GMU 627 shed hunting

[MeatEater87]

How’s it going guys, I’m out here in Kitsap and looking to do a little shed hunting. There’s a few spots of DNR here closer to the ferry and was wondering if you guys had much deer this way and other wildlife. Anyone know of a few good spots to hit? Looking at hitting these places in the pic I attached.

[Eric M]

Just go take a walk and see. Look for rubbed trees and deer crap. With this much rain you should be able to see some tracks and it might give you an idea of what size the deer are. Walk slowly. The last time i went out i tracked it and it took me 2 hours to go 1 and a half miles. I still think it's a week or 2 early but I have found a couple this early before. If you don't find any in an area today wait a week before going back. Blacktail in an area like that are probably pretty used to humans as long as you don't chase them out of their beds too often. Also my suggestion is to not tell anyone where you are looking or where you find antlers. I had to learn this the hard way trying to be nice and it ruined an area.dont get discouraged. It's like anything else. It takes time to know what to look for. Time spent in the woods. Good luck

[fishnfur]

I already got all those!   

There is a shed hunting section in the "Other Activities" section of the main forum.  You might be able to find some tips by reading through old posts. 

BT sheds are notoriously difficult to find on the Wetside.   I've put on many many miles and never found one while actually looking for them.  First place to look is around the biggest conifers (possibly any group of large trees) in the area.  Deer concentrate on the lichens that get blown down during storms.  The biggest trees having the most lichen, and have the most food falling from them, which of course concentrates the deer in these areas during the winter.  Sounds good in theory, huh?   

Edit:  upon further reading on another subject, it occurred to me that searching under the biggest conifers in the geographic area is a tactic best utilized in areas that typically carry heavy snow loads much of the winter - when other common winter browse is unavailable or hard to access.  Perhaps that it why I have no shed finds using this technique. 

[pd]

Besides what Fish&Fur just said (or, perhaps ignore it.. ), this is a really good time to get out for blacktail sheds.  In my opinion it is too early, but the woods are in their best condition to find sheds, because the blackberries are beaten down, the broadleaf maple leaves are wet and heavy on the forest floor, and the heavy rains have pushed down any other flora that could obscure your view.

Blacktail sheds are hard to find because of their color---the brown horns look exactly like the forest floor.  And, deer don't necessarily follow trails.  So, how do you find them?

The answer, sadly, is this: You have to get lucky.  Walk very slowly, eyes to the ground.  It actually helps to bring some old antlers, thrown them on the ground to see what they look like.

I have found sheds only when I wasn't trying, if that helps at all.

[Eric M]

Walk slower guys. This is one from last year

[fishnfur]

Eric M - go ahead, rub it in. 

Besides what Fish&Fur just said (or, perhaps ignore it.. ), this is a really good time to get out for blacktail sheds.  In my opinion it is too early, but the woods are in their best condition to find sheds, because the blackberries are beaten down, the broadleaf maple leaves are wet and heavy on the forest floor, and the heavy rains have pushed down any other flora that could obscure your view.

Blacktail sheds are hard to find because of their color---the brown horns look exactly like the forest floor.  And, deer don't necessarily follow trails.  So, how do you find them?

The answer, sadly, is this: You have to get lucky.  Walk very slowly, eyes to the ground.  It actually helps to bring some old antlers, thrown them on the ground to see what they look like.

I have found sheds only when I wasn't trying, if that helps at all.

So just what does PD stand for anyways?  Po Dunk is all I can come up with. 

[Eric M]

Eric M - go ahead, rub it in. 


HA. Sorry that wasn't the intention. Just trying to show how they can blend in. There was a thread on that last year I think. I posted this one and a couple others showing how they can be tough to spot. Of course I had a friend find one hanging on a branch. I've also stopped for one reason, looked down at my feet and found one. I was looking for one last year( the match to a big 4 point) and as slow as I was walking and looking right at it, I still almost stepped on it in the ferns. When you think that unpressured blacktail live in a pretty small area and you never find the match to a nice one, well it's frustrating. Then, maybe a coyote just ran off with it.

[fishnfur]

No worries.   Just kidding.  Nice find! 
Down here, I think the deer just dig a hole and bury them. 

[pd]

So just what does PD stand for anyways?  Po Dunk is all I can come up with. 

Well, according to my "friends," PD stands for "pretty dumb" (as in "that was a pretty dumb arsed thing you just did....").  It is not just my hunting buddies who think that, my wife piles on as well.

 

[fishnfur]

Ahhh, that makes total sense!   

Are you doing any shed hunting on your island?  Seems like you should be waist deep in them.

[blackveltbowhunter]

PD is right its still early, but the woods are the best condition for finding sheds until green up starts mid march.

Fishnfur I have had my best luck in tall conifers. I think bucks in all locales like it. But it could be it just more open to actually see rather than blackberry choked reprod tunnels Even more than the terrain, the fact the deer move so little makes it very tough IMO. If you KNOW where a big buck is living wait until mid February and then comb. Odds are your best. Even then I once located a single off a stud 3 point I had seen who was recently shed. Took me 4 hours to find the side. I spent a ton more searching for the other, never found it. Probably could find it now rotted in the dead understory, now the reprod has grown up

[blackveltbowhunter]

I like your style EricM, unless its a political thread pics should be made mandatory

Heres a couple.....

[Eric M]

I like your style EricM, unless its a political thread pics should be made mandatory

Heres a couple.....

Nice pictures! Here were a couple other tough ones.

[pd]

I found this February 20th of last year.

[pd]

In case you were wondering, it was a big buck.   

Posting photos from a cell phone is not for beginners, apparently.