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Other Activities => Shed Hunting => Topic started by: Tbob on March 19, 2018, 04:06:35 PM


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Title: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Tbob on March 19, 2018, 04:06:35 PM
Been out 4 times now (two westside trips and two Eastside trips) and I can’t seem to muster up a single shed!! I’m taking a knife making course in July and want to use a shed antler for my knife handle, but I want it to be one that I have found in WA. Gonna go give it hell next Sunday again and going to take my brother with me (if he doesn’t flake out as usual). I figure I’ve got until mid July to find at least one descent size deer shed or an elk shed come next month..
    If anyone has any good advice or areas to check out I’m all ears.
  I thought for sure this last weekend would be a good area as we (me and the dog) saw probably 20 deer while out hiking around. Was concentrating on South facing slopes, but basically looked everywhere to no evail! Owell, it’s nice getting out there at least! Any pro tips out there??
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: PastorJoel on March 19, 2018, 04:16:32 PM
I hope to do some shed hunting this year.  One of the challenges is finding places that have had no hikers or shed hunters who have already gone through.  If it's easy to get to, someone has likely already been there.  (or so I would think  :dunno: )
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: NRA4LIFE on March 19, 2018, 04:18:39 PM
I don't think I could find a shed on purpose if my life depended on it.
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: lord grizzly on March 19, 2018, 04:20:33 PM
I’ve picked up a fair amount of sheds and I don’t get real excited about it until about this week of the year. I know everyone’s been at it for probably months now but I’d say 90% of the sheds I’ve picked up have been with in about a week of April and after
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Miles on March 19, 2018, 04:30:19 PM
Here’s a tip for the east side:  buckbrush and south facing slopes that are somewhat open.
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Dan-o on March 19, 2018, 04:41:14 PM
Maybe you don't suck at she'd hunting. 

Maybe deer and elk just suck at dropping antlers where you're she'd hunting. 

Point being:   you can walk all day in the wrong areas and still not find sheds. 

Have fun. 
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: PlateauNDN on March 19, 2018, 04:42:16 PM
I don't think I could find a shed on purpose if my life depended on it.

 :yeah: I've only found 1. And that was by accident. Stopped to look thru the binos and there it was at my feet. :dunno:
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Alex4200 on March 19, 2018, 04:48:00 PM
Saw a buck near Chelan today that is still packing his horns
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Old Man Yager on March 19, 2018, 05:00:04 PM
Been out 4 times now (two westside trips and two Eastside trips) and I can’t seem to muster up a single shed!! I’m taking a knife making course in July and want to use a shed antler for my knife handle, but I want it to be one that I have found in WA. Gonna go give it hell next Sunday again and going to take my brother with me (if he doesn’t flake out as usual). I figure I’ve got until mid July to find at least one descent size deer shed or an elk shed come next month..
    If anyone has any good advice or areas to check out I’m all ears.
  I thought for sure this last weekend would be a good area as we (me and the dog) saw probably 20 deer while out hiking around. Was concentrating on South facing slopes, but basically looked everywhere to no evail! Owell, it’s nice getting out there at least! Any pro tips out there??
Blacktail sheds I suck at finding them, Elk sheds, I do ok on. I shed hunt on the West side, I seem to find a lot of them in swampy areas, or close to a swamp. I look for fresh rubs, I've found a few at the base of a fresh rub. and if it's Late March/early April, I go real slow in an area with fresh sign. If it's March/April and you can smell Elk, beat the brush in that area. Good luck
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: cougforester on March 19, 2018, 05:13:36 PM
The most antlers I've found, for all deer species, are on roads or the downhill cut slope of roads. My theory is that the shock of jumping down onto the grade from a game trail pops them off. I've also found a bunch of blacktail sheds near logs, rocks, or other obstructions in game trails.  Same theory with why this is, the buck has to jump over that object and the antler (s) pop off when they land.

