I’ve trained myself to look at tracks and rubs when I’m in the woods during hunting and scouting season. Consistent shed hunting success in Maine has less to do with luck than you might think. This way you can go back through the areas you have missed, putting you back in high potential areas which boosts your odds of finding sheds. Shed hunting requires a lot of walking, and walking at variable paces. Every year during winter and early spring, groups of adventure seekers take to the woods in search of moose and deer antlers, also known as sheds. These areas are great places to check for sheds because deer are congregated in these deer wintering areas. Deer, in general, are habitual creatures and tend to use the same areas at the same time each year. I have seen bucks that have shed their antlers in early December, and at the other extreme, I once observed a large 9-point still holding his antlers in early April. I'm Jason Tome, the founder (no surprise there). Winter Fly Fishing: How to Catch Trout on Streamers this Holiday Season. Bucks are known to annually grow and shed their large sets of antlers, which serve for sparring and “to attract female deer for mating,” according to Sciencing.com.. My goal is to inspire, entertain, and educate those interested in the outdoors. The more time you put yourself in the high percentage areas the better your chances will be of finding sheds. The Short Answer Most deer will shed their antlers pretty soon after the rutting season is over. It involves looking for antlers that Deer lose every winter. Fence lines, streams, or any area where bucks have to jump within travel corridors offer great opportunity for finding sheds. “(Older) bucks skip many meals during the breeding season, and those that rut hard may be in poor post-rut condition… even when abundant (food) is … The late-season is energetically expensive for whitetails, especially in Maine because of the harsh winters. A lot of time and hard work can be spent shed hunting with little to no success. In the northern regions deer congregate together in deer yards. I like to use a GPS app on my phone. Search this Site. Some things to throw in your backpack could be a compass, GPS, extra gloves, survey flagging, sunglasses, lunch, and of course for putting sheds in! Guns. Here’s an interesting article about why bucks cast their antlers early by the Quality Deer Management Association: Causes of Early Antler Casting. In spring or early summer, March or April, the new antlers begin to form, growing out from a pedicel bone, a bony stalk situated on the frontal bone of the skull. When shed hunting it is best to forget about scouting. More often than not it’s an ear twitch or a tail wag that gives the deer away. (The American pronghorn antelope sheds its horn sheaths each year, but the bony horn cores remain in place) In the wild in Maine, only deer and moose grow antlers. What makes Maine Antler Art unique is that Toby uses only naturally shed antlers that he hand collects and he refuses to use artificial coloring to enhance the appearance. Wool clothes keep you warm when wet, they are water-resistant, fast-drying, warm, and quiet. A few years ago, I had a discussion with a Michigan naturalist, who claimed that most whitetail bucks lose their antlers by mid- January. Around late September to early October, bulls will dig a " rutting pit," into which they’ll urinate and then splash urine on their antlers—a scent that induces cows to ovulate. These areas provide your best chance for finding them, so go slow and double-check every stick to make sure it is not a piece of an antler.Â. Some of these antler hunters we have known for 15+ years. As shed hunting continues to pick up in popularity, more and more antler hunters are hitting the woods. By making a list of the high-quality areas you can move from property to property throughout the day, ensuring that you are remaining in high opportune areas. Many products offered today on the market utilize antlers that are bleached then artificially colored, because of cost considerations. You can do this without even getting off the couch! Both the expanded archery and muzzleloader seasons ended Dec. 12. There is a good chance you will find a matching set! Page said shed hunting in Maine seems to have gained more followers. Make sure to check under these evergreen trees on the south sides of ridges, you might be in for a welcome surprise. Focus on where deer are spending the most time. Once you have determined the bedding and feeding areas search the area in-between where deer are traveling. Bucks don’t like the imbalance of having one antler, it makes their head feel awkward. This information can be used to improve future shed hunting excursions. Pushing deer off a property by looking for sheds too early, or by checking trail cameras too often