How to Find Whitetail Deer Sheds

Walk along fence lines to find whitetail deer sheds.

Every year, by the end of February, bucks will shed their antlers, allowing a new pair to grow during the spring. Shedding can vary based on location and from deer to deer. Deer hunters will utilize shed hunting during late winter and early spring as a scouting tool for the upcoming season. Finding sheds takes concentration and preparation but has many benefits, such as patterning buck movements, knowing if an individual buck survived the hunting season and winter, and estimating deer quality and size.

Things You'll Need

• Topographic maps
• County plat map

Instructions

1. Review a topographic map of your hunting area and surrounding properties. Mark travel routes, bedding areas and feeding areas. Look for elevation contours with narrow strips of high ground that may indicate funnels in travel routes. For example, common funnels occur on field edges or near a narrow strip of trees. Keep records of all possible shed hunting locations and contact surrounding landowners for permission. You can find names of landowners on a county plat map.

2. Walk along fences or ditches. As bucks jump over fences or run through ditches, the impact may cause the antlers to drop. Look about 50 yards to each side of the fence or ditch, since the antlers may drop as the buck runs away.

3. Search around trees and thick brush. Bucks may use the trees to rub their antlers and shake them free. Joe Shead, creator of the "Go Shed Hunting" DVD, recommends checking under every tree, especially evergreens on the south side of hills.

4. Analyze bedding areas. Good bedding areas are places that provide shelter from north winds. Common bedding areas are on south-facing hillsides or hills with dense cover on the northwest corner. Follow the trails that lead to a known bedding area. Shead recommends looking for small pieces of an antler as it glistens in the sunlight or sticks out from the dirt, grass or snow.

5. Search the surrounding area. After locating one antler, the second is typically nearby. Finding a matching set of shed antlers provides a better idea of the quality of that individual buck.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult with a game warden or conservation officer about local or state regulations on hunting and keeping shed antlers.

• Use snowshoes, cross-country skiis or waterproof boots during February or early March.

• Focus your search around three main categories--shelter, food and water.

• Walk slowly as you look for pieces of an antler, and keep your eyes on the ground.

• Always obtain permission before shed hunting on private property.

References

• Whitetails: Whitetail Deer Anatomy & Antlers
• Holoweb: Whitetail Deer
• The Deer Hunting Guide: Deer Antler Sheds
• North American Whitetail: A Nose for Shed Antlers
• The Whitetail Fanatic: Choosing a Shed Hunting Partner