The antler hunt is on!

The antler hunt is on

There’s no better time than now to search for shed antlers

By Tyler Frantz

            Harvesting a buck is a great feeling. There’s no doubt about it. The sense of pride and accomplishment one feels after successfully ending a hunt with antlers hitting the ground is unmatched.    

            Here in Pennsylvania, hunters are granted that euphoric feeling just once a year. That is, if they are fortunate enough to take a buck during hunting season.

            Though a respectable number of bucks fall to bows, rifles and muzzleloaders each year, an even greater number live to see another day. Whitetails have an instinct for eluding their pursuers, and many find a way to make it through hunting season unscathed.

            If there’s any consolation to placing a tag on a nice buck in the fall, it is finding the cast antlers he drops in late winter. I know I’ll never forget how pumped I was to find a matching set of a 140-inch antlers on public land a few years ago. Aside from a few trail cam photos, the buck eluded me all season, but I still got a piece of him to cherish forever.

            For many, shed antler hunting has become an anticipated and enjoyable hobby during the late-winter thaw. As snow levels recede, antlers are exposed for the taking. After the week we just experienced, now is the perfect time to be out searching for bone.  

            According to Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Wildlife Notes, most male whitetails typically carry polished antlers through the end of breeding season, which can sometimes last through late February. They then shed their racks in preparation for new antler growth, which usually begins in late March or early April.  

            That means there should be plenty of antlers already on the forest floor, just waiting for someone to find them. These fallen treasures are beautiful keepsakes from the natural world that can be handcrafted into jewelry, home furnishings or even tool handles.

            They also look great displayed on a coffee table or mantle piece, providing a personal memento of a special buck’s living history. For hunters who go on to later harvest that buck, the previous year’s sheds may be ultimately rendered priceless. 

            But where does one even begin to start looking? After all, finding a set of antlers in an expansive woodlot is like searching for a needle in a haystack. While it’s possible a buck can drop his antlers at any old random location he travels, some areas are certainly more likely to produce than others.  

            Having a little knowledge of how deer utilize a specific piece of property goes a long way in narrowing down focus areas to target. First and foremost, identify the bedding and feeding areas, since that is where deer spend the largest percentage of their time.

            Considering this winter’s unrelenting weather, seek out bedding areas with quality thermal cover, such as pines, hemlocks or laurel located along secluded draws and south facing slopes. These are the most likely areas for deer to take refuge from bitter winds and falling snow. Comb these areas generously, walking access trails where overhanging branches might knock antlers free.

            From here, connect the dots to prime winter food sources, and use the lay of the land to pinpoint the most direct routes toward major feeding areas. Check the obvious trails first, branching out to lighter used paths as necessary. Pay close attention to fence crossings or other obstacles that might cause loose headgear to drop. If nothing turns up, head to the dinner table.

            Searching food sources is a daunting task, but often yields the greatest results. It definitely pays off to have some help in covering the ground. Gather some buddies, family members, or even man’s best friend and head to the nearest agricultural field.

            Grain fields or turnip plots are best, since they provide deer with the essential carbohydrates necessary to make it through a brutal winter, while also serving as social staging areas.

            Line off with roughly 10-15 yards between each person, and make parallel passes from one end of the field to the other, then pivot and sweep the field back again. Adjust and repeat passes until the whole field is covered, then move on to the next section.

            Antlers have a tendency to blend in with natural surroundings so take your time and keep scanning with your eyes from left to right. Look for slivers of tines that may be protruding up into the air or the round white pedicle base that may look unnatural. Looking back at the trail one just covered may also provide a different sight angle that could yield an overlooked antler.

            A well trained shed dog, or birding breed with a nose for antlers, can also be beneficial in upping your odds for success. In recent years, Labrador and Golden Retrievers have emerged as the top shed antler dogs, having been trained specifically for the task by imprinting commercial antler scent on tennis balls, which are later hidden to mimic cast antlers.

            Regardless of the methods used, it is likely that most properties possess at least a few shed antlers. Chances are decent that if a hunter covers enough ground, he’ll eventually be rewarded for his efforts. Some come easier than others, but even without success, shed hunting provides great exercise and a perfect excuse for spending another day with friends and family in the great outdoors.

           

For more great writing and video work by outdoors freelancer, Tyler Frantz, visit www.naturalpursuitoutdoors.com. Also, please LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!     

 

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