It is also a good idea to bring some older sheds with you and place them in random locations at the beginning of the shed hunt. Out of all the shed hunting tips, this is probably the one I need to work on most. Make sure to print out these shed hunting tips to bring out in the field with you. They also are able to find sheds in the ‘thick stuff’ which is useful for finding those sheds back in the dense bedding areas. Filed Under: Deer Hunting, Maine Hunting News Tagged With: antlers, deer horns, maine, sheds. Snow conditions dictate our luck and abilities to navigate the back country. If you wait too long, you may miss out on all the antlers that were on the ground waiting for you. I also offer Services, so be sure to check those out as well. You can see old and new tracks in this travel corridor. The deer antler shed will take two to three week before full completion. 7 Tips for Catching Big Cold-Weather Bass. This information can be used to improve future shed hunting excursions. My goal is to inspire, entertain, and educate those interested in the outdoors. Antlers do not always grow the same size each year due to fluctuations in a deer's food supply and health. Made of solid bone, our antlers are very high quality, freshly shed and brown in color. The force of jumping increases the likelihood that an antler may be knocked off. One of the most important Maine shed hunting tips is to make sure you are searching at the right time. Additionally, if you start sweating you’ll become cold when you have to slow down in the high opportune areas. It is not recommended to continually disturb deer that are in these deer wintering areas in the middle of winter. I am a Wildlife Ecologist, Registered Maine Guide, and a Woodsman. Bucks don’t like the imbalance of having one antler, it makes their head feel awkward. You can spend all the time in the world shed hunting, but if you’re searching at the wrong time your success will be reduced. There is a good chance you will find a matching set! Do you spend a lot of time thoroughly searching a single property or two? It involves looking for antlers that Deer lose every winter. Shed hunting requires your full attention. I'm Jason Tome, the founder (no surprise there). Having company makes shed hunting more enjoyable. Don’t let poor weather hold you back! But a negative about the winter months can be snow fall and sometimes fresh snow can cover old tracks and even bury the antlers which make them harder to find. Not to worry though, the animals begin to grow new antlers almost immediately. Welcome! In the northern regions deer congregate together in deer yards. I have seen bucks that have shed their antlers in early December, and at the other extreme, I once observed a large 9-point still holding his antlers in early April. The glare from snow during sunny late winter or spring days can make finding sheds difficult and can give you a headache. Not every area will be able to produce Iowa sized racks. Here I blog about what I live and breathe; Wildlife and the Outdoors. Once you start noticing most bucks have lost their antlers you can determine when to start shed hunting. Instead of looking for an entire shed, look for parts of sheds. Virtual scouting will save you a lot of time and energy. I also offer Services, so be sure to check those out as well. Stands of cedar can be great places to find sheds. I have a bad habit of over-thinking, over-analyzing, and projecting what the future holds. Additionally, overcast rainy days block a lot of sun which reduces glare making for good shed hunting. Bucks have antlers throughout spring, summer, and most of the winter, but shed them sometime between January and April (depending upon the animal and latitude), after the rut and breeding season comes to an end. Trail cameras are a great way to determine when bucks in your area are losing their antlers. For this reason, it can be helpful to place bright colored flagging over the area where you found the first shed. Get the facts about sheds, and learn how to find your own. Binoculars are also nice just to have to observe deer if you bump any, and for observing wildlife in general. Finding food sources are being used during the late season will greatly increase your odds of finding sheds. The season for shed hunting begins in February – when most bucks around the northeast lose their antlers –and continues through April. Shed hunters have to figure out where the bucks have been resting, feeding, and find the paths that they travel on. Dogs are very effective for finding sheds. By focusing your efforts in late season bedding areas your odds of finding shed will be much higher than aimlessly walking through the woods hoping to stumble upon a shed with no plan. Wool clothes keep you warm when wet, they are water-resistant, fast-drying, warm, and quiet. The hardened, polished antlers remain until they are shed in late December to early March. To learn more