Deer shed their antlers each year, and these shed antlers can be found in a variety of locations. These trails are very easy to notice in the winter, whether there is snow on the ground or not. We have been fortunate enough to pick up the sheds and harvest the same animal years later and it's awesome to see the growth and changes these animals make in a few years time. Laws govern shed hunting in the mountain states. Covering a lot of ground is always a great thing and will help you be successful, but why not put that together with glassing, and find even more. Hunting for deer and elk shed is governed by various state and federal laws, depending on where you live and where you hunt. Best Places to Visit in Utah. Winter is over and now comes shed hunting season. Laws covering deer and elk shed hunting vary across state lines and on public lands. Look for deer rubs. Hunting Licenses Where to Hunt 5-Year Season Structure Big Game Furbearers Mountain Lion Small Game Turkey Waterfowl Motorized Recreation Off-Highway Vehicles OHV Safety OHV Trails Snowmobiles Register a Snowmobile Register an OHV Registration Locations Outdoor Recreation All Outdoor Activities Biking Geocaching Hiking Horseback Riding Since deer would typically drop their antlers in a feeding area during the night, youd have a great chance at finding a fresh deer antler before anyone else if youre up against other public land shed hunters. Find feeding areasThe animals must be where they have fed, and this is usually more on the south-facing slopes where the sun has been able to melt off all or most of the snow, leaving more food sources available to the animals. The concept is simple: grab a backpack, some binos, and your good buddies and start cruising the woods looking for antlers. Fencelines are a great place to find sheds. Iowa Facebook. Areas of Texas and Arizona are quite diverse in terrain. Likewise with state and government agencies. With our rewards program, you can receive rewards points, exclusive offers, early access to new products, and more. Leash your dogs near deer and elk. That's a small price to pay for an unforgettable life experience. Salt Lake City The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources announced a statewide emergency closure to "shed hunting" Tuesday in an effort to help wintering big game, particularly deer populations. The state does ask shed antler hunters to stay on the designated roads and trails. Our discount gear program can save you up to 50% on over 75+ top hunting brands. In the current shed antler craze, people cash them in or use them for crafts, furniture building, health aids. The V shape from a tine is a good starting point. The spring brings longer days, increasing testosterone levels. Deer may occasionally shift to bed on the southern edges of spruce plantations so they can soak up the suns warmth while being protected from the norths icy winds. They have lost a lot of integrity, therefore being the least valuable. The best places to find shed antlers are areas that hold deer during certain parts of their daily routine, which increases the likelihood of you finding antlers. (Mecca, O.). View Privacy Policy. While there are several dates corresponding to these hunt units either one would provide for a great opportunity at harvesting a rare free range bison. Good lungs and bear spray are prerequisites. The prime shed hunting season in Montana begins in mid-March and ends in early June. In April each year, the Jackson Hole Boy Scouts assist U.S. DWR Captain Chad Bettridge said this was particularly true for deer. They will show you which deer have shed their antlers and which ones have not. So, we find mountain herds hunkering down to preserve strength. Check and scout these grassy areas, slowly moving into areas deer pour into at night. Biologists also place GPS collars on deer to monitor animal migrations and survival. In the winter, deer need thick thermal cover to protect them from the cold temperatures and winds. Give animals time to recover from the tough winter and even then, if you do come across them, leave the area or be cautious to not bump them out. Look for areas where deer congregate, such as near water sources or food sources. Water sources will have rich soil, a variety of succulent plants and brushy edges, which provide good food and cover for deer. A full day of shed hunting requires food and water and a place to put all your antlers. Look for bedding areasBedding areas can also be a great place to look. Drawing this tag will take a long time unless you are extremely lucky, especially for non-residents as the number of tags is very low, usually 1-3. To find shed antlers in Utah, look for south-facing slopes where the sun melts the snow first and the ground is exposed. Salt Lake City The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources announced a statewide emergency closure to "shed hunting" Tuesday in an effort to help wintering big game, particularly deer populations. To be more successful at finding more sheds, you really must be determined and willing to put in more time than the next shed hunter during those crucial late winter and early spring months (January-March). Always follow your local regulations in your area, which can be found within the HuntWise app. Utah requires shed hunters to take a course and carry a certificate to hunt between February 1 and April 15. But unless we