I am more concerned with larger critters, porcupines, come to mind, red squirrels are pretty nasty and whatever else is out in the woods jonesin for a calcium fix.

I got a post with a pic of what the critters do to sheds in my area (at work sometimes the threads are accessible, that one isn't for whatever reason)

Anytime it gets above 32 degrees I like to try and get out for a walk, always seem to find something poking out.

As for digging the antlers out? the chewed up shed I found, the G2 & G3 were both exposed, and both had signs of chewing, below the snow, the beam between the G2-G3 was just about gone, the brow tine was almost gone and the pedicle was pretty poor....

The other 3 sheds I have found have all had blood on the base and no gnaw marks either.......