SHED HUNTING
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Quincy, IL
Posts: 188
SHED HUNTING
First of all, if there is a forum for shed hunting let me know, but I didn't see one.
Second, has anyone been finding sheds yet? There are usually a few that fall in december. My neighbor found a nice 9point on December 5th so I know it's possible they're out there.
Second, has anyone been finding sheds yet? There are usually a few that fall in december. My neighbor found a nice 9point on December 5th so I know it's possible they're out there.
#2
RE: SHED HUNTING
I don't believe any healthy Illinois buck is loosing his antlers in December. You are about a month early IMO.
He11, it's still bow season and there is the late season doe hunt in January. I guess you don't bow hunt??????
I don't start finding sheds until at least February and into March.
He11, it's still bow season and there is the late season doe hunt in January. I guess you don't bow hunt??????
I don't start finding sheds until at least February and into March.
#4
RE: SHED HUNTING
Antler loss is greatly impacted by stresses including the severity of weather, how much hunting pressure a buck was exposed to, and how much energy he spent during the rut cycle. It can vary from year to year but some shedding can start as early as December. I've seen them carry antlers into the later part of March as well, so there is quite a large window of variance.
#6
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,828
RE: SHED HUNTING
ORIGINAL: rogerstv
I don't believe any healthy Illinois buck is loosing his antlers in December. You are about a month early IMO.
He11, it's still bow season and there is the late season doe hunt in January. I guess you don't bow hunt??????
I don't start finding sheds until at least February and into March.
I don't believe any healthy Illinois buck is loosing his antlers in December. You are about a month early IMO.
He11, it's still bow season and there is the late season doe hunt in January. I guess you don't bow hunt??????
I don't start finding sheds until at least February and into March.
In Illinois I'd say mid Feb......I know some Joe Blow found one sooner. It depends on the deer but I think thats about average.
#9
RE: SHED HUNTING
I'm hearing the bucks are already dropping in RI, speculation is because of poor mast crop this year. I've read this on local hunting forums and a bunch of guys are seeing bucks that have already dropped. A guy that works at the one of the local check stations says he sees bucks w/o antlers in December all the time.
#10
Spike
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 34
RE: SHED HUNTING
You will find one every now and then this time of year. but to get the best out of the miles that you walk looking for them I would wait till 1st week in March, at least here in SW PA.
Good Luck Hunting them. It is a lot of fun, Good exersice for myself and Lab, good scouting oppty. I found 9 sheds last year. The most I have found in one year. I am collecting them to someday make my own antler chandilier.
Good Luck Hunting them. It is a lot of fun, Good exersice for myself and Lab, good scouting oppty. I found 9 sheds last year. The most I have found in one year. I am collecting them to someday make my own antler chandilier.