about scouting deer using these platforms check out my post: 15 Best Tips for Scouting Deer Using Google Earth. Fishing. One of the most important Maine shed hunting tips is to make sure you are searching at the right time. As shed hunting continues to pick up in popularity, more and more antler hunters are hitting the woods. It happens during the first quarter of the year. Energy is valuable to deer at this time because they need all they can get for fighting the elements and evading predators. While it may seem like every hunter that ventures into the woods returns with a big ol' buck, in reality … “(Older) bucks skip many meals during the breeding season, and those that rut hard may be in poor post-rut condition… even when abundant (food) is … The more time you put yourself in the high percentage areas the better your chances will be of finding sheds. By making a list of the high-quality areas you can move from property to property throughout the day, ensuring that you are remaining in high opportune areas. These areas include food sources, late-season bedding, and travel corridors between these two areas. Check out my About Page for more information. One area deer spend a disproportionate amount of time in is feeding areas. Here’s an interesting article about why bucks cast their antlers early by the Quality Deer Management Association: Causes of Early Antler Casting. Receive Tips and Tricks on Hunting, Fishing, Woodsmanship Skills, and More! A true hermaphrodite is a buck that has both male and female sex organs with antlers, but these deer typically stay in velvet and shed their antlers early. We only buy and sell 100% legal, naturally shed antlers. These deer yards are found in areas that provide good shelter from the snow. Fresh set of wild Maine deer sheds that are webbed and nicely palmated. Our passion for moose is what got us started in this business and we look forward to sharing the benefits and the joy of Maine Moose Antlers with you! These areas consist of dense softwood stands that block a lot of snowfall. Human Competition: In addition to rodents chewing up antlers, you also need to worry about other shed hunters. Once the antlers have reached their full length, the blood … For this reason, you want to wear clothing that will keep you warm when you’re walking slowly in high opportune areas. How to Hunt for Deer Antler Sheds. Having an extra pair of gloves is nice after wearing wet gloves for a while. I have the hardest time with this one. By making a list of the high-quality areas you can move from property to property throughout the day, ensuring that you are remaining in high opportune areas. These 30 Maine shed hunting tips combined with hard work will have you collecting more sheds than ever before. Virtual scouting is a crucial step for finding more sheds, and one of the more important shed hunting tips. Some of these antler hunters we have known for 15+ years. Shed hunting is very much a numbers game. Share With Others By Clicking Icons Below! You can spend all the time in the world shed hunting, but if you’re searching at the wrong time your success will be reduced. A lot of time and hard work can be spent shed hunting with little to no success. When antlers get a sheen of water on them they tend to shine and glisten. Mule deer, whitetail deer and other ungulates shed their antlers once a year. Bringing a backpack is very helpful. ***All sales are final so please ask any and all questions before bidding. When looking for antler sheds in Maine, the winter months are great to begin the search. When conditions improve in early Spring is a great time to start looking for sheds in deer wintering areas. Highly traveled corridors are also great places to find sheds. Enter your email address: Delivered by FeedBurner. These 30 shed hunting tips will enable you to get results by putting the odds in your favor in Maine. It makes the most sense to start shed hunting when the majority of antlers are off, and not before. Also, a lower percentage of bucks are able to make it to an older age class. Between January and April, you are more likely to find deer antlers that have shed. Because of the sheltering effect from the softwoods stands the snow depth is much less. Enjoy! Having the proper attire when shed hunting helps to keep you in the woods longer. South sides of ridges get the most sunlight. Then this shed hunting tip may benefit you more than any other. Safety sunglasses reduce glare, making shed hunting easier and more enjoyable. It takes a lot of walking in the right places to find them. Last weekend, the Maine deer hunting season came to a close. Although backpacks are great try to keep them light or they will feel pretty heavy by the end of the day. Latest. This way I can mark the locations of sheds that I’ve found and can refer back to the area if needed. Additionally, south-facing ridges are the first to melt. If your sole reason for shed hunting is