When do elk shed in your area?

[iccyman001]

I\'d like to take my wife elk shed hunting this year.
We usually just go to Oklahoma to shed hunt for whitetails, but we want to go after some mule deer and elk sheds this year. :upthumb:



So when do they usually drop in your area?

 

[Swede]

I am not sure of the exact time, but it must be in March and April. They shed their antlers after the deer do. I know that when I go out to scout in May and June, they can be found.

 

[iccyman001]

I am not sure of the exact time, but it must be in March and April. They shed their antlers after the deer do. I know that when I go out to scout in May and June, they can be found.

I guess I need to start planning some trips around those times!!!!
I think it would be a lot of fun. We love taking our dogs out to find sheds.


Any time with the wife in the woods is a GREAT TIME :upthumb:

 

[Swede]

Getting in soon after they shed means you beat the competition and the sun has not bleached them out, and they are worth more.
The place to look is usually south facing slopes and open ground. I have found them on all aspects, but you can usually see farther, and they stand out better in the more open areas. If snow stays on the north facing slopes, the elk will not be there when they shed, except at lower elevations. Good luck. If you come into my area, remember I get 50% of your find. :lol:

 

[Jaquomo]

In NoCo I\'ve seen mature bulls still carrying them the first of May. Around here much of the winter range is on private ranches. Where it\'s on public land, usually BLM, you can bet a bunch of locals are watching the herds. Its a big-money commercial deal now, involving drones, spotters in planes and on high points with scopes, riders on horseback and ATVs.

 

[iccyman001]

In NoCo I\'ve seen mature bulls still carrying them the first of May. Around here much of the winter range is on private ranches. Where it\'s on public land, usually BLM, you can bet a bunch of locals are watching the herds. Its a big-money commercial deal now, involving drones, spotters in planes and on high points with scopes, riders on horseback and ATVs.

It\'s crazy to think that shed hunting has come to that. I like to find a few because they last my dogs all year as chew toys.

Getting in soon after they shed means you beat the competition and the sun has not bleached them out, and they are worth more.
The place to look is usually south facing slopes and open ground. I have found them on all aspects, but you can usually see farther, and they stand out better in the more open areas. If snow stays on the north facing slopes, the elk will not be there when they shed, except at lower elevations. Good luck. If you come into my area, remember I get 50% of your find. :lol:

haha your finders fee is fair! I will not forget. :upthumb:

 

[otcWill]

I see most dropping around late March-April. Most of my sheds are found in bedding areas and feeding areas very near bedding. I mop em up out here with no competition at all. Of course, I know the county I hunt sheds in as well or better than anyone. If you plan to come to CO let me know. I found about 50 sheds in 5 days last year. That\'ll pay for a trip to just about anywhere :upthumb:

 

[otcWill]

I usually find at least 1 or 2 lion kills as well; all bleached out and ready to lean on the shed

 

[otcWill]

Found both these last Spring

 

[iccyman001]

I see most dropping around late March-April. Most of my sheds are found in bedding areas and feeding areas very near bedding. I mop em up out here with no competition at all. Of course, I know the county I hunt sheds in as well or better than anyone. If you plan to come to CO let me know. I found about 50 sheds in 5 days last year. That\'ll pay for a trip to just about anywhere :upthumb:

Thanks for the tips on finding them!!!! I\'ll definitely be getting out to spots where I don\'t expect a lot of competition.


Do you sell them to someone specific or just random people?

I like the idea of hiking miles with my wife and it paying for another hunting trip hahaha

 

[iccyman001]

Shame to see those dead heads too.....

 

[cohunter14]

Dang Will, those are some great finds! Dan, now you have a good reason to come to CO...just sayin!

 

[Jaquomo]

There are antler buyers who come to most towns in hunting country. My friend sold $6,000 worth of sheds last summer to pay for a moose trip. Saw a big trailer full leaving my town last week.

As far as dog chews... Saw some at the pet store last week. Little 2\" parts of tine and chunks of beam were $6-8 each.

 

[iccyman001]

I feel like a fool now.....



This year alone I\'ve given away or given to my dogs:
- 10 elk sheds
- 7 mule deer sheds
- 15 whitetail sheds



And now I find out I can find hunts or the purchase of hunting gear from doing what I love and exploring the woods. WOW



Way to make/ruin my day haha

 

[iccyman001]

Dang Will, those are some great finds! Dan, now you have a good reason to come to CO...just sayin!

See you in April and May haha

 

[Ucsdryder]

Wife got all mad at me last ear when I took a picture of a 5 pt shed and left it. It was bleached and I was deer hunting and didn\'t want to haul it around. Apparently she wants a couple for decoration. In April/May are they still in their winter grounds or hand they started moving back to their summer areas? Sounds like I need to go see if I can track down a couple to make mama happy.

 

[Swede]

Elk generally follow the green up of the grasses and forbs. That varies from area to area, but I would expect them off to be mostly the winter range by April.

 

[cnelk]

In May they are very close to calving areas.
And like Swede said, they are following the green grass as the snow melts

 

[Swede]

Brad is right about the cows starting to calve in May. Just remember the bulls are not with them at that time, and they have already dropped their antlers. The moral is; don\'t focus on calving areas when you hunt for sheds.