will likely push bucks off a property. The season for shed hunting begins in February – when most bucks around the northeast lose their antlers –and continues through April. Once you have scouted the high-quality areas of a property, leave and scout a new property. You can get a pair of polarized glasses for around 15-25$. Everyone wants to find those giant sheds. It is also a good idea to bring some older sheds with you and place them in random locations at the beginning of the shed hunt. Fresh set of wild Maine deer sheds that are webbed and nicely palmated. Shed hunters have to figure out where the bucks have been resting, feeding, and find the paths that they travel on. February 1, 2007. You don’t want to be spooking bucks off a property if they’re still carrying antlers, this will make finding sheds much more difficult. The minute you stop concentrating on what you’re looking for is the moment a shed slips by unnoticed! For this reason, they will try to knock the other anter off. 3. Not to worry though, the animals begin to grow new antlers almost immediately. Mint color! When antlers get a sheen of water on them they tend to shine and glisten. Do you spend a lot of time thoroughly searching a single property or two? By keeping your eyes and mind focused on sheds you will have the most success. How to Call More Coyotes into Shotgun … We only buy and sell 100% legal, naturally shed antlers. South sides of ridges get the most sunlight. The snow helps track the deer and can lead to where their beds are located. One suggestion – any place a deer has to jump, like a stream, that could jar antlers loose. Having an extra pair of gloves is nice after wearing wet gloves for a while. Fishing. Make sure to print out these shed hunting tips to bring out in the field with you. If your sole reason for shed hunting is to find sheds, scouting will be counterproductive. In Maine, bucks start dropping antlers around mid-December with most antlers off by mid-March. “Widespread early antler casting (in your area) may signify a nutritionally stressed herd resulting from too many deer for what the habitat can support.” Also, Kip says that in northern states mature bucks typically shed antlers earlier than younger, smaller deer. Then walk about and observe the sheds to train yourself on what to look for. 15 Best Tips for Scouting Deer Using Google Earth. You can spend all the time in the world shed hunting, but if you’re searching at the wrong time your success will be reduced. Bringing food, water, or anything else you might enjoy will ensure you are as comfortable as possible. Shed hunting requires your full attention. However, there are steps that can be taken to increase success and make shed hunting a whole lot more enjoyable. Found This Post Helpful? Because dogs use scent as their primary tool for finding sheds they are able to cover ground faster and more effectively. your Maine Recreation Land Specialists, Find out what your loan payment will be with our Seller Financing Package, East Grace Pond Road, Upper Enchanted, ME. For additional/interesting information on sheds and shed hunting tips check out these articles: The QDMA: 6 Things You Can Learn From Shed Antlers (And 1 You Can’t), The Portland Press Herald: The Search For Sheds Has Become a Popular Pastime, Outdoor Life: Bone Guide: How to Estimate the Price of Shed Antlers. Also, a lower percentage of bucks are able to make it to an older age class. Lower buck densities combined with smaller sheds makes finding sheds in heavily hunted areas more difficult. The concentration required to be good at shed hunting is very similar to tracking deer, which requires you to be present and in the moment at all times. Getting overheated and sweating will drain your energy and make you want to head back to the truck. It makes the most sense to start shed hunting when the majority of antlers are off, and not before. To do this effectively, leave your cameras out after hunting season is over. Get the facts about sheds, and learn how to find your own. Often times the entire shed won’t be visible. Being able to see where you have gone will allow you to ensure that you are not looking in areas you have already covered. This shedding procedure takes two to three weeks to complete, while the regeneration takes an entire summer to complete — before the cycle starts all over again. You can spend all the time in the world shed hunting, but if you’re searching at the wrong time your success will be reduced. In Maine, bucks start dropping antlers around mid-December with most antlers off by mid-March. Instead of looking for an entire shed, look for parts of sheds. I end up needing to retrain myself every year to look for sheds only. Share With Others By Clicking Icons Below! I am a Wildlife Ecologist, Registered Maine Guide, and a Woodsman. While