to find sheds, scouting will be counterproductive. Using aerial imagery you can often determine bedding areas, feeding areas, and travel corridors. Get e-Sword . How to Call More Coyotes into Shotgun … The same can be said for shed hunting. You can get a pair of polarized glasses for around 15-25$. Bucks shed their antlers between January and April, depending upon many factors including the animal’s age and the latitude at which it lives, after … Make sure to check under these evergreen trees on the south sides of ridges, you might be in for a welcome surprise. Cedar is a great late season food source in Maine. Many shed hunters start their search around February. It could be buried under mud or snow with just the tines sticking up. 6 Things You Can Learn From Shed Antlers (And 1 You Can’t), The Search For Sheds Has Become a Popular Pastime, How to Estimate the Price of Shed Antlers, Where To Shoot A Deer | Best Deer Shot Placement (With Pictures), HOW TO SCOUT DEER IN AUGUST | UNDERSTANDING SUMMER DEER PATTERNS, Maine Ash Trees | Identifying The 3 Ash Species Found in Maine. Many products offered today on the market utilize antlers that are bleached then artificially colored, because of cost considerations. The snow helps track the deer and can lead to where their beds are located. Our antlers are sourced from a network of antler hunters in the state of Maine. The late-season is energetically expensive for whitetails, especially in Maine because of the harsh winters. Late season bedding areas are another great place to find sheds. Google Earth and Google Maps are my favorite tools for virtual scouting. Also, remember that deer usually shed both sides of their antlers around the same time. December through February is prime time to hunt for antlers shed from moose. You’ll want a backpack to put your lunch in and any other useful things you might want to bring. Check out my About Page for more information. When shed hunting it is best to forget about scouting. In an attempt to reduce energy expenditure at this time bucks are looking to keep as warm as possible. This way you can go back through the areas you have missed, putting you back in high potential areas which boosts your odds of finding sheds. Binoculars are a useful tool for scanning fields and for confirming a visual on a potential shed in the distance. Older males can grow six or more points. Hunting. Some great ways to keep from getting discouraged is to bring friends or bring a dog. Virtual scouting is a crucial step for finding more sheds, and one of the more important shed hunting tips. This saves you from walking up to every bleached stick or rock. In order to have the most success, it is important to shed hunt smart. You don’t want to be spooking bucks off a property if they’re still carrying antlers, this will make finding sheds much more difficult. The concentration required to be good at shed hunting is very similar to tracking deer, which requires you to be present and in the moment at all times. Because dogs use scent as their primary tool for finding sheds they are able to cover ground faster and more effectively. Once you have determined the bedding and feeding areas search the area in-between where deer are traveling. Areas that do not allow hunting or have limited hunting seasons could be a good bet for finding more sheds. By setting realistic expectations you will be able to accurately visualize what size sheds to search for when shed hunting. It’s easy to get discouraged after long days without finding any sheds. When you begin shed hunting start tracking your path. Bringing everything you need to make a day out of shed hunting is a great way to improve your odds of finding sheds. The more time you are able to spend in the woods, the better your chances are for finding sheds. Members of the deer family are unique because they shed their antlers every year. Surveyor flagging is a very bright-colored ribbon. Bringing food, water, or anything else you might enjoy will ensure you are as comfortable as possible. It can take as little as 24-48 hours for the antlers to actually fall off, but the shedding process takes between two to three weeks and then new antlers will regenerate throughout the summer. More Hunting. The dense vegetation in the distance provided good bedding and screening cover. Deer, in general, are habitual creatures and tend to use the same areas at the same time each year. A GPS is a great tool for finding more sheds. There is a good chance a buck could have knocked an antler off in his travels between the two destination areas. It makes the most sense to start shed hunting when the majority of antlers are off, and not before. Shed hunting in Maine has become a mainstream activity. “Widespread early antler casting (in your area) may signify a nutritionally stressed herd resulting from too many deer for what the habitat can support.” Also, Kip says that in northern states mature bucks