More miles and steeper hiking had me again immersed in imagining the life of all the animals, from the prey to the predators, and all the drama that happened, out of view of our coddled, modern human existence. These finds all show heavily-hunted tracts might offer good shed hunting, as well. Box 782, Ada, Michigan 49301. As you spend more time shed hunting, youâll learn how critters move across the landscape. By Bob Humphrey, Mark Kayser and Jake Meyer with excerpts from the GameKeepers Magazine Shed antler hunting is one of the fastest growing outdoors activities. Serious shed hunters have stories of great days afield just like we do when hunting the deer themselves. You want a dog with a willingness to please, and intelligence is more important than anything.â While we arenât going to cover how to train a dog in this article, you should make ⦠+ It is illegal to take, collect, retrieve, possess, sell, purchase, or transport any natural product including shed antlers from the National Elk Refuge. Finding a shed off a hit list buck will certainly get your blood pumping. My friends and I stick to our plan; we pull up at the base of a butte and spill out into two groups. He pointed out the signs indicating where they had chosen to bed at night, where they had been eating the plants, and where they liked to hang out so they can be in the best position to detect and evade any predators, from humans to wolves. QDMA interviewed several of our members who are avid shed antler hunters and collectors. “Look.” I held up a gracefully curvy, four-pointed deer antler. Read, watch, and listen to some of the best western hunting available. Outdoor Life was founded in 1898 with the mission to be the number one source for cutting-edge hunting and fishing information, the hottest new gear and gun reviews, and everything else you'd ever want to know about outdoor adventure, from survival tips (don't drink your own pee) to conservation policy (hint: hunting is conservation). […], How can a shed business best decide whether or not itâs time to add to their product lines? To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Shed hunting is a blast, but having a trained dog to help you makes it even more fun, and youâll find more bone to boot! Box 782, Ada, Michigan 49301. Itâs time to shed hunt him. The National Elk Refuge, established in 1912 in Jackson, Wyoming, has since preserved a critical winter habitat for the Jackson elk herd, an integral part of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Training A Shed Hunting Dog. Seventy-five percent of the profits go back into maintaining the elk habitat on the refuge, and the remainder to the Scouts. 99 (361) PEOPLE Yearbook 2020: Our Extraordinary Year Together The Editors of PEOPLE But there are rules and regulations to abide by and Wyoming has just updated its regulations for shed antler and horn collection. And as it turned out, in the early morning hours of opening day (night? The activity has grown in popularity over the past years, and is now more prevalent than ever. $9.99 $ 9. The 10 Rules of Shed Hunting. But, I learned later that shed hunting is about much more than the shed. Shed hunting has long been a spring past-time among hunters and outdoorsmen. “Miles equal piles,” Andrew said, gleefully. Below are two articles Iâve written detailing the training of my own shed dog, as well as several other ⦠The Jackson District Boy Scouts of America are granted access to refuge land (where the general public is never permitted) after the elk have left, and, through a special-use permit and with supervision by Refuge staff, they collect as many antlers as they can find. turkey-scouting-turned-shed-hunting excursion on public land. In winter, deer in the North Woods eat what they can get. Shed Hunting. Shed hunting puts energy back into your dog, both through physical exertion and change of pace. Once the road is opened, in a mere matter of minutes, the rolling foothills of pine forest and sagebrush are peppered with people wearing headlamps, spreading out, some at a running pace. But, no antlers. Dan and myself agree there are two types of shed hunters in this modern age-- recreational shed hunters and serious shed hunters. “Miles equal piles,” the undaunted Andrew told me, some sort of shed hunter mantra, to which I sullenly said nothing. Click LIKE and join us today... Post your Shed Hunting photos on the wall! […], The resource for builders of wooden sheds, portable buildings, and backyard structures. Esquire Magazine (Winter, 2020 - 2021) BTS - JIN, SUGA, J-HOPE, JIMIN, V JUNGKOOK Esquire Magazine Single Issue Magazine (16) Forks Over Knives Fall 2020 The Editors of Forks Over Knives Single Issue Magazine. After a long hunting season, dogs can either be burned out from the monotony or just plain worn down. For the serious deer hunter the season never ends. […], From sheds to ADUs, Backyard Unlimited offers all types of portable structures to its customers in California. Click LIKE and join us today... Post your Shed Hunting photos on the wall! They love to eat white cedar and red osier dogwood. Shed Hunting: Youâre a hunter, youâve been hunting all fall, chasing that same buck. The 24,700-acre parcel, managed by the U.S. Shed Hunting Tips From Some of the Nationâs Best Shed Hunters. What are we looking forward to in the new year? Where the red sandy dirt showed, it, too, was pocked with myriad signs of deer. Dogs have upwards of 300 million scent receptors in the noses (bloodhound) and with some training, theyâll locate and retrieve some shed antlers that you would have never found. The information, part of an article in QDMAâs Quality Whitetails magazine, included these useful tips for locating sheds: 1. The closures are lifted in late spring when the animals have regained strength and moved off to summer ranges. The Shed Hunting Life Words by Brigid Mander Each year on April 30, a stream of cars forms around Jackson Holeâs Town Square, waiting to drive across the National Elk Refuge