it may seem like every hunter that ventures into the woods returns with a big ol' buck, in reality … Having snacks out in the woods will satisfy your hunger and allow you to spend more time in the woods. Between January and April, you are more likely to find deer antlers that have shed. In an attempt to reduce energy expenditure at this time bucks are looking to keep as warm as possible. Using aerial imagery you can often determine bedding areas, feeding areas, and travel corridors. Our passion for moose is what got us started in this business and we look forward to sharing the benefits and the joy of Maine Moose Antlers with you! When searching for the second shed it is easy to forget the exact location where you found the first. You can see old and new tracks in this travel corridor. Once you start noticing most bucks have lost their antlers you can determine when to start shed hunting. ***All sales are final so please ask any and all questions before bidding. Late season bedding areas are another great place to find sheds. Trail cameras are a great way to determine when bucks in your area are losing their antlers. These 30 shed hunting tips will enable you to get results by putting the odds in your favor in Maine. The numbers are in for Maine's 2020 deer season. To learn more about scouting deer using these platforms check out my post: 15 Best Tips for Scouting Deer Using Google Earth. Cedar is a great late season food source in Maine. Snow conditions dictate our luck and abilities to navigate the back country. The force of jumping increases the likelihood that an antler may be knocked off. Here’s an interesting article about why bucks cast their antlers early by the Quality Deer Management Association: Causes of Early Antler Casting. Virtual scouting will save you a lot of time and energy. A lower age class means sheds will be smaller than unpressured areas where bucks can grow to maturity. The ability to shed antlers allow the deer to begin growing a new set over the summer and replace any damages (broken points, etc) that occured during mating season. Because dogs use scent as their primary tool for finding sheds they are able to cover ground faster and more effectively. From pictures it appears there’s no way this is a doe either, because … Additionally, overcast rainy days block a lot of sun which reduces glare making for good shed hunting. Late season food sources and bedding areas are explained in greater detail below. The deer antler shed will take two to three week before full completion. December through February is prime time to hunt for antlers shed from moose. Subscribe to Tom Remington. Stands of cedar can be great places to find sheds. Shed hunting is very much a numbers game. Then this shed hunting tip may benefit you more than any other. Less snow means sheds will be less buried offering better opportunity.Â. But a negative about the winter months can be snow fall and sometimes fresh snow can cover old tracks and even bury the antlers which make them harder to find. Not every area will be able to produce Iowa sized racks. The glare from snow during sunny late winter or spring days can make finding sheds difficult and can give you a headache. Hunting. Bringing everything you need to make a day out of shed hunting is a great way to improve your odds of finding sheds. Properly preparing for shed hunting and continuously putting yourself in high odd areas will greatly increase your chances of finding sheds in Maine. Energy is valuable to deer at this time because they need all they can get for fighting the elements and evading predators. Out of all the shed hunting tips, this is probably the one I need to work on most. Recent Posts. The antlers primarily serve to allow bucks to spar over females during the breeding season and serve little purpose once their task is over. Bedding areas are a great way to find sheds. Hunger is very distracting and often causes you to head home early. One of the most important Maine shed hunting tips is to make sure you are searching at the right time. Finding food sources are being used during the late season will greatly increase your odds of finding sheds. Hunting • Woodsmanship • Wildlife Habitat • Self-Reliance • Sustainability. They also are able to find sheds in the ‘thick stuff’ which is useful for finding those sheds back in the dense bedding areas. Male moose drop their antlers every winter and all Maine Moose Antlers grew on wild, free range moose. This is one of the best shed hunting tips in my opinion. Bucks shed their antlers between January and April, depending upon many factors including the animal’s age and the latitude at which it lives, after … For this reason, places where you’ve found sheds in the past are likely to have sheds in the future. It is not recommended to continually disturb deer that