Looking for, and finding whitetail deer antler sheds is a great way to expand your deer hunting knowledge. Shed hunting is also a great way to maintain you interest in deer hunting. Whitetail deer loose, or drop their deer antlers every year. Whitetail bucks can start dropping their antlers in mid to late January. Some bucks won't lose their antlers till February and may even hold them till early March. A trophy deer will very seldom loose both antlers at the same time. Once one antler falls off, the other antler will come off very soon also. A trophy deer may actually try to get it off because of the weight imbalance on his skull.
The area of a whitetail bucks head that is responsible for antlers and antler growth is called the pedicle. Once an antler falls off this pedicle bleeds lightly which causes a scab to be formed. This scab heals from the outside of the pedicle. Once fully healed a brownish-grey skin will grow over the area. As spring approaches the amount of daylight increases. It takes a certain amount of daylight hitting the retinas of a buck's eyes that triggers blood flow back into the pedicles. This blood flow deposits a protein base that supports mineral deposits which result in the growth of new antlers over the next few months. Antler growth is tied to the amount of daylight each day. That is why a trophy bucks antlers can grow up to an inch and a half a day in June and July when the days are the longest. Of course much is dependant on a bucks physical condition and nutrition available year round in the area that a trophy buck lives.
Finding sheds, dropped deer antlers, is a great way to scout and pattern a trophy buck in your deer hunting area. If you can do this year after year; and a certain buck survives year after year, you may be able to see his life long cycle of antler development and growth. You will be able to estimate the deer antlers size and quality well before most deer hunters ever think about the upcoming deer hunting season. You will know where he lives, where he beds, what he is eating, and so on just by searching for, and finding his antler sheds. Looking for antler sheds is also a great way to get exercise during the late winter or early spring months.
After a warm sunny winter thaw - strap on a pair of snowshoes, cross-country skies, or a good pair of warm waterproof boots and get out into your deer hunting area for some antler shed hunting as you enjoy the fresh air and physical activity. It is a great way to offset those mid-late winter blues.
A good place to start is with a topographical map of your deer hunting area. Get it out and look for key scouting areas that may help you find antler sheds, or even a matched set of deer antlers. Start thinking like a trophy deer. Walk well used deer trails looking for old and new scat droppings. Look for areas where deer may concentrate, and move from one area to another. During the winter months, deer will conserve energy by bedding close to feeding areas. Look for bedding areas that offer shelter deer from prevailing winds. Pay close attention to south facing hillsides with dense cover on the Northwest edges that border agricultural fields. Look for narrow strips of higher ground (elevation contours) on topographical maps that link or funnel a low, protected bedding area to higher ground; like a farm field or a possible clear cut wooded area. A good example would be a conifer cedar swamp with a small ridge or elevated area linking it to a agricultural field or a clear cut, browse filled feeding area. When you are driving around, make notes of new logged or clear cut wooded areas you see. These logged out areas will be prime browse and feeding areas the next winter. With all the new saplings and other sun filled vegetation growing, it will become a magnet for whitetails. Make a list of all possible areas you want to scout out.
A county plat map will alert you to land owner names and property boundaries. This a great time to establish relationships with landowners for possible future hunting opportunities. Looking for antler sheds in no way threatens a landowners property during the winter months. Offer to pay particular attention to agricultural fields where deer may feed, as you know antler sheds can puncture expensive tires on farm equipment. Now, the farmer realizes your concerned about his/her well being too. If you do this and find sheds, inform the farmer, and sincerely thank them for the opportunity he has given you. After you get home, send a thank you card with a personnel note of appreciation. This will go along way to getting permission to hunt his/her property the fallowing deer hunting season. Don't forget to offer some of the venison meat you may harvest if you do get permission to hunt their land.
Again, think like a trophy deer. In cold, snowy climates; deer pretty much stay in one winter yarding area year after year. This may change if forced out due to habitat change and or mortality depredation due to predators. Ask yourself, "what do they need to survive a winter?" Shelter, food, and water. In areas with snow cover you will be able to see trails, feeding areas and bedding spots. Without much snow cover you may have to walk an area and jump deer out of their beds. Make a note of these areas and there relationship to feeding areas. Walk the trails and areas in-between these. If you find a heavily used trail, it may be a doe trail. Look off to the sides, up to 50 to 75 yards for smaller used buck trails that run parallel to these heavier used trails. Bucks will be with other bucks and may be separate from the does and fawns. Pay particular attention to trails with old and new (last season's) rub lines with fecal droppings.
Look around fence crossings. The jolt of jumping over a fence may cause a antler shed to fall off. Look throughout brushy trails where deer may have to crouch down to pass through. Look around bedding spots. A trophy deer will stretch and shake itself upon rising; especially after rain or a snowfall. Look for a glistening tint of sunlight off the antler as it may reflect sunshine during a snow melt. These are just a few tips on finding antler sheds. Good luck, enjoy and stay safe.
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