Blacktail Sheds

[grundy53]

what is 15-20 year dog hair? reprod.

Yes. reprod is dog hair.

[Arteman]

what is 15-20 year dog hair? reprod.

Yes. reprod is dog hair.

    but surprisingly a lot of people don't know the term reprod as well, reprod short for reproduction timber.  Basically timber that is still in the early stages that is not mature enough for harvest.  I call the smaller stuff, Christmas tree size stuff Jackfurs.  A term used by loggers and other folks that work in the woods etc.  I have found sheds in Jackfurs as well, but they are harder to find with most the ground still exposed to the sunlight so more underbrush.  Reprod mostly drowns out all the underbrush so the ground vegetation isnt as bad but the branches are still low to the ground, but once in it its not that bad for looking.

[Buckhunter24]

I used to start realy looking for blacktail sheds around mid febuary... I found most of mine in 15-20 year old dog hair.. Lots of cover and food and that is where you find big bucks... Another good spot is the timber along a creek below a clearcut bucks like to bed there... But you got to put in the miles.... Blacktail sheds are hard to find...

Areas like this have been most productive for me. Ive picked up a set of blacktail sheds december 15th but thats by far the earliest sheds Ive found 

[wt]

Thanks for the ed, now I know Dog hair and Jack furs. Happy Not hunting

[Kowsrule30]

I've seen BT bucks with head gear into mid March while shed hunting several years ago...... But when I did shed hunt for BT I had the best of luck about mid March when almost all the deer should be antlerless by then.....

[Ridge Roamer]

I 've had a little luck on fairly level creek beds in the timber (mostly cedars & ferns) but blacktail sheds have been very difficult to find for me. I don't look for them much till late february,

[Rainstorm Hunter]

I have yet to find a Blacktail shed while out looking for them.  I usually find one about every other year during hunting season.  I have found most of my sheds in the timber, but I have found a few on old logging roads that are overgrown with vegetation.

[mholzngel]

I have also never found one. The few people I know who have only found them by accident. My goal this year is to find a blacktail set.

i was horn hunting over here on the west side and stumbled upon a 2x3 set but other then that only one other blacktail horn. yes very hard to find!

[blackveltbowhunter]

   I have found several fresh drops while hunting late season in december. And go out whenever I can starting in january. For me they are the most time consuming and hardest sheds to find.... but very cool when you do I find alot, on trails within a few hundred yards of clearcuts or inside timber edges. Also gridding reprod and doghair turn up some. This past elk season I was calling for the guys and was looking for something to rake a tree... looked down and voila a nice 4 point blackie.     I will take lucky over good all day when it comes to sheds!!

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

I walked a quater mile the other day specifically looking for sheds and found one I've been back three times an cant find any others let alone the match but I'll keep looking. 

[Grazer]

I have rounded up quite a few blacktail sheds and I always look for the nastiest and thickest terrain.  Good luck.

[IslandStorm62]

Hi All,
    Never did any shed hunting, but have recently thought of doing so.  I am around the JBLM, Lacey/Olympia, WA area and was wondering when would be a good time around here to start looking.  Basically, I plan on searching the areas I like to hunt (tree rubs).  I suppose these are as good a place to start.  Don't plan on spending too many hours out there, mostly just want to refine my hunt areas with more detailed scouting and brush prep (create quiet way in).

Anyway, I've read a lot of Late FEB / Early MAR time-frame  but no specifics on what state or area they are at (WA, OR, CA, ID, etc...  Or is it presumed that all the BT's shed around the same time-frame?

[headshot5]

I've found fresh sheds as early as Christmas time for Blacktails in South West Washington... and have seen bucks with antlers on as late as Feb 15th same basic location.   I personally don't really start focusing on looking for sheds until the middle of February.

[IslandStorm62]

MID Feb it is.  I think that is usually when we actually get the sticky stuff

[Tbob]

IM headed out tomorrow for my first day out of the year. Going to a brand New area and havent ever seen a buck out there, but I’ve seen does and plenty of rubs here and there. Theres some great looking habitat out there. I’ve never really ever hiked through the “dog hair” stuff so I think that’s where I’ll focus my time tomorrow. Not gonna lie , hiking through that stuff doesn’t really look to fun though.