lands to the border of the National Forest, where wintering wildlife protective closures end at midnight on May 1. Go Shed Hunting was founded to educate outdoors-minded people about the sport of shed antler hunting. Shed Builder Magazine is published bi-monthly by Boltres & Company LLC, P.O. A public land opening right by a wildlife refuge where thousands of elk have been wintering can be an antler gold mine. In the summer, it’s a thriving ecosystem for swans, songbirds, fish, pronghorn, moose, and many native plants. So itâs little wonder that using bird dogs to search for shed antlers has grown into a remarkably popular pastime. “The basic idea [of a closure] is to protect wildlife when they are nutritionally and energetically stressed,” says Brian Glaspell, the project manager at the National Elk Refuge in Jackson. That was the beginning of a major breeding program for Farris that has involved testing dozens of Pudelpointers in the North American Versatile Hunting Association (NAVDHA) as well as other hunt-testing programs to produce a gun dog that started out as rare and is now becoming a main breed among the versatile gun dogs. Male deer and elk shed their antler growth yearly in late winter and early spring, so for a shed hunting enthusiast, this means those areas are likely chock-full of big deer and elk antlers. Go Shed Hunting is also a place where shed hunters can ask questions about the sport and share photos of their success. The National Elk Refuge has ample information on what is allowed in association with shed hunting. The next time Andrew asked if I wanted to go, it was April. For simplicityâs sake, you need to spend your time in areas where the animals feed and bed. Visit their website for more information. Over coffee and eggs at sunrise in a kitchen full of tired friends, I was reminded once again that while finding the antlers is nice, it is more about connecting to nature and friends that makes the hunt worthwhile. In a sunny meadow near the bottom of a steep drainage, we found a bachelor hangout. I am not a serious shed hunter, but I am going to relay my best day of shed hunting because it is pretty cool and actually teaches something you might find interesting. Shed Builder Magazine is published bi-monthly by Boltres & Company LLC, P.O. NORTH AMERICAN ELK is the leading source of compelling content created speciï¬ cally to capture the imagination of the aspirational elk hunter and launch them toward their dreams of hunting the ultimate North American game animal. At as quick of a clip as we can manage up the steep hillside, we fan out, eyes peeled like everyone else, searching for sheds—coveted elk Antlers were not high on my list of interests: just once I had found a small reindeer antler near the summit of a peak we had climbed to ski in arctic Norway, but after marveling at it for a few minutes, I put it back where I found it. Founded by Joe Shead in 2006, Go Shed Huntingâs sole purpose is to help people find more sheds. antler racks—dropped by bulls early each spring. Thereâs certainly an art to finding sheds. Practice the Leave No Trace ethic while you’re out. The pace is different and necessitates a different sort of attention. By Tony Hansen. Hunting. How to make the most of your spring shed-hunting trips. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Latest. + It is YOUR responsibility to understand land usage policies where you are. The next year, when the author âconveniently forgotâ to invite his cousin along, he picked up a nice 5-point side. Many outdoorsmen know the benefits of having manâs best friend as a hunting partner. Use infrared-triggered trail-cameras to monitor antler shedding. Winter is very difficult for wildlife, and allowing them undisturbed spaces can increase their chances of survival. We went up a hillside, down a hillside, and along ridges, crunching in the sparse snow cover. We scoured till we found no more, and moved on. Shed hunting fixes both by keeping them active and alert, but not in an overly intense way. But recently, shed hunting has morphed into a commercial enterprise. Andrew and his group had more luck, which somehow made our night a success as well. Maintaining such a pristine habitat takes resources. I donât know anyone who doesnât get at least a little excited about finding a dropped deer antler. For the first six hours, that is. + It’s not essential to race out at Midnight on May 1 to shed hunt. Over the 10 years I have lived in Jackson, the May 1 shed hunting opener event passed each spring, and I paid no attention. Shed hunting has become more and more popular every year, and with more participants come more rules. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. When Lessons Learned in the Wild Find Their Way into Regular Life . + Keep in mind what is good for the animals and the land. The May 1 event is the re-opening of public lands closed to people during winter. Dreamwood Cabins builds homes that are licensed by the Colorado Department of Housing and built to the latest code. More Hunting. Colorado Shed Company Now Sells Dreamwood Cabins, Ulrich Barn Builders Solidifies Acquisition of Byler Barns With Re-Brand, This magazine, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced or stored, in whole or in part, by any means whatsoever including digital or electronic. This magazine, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced or stored, in whole or in part, by any means whatsoever including digital or electronic Hunting. Back in 2011, I was hunting a giant buck that lived on our farm. Avid shed hunters are often rifle or bow hunters as well, and interested in the health, size, and location of animals in a certain area. Thousands of volunteer hours go into sorting, followed by an auction, with artists, individuals, and wholesale buyers. MARCH 2019 7 walking right past every shed and missing them. In Wyoming, shed hunting season West of the continental divide begins on May 1st. […], What sells the most shedsâis it the price of the units, or is it the quality of the structures? Dan summed it up very well by saying, "Most hunter talk forums on the Internet have a shed hunting topic, and this has drawn a lot of interest from people who normally wouldn't have thought about it. ), after wandering in the woods and sage for hours, my friends Sarah and John and I came out empty-handed at 5am. It’s a different nature than you experience if you are out on, say, a ski tour. The largest community of Shed Hunters on Facebook! Shed hunting is a great way to get outside during state-mandated quarantines while the coronavirus outbreak continues. It provides an early spring activity to those who are ready to get back out into the woods and fields. 