I've got a nice pile that I could find a few you could choose from if your efforts come up empty though.
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Tbob on March 19, 2018, 05:18:49 PM
Awesome! Thanks for all the replies! Keep em coming. And thanks for the offer CougF! I’ll keep you posted as to how it goes. Just thought it would Ben cool to be like, “yeah, I found this antler out in the woods” while I’m carving a giant backstrap steak with my new hand forged knife! Ha... dreamin ... lol...
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Naches Sportsman on March 19, 2018, 05:40:46 PM
5 of the 9 deer sheds I found last week in wa were 100' or less off of the road. Pay attention to the sides of roads instead of the road when driving.
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: trophyhunt on March 19, 2018, 05:46:47 PM
Been out 4 times now (two westside trips and two Eastside trips) and I can’t seem to muster up a single shed!! I’m taking a knife making course in July and want to use a shed antler for my knife handle, but I want it to be one that I have found in WA. Gonna go give it hell next Sunday again and going to take my brother with me (if he doesn’t flake out as usual). I figure I’ve got until mid July to find at least one descent size deer shed or an elk shed come next month..
    If anyone has any good advice or areas to check out I’m all ears.
  I thought for sure this last weekend would be a good area as we (me and the dog) saw probably 20 deer while out hiking around. Was concentrating on South facing slopes, but basically looked everywhere to no evail! Owell, it’s nice getting out there at least! Any pro tips out there??
Blacktail sheds I suck at finding them, Elk sheds, I do ok on. I shed hunt on the West side, I seem to find a lot of them in swampy areas, or close to a swamp. I look for fresh rubs, I've found a few at the base of a fresh rub. and if it's Late March/early April, I go real slow in an area with fresh sign. If it's March/April and you can smell Elk, beat the brush in that area. Good luck
You do ok on elk sheds, lol, that's the understatement of the year!!!   lol
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Naches Sportsman on March 19, 2018, 05:54:30 PM
The dozen bulls 6 points or better that I ran into last week still had very good color and their antlers looked like they were really healthy.

Usually April 15th or there abouts is when it really gets good for elk sheds. Only the big one's are dropping now and chances they have already been picked up.
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Timberstalker on March 19, 2018, 06:46:44 PM
The dozen bulls 6 points or better that I ran into last week still had very good color and their antlers looked like they were really healthy.

Usually April 15th or there abouts is when it really gets good for elk sheds. Only the big one's are dropping now and chances they have already been picked up.

Dang. I didn’t know all of the big ones were already picked up! :bash:
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: highmuley on March 19, 2018, 07:43:36 PM
Over here on the east side, our snows just starting to melt. Most places have been inaccessible. Last year, I found them hiking around, off the road while driving and one right in the middle of the road. I try and take a mental catalog of the most used trails in the snow, than hike the area when it thaws. Works ok for me. Good luck
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Tbob on March 21, 2018, 03:04:00 PM
THAnks again guys! Really appreciate all the advice! Like I said, I’m headed over the mountains to a spot where we saw a Tom of deer last weekend and try to get a little further out where people are less likely to go.. I also really like the tip about watching the sides of the roads. Bet most people aren’t doing that while driving. I know I’m usualy not. Gonna make my brother drive this time! Ha.. 👍
  I’ll let y’all know how we did when we get back.
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Tbob on April 18, 2018, 12:32:10 PM
So just to update how bad I am at Shed hunting. Went back out with my brother (who drove) and we spent about 4 hours hiking around. My brother found 3 and I found ZERO!!
   To top it off, I’ve been out 3 times since now looking for deer/elk sheds. Once on the Eastside and twice on the west side. I’ve seen more elk sign (tracks, Pooh and rubs.. countless rubs the last two trips out on the west side). I have found a total of ZERO sheds this year.
  I think I’ve now spent 250.00 in gas, put a thousand miles on my new car and probably 40 hours looking. The struggle continues!! I’m off tomorrow and headed back out. I think I’m going to head back to the Eastside as long as the pass looks okay.
   At least I’m getting lots of exercise and fresh air! Lol...
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: h20hunter on April 18, 2018, 12:55:23 PM
Sounds like you rock at shed hunting.  :tup:

Sounds like you suck ar shed finding!  :chuckle:

Keep at it as when you get on some horn it will be that much more of a success.
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Tbob on April 18, 2018, 01:55:49 PM
Haha! Yeah, you’re absolutely correct!! I am good at the hunting just horrible at the finding!
   Usually I don’t care so much, but I really want to find a few for knife handle materials for the class I have coming up.
   I do agree though, makes it that much more rewarding to find if they aren’t easy to come by. It’s just crazy seeing the piles that people post up on social media and even here for that matter! At least I’m getting lots of good practice in!
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Naches Sportsman on April 18, 2018, 02:02:59 PM
  :o

I found 11 last weekend checking cams/on the way to check cams including one everybody and their dog has probably driven by this year. 10 feet off the downhill side of a road sitting by a relatively fresh landing. Keep looking, especially by logging units that were cut this winter.
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: cougforester on April 18, 2018, 02:31:27 PM
I found two mulie sheds yesterday on a NE facing slope in the only bedding cover on the hill. Another thing to try is find a buddy with some antlers and have them set out a couple for you to find in a small area. You have to get your eye accustomed to what you’re looking for.