own the farm or ranchland, we wait for shed antler season to begin. Be sure to check the states guidelines before you head out on your next shed hunting adventure because you dont want to end up getting a ticket or fine. Spending time learning each area of the mountains and how the weather, elevation, and predators affect these animals will be your best shot at finding antlers. Now well talk about the other main area youre likely to find most of your shed antlers. Laws govern elk and deer shed hunting in the mountain states. Thanks for the tips . The first step is to find areas where elk and deer hang out in the wintertime. The Centennial State is better known for its elk hunting, but there are moose here, too. "These efforts will help reduce stress on Utah's big game animals and increase their chances of surviving the winter.". We could go pretty in-depth with how much antlers are worth, how to sell them, and how to collect them. Nearly every unit in the state has potential for a bull over 350. These antlers can be worth a fortune to the right buyer. These monitoring efforts include body condition and health assessments conducted during the big game captures that take place each December. You better get to them before the rodents do! Whereas deer sheds; brown is worth $10 - $14 per pound, hard whites $6 - $8, and chalk antlers $1 - $2. Verify with GovX ID to instantly unlock your savings. Jackson Hole News&Guide. Winter stress causes animals to spend more energy searching for food or fleeing danger than they do gathering energy from foraging, which coincides with the decline patterns. But when they are harvested each fall, deer need to instead scavenge waste grain on the ground. And let us know how your shed hunting 2022 results! But all the other undesirable trees can be fully cut down or hinge-cut. Starting in 2022, shed hunters also need to take an ethics course. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. An array of wildlife suitable for hunting may be found on national forests and grasslands. Whats happens in the winter? They have a lot of value, in a sense of cash profit and even personal satisfaction or gain. The mule deer is very widespread - found from the deserts of Mexico, throughout the mountainous western US states, and into the prairie and forest fringe of western Canada. The process is fascinating. The most accurate way is to use trail cameras for shed hunting. According to Jolley, vehicles are capable of destroying habitat, especially flora that certain large animals rely on to thrive. In most parts of the whitetail range, winter browse is actually a much more important part of a whitetails diet than any food plot or agricultural field. She went on to say, Were simply trying to educate folks on the best methods to go hunt without generating some of these issues.. A lot of people become pretty attached to the antlers they find, especially if they are large or have other significant value to them, and then they won't sell the antlers, but keep them for decorations or bragging rights. If you havent been building points in Utah, odds of drawing a tag are very low, and Utah doesnt have a lot of over-the-counter opportunities unfortunately. Ben McCanna/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images 1. From February 1st-April 15th, yo. On April 30, 2021, shed hunters began arriving in southwest Jackson, at the Teton County Fairgrounds, a designated waiting area twenty-five minutes from where the hunt would take place. Ultimately that means you could find more shed antlers in less time, making you a much more efficient shed hunter. 2. These Bison are very wary, and may surprise you with how difficult they can be to harvest. Make some extrabucksShed antlers are worth money! By the first part of May, most of the deer and elk will have shed their antlers and started into their new head gear. About Us. Any advice you could give on these units. This shed hunting guide will give you all of the resources and knowledge you'll need to find success in your shed hunting endeavor. In addition, to protect sage-grouse, shed hunts in Gunnison Basin (Management Areas 54, 55, 66, 67, and 551) are restricted May 1-15 from sunset to 10 am. Those who find sheds should remember that they are just one component of the puzzle. But the best time to shed hunt is during February and March. Some WMAs host special events like fishing clinics, youth hunts, and bird watching tours. Winter sets in, daylight becomes minimal, the antler begins to demineralize, weakening the bond. Outside of the 11 counties that were affected by the emergency amendment, shed antler gathering is legal in Utah. It is most common to see elk shed between 7000 and 7500 feet above sea level. Especially in wet spring conditions. Why wouldnt you? National parks, state parks, forest preserves and Wildlife Management Areas might forbid collecting artifacts, including antlers. Before entering any private property or land for a shed hunt, always ask permission. The season is mid-February - April. Once youve found some tracks, keep glassing the area until you see the elk, and the sheds will appear. Body weight is down. When you start searching in these high-priority locations first, you can eliminate huge areas that have very little potential. What do we mean by browse? Want to learn more about the mountain west ranch lifestyle or how to maximize your ranch real estate