable places to search for sheds. Trails that cross under large logs and intersect creeks and roadways are often overlooked, but can also prove to be quite fruitful. Because the antlers are weakly held on to the deer, they can be knocked free by even the slightest agitation. Travel slowly and scan the ground deliberately. Leaves and other brush can easily obscure even the largest antlers.
Antlers found by shed hunters can be used from a variety of purposes. Knife handles, buttons and dresser drawer handles can all be carved from antlers. Craftsmen also organize sheds into elaborate chandeliers and lamps, and some simply use them to give a cozy den a more rustic feel. Antlers can also be sold at market for various crafts. Today, the going rate for a fresh antler is ten to twelve dollars per pound.
Larger antlers with unique characteristics are often sold to collectors for considerable sums. An antler weighting three to four pounds with four to six points can easily sell for several hundred dollars. Record class sheds are highly sought after by buyers like Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops. State record class shed antlers can often sell for tens of thousands of dollars. While sheds like these are exceptionally rare, the lure of a substantial cash reward is enough to drive some to invest significant time searching for large antlers. For most shed hunting enthusiasts though, being able to spend some time enveloped by the silence of the forest and surrounded by nature’s endless display of art is more than an ample reward.
Staff Writer
For the outdoor enthusiast, the latter months of winter can be a time of restlessness. Snow no longer blankets the ground across much of the state, but bitterly cold temperatures and the bland colors of a barren, frozen wasteland do not yet hint of spring. Outdoor activities no longer possess the excitement that accompanied the first few snowfalls. Always seeking new reasons to hit the woods and fields, outdoor enthusiasts have found yet another excuse to pry themselves away from mundanities of everyday life. Once only used by hunters as a scouting tactic, shed antler hunting is quickly gaining popularity across the country.
An old scouting tactic, shed antler hunting, has become a recreational sport. Whitetail deer lose their antlers easily after mating season. Towards the end of February into early March, “shed hunters” plan trips in search of shed antlers where deer are plentiful, such as areas full of food and water.Whitetail deer can be found throughout the eastern half of the nation. Their mating season runs from late October through mid December across the Northeast. Levels of testosterone peak during mating season, but once mating is over, testosterone levels drop sharply. This drop in hormone levels stimulates the activation of osteoclasts, which are cells that absorb calcium and degrade bone. This weakened state usually occurs from January through March. During this time period, any slight jarring could result in the painless loss of a buck’s headgear.
Heading into the woods to search for a small stick-like object could appear to be a daunting task, but with a few pointers and some time in the field, anyone could become an expert shed hunter.
When looking for antlers, don’t head into the field until you are sure that most of the buck in your area have shed. Traipsing through the woods before deer have lost their antlers would likely force deer to relocate and could cause unnecessary stress on them. Once you are fairly certain most of the deer have shed (usually around the end of February to early March), begin searching in the areas where deer would likely spend most of their time. In late winter, deer spend most of their time close to a significant food source. In agricultural areas, they usually bed in thickets that boarder unharvested crop fields. Thick cover allows deer to conserve energy because it shields them from the wind, and it provides protection from predators. These thickets are usually the most productive areas when shed hunting. Trails leading to and from food sources are also highly productive. Be sure to keep an eye out for unique features in the terrain. Small gullies, lone cedar trees, or small aspen thickets are favored travel corridors used by deer throughout the year.
Large wooded areas often contain numerous deer but can be difficult to search simply because of their sheer size. Wandering through the open woods aimlessly rarely produces results. Use topographic maps to scout out draws and ridgelines. These are often used as travel corridors by many deer. In areas that receive significant snowfall, deer usually congregate around pine groves. The thick canopy of evergreen needles shields the ground from snowfall and dampens the wind. Once again, thickets near any kind of food source also prove to be reliable places to search for sheds. Trails that cross under large logs and intersect creeks and roadways are often overlooked, but can also prove to be quite fruitful. Because the antlers are weakly held on to the deer, they can be knocked free by even the slightest agitation. Travel slowly and scan the ground deliberately. Leaves and other brush can easily obscure even the largest antlers.
Antlers found by shed hunters can be used from a variety of purposes. Knife handles, buttons and dresser drawer handles can all be carved from antlers. Craftsmen also organize sheds into elaborate chandeliers and lamps, and some simply use them to give a cozy den a more rustic feel. Antlers can also be sold at market for various crafts. Today, the going rate for a fresh antler is ten to twelve dollars per pound.
Larger antlers with unique characteristics are often sold to collectors for considerable sums. An antler weighting three to four pounds with four to six points can easily sell for several hundred dollars. Record class sheds are highly sought after by buyers like Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops. State record class shed antlers can often sell for tens of thousands of dollars. While sheds like these are exceptionally rare, the lure of a substantial cash reward is enough to drive some to invest significant time searching for large antlers. For most shed hunting enthusiasts though, being able to spend some time enveloped by the silence of the forest and surrounded by nature’s endless display of art is more than an ample reward.
- Feed: The Lycourier
- Original article
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