My first blacktail shed... (photo heavy)

[hirshey]

Found this beauty while I hunting my muzzy elk in Toledo. Spooked up some critters on the edge of this clearcut, but only saw backs... With terrible depth perception, I had no idea what I had spooked. Determined to figure out what they were I decided to try to cut them off by running through a small triangular piece of timber. Mid-flight over a log, I looked down and  . It definitely stopped me in my tracks for a few moments while I admired how beautifully dark it was, and then on with the chase.

They were deer... but they led me to a trophy for the day nonetheless.

[Chris]

That's a bute Clark!

[alecvg]

   Wow, that is a brute of a buck!

[beave]

very nice shed

[bow4elk]

Been after one like that for a long time!  Nice!!

[hirshey]

Thanks! What do you think? Probably last year's ('09) shed? Its still in pretty good condition for anything otherwise... but I suppose I'm not very familiar with the deterioration rate on the west side of the mountains.

[Dipsnort]

Thanks! What do you think? Probably last year's ('09) shed? Its still in pretty good condition for anything otherwise... but I suppose I'm not very familiar with the deterioration rate on the west side of the mountains.

No way, that has to be from this year.  It is not the least bit sun bleached and (since it was found on the wet side) no fungi growing on it.

[NWBREW]

I would say it was last years since you found it while during the muzzy elk season in toledo. That's a nice one hirsheygirl. I don't know if your a big shed hunter but it sure makes you want to find more doesn't it?  Nice find.

[hirshey]

That's what I was kind of thinking... since my boyfriend and father had already tagged out they went back into the same area to see if they could find its mate... didn't find it, but found a pretty deteriorated 3 point that had been chewed on a good bit. Would be interesting to know if it were from the same buck the year earlier.. do blacktails generally have a "home range" similar to some of the whitetail populations?

Also, I do love to shed hunt... find a good amount of muley sheds, but this was my first good excursion over on the west side, so my first good opportunity to find any blacktail sheds. Saw a GREAT 5 pt. blacktail in the same mile radius as the shed... might check that area again next year.

I would say it was last years since you found it while during the muzzy elk season in toledo. That's a nice one hirsheygirl. I don't know if your a big shed hunter but it sure makes you want to find more doesn't it?  Nice find.

[bow4elk]

Last years shed.  In big timber they see little sun.  The base wouldn't be that dark if it was this year's.  Unless you dropped it in mud or something.