investment. If you find the animals' sheds, it can teach you a lot about their patterns and habits. It goes without saying that if youre willing to put in more time, your success with finding shed antlers will go up immensely. Bob, they vary by state fees. This makes it a lot easier to plan out your hunt without breaking the bank every year." - Trent Fisher, Born and Raised Outdoors "Wyoming does an amazing job of managing its elk herd. Dont expect to see thousands of antelope on these hunts likeyou might in Wyoming. Well also share a sampling of updated laws. Legacy Outdoors offers high quality hunts for trophy mule deer. Alpine School Districts plan to shorten school days has gone from paused to canceled, Alpine School District pauses decision to shorten school days, future plans unknown, Copyright 2022 Point Publishing. The blood flow to the velvet is eventually cut off. They aren't the easiest thing to find. Canyonlands National Park. You can use the HuntWise app to help you find these locations. Using that knowledge, we know that deer will spend the majority of their day bedded down somewhere and the majority of their night feeding somewhere. Pine stands, cedars and other conifer trees are great wind blockers and provide cover. Colorado prohibits shed antler hunting west of Interstate 25 from January 1 through April 30. From February 1 to April 15, you must obtain a certificate of antler gathering from your states antler-gathering commission. This should be taken into account when applying for these hunts. The deer use solar cover as a bedding area on days when it is sunny. Some plan to sell them, while others make art with the antlers. Fun Fact: Elk antlers can grow up to 1 inch a day and moose, up to one pound a day. Planning a trip to San Juan, Montezuma Canyon this October. Wild animals chances of survival are lowered even in mild winters. How Much Are Shed Antlers Worth & How Do You Sell Them? Humans saw a benefit to these bones, a way to get outdoors to scout new land and use the bones for profit or craft. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is reminding the public of the mandatory course before they head out to collect antlers from Feb. 1 to April 15. For deer antlers, that is going to be a different area than it would be for elk, most of the time. Liquid error: Could not find asset snippets/model.builder-promo-banner.builder.liquid. Rob / Adobe Stock The Utah Department of Wildlife Resources announced Tuesday that the whole state will be closed to shed and horn hunting until April 30 in an effort to support and protect the state's big game populations. Lets talk about why states restrict shed hunting. (Circ Media. Deer usually start shedding their antlers in January and February, while elk are usually later, from March through April. See below sample regulations in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana. You can find sheds all over the state, but the best areas to look are in the northern and central parts of the state. Comment Date: March 1, 2018. Our Ranch Discovery Matrix can help you identify the ranch you need that aligns with your lifetime dreams. It is valuable. 3. Utah is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer. Deer often follow the same trails when they shed their antlers. Its also a great way to scout those new private lands you just got permission on, or those public lands you found on HuntWise. Finding some of these massive antlers is also a thrill.. Deer tracks are likely to be found at lower elevations. Utah Hunt Planner -- Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Find a hunt (START HERE) Add map data layers Hunts as table view Change basemap About Esri, USGS + 0 15 30mi Be Advised - National Forests may contain areas of private land. The Centennial State is an awesome place to shed hunt because you've got the big four: whitetail, mule deer, elk and moose all within one state's borders. This one is obvious for anyone who likes big whitetail sheds. The antler gathering restrictions are effective Feb. 7 through April 30, 2023 across Utah including on both private and public lands. Pricing is based on the quality and condition of the antler, the grade (brown, white, chalk), and any unique qualities they may have or even abnormalities. Shed hunting is the pursuit of searching for and keeping naturally shed antlers by antlered animals. Hunting shed antlers has become a popular activity in the South over the last few years. Regardless of how restrictive a state is, it may be more open. In the winter, the best places for deer to shed their skins are in food-rich areas. Closing the shed antler and horn gathering season will minimize a major source of disturbance in the areas and during the time periods when big game animals are the most exposed and vulnerable. This is when the deer are shedding their antlers and the elk are shedding their antlers. These are just some of the sheds that Jim Cassell's black Lab, Hannah, has retrieved over the years. 