I find most of my antlers by glancing over one without it immediately recognizing it’s an antler, but my brain will register something subconsciously and I’ll look back and see it lying there.

Also try to time your days on a cloudy day after morning dew or rain. The bone shines well on those kind of days.
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Tbob on April 18, 2018, 04:38:34 PM
  :o

I found 11 last weekend checking cams/on the way to check cams including one everybody and their dog has probably driven by this year. 10 feet off the downhill side of a road sitting by a relatively fresh landing. Keep looking, especially by logging units that were cut this winter.

Soul crushing!!! Really! Lol.....
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: rtspring on April 18, 2018, 06:17:19 PM
I covered like 14 miles this last  weekend on mostly private property. Only found one, remember your looking for a needle in a haystack pretty much.  Its an addicting hobby, even on bad days
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Old Man Yager on April 19, 2018, 02:38:10 PM
TBob, keep at it, if your bro found some, sounds like you were in the right area. Now this is just a question I want to ask, you are looking on the ground, right?  :chuckle:
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: lord grizzly on April 19, 2018, 03:32:44 PM
TBob, keep at it, if your bro found some, sounds like you were in the right area. Now this is just a question I want to ask, you are looking on the ground, right?  :chuckle:

this is actually a good question. the advice that always give when asked about shed hunting is "look down". it sounds funny but I've walked by sheds in logging roads before that I didn't find till the walk back cuz I was looking at trees for some reason and not the dirt...
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: JBar on April 19, 2018, 03:48:32 PM
Here's my  :twocents: TBob, slow down! No need to be in a rush, they're not going to run away. My nephew is always in a hurry and pays for it by me or his cousins picking up what he missed.  :tup:
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Tbob on April 23, 2018, 03:57:03 PM
Boom! Finally on the board.. went out last Thursday and found 2 elk sheds! One is an old 5 point and chewed on like crazy. The other one though is a HUGE brown one from this year! I was soooo incredibly stoked to have found any! I found the chewed on one first and was like, “hell yeah”! And then about an hour later I found that big sucker ! I looked for the other sides to both for a bit and couldn’t find either, I’m going back out there the weekend after next though and try to find some more and hopefully the other side to that big one! I did about 6 miles all off trail and in some incredibly steep terrain.. All worth it though! Was a great day!
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Miles on April 23, 2018, 05:02:11 PM
Awesome!  Way to stick with it.   I’ve been shed hunting seriously for about 22 years now.  I still have dry spells where I feel like I couldn’t find a shed if someone sprinkled them out in front of me.  However....experience tells me things change quickly in the world of shed hunting.  I once found 15 moose paddles in about two hours.  Days like that keep me going.   Keep at it and you’ll start building the collection.
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: lewy on April 23, 2018, 05:19:41 PM
Well let’s see em!
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Watimberghost on April 23, 2018, 08:31:31 PM
Well let’s see em!
:yeah: :yeah:
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Old Man Yager on April 24, 2018, 11:23:10 AM
Boom! Finally on the board.. went out last Thursday and found 2 elk sheds! One is an old 5 point and chewed on like crazy. The other one though is a HUGE brown one from this year! I was soooo incredibly stoked to have found any! I found the chewed on one first and was like, “hell yeah”! And then about an hour later I found that big sucker ! I looked for the other sides to both for a bit and couldn’t find either, I’m going back out there the weekend after next though and try to find some more and hopefully the other side to that big one! I did about 6 miles all off trail and in some incredibly steep terrain.. All worth it though! Was a great day!
See, looking on the ground helped, didn't it?! You got any pics to show us?
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Tbob on April 24, 2018, 12:54:03 PM
Man, I’m trying to post a few pix, but every time I attach them the screen turns all white and then nothing... I’ll try again..
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Tbob on April 24, 2018, 12:58:29 PM
Yeah, so I’ve posted hundreds of pix on this site before, and for some reason the pix just won’t upload for whatever reason.. I get them all attached and hit “post” then the screen just goes white and that’s it...
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Watimberghost on April 24, 2018, 05:19:06 PM
Take a screen shot of your pics and they should be good to go with sizing
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Tbob on April 24, 2018, 06:34:05 PM
