Hiking during the winter can be a lot of fun. Crisp air, a challenge of waking through the snow but it also provide a unique experience. Shed hunting is an exciting and rewarding activity. Each year deer drop their antlers. This drop is usually during the month February but can happen January to early March. So beside getting a good hike in you can also find treasure to keep or sell. (Yes, people buy antlers!) One issue is snow-covered ground can make it challenging. We want to give you a few ways you can prepare and increase your chances of finding antlers before they are all gone.
Preparation Before Shed Hunting:
1. Study the Area: Focus on areas where deer are likely to frequent during winter, such as food sources, bedding areas, and travel corridors. Use trail cameras to identify where bucks are spending time. Look for fresh prints and mark the area on a map or an app like OnX Hunt.
2. Gear Up: Bring tools like trekking poles to probe snow, binoculars to scan open areas, and waterproof boots for trudging through snow. Snowshoes might also help in deeper snow. Bring a water bottle, warm socks and dress warm. Have an extra layer in a bag because nothing is worse than sweating and being cold.
3. Map It Out: Mark areas you want to search, including south-facing slopes where deer bed down in the sun or thick cover that provides warmth and protection.
What to Look For:
1. Trails and Bedding Areas: Deer tend to shed their antlers near their bedding areas or along heavily traveled trails.
2. Feeding Areas: Check near food plots, agricultural fields, and browse lines where deer gather to feed.
3. Fence Crossings and Obstacles: Look near places where deer jump fences or navigate steep terrain, as the impact can cause antlers to drop.
4. Rub Lines: Antlers might drop near trees and shrubs where bucks have been rubbing. This goes along with number 1. They get used to their area and will bump or rub branches to help remove them. Also if you find one, the other once could be close
By focusing on key areas, timing your shed hunting right, and using a methodical approach, you improve your odds of finding antlers even with snow on the ground.