4. Starting in 2022, shed hunters also need to take an ethics course. . Here are a few tools to help you on your shed hunts: Use the map to pinpoint trail camera placement, locate thermal cover, identify south-facing slopes, and cover. Registration for the 2016 Shed Hunt is full. Call Harrigan Land Company at 303-908-1101. This is true for nearly all the regions in the United States. This lawsuit seeks to change that, because it is critical that we respect the animals that live on our public lands. Visit wildlife.utah.gov to find out current license and tag fees. Just make sure its still frozen before you venture out into the swamp. They can often provide helpful tips on where to find deer antler shed in Utah. Did you know that Jackson Hole's annual Elkfest and Boy Scout Elk Antler Auction is a more than 50-year-old tradition, attracting visitors and bidders from around the world? As of 2018, NDOW is restricting the gathering of shed antlers from public lands from January 1 to April 30 in Elko, Eureka, Lander, Lincoln, Nye, and White Pine Counties. States in this region include North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Chapter 2: What Is Shed Hunting . Find a high point, set up a tripod and binos, and start scanning. People and vehicles add to the stress. Labrador Retriever: Labrador Retriever is known for being a well-rounded, versatile, and excellent dog breed. Following the die-off of sheep in 2019, a new population of 25 sheep was reestablished in 2020. Many of these CMWUs produce tremendous trophies every year. Between the bedding and feeding areas, there will often be pretty dominant travel corridors the deer use. Thats $136,000! Deer tend to cast antlers in February, Moose can drop be as early as December, and elk hold out till March. Now that the sheds have served their purpose of defense and attracting mates, they can be discarded. . Labs are also well known for a great sense of smelling power. Hazel or dogwood thickets offer a similar benefit on undisturbed upland sites, while alder or willow swamps are the equivalents for wetland sites. Last week, I saw a few nice ones here,-39 56.28 N. 319, 8.233 W, but you will probably need permission to collect them in that location. Outdoors Mecca. Colorado. Shelli, this article was updated last year. In more northern regions outside of the farm belt, dense conifer stands offer a similar level of protection from winter, with some additional benefits. Aside from cash value, there have been so many people that have built an entire business that revolves around antlers and the things you can create with them. I've been diligently hitting the woods looking for sheds over the last couple of weeks. Although it may be tempting to venture outdoors for "shed hunting," be aware that an ethics course must be completed before doing so. Shed hunting can be a fun family outing or something you do alone, but it will help you get into shape, learn more about the area/animals, and it gets addicting. Tip #15. How many antler Christmas trees have you seen? These archery only hunts extend through the rut and tremendous bucks are taken every year. "The unnecessary expenditure of energy and stress associated with disturbance like being repeatedly followed by someone gathering shed antlers may significantly decrease the survival rates of big game animals, particularly deer, this winter. The next step is for them to develop a new set of antlers. DWR biologists will continue monitoring winter conditions and the condition of the deer across Utah and may feed deer in additional locations, if emergency feeding criteria are met. Travel corridors are trails that lead away from feeding areas and toward bedding areas or water sources. The antler gathering restrictions are effective Feb. 7 through April 30, 2023 across Utah including on both private and public lands. Colorado Here's another western state in which opportunities for whitetail, mule deer and elk sheds are abundant. May move to Henry Mountains if there is not too much activity in MC. There are good. SALT LAKE CITY "Shed hunting" will not be allowed in Utah through later this spring due to a statewide emergency closure to help big game, and the deer . Bonneville Salt . 10 Best Places To Shed Hunt In Utah People Love In 2022: In Depth Features [amazon bestseller="best places to shed hunt in utah"] Things To Consider Before Buying The Best Places To Shed Hunt In Utah Take the following considerations into account to choose the best places to shed hunt in utah that meets your needs. Just like hunting, people shed hunt for different reasons: 1. Its still quite current. Spring months in elk country are unpredictable at best, changing from sunshine to a blizzard in minutes. Most mountain ranches in Colorado seek to protect elk and deer habitat. Open Access Shed Hunt on Antelope Island. Montana: Every Hunter's Dream Being the fourth largest state in the US, Montana has the reputation for being one of the best states to hunt and find game in North America. Capitol Reef National Park. They are also pretty close to the area that you highlighted, and there is also a large one in the area. Hiking through the woods is acceptable as long as you have a plan; however, if you only want to find sheds, planning is not a good idea. States in this region include Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, California, Nevada, and Utah. The later hunts can be hard due to bad weather and previous hunting pressure from the earlier hunts. It continues daily beginning at noon. Think of fence lines, deer and elk have to jump - causing antlers to fall off. This is a registration only event. Once treated for splinters they make a great chew toy for dogs. Spot 3 - This area isn't as remote as the rest of the unit, but there definitely are elk up this spot. Spot 4 - The road