Help!

[AZwhitebear]

I started bowhunting about three years ago, with no luck yet. This year I decided to start shed hunting and maybe get a better idea of the hunt units. I've gone out several times in units 21,6a,and 17b and have been finding it pretty hard to find sheds, i did find one half of a forkie in 6a. I know it's going to be difficult but if anyone has any suggestions or tips on finding sheds that would be great thanx.

[king4wd]

AZWhitebear,

 

I'm kinda in the same boat as you. First year trying to find sheds. I've looked many places in 10, 7w, 17a, 17b, and 20a. I found 8 sheds (1 3 point and 7 forkies) within 1 square mile in 20a and that's it. I just happen to work in the area and know that the mulie bucks summer in this one basin. I'd like some pointers too if anyone is willing to give up their secrets!

[SilentButDeadly]

finding Coues antlers can be easily explained by this equation:

 

miles walked / 15 = # of sheds found

 

miles walked / 500 = # of dead heads found

 

miles walked / 10,000 = # of locked dead heads found.

 

 

[az.antlerenthusiast]

Having found around 900 sheds I would have to say the secret is patients, patients ,and more patients. Check the traditional places; fence lines, water tanks ,and bedding areas. Make sure the sign you are seeing is bull/buck not just from the ladies. The rest will come with time and incredable effort. Getting out of the easy to access areas is never a bad idea eather. If it was easy for you it was also easy for 100 other people.

For me personally I have to go to a new area 3 times or more before i finally "break the code" of an area. This takes alot of time and dedication.

Every time I go out I am learning something new and to me that is what makes it so fun.

 

[AZantlerhead]

finding Coues antlers can be easily explained by this equation:

 

miles walked / 15 = # of sheds found

 

miles walked / 500 = # of dead heads found

 

miles walked / 10,000 = # of locked dead heads found.

 

 

 

[AZantlerhead]

Having found around 900 sheds I would have to say the secret is patients, patients ,and more patients. Check the traditional places; fence lines, water tanks ,and bedding areas. Make sure the sign you are seeing is bull/buck not just from the ladies. The rest will come with time and incredable effort. Getting out of the easy to access areas is never a bad idea eather. If it was easy for you it was also easy for 100 other people.

For me personally I have to go to a new area 3 times or more before i finally "break the code" of an area. This takes alot of time and dedication.

Every time I go out I am learning something new and to me that is what makes it so fun.

 

I'll sell you all Jason's advice for 9.95 a copy +tax This is an excerpt from the first chapter. Ohh yeah it's an audio book. Yeah Jason I was recording you the whole time Buddy. HA!!! hey ten hours of tips is a bargain at$ 9.95!!

[AZantlerhead]

Also Since Jason told me " I don't have any more places i havent shown you" I will be auctioning the Maps i've compiled over the last 3 years on E-bay with a reserve of Priceless. Or you can purchase Honeyholes at a gold brick a piece, Ive got 30 up for sale Jk Jason, don't have a coronary. . Ohh- all sarcasm aside. Jason also says location location location. You can walk a million miles in death valley and never wish up a moose antler.

[huntingfool]

Well I'm no expert but it seems to me the most important part about shed hunting is just getting out there and covering ground. It helps to look at the ground too, which is hard for me because I'm usually looking for animals. I don't find the amount of sheds these guys do but I find a few. One thing I will say is that when you find one, look the surrounding area over well. I have found the majority of my antlers in the same proximity of others. I think the bucks and bulls herd up that time of year so if you happen on to their range when they are dropping you are set. Myself I have had lousy luck in bedding areas. I know people post a lot of pics of antlers laying in beds but I have not had such luck. It seems I find them more in feeding areas. Anywhere the animal spends a lot of time is a good place to start though I would imagine. I think I have found one antler along a fenceline and one at a water hole. I think getting out early is also important because the longer they sit the better chance something will find them and pick them up or chew them up. The white ones are easier to see though. Anyway that's all I can think of. Good luck, maybe somebody else has some better advice, I know I'd be happy to hear it too!

[Jimmer Negamanee]

Don’t listen to me because I’m no Sultan of Sheds, no Rajah of Racks, no Baron of Browns, no Head Honcho of Horns (okay, I’ll stop now before I get to Caliph of Calcium or Chieftain of Chalkies, but you get the point).

 

There is plenty of conventional wisdom when it comes to shed hunting but there is also plenty of unconventional wisdom as well. You’ll find both here on our CWT.com community.

 

But at some point it comes down to boots on the ground AND not giving up five minutes before the miracle.

 

Here’s a link to a post by SilentButDeadly that kind of sums up the idea of “lucky” (post #4, I believe).

 

http://forums.coueswhitetail.com/forums/in...c=11882&hl=

 

I’ve trekked 20 miles in two days and found nothing. But I (my son actually) also found a two to three year old 4X muley shed yards from a well traveled highway. It just depends.

 

Get after it. You’ll find ‘em. When you do, you’ll know where to look. When you don’t, you’ll know where not to. Be open to it. Follow your instincts. If, for some reason, you think you should head up a certain draw, by all means, do so. You never know.

 

If you found half a forkie, you already know how to do it.

 

[presnative]

Such a popular question nowadays with all the popularity and interest. Here is my two cents. First and most important in my OPINION is to scout and find the areas that bulls and or bucks favor when they are in bachelor groups. Typically this is their winter range areas. There will be very young bucks or bulls sometimes with the girls. The core hunting areas will tend to overlap or be close to the cow/doe areas. After you locate your quarry prior to shed season, pray that all the bone craving competition does not push them out of the area! As earlier stated be patient while looking and waiting for them to cast their antlers. Did I mention patient? You find antlers where you would find the animal it self. Feeding and bedding areas, draws,CANYONS,saddles, ridges ,flats, south facing slopes, ect. ect. Most of my antlers have been found by working very hard, putting many miles in. I have hiked ALL day and found nothing and I have stepped out of my pick-up and found world class bone within minutes. It seems I find them when I least expect it. Try to follow track when you can. I have honestly put in over seven hundred miles in the last eleven years. Use to hunt them year round but now for three months only. If your passion is to take it ALL in, be persistent and you will be rewarded! Be prepared for all the foot track and quad track. This antler thing is VERY popular and competition is fierce!!! Word of mouth is powerful so when you get zeroed in on a hunting spot, keep your mouth shut. Optics when possible to use can be very productive. When your walking sweep your eyes back and forth trying to catch something out of place. Look down only enough to avoid tripping or stepping on a rattler late spring time. Early spring food sources typically consist of browse such as cliff rose, mountain mahogany, shrub oak. It is amazing to me all the different things elk will eat! I was long winded but, hope you can utilize some of this information. Try not to push the animals causing them stress when their trying rest and fatten-up. Best wishes and happy hunting!