How old are your kids? Are you looking for elk/deer or don't care? I don't have any specific information on the areas you are looking in, but in general.....
Keep em dry. Keep em moving. And keep it fun.
If looking for bucks. I would start by locating areas that you are either familiar with or think have a good deer population and just go from there. If you can locate some pretty good private land it might hold some easier to find horns, even urban areas can be good and landowners are often fascinated at seeing what is found on their property. As long as your not trying to kill it,
who knows it may work into something more. If a good repoire is established.
For elk.... Imo this year Any areas that have elk could have sheds. So locating elk themselves Will be key.
Your kids ages and ability will determine how hard you can go. Deep and far is always good, but if your dealing with small kids think Ez but overlooked. You may have to get creative but it can be done.
For shedding I have found elk to be more enjoyable for the kids. The sheds are bigger, the trails are wider, and locating elk in areas that are more open is easier than deer. I have girls 6/7 and both of them will walk a long ways on a trail or open area, but 20 yards through BlackBerry and vine maple and they are done.
Focus on having fun, and learning. My kids love just being in the woods and playing around, it's Ez to become goal oriented and focused when shed hunting, but being realistic about it is key to keeping it fun. Tracks, scat, trails, trees, flowers, creeks, sticks, rocks, sky rainbows, and the animals themselves are all of it is new and just being out in it is fun. Keep them on task, but don't let the task be the only focus. good luck.