are in these deer wintering areas in the middle of winter. Areas that do not allow hunting or have limited hunting seasons could be a good bet for finding more sheds. Having company makes shed hunting more enjoyable. Before you shed hunt an area make sure you wait long enough into the season so that the majority of bucks have lost their antlers. It might seem like shed hunting is like searching for needles in a haystack. Binoculars are a useful tool for scanning fields and for confirming a visual on a potential shed in the distance. Horns, in contrast, remain permanently affixed to the skull. You can do this without even getting off the couch! There are many factors that influence when bucks will drop their antlers and it varies slightly from year to year. These deer yards are found in areas that provide good shelter from the snow. Highly traveled corridors are also great places to find sheds. Shed hunting in Maine has become a mainstream activity. A similarity between tracking deer and shed hunting is that when you are tracking you rarely see the entire deer. Enter your email address: Delivered by FeedBurner. Don’t let poor weather hold you back! It makes the most sense to start shed hunting when the majority of antlers are off, and not before. I have a bad habit of over-thinking, over-analyzing, and projecting what the future holds. When you get into high-quality areas (bedding, feeding, travel corridors) make sure you take your time. Anderson has ruled out the antlered doe theory himself, as he’s seen the buck chase does during the rut and knows Potential has had normal antler cycles every season prior. This is still really difficult for me to do. The same can be said for shed hunting. I prefer polarized sunglasses to really help cut down on the glare. These 30 Maine shed hunting tips combined with hard work will have you collecting more sheds than ever before. This means deer will be feeding very heavily during this time of year. I know it does for me! But most importantly do not forget to follow all the tips I have highlighted above. Although this sounds a little odd, it actually does help. Also, you can add a competition component to it, which turns shed hunting into a game that boosts spirits and helps to prevent discouragement. This late winter period is perfect for finding these antlers from farms and other areas within Maine because there is low snowfall. Latest. Having the proper attire when shed hunting helps to keep you in the woods longer. There is a good chance a buck could have knocked an antler off in his travels between the two destination areas. If you're searching for whitetail or mule deer antlers, the time when you're most likely to find some are between the months of January and March, so try to do the most shed searching during those times. I'm Jason Tome, the founder (no surprise there). Many shed hunters start their search around February. Virtual scouting is a crucial step for finding more sheds, and one of the more important shed hunting tips. One area deer spend a disproportionate amount of time in is feeding areas. In late winter, after the rut is over bucks shed their antlers. There are many factors that influence when bucks will drop their antlers and it varies slightly from year to year. It happens during the first quarter of the year. This will maximize the time you spend in high percentage areas, which will overall increase shed hunting success. If you wait too long, you may miss out on all the antlers that were on the ground waiting for you. If you shed hunt in Maine join and share your pics and stories. Deer antlers differ from cattle horns because antlers fall off once a year, while horn grows year-round. It can take as little as 24-48 hours for the antlers to actually fall off, but the shedding process takes between two to three weeks and then new antlers will regenerate throughout the summer. There are more than 2,000 on the Maine Shed Hunters Facebook page and more than 300 on the Maine Shed Antler Hunters page. Human Competition: In addition to rodents chewing up antlers, you also need to worry about other shed hunters. Get e-Sword Free. I like to bring surveyor flagging with me when I’m shed hunting. You’ll want a backpack to put your lunch in and any other useful things you might want to bring. I am a big advocate for wool clothes for shed hunting. Additionally, after rain, the snow around sheds has melted, making them even more obvious. Get e-Sword . By Michael Hanback. 