typically shed antlers earlier than younger, smaller deer. You can get them pretty cheap on Amazon. Being able to refer back to where you found the first shed will allow you to make another game plan for searching the area for the second shed. Virtual scouting will save you a lot of time and energy. This is one of the best shed hunting tips in my opinion. Moose and deer shed their antlers each winter before growing a new set over the next two months. Antlers have a covering of living skin called velvet. The minute you stop concentrating on what you’re looking for is the moment a shed slips by unnoticed! It might seem like shed hunting is like searching for needles in a haystack. A lower age class means sheds will be smaller than unpressured areas where bucks can grow to maturity. Make sure you set your expectations based on what your area holds for bucks to avoid disappointed. I'm Jason Tome, the founder (no surprise there). In Maine, bucks start dropping antlers around mid-December with most antlers off by mid-March. Horns, in contrast, remain permanently affixed to the skull. You can do this without even getting off the couch! Often times the entire shed won’t be visible. When searching for the second shed it is easy to forget the exact location where you found the first. By Michael Hanback. February 1, 2007. This shedding procedure takes two to three weeks to complete, while the regeneration takes an entire summer to complete — before the cycle starts all over again. Also, you can add a competition component to it, which turns shed hunting into a game that boosts spirits and helps to prevent discouragement. I end up needing to retrain myself every year to look for sheds only. This is still really difficult for me to do. Safety glasses/sunglasses will allow you to plow through thick brush without taking a stick to the eye. To get your eyes accustomed to finding sheds it helps to look at images on the internet of sheds on the ground. Referring back to these Maine shed hunting tips will help until they become second-nature. Male moose drop their antlers every winter and all Maine Moose Antlers grew on wild, free range moose. That being said, you don’t want to dress so warm that when you have to pick up the pace you overheat and sweat. If you’re curious about how to use dogs for shed hunting check out; Maine Shed Hunting Tips: Heavily hunted areas will result in a lower probability of finding sheds than areas that have low hunting pressure. your Maine Recreation Land Specialists, Find out what your loan payment will be with our Seller Financing Package, East Grace Pond Road, Upper Enchanted, ME. Then walk about and observe the sheds to train yourself on what to look for. Some areas are hunted more than others during the actual hunting season. A buck can carry-on without antlers post-breeding because they do not need to fight-off other bucks for territory and does. And Google Maps are my favorite tools for virtual scouting will save you a lot snowfall... Came to a close are covered in a haystack also need to fight-off bucks. Attempt to reduce energy expenditure at this time because they need all they can get for fighting elements... 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Preparing for shed hunting start tracking your path bucks can grow to maturity primarily serve to allow bucks to over! In color determine when to start shed hunting and continuously putting yourself in percentage. Make finding sheds they are able to produce when do deer shed antlers in maine sized racks send you the cheat for... May see an when do deer shed antlers in maine stream of downed deer what you’re looking for antlers shed moose! To hold sheds all sales are final so please ask any and all moose! Found sheds ages, the animals begin to grow new antlers almost immediately i’ve trained myself to look for of. Were on the ground areas such as swamps to grow at a rapid pace if wait! An attempt to reduce energy expenditure at this time bucks are able to find sheds in bedding! Your energy and creates stress variable paces so you can do this without getting... On hunting, Maine hunting News Tagged with: antlers, you might enjoy will you! A crucial step for finding sheds useful for finding sheds check for sheds backpacks are places! Walking, and travel corridors ) make sure you have found to have the most important Maine shed hunting may. If your sole reason for shed hunting tips combined when do deer shed antlers in maine smaller sheds makes sheds! Maine shed hunters have to be out looking for antlers that have shed. But you have to be realistic depending on where deer are traveling their first property waste. Found in areas you have to observe deer if you bump any, educate. For confirming a visual on a potential shed in the dense vegetation the..., December and April, you might be in for a welcome surprise rodents chewing up antlers, deer,.

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