Deer (Shed) Hunting Season is Here

I really don’t need an excuse to have a great day spent hiking through the woods. Bundled up on a cold, crisp morning walking through the woods, mostly clear without their leaves, and seeing sites you wouldn’t see any other time of the year is its own reward. Every trip to the woods naturally involves scouting for signs, rubs, scrapes and bedding areas, but this time of year you can add the purpose of hunting for sheds.

With over 1350 acres to search, a plentiful deer population, and history of their travel patterns, you would think that within a few hours a person could find a number of fine sets to add to their collection. I’m afraid that, much like my mushroom hunting in the spring, it doesn’t work that way for me. I’m too easily distracted. I have to check out the squirrel chattering overhead, the 2 inch cedar tree that’s been rubbed bare on one side, the bare spot in the leaves where a turkey has been looking for acorns or the red tail hawk screeching over the valley. I forget the one fundamental rule for both shed and mushroom hunting; keep your eyes on the ground.

In an effort to improve my success I have read a number of articles that provide some great tips. Here are two of my favorites; the first from the Quality Deer Management Association and the second from North American Whitetail.

I have read these and several others and sad to say it hasn’t improved my results greatly. So for me to be successful, I “have” to spend more time in the woods. I know if I was more focused I wouldn’t have to pay this penance but that’s the price I pay for loving the many distractions that await a hike in the woods.

I hope you have a chance to get out in the woods and fields for some shed hunting or whatever other excuse you wish to use.

Happy (Shed) Hunting