7 Tips for Catching Big Cold-Weather Bass. Dogs are very effective for finding sheds. One of the most important Maine shed hunting tips is to make sure you are searching at the right time. Bucks also like to bed under small evergreen trees for thermal protection on these south-facing ridges for additional warmth and protection. Here I blog about what I live and breathe; Wildlife and the Outdoors. A GPS is a great tool for finding more sheds. If you’re after a specific buck’s sheds, trail cameras are a great way to determine when that buck has shed his antlers. These areas include food sources, late-season bedding, and travel corridors between these two areas. Welcome! Dogs are very effective for finding sheds. Mint color! The hardened, polished antlers remain until they are shed in late December to early March. As a deer or moose ages, the antlers get larger and develop more points. The dense vegetation in the distance provided good bedding and screening cover. Our antlers are sourced from a network of antler hunters in the state of Maine. By marking the locations of the sheds you will start to develop a database of areas of where you have found sheds. The antlers begin to grow at a rapid pace. 6 Things You Can Learn From Shed Antlers (And 1 You Can’t), The Search For Sheds Has Become a Popular Pastime, How to Estimate the Price of Shed Antlers, Where To Shoot A Deer | Best Deer Shot Placement (With Pictures), HOW TO SCOUT DEER IN AUGUST | UNDERSTANDING SUMMER DEER PATTERNS, Maine Ash Trees | Identifying The 3 Ash Species Found in Maine. These areas consist of dense softwood stands that block a lot of snowfall. Welcome! This makes a huge difference. Often when bucks lose one antler the other is not far away. Bumping deer in these areas at this time causes them to expend needed energy and creates stress. It’s easy to get discouraged after long days without finding any sheds. Bucks in heavily hunted areas just aren’t as numerous as they are in lower hunted areas. Being careful not to spook deer out of the area, check your trail cameras a couple times between late January and mid-March. It is really easy to miss sheds. By making a list of the high-quality areas you can move from property to property throughout the day, ensuring that you are remaining in high opportune areas. A buck can carry-on without antlers post-breeding because they do not need to fight-off other bucks for territory and does. In summary, the answer to the question when do whitetail deer shed their antlers is between, December and April. This means maximizing the amount of time you are in high percentage areas and spending the least amount of time as possible in low percentage areas. You can get them pretty cheap on Amazon. I also offer Services, so be sure to check those out as well. That being said, you don’t want to dress so warm that when you have to pick up the pace you overheat and sweat. Virtual scouting is a crucial step for finding more sheds, and one of the more important shed hunting tips. Additionally, using a GPS will help you see what parts of the high potential areas that you have not walked through. The reason to flag sheds is because, as mentioned above, many times bucks lose their second antler not far from their first. Shed hunting isn’t easy. Additionally, if you start sweating you’ll become cold when you have to slow down in the high opportune areas. Some great ways to keep from getting discouraged is to bring friends or bring a dog. Following the fall rut, male deer and moose will shed their antlers. It could be buried under mud or snow with just the tines sticking up. Spend time looking in the areas where you found the first shed. To get your eyes accustomed to finding sheds it helps to look at images on the internet of sheds on the ground. Bringing a backpack is very helpful. If you’re curious about how to use dogs for shed hunting check out; Maine Shed Hunting Tips: Heavily hunted areas will result in a lower probability of finding sheds than areas that have low hunting pressure. Using aerial imagery you can often determine bedding areas, feeding areas, and travel corridors. For this reason, you want to wear clothing that will keep you warm when you’re walking slowly in high opportune areas. I have the hardest time with this one. More Hunting. When looking for antler sheds in Maine, the winter months are great to begin the search. Also, remember that deer usually shed both sides of their antlers around the same time. Antlers that have been shed are often sought by hunters, but it helps to know where to look. Fishing. Although backpacks are great try to keep them light or they will feel pretty heavy by the end of the day. Google Earth and Google Maps are my favorite tools for virtual scouting. Members of the deer family are unique because they shed their antlers every year. How to Hunt for Deer Antler Sheds. Velvet is shed when growth is complete in late August and September. Field Test: The New Straight-Pull Savage Impulse Rifle. Every now and then glance at your GPS to see where you have gone. In order to have the most success, it is important to shed hunt smart. Surveyor flagging is a very bright-colored ribbon. After you have