Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Shed Hunting => Topic started by: DoubleJ on November 03, 2013, 08:14:54 PM

Title: shed hunting question
Post by: DoubleJ on November 03, 2013, 08:14:54 PM: When I go blacktail shed hunting in the spring, do I hunt around the many rubs and rub lines I have found this fall? I didn't know if those trees and bushes they rub to mark territory were the same they use to dislodge their antlers too.
Title: Re: shed hunting question
Post by: bankwalker on November 03, 2013, 09:00:48 PM: I'm pretty new to shed hunting and have only found 10-12 over the last few years. But none of them have been around any extensive rubs (rubs from the rut). Almost all I have found are either in tall timber with pine needless covering the grounds or in open reprod. Never found any in clear cuts or in older thick reprod (which more of people say is the best)
Title: Re: shed hunting question
Post by: Turner89 on November 03, 2013, 09:25:08 PM: Quote from: DoubleJ on November 03, 2013, 08:14:54 PM
When I go blacktail shed hunting in the spring, do I hunt around the many rubs and rub lines I have found this fall? I didn't know if those trees and bushes they rub to mark territory were the same they use to dislodge their antlers too.
I wish this was the case, i wouldn't be so frustrated looking for them. I found them in just about all different places. new clear cuts, old, timber with ferns, timber with moss, and one in the middle of the logging road. Found most around big rock outcroppings in old clear cuts. Blacktail sheds in my area are harder to find for me than a buck to shoot in a 3 week period.
Title: Re: shed hunting question
Post by: bobcat on November 03, 2013, 09:39:47 PM: The one I just found yesterday was in a ten year old clearcut, and within 50 yards of a patch of willow trees that were extensively used as a buck rub area, recently, and in past years. I was looking for a place to hang my trail camera when I found the shed.

While I certainly don't think it hurts to look in areas with buck rubs, I don't think it's the key to finding blacktail sheds. I'd say the most important factor is to look where a buck would be likely to spend most of his time in the winter months. Which to me would mean feeding areas. And also bedding areas , which probably won't be far from the main feeding area.

But don't listen to me. I can't ever find blacktail sheds when I go looking for them. I have to rely on luck. Pretty much the same as killing a blacktail. (For me)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)
Title: Re: shed hunting question
Post by: ELKBURGER on November 04, 2013, 07:05:31 AM: There are many factors. The horns drop where ever the animal is when the antler is ready to fall. It could be a bedding area, a feeding area, or transitioning to and from those areas. The rubs happen in Oct/Nov, Horns drop Jan/Feb. Depending on altitude, the bucks may get pushed down out of their summer/fall areas and drop in a lower, wintering area.
Good luck! Its fun getting out and looking :tup: