after a controlled burn is the best time that i like to go....most everything is gone from the ground and most of em stick out like a sore thumb, keep in mind they'll probably be burned .....we went to do a dead critter count where we burned and my coworker found a really nice one.....4 points.....there were a few snakers that got burned and an armidillo, i was shocked there wasnt more.....we'll go again after a rain to look for sheds only