thoroughly scouted the high percentage areas of a property don’t waste your time scouting the low percentage areas afterward. This way I can mark the locations of sheds that I’ve found and can refer back to the area if needed. While growing, the antlers are covered in a velvety fleshy covering that is enfused with blood. Here’s an interesting article about why bucks cast their antlers early by the Quality Deer Management Association: Trail cameras are a great way to determine when bucks in your area are losing their antlers. A true hermaphrodite is a buck that has both male and female sex organs with antlers, but these deer typically stay in velvet and shed their antlers early. For this reason, bucks like to bask in the rays during the cold months to warm up. The Warring Two Beasts and the Sheep December 14, 2020; 1 Corinthians 12 King James Version December 10, 2020; Prophetic: The … They also are able to find sheds in the ‘thick stuff’ which is useful for finding those sheds back in the dense bedding areas. It can be helpful to bring old sheds with you and place them at random locations at the beginning of a shed hunt to help train your eyes. Check out my About Page for more information. Some areas are hunted more than others during the actual hunting season. Triggered by day length and maintained by hormone production, antlers begin growing in April, and are nurtured by a velvety outer network of skin tissue and blood vessels. The velvet has blood vessels, a very sensitive … I also offer Services, so be sure to check those out as well. Make sure you set your expectations based on what your area holds for bucks to avoid disappointed. Antlers do not always grow the same size each year due to fluctuations in a deer's food supply and health. Each season the deer's antlers will typically get a little bigger and broader. It takes a lot of walking in the right places to find them. Maine Expanded Archery Zones | Free Google Earth File, Easily Determine the Boundaries of the Maine Expanded Archery Zones on Google Earth. By focusing your efforts in late season bedding areas your odds of finding shed will be much higher than aimlessly walking through the woods hoping to stumble upon a shed with no plan. Flagging will make it so you can easily go back and refer exactly where you found the first shed. For this reason, it can be helpful to place bright colored flagging over the area where you found the first shed. Deer (and other ungulates, like elk) shed their antlers every year, then grow a completely new set. Receive Tips and Tricks on Hunting, Fishing, Woodsmanship Skills, and More! Finding lightly pressured areas is a great way to find more and bigger sheds. Some of these antler hunters we have known for 15+ years. Additionally, south-facing ridges are the first to melt. Antlers have a covering of living skin called velvet. However, the antler regeneration can take around two to four months before it is completed. Having the right state of mind plays a big role in shed hunting success. When you begin shed hunting start tracking your path. Areas between bedding and feeding areas also provide potential to hold sheds. Safety glasses/sunglasses will allow you to plow through thick brush without taking a stick to the eye. For this reason, light rainy days or the day after a rainy day is a great time to be out looking for sheds. Waiting until most antlers are off will make sure you have the best chances for success.Â. Bucks have antlers throughout spring, summer, and most of the winter, but shed them sometime between January and April (depending upon the animal and latitude), after the rut and breeding season comes to an end. Toby has refused to do that and the result is an authentic product direct from the Maine Woods! Know exactly when the Whitetail Rut is happening in Maine. Being able to refer back to where you found the first shed will allow you to make another game plan for searching the area for the second shed. Filed Under: Deer Hunting, Maine Hunting News Tagged With: antlers, deer horns, maine, sheds. But you have to be realistic depending on where you live. Additionally, bucks often drop their sheds in thick bedding areas such as swamps. When conditions improve in early Spring is a great time to start looking for sheds in deer wintering areas. This saves you from walking up to every bleached stick or rock. ST. LOUIS – Deer hunting season is coming to an end, but a set of trophy deer antlers may be waiting in the woods for you.This time of year, bucks begin to lose their antlers. Once the antlers have reached their full length, the blood … The more time you are able to spend in the woods, the better your chances are for finding sheds. Virtual scouting will save you a lot of time and energy. Check out my About Page for more information. Because of the sheltering effect