AZ402 Report post Posted February 2, 2008 The mature Desert Muleys near the border start to drop their antlers. I know the big boys North of the "ditch" wil start to drop towards the end of Febuary and into March. I was thinking about making a trip down South to take some pics and video near the end of Feb. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IHunt2live Report post Posted February 2, 2008 Thanks for asking. I was about to ask myself. There is a heck of a nice buck that I know is still out there and I sure would love to get his shed. With the mule deer numbers being so low though finding a shed is like finding a neadle in a hay stake. When do they drop.?.?.? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ajohunter Report post Posted February 2, 2008 I know that the deer down here in the 40 units (muley and whitetail) start dropping antlers around the middle of march. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SilentButDeadly Report post Posted February 2, 2008 Trying to find desert mule deer sheds (from a particular buck) is dang near impossible IMO. I've spent equal amounts of time looking for Coue's and Desert Mules, I've found nearly 30 Coues sheds and <5 Mule sheds in the last two years. Additionally, I've covered substantially more ground looking for mule sheds. The odds are against you, 1st: Mule deer home ranges are huge, something like an order of magnitude larger (10x) than Coue's; 2nd: IMO Coue's like to drop their antlers near or around their bedding areas, muleys on the other hand have no preferred area, and are likely to drop their sheds wherever they happen to be standing at that moment; 3rd: This is a whitetail website, go to www.monstermuleys.com if you really want a professional to answer this. To answer your question though, March to April is when I've seen them redheaded. If I were you I would go glassing, if you can glass a deer with one antler, you will probably have a better chance of finding a shed than by just walking around Oregon-trail style. Tyson PS I found these in September after I got home from my elk hunt, I was so depressed about not killing an elk that I didn't think finding a 190 (est. 24in spread) gross desert muley set was worth while... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZ402 Report post Posted February 2, 2008 3rd: This is a whitetail website, go to www.monstermuleys.com if you really want a professional to answer this. Really?? Umm, nope not asking those clowns on MM. I spend all of my muley time in N.AZ. I mostly wanted to see what the guys in S.AZ had to say. I figured Mid March to Mid April would be the time frame. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IHunt2live Report post Posted February 2, 2008 I know tyson. I've only found a few muledeer sheds, Az mule deer, found a bunch up in Utah. I have always found them while quail hunting and we cover a LOT of ground. Worth a try though amd its a good excuse to get out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stanley Report post Posted February 2, 2008 Talk to azhunterswhocare..... He knows! How about it Lance, got an opinion on big desert muley shed finding???? S. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SilentButDeadly Report post Posted February 2, 2008 Really?? Umm, nope not asking those clowns on MM. Sorry bout that, didn't mean to come off as being rude, I think I've got PTSD from missing a shot at a monster buck four weeks ago... I have to agree with you about the folks on MM, I can't figure out what their deal is - I love the folks on this website - wouldn't have it any other way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coues Sniper Report post Posted February 2, 2008 Really?? Umm, nope not asking those clowns on MM. I have to agree with you about the folks on MM, I can't figure out what their deal is - I love the folks on this website - wouldn't have it any other way. +1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buckhorn Report post Posted February 2, 2008 Really?? Umm, nope not asking those clowns on MM. I have to agree with you about the folks on MM, I can't figure out what their deal is - I love the folks on this website - wouldn't have it any other way. +1 +1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AZantlerhead Report post Posted February 14, 2008 Ive found browns with blood on them as early as Valentines day and as late as End of April here in AZ. Generally most Shed hunters will agree that march is prime dropp time for 75% of deer and elk. I Horn hunt year round however March is definately the most productive for fresh browns. A generall rule of thumb is the big drop first, the small last. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bcoover Report post Posted February 23, 2008 Trying to find desert mule deer sheds (from a particular buck) is dang near impossible IMO. I've spent equal amounts of time looking for Coue's and Desert Mules, I've found nearly 30 Coues sheds and <5 Mule sheds in the last two years. Additionally, I've covered substantially more ground looking for mule sheds. The odds are against you, 1st: Mule deer home ranges are huge, something like an order of magnitude larger (10x) than Coue's; 2nd: IMO Coue's like to drop their antlers near or around their bedding areas, muleys on the other hand have no preferred area, and are likely to drop their sheds wherever they happen to be standing at that moment; 3rd: This is a whitetail website, go to www.monstermuleys.com if you really want a professional to answer this. To answer your question though, March to April is when I've seen them redheaded. If I were you I would go glassing, if you can glass a deer with one antler, you will probably have a better chance of finding a shed than by just walking around Oregon-trail style. Tyson PS I found these in September after I got home from my elk hunt, I was so depressed about not killing an elk that I didn't think finding a 190 (est. 24in spread) gross desert muley set was worth while... Why were you hunting Elk in the desert? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