2,788 talking about this. But in reality, the interest dates back to prehistory with caveman appeal. In 2017, the sale of 9,672 pounds of antlers raised $192,000. We found access to a swath of public land without any winter wildlife closures, and the adventure was on. If you are collecting shed antlers, do so on land without restrictions. We did see a few small groups of mule deer, high on distant ridges. Winter and early spring are crucial times regarding survival for deer and other wildlife. For many, the ritual is about spending time in nature and with friends, the need for conservation and preservation, and a peek into the fascinating lives of our fellow creatures right under our noses. In the eye of the law, ignorance is no excuse for any sort of poaching,” he cautioned. In 2018, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission voted unanimously to prohibit shed antler and horn collection on all public lands west of I-25 from Jan.ââ 1 through April 30, annually. What are our concerns about 2021? It looked to me as if six thousand deer had wintered here: little marks from hooves and droppings covered everything. 3,173 talking about this. I was fascinated. The largest community of Shed Hunters on Facebook! Shed hunting is a family-friendly activity that provides an opportunity to spend quality time outdoors. We took frequent breaks to scan the hills with binoculars—what’s known as glassing—for antlers farther from us. Knowing a good buck, or one with potential made it through the season can raise the excitement for next season. Brown antlers with white tines lay on the grass here and there, and Andrew educated me on qualities of the spot that made the bulls like it so much. It’s a reason to get out into rugged terrain and learn about the ecosystem these big game are part of first-hand. A lurching ride along some dirt roads past the tiny town of Dubois found us squinting at weather-worn signs along the road and comparing the information on those signs to Andrew’s maps. FAX: 616-582-6300. Shed hunting is a great way to keep both you and your dog in shape during the off-season. All Petersen's Hunting subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. There are many feed grounds in western Wyoming where elk congregate and shed their antlers.By May 1st many of these elk are dispersed or beginning to disperse back to summer areas. February 6, 2014 ODU Admin Hunting News Comments Off on Shed Hunting. Ignorance is no excuse. Get Digital Access […], With this new year, we attempt to forecast vision once again. […], Ulrich Barn Builders of Texas, a shed manufacturer and designer, reports it has re-branded Byler Barns based in Virginia. Across a snowy creek bottom through bare aspens and cottonwoods, and up a drainage, deer hoofprints covered the thin snow. All North American Whitetail subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Shed hunting is an awesome reason to get back out in the woods. We stopped and had a few snacks. This time he’d scoped out some bigger terrain, in the same vicinity, and we hoped for elk antlers. I hesitated. Copyright © 2021 | MH Magazine WordPress Theme by MH Themes. The sky was a pale, cold blue, with wintery silver sage and occasional stands of green scrub pines poking up from the snow and red rocks. For shed hunting, âretrieving and trainability are the most valuable traits in dogs. Gear reviews, tactics, adventure and information inside. But, I decided to tag along, in the interest of a possible broadening of my horizons. If you do line up in town prior to the road opening, please respect the community and be aware of the impact of the event on people living and staying on or near Town Square. Later, back in the car, I imagined the deer my first antler had come from, and his deer life out in the wild. These days, a collector can get around $18 per pound for a modest shed, compared to just over a $1.50 in 1974. Until I looked down while crossing a small snow patch. Shed hunting can be nearly as fun as deer hunting and it gives you an excuse to hit the woods. We watched them through binoculars, and Andrew explained how to tell which were bucks, even after they’d dropped antlers and hadn’t begun to regrow a bigger set. In addition, to further protect the Gunnison sage-grouse, the new regulations include a time-of-day closure in the Gunnison Basin May 1 - 15 from sunset to 10 a.m. All Rights Reserved. To learn more go to fws.gov/refuge/national_elk_refuge or call 307.733.9212. But with the sun setting, I was thinking only of returning to the car. Family-Friendly activity that provides an early spring activity to those who are ready to get outside during state-mandated quarantines the... And different -- and something he apparently naturally wanted to do it than right now on land without winter., followed by an auction, with this new year made it through the season never ends dropped deer.! Benefits of having manâs best friend as a hunting partner profits go back into maintaining elk... 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And collectors 's hunting subscribers now have digital access to a swath public! Is it the quality of the profits go back into your dog, both physical! That are licensed by the Colorado Department of Housing and built to the car come.