Bleed out sheds?

[Dhoey07]

That's pretty wild

[blackveltbowhunter]

  Off the top of my head I dont remember ever having an, intact ( unbroken ) shed that was stinky. Or one that wasn't relativley fresh. However, it sounds as if SWW has. And it works with the theory that the blood is rotting due to inability to dry/drain due to moisture.  Another theory I have had just to  .... I pick up alot of sheds in areas affected with hoof rot, and have wondered if the antlers were dropped off infected bulls.  Again these are all theorys

[HornHoarder]

I find that very weird as well. I have picked up hundreds of antlers and never seen that. Maybe a westside thing?

Are they always elk antlers that leak? Or have you seen that on deer too?

[CoryTDF]

Am I the only one that finds it odd that there are elk sheds in October??

[boneaddict]

I assumed it was an old one that was sitting since spring.  I assumed with the broken ones, that they got waterlogged and it fouled and then stank like heck when it dumped out.  As for bloody fresh ones.  No Idea.  I have watched them fall off, I have picked them up seconds after they have fallen off, and not a drop but the bloody pedicle from where it was attached.   Its not vascular, so I don't know about these claims.  I have watched the animal bleed after the fact from the open sores on their heads, but blood from the antlers.

all of the above with moose, elk and deer

[300rum]

Are you guys who have had this happen Catholic or something?   

[erk444]

Are you guys who have had this happen Catholic or something?   

No, we all just shed hunt the same area .Blackvelvet, you may be on to something with the hoof rot theory. Although, I have found sheds like this many years ago. How long has hoof rot been around? It seems like its pretty area specific. I have never found a deer antler like this, only westside elk. And, Ive found some unbroken ones that have bled and stunk too, from the base. One was found in the ferns on solid ground so I know the base was not covered or sunk in the mud. It was laying tines up so the main beam could have had blood pooled in it I guess. Didnt take me long to figure it out cause the dog wouldnt quit sniffing it after it was on my pack. That one leaked down the back of my leg too. Smelled it all day long

[swwaoutdoorsman]

Stinks as bad as hoof rot....

[erk444]

Have seen a couple posts lately where deer have got their horns shot off or broken from taking a tumble, and the pics look like there's some blood in the horns. Wonder why the westside elk horns will leak and others dont

[boneaddict]

I saw that one photo as well and wondered if that was trace of blood or dirt, only because of this conversation.  I have seen several shot off, broke and have broke a few (off a cliff), and all stark white.  I have also cut many antlers.   Stark white.   So......still wonderin'.

[swwaoutdoorsman]

Maybe they act as a sponge soaking up water causing the marrow inside to rot? 

[TommyH]

Its not just a west side thing!  I think its bone that had been chewed on or broken and able to collect water/moisture. I have picked up fresh ones that didn't bleed out. 7-8 of the old ones I have found have been rotten smelling and draining. I didn't notice until I put them in the car, only made it a half mile and pulled over and started searching the car for the foul smell!!! 

[swwaoutdoorsman]

Ok..... After lots of thinking I figured it out..... They're sheds from jackelsquatch subspecies of sasquatch. Yep gotta be it those pesky creatures grow their antlers a little different then elk sure do look similar though. Any one interested in the rare jackelsquatch sheds I could probably sell one for a small fee.....

[erk444]

Oh man...We can make some money!

[swwaoutdoorsman]

Oh man...We can make some money!

Something this unique you'd figure it'd be near priceless. Think thats why our hunting licenses are so expensive. What other star could you hunt with such poor quality and low success rate. Definitely one of a kind another thing where else could you have the opportunity to harvest an hoof rot elk. Now I why it's getting so expensive....