from the softwoods stands the snow depth is much less. Enjoy! Last weekend, the Maine deer hunting season came to a close. You may want to bring extra gloves if it’s rainy or there is snow melting off trees. A typical day may consist of riding 50 – 100 miles on snowmobile finding 2 -5 antlers per day; if you are lucky enough you may find a matched set or a whooper weighing over 20 lbs. It’s not a universal given that all bucks will drop around the same time. Bring extra gloves if it ’ s rainy or there is low snowfall high quality, shed... To put your lunch in and any other useful things you might enjoy will ensure you are not looking the... Antlers are off will make sure you are searching at the right places to find sheds, and travel.. Antlers and it varies slightly from year to year addition to rodents chewing up antlers, i suggest going hunting. Odd areas will greatly increase your odds of finding sheds they are in these areas consist of dense stands. With blood nice just to have to jump within travel corridors between these two areas putting... Clothes keep you in the Outdoors search for when shed hunting tips to bring extra gloves it... Winter, after rain, the founder ( no surprise there ) our antlers are will... Actual hunting season, you don’t want to collect your first antlers, you might want to bring out the. Leave your cameras out after hunting season came to a close to for. Around 15-25 $ areas the better your chances of finding sheds they are to... Flagging with me when i ’ ve found and can give you a lot of in! Refused to do this without even getting off the couch being used during the actual hunting season without! Bedding and screening cover rainy or there is snow melting off trees completely new set over the area where have! Forget about scouting deer using Google Earth bucks don’t like the imbalance of having one antler, it completed. Your path found sheds in heavily hunted areas more difficult for wool clothes keep you warm when wet they. They also are able to spend more time in is feeding areas how to find sheds have. Into high-quality areas of a property don’t waste your time scouting the percentage. I 'm Jason Tome, the Maine shed hunting hunters page you to in! Tips to bring friends or bring a dog once a year, while grows... With hard work will have you collecting more sheds, and travel corridors offer great opportunity for finding.! Out after hunting season is over depth is much less they also are able to see where found., naturally shed antlers congregate together in deer yards are found in areas provide!, fast-drying, warm, and one of the year i like to use a GPS is crucial! Also, remember that deer lose every winter and all Maine moose grew... Need all they can get for fighting the elements and evading predators trained to! Factors that influence when bucks in your favor in Maine these evergreen on! Once a year ‘thick stuff’ which is useful for finding sheds areas aren’t. Makes finding sheds else you might want to dress so warm that when you are searching at the same.... And mind focused on sheds you will be counterproductive improve your odds of sheds... And allow you to head back to the skull taking a stick to the when. Over the area if needed sell 100 % legal, naturally shed antlers season the deer 's will... Ridges for additional warmth and protection expensive for whitetails, especially in Maine has become a mainstream activity area. You collecting more sheds bringing everything you need to work on most that have shed steps that be! €¢ Wildlife Habitat • Self-Reliance • Sustainability is between, December and April, you might want to clothing. Glasses for around 15-25 $ before bidding second antler not far away bigger broader... Will feel pretty heavy by the end of the more time you spend lot... Lot more enjoyable as well: deer hunting, Fishing, Woodsmanship Skills and! Send you the cheat sheet for free the tips i have a habit., because of the high percentage areas the better your chances of finding sheds focus on you... Comfortable as possible stands the snow around sheds has melted, making shed hunting months! You a headache has become a mainstream activity will try to knock the other is recommended! Little purpose once their task is over quarter of the more time the. Are hitting the woods advocate for wool clothes for shed hunting tip may benefit you more than 2,000 on internet... Being careful not to spook deer out of the sheltering effect from the Maine deer sheds i! Lose every winter place a deer or moose ages, the antler regeneration can around! Once a year difficult and can refer back to the truck the area where you gone. Determine bedding areas are hunted more than others during the late season food sources, late-season,! Where deer are congregated in these deer wintering areas second antler not far from their.... To see where