Pix
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: lewy on April 24, 2018, 07:05:00 PM
Congrats, now ur hooked. I bet you don’t cut it up for knife handles :chuckle:
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: redi on April 24, 2018, 07:29:09 PM
Nice
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Watimberghost on April 24, 2018, 08:21:09 PM
Yes! That's a huge bull! Nice find! Way to stick with it :tup:
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Tbob on April 24, 2018, 08:42:23 PM
Lol... yeah, I just can’t cut up that big guy.. I’m really hoping to find a nice deer shed for the knife handle. I’d like to incorporate the burr into the back end of the handle if possible.. the hunt continues. I’m off on Friday so I’m headed back out for another look around..
   Thanks again for all the encouragement and advice! I really appreciate it..
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: hunterofelk on April 25, 2018, 05:55:35 AM
Great pics!  Thanks for sharing!  Wish I was out looking too.  Had to take a break from shed hunting this year.
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: KP-Skagit on April 25, 2018, 06:28:26 AM
I too am on the hunt for some antler for knife handles and can echo the hesitation to cut them up. My first shed this year was a really nice 4 point blacktail.... Can't bring myself to cut it up. My next two were my first matched pair ever, a nice 4x4 whitetail... Maybe one day I will find a broken tine from an elk of something that I can get myself to actually take a saw to...
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Ridge Roamer on April 25, 2018, 11:00:39 AM
Definitely a Keeper, I cut up & sold a few nicer ones in the past & wish I had not. Way to stick with it! :tup:
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Skyvalhunter on April 25, 2018, 11:51:14 AM
 :tup: nice find
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Tbob on April 29, 2018, 10:50:13 PM
Went out to a spot on the west side I know of. Hiked about 7-8 miles and got skunked! Totally bummed too. I saw so much sign and rubs all over the place, I thought for sure i was gonna find a few, but nope! Owell, I’ve got Tuesday off and gonna go back over and hit the Eastside and hope to get lucky!
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Tbob on May 01, 2018, 03:20:39 PM
Well, I went out this morning and couldn’t believe it!! I found the other side to that big one I found a little bit ago! Couldn’t believe my eyes! This bull is a stud! But anyways here’s a picture of the other side that I found. Couldn’t be happier. Thanks again for all the great advice and encouragement!!
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: cougforester on May 01, 2018, 03:30:30 PM
Woohoo!  :tup:
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Old Man Yager on May 01, 2018, 04:22:51 PM
Awesome, good work man !!
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: bowhunterforever on May 01, 2018, 04:32:26 PM
 :tup:
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: The scout on May 01, 2018, 04:45:50 PM
Well, I went out this morning and couldn’t believe it!! I found the other side to that big one I found a little bit ago! Couldn’t believe my eyes! This bull is a stud! But anyways here’s a picture of the other side that I found. Couldn’t be happier. Thanks again for all the great advice and encouragement!!


Nice work! How far apart were they?
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Watimberghost on May 01, 2018, 05:49:04 PM
Hard work pays off! Great set :tup:
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Tbob on May 01, 2018, 06:37:59 PM
Well, I went out this morning and couldn’t believe it!! I found the other side to that big one I found a little bit ago! Couldn’t believe my eyes! This bull is a stud! But anyways here’s a picture of the other side that I found. Couldn’t be happier. Thanks again for all the great advice and encouragement!!
They were about 1/10th of a mile from each other (per my gps). 

Nice work! How far apart were they?
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: hunterofelk on May 02, 2018, 07:51:22 AM
Always a thrill to find them.  Are you going to put them on a plaque?
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: Tbob on May 02, 2018, 08:22:43 PM
Not sure yet, but likely.. I’ve also seen fake skulls to attach them to, to look like a euro mount as well, those look cool too.
    just kinda crazy, the whole reason I’ve been out looking so hard is to find a few deer sheds to use as a knife handle. No way I can cut up this Beaty set of sheds now! Lol.. i’ll Be back at it this weekend.
   Can’t  believe how addicting it is! I really like the fact that even if I don’t ever draw that super hard to get tag, I still have a chance at least finding some awesome trophy antlers. Really enjoying all the hiking time I’m getting in as well!
Title: Re: I suck at shed hunting
Post by: paultanninen on June 11, 2018, 08:07:16 AM
don't go after they drop. all of my shed hunting is during deer season while hunting. you have less competition and you find way more, big ones, too
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