Just because the whitetail and moose seasons have long passed, doesn’t mean we don’t still hear the call of the wild or feel a yearning for the Maine woods.
What’s an outdoors enthusiast to do when the need to breathe crisp fresh air calls like a sailor’s siren at sea? How can we find the special solitude only the Maine woods provide after the big-game hunting seasons have ended?
I recommend hunting for horns. Literally.
Antler shed hunting is a great way to spend time afield long after tree stands come down and ground blinds are packed away to await the spring gobbler season. Everything we love about big-game hunting applies equally to shed hunting. The preparation, scouting, tracking and hopefully the harvest are what make it a hunt, even if it’s just for bone.
Do your preparation and scouting as you would if you were pursuing game, noting tracks, overlapping habitat and areas of special interest. Leave your gun in the cabinet, pack a hearty lunch and enjoy a slow walk in the woods.
You’ll be surprised how many of the skills you use while big-game hunting come into play while shed hunting. Track recognition, terrain and habitat knowledge and an understanding of game animal behavior all play a key role in finding dropped antlers.
An added bonus to hunting sheds is sharing the experience with family members not normally involved in hunting, strengthening bonds and rediscovering the wonders the Maine woods offer all of us if we simply take the time to look.
When to hunt sheds
The best time to hunt for antler sheds is after the rut and once the ground is snow covered. Basically, right now.
Deer and moose both need to recover after the exertion of the rut and conserve energy during the winter months. Shedding antlers allows much-needed calcium to be absorbed by the recovering buck or bull rather than continuing to feed impressive racks no longer needed to spar with rivals.
If deer and moose didn’t shed their antlers as winter sets in, they would struggle to replenish crucial minerals and regain strength after the mating season. Antler growth simply consumes too much energy.
As testosterone levels dwindle, the base of the antler, known as the pedicle, begins to weaken. Eventually the antler falls off.
The primary window for shedding typically runs from late November through January. Moose are usually the first to shed their massive headgear. I’ve found sheds as early as November.
Whitetail deer tend to hold onto their antlers a bit longer, with late December through January being prime. By February, mounting snowpacks can make antlers harder to spot.
Where to find them
If you’ve spent time scouting and tracking during the big-game seasons, you probably already have a good idea where travel corridors and feeding areas are. If you are not a big-game hunter, fret not.
Simply identifying obstacles that can catch a loosening antler as an animal moves through an area is a good place to start. Fence lines, edges of timber stands and funnels, terrain features that naturally direct animal movement such as hedgerows between agricultural fields, are all great places to look for sheds.
One of the most overlooked locations to find sheds is in bedding areas. These spots are the hardest to find for nonhunters and only slightly easier for the seasoned outdoorsman.
They are secluded for a reason. Bucks and bulls need to feel secure when they let their guard down, so bedding areas are typically well off the beaten path. Look for large blowdowns that provide concealment, especially on high ground.
As snow begins to pile up, bedding areas become easier to spot. Depressions in the snow and tracks leading in and out become clearly visible. Buck tracks are generally squarer than doe tracks with pronounced dew claw marks. The same applies to moose, with big bulls splaying their hooves in slippery terrain.
Look for antlers where deer or moose move into or out of a wood line. Branches can pull at antlers and help dislodge them. Fences and other obstacles animals must jump can cause loose antlers to fall free. Finding well-worn game trails that see heavy use will also increase your odds.
With so many ways to hunt for sheds, it’s a surefire way to stay connected to the woods when the pace of hunting season slows but your desire to be outside does not.