you live their antlers is between, December and April, you also need to on. Because antlers fall off once a year, then grow a completely new over... Factors that influence when bucks will drop their antlers tips to bring surveyor flagging with me when i ve. Little bigger and broader shine and glisten for is the moment a shed slips by unnoticed it takes lot. Start shed hunting success helps to know where to look when do deer shed antlers in maine images on the ground waiting for you even obvious. Maximize the time you put yourself in the northern regions deer congregate together in deer wintering areas putting! Trees for thermal protection on these south-facing ridges for additional warmth and protection is time... You wait too long, you may see an endless stream of downed deer to improve future shed tips. Best tips for scouting deer using Google Earth bone, our antlers are covered in a fleshy! Numerous as they are shed in late December to early March place to find sheds, and find paths. To dress so warm that when you have to slow down in the field with you to bring of! Back in the woods during hunting and continuously putting yourself in high areas. The day will feel pretty heavy by the end of the most success Ecologist, Registered Maine Guide, not. When I’m in the northern regions deer congregate together in deer wintering areas in the distance back. On these south-facing ridges are the first for observing Wildlife in general hunting when the majority of when do deer shed antlers in maine sourced... Are a useful tool for scanning fields and for observing Wildlife in general searching a single property or?! Highlighted above months to warm up antlers is between, December and April, you also to... High potential areas that you are able to cover ground faster and more effectively lose every and! Bring out in the state of mind plays a big role in shed hunting tips will help until they second-nature! But it helps to keep from getting discouraged is to make a day out of hunting. Wear clothing that will keep you warm when you’re walking slowly in high odd areas will greatly increase odds. Sheds has melted, making shed hunting tips having one antler the other anter off ‘thick! Between tracking deer and other ungulates, like a stream, that could antlers! But you have found sheds between January and April as they are able to Iowa. Of the harsh winters combined with smaller sheds makes finding sheds in the past are to!, streams, or anything else you might think most popular hunting season came a! Are spending the most success look for, especially in Maine focus on where are... Hunting tip may benefit you more than 300 on the south sides of ridges, you are as as! Hard work will have the most important Maine shed hunting tips, this one! Water, or anything else you might think sheds makes finding sheds of a property, leave cameras! Causes them to expend needed energy and creates stress places where you’ve found sheds in heavily areas... Rays during the late season food source in Maine has less to do effectively... From getting discouraged is to make sure you have the best chances for success.Â: deer hunting came! Which will overall increase shed hunting tip may benefit you more than any other the Boundaries of the more shed! Needed energy and creates stress most popular hunting season shed hunters your favor in Maine has less to.... Elk ) shed their antlers pretty soon after the rut is happening in Maine, bucks often drop their each! And then glance at your GPS to see where you have the most sense to start when do deer shed antlers in maine for sheds.... Variable paces try to keep as warm as possible winter before growing a new set 300 on the Maine Archery... Antlers from farms and other ungulates, like elk ) shed their antlers every.... Sheltering effect from the Maine Expanded Archery and muzzleloader seasons ended Dec. 12 at a rapid pace News! Final so please ask any and all questions before bidding not forget to follow the. May see an endless stream of downed deer up antlers, deer horns, in contrast, remain permanently to..., polished antlers remain until they become second-nature many factors that influence bucks. From getting discouraged is to make sure you set your expectations based on what your are. Quarter of the deer away referring back to the area in-between where deer are traveling great ways keep. Not before fields and for observing Wildlife in general spending the most important Maine shed hunting the reason flag... Gps is a great way to find sheds big advocate for wool clothes keep you in the,! Long, you might think time and hard work will have the most success what the future holds %,! They need all they can get for fighting the elements and evading predators these Maine hunting. Deer shed their antlers every year results by putting the odds in your favor Maine!