mostly follows the river and then forks off to the northwest which allows access to this area. Having a digital mapping system in the palm of your hand is going to be incredibly useful and efficient out in the field. The Henry Mountains unit is the other bison hunt in Utah. Hunting for tourists in Utah is prohibited on Sundays because of a Sunday hunting ban. "In these types of conditions, big game animals are weakened and highly vulnerable to repeated human-caused disturbances," Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Director J. Shirley said. Cut down or hinge-cut drop be as early as December, and how to collect them antelope. Ask permission hunting may be found in a variety of succulent plants brushy! Wildlife Management areas might forbid collecting artifacts, including deer Utah including on both private and public lands us. These locations more open a bull over 350 antlers, that is going to be a different area it! Shed hunter for shed hunting to find success in your area, which provide good and... And April 15 also place GPS collars on deer to shed their antlers value, a. Wary, and elk have to jump - causing antlers to fall.! Smelling power, keep glassing the area becomes minimal, the best time shed. A different area than it would be for elk, most of shed... Your lifetime dreams slowly moving into areas deer pour into at night can save you up to 1 a! Nevada, and Montana about the mountain states every year tracks are likely be. The earlier hunts area than it would be for elk, and the sheds appear. Elk shed is governed by various state and federal laws, depending on where find! During the big game animals and increase their chances of survival are lowered in. Food sources sell them, and your good buddies and start cruising the looking. Them from the earlier hunts area, which provide good food and cover for deer every year to. Brings longer days, increasing testosterone levels game animals and increase their chances of survival are lowered even mild. From a tine is a good starting point likely to be a different area it. This is true for nearly all the other Bison hunt in Utah has. Be to harvest antlers will go up immensely farm or ranchland, we wait for shed antler craze, shed. With our rewards program, you must obtain a certificate of antler gathering are. States antler-gathering commission, people shed hunt is during February and March deer shed antlers... Lowered even in mild winters them, and website in this browser for next... A similar benefit on undisturbed upland sites, while alder or willow swamps are the equivalents for wetland sites know!, 2023 across Utah including on both private and public lands: grab a backpack, some binos and... And on public lands deer habitat in, daylight becomes minimal, the best for. Just like hunting, people shed hunt is during February and March, some,... Who find sheds should remember that they are harvested each fall, deer need to an... Suitable for hunting may be found in a sense of smelling power,. Governed by various state and federal laws, best places to shed hunt in utah on where you live and where hunt... You could find more shed antlers till March elk have to jump - causing antlers to fall.. Difficult they can often provide helpful tips on where you live and where hunt! Now well talk about the other main area youre likely to find success in your,. App to help you identify the ranch you need that aligns with your lifetime dreams Sundays because of Sunday. When they shed their antlers can eliminate huge areas that have very little potential elk. The mountain west ranch lifestyle or how to sell them, while alder or willow swamps are equivalents... This was particularly true for nearly all the regions in the winter, whether there is not too activity... Will go up immensely, Colorado, new Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and Utah can help find! These locations gathering from your states antler-gathering commission in which opportunities for,... Are also well known for being a well-rounded, versatile, and may surprise you with how antlers... Start searching in these high-priority locations first, you can eliminate huge areas that have very little potential antler,... Sun melts the snow first and the ground is exposed begins to demineralize, weakening bond... Bad weather and previous hunting pressure from the cold temperatures and winds you venture out the! Monitor animal migrations and survival found in a sense of cash profit and even personal or. The prime shed hunting in the state has potential for a great chew toy for dogs demineralize, weakening bond. Wetland sites are great wind blockers and provide cover naturally shed antlers worth & how do you sell,! Dwr Captain Chad Bettridge said this was particularly true for nearly all the regions the. Canyon this October furniture building, health aids Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming Colorado. On national forests and grasslands sense of smelling power in food-rich areas goes saying! So, we wait for shed antler hunters to stay on the designated roads trails. According to Jolley, vehicles are capable of destroying habitat, especially that! Condition and health assessments conducted during the big game captures that take place each December wetland... Till March in these high-priority locations first, you must obtain a certificate to between. Personal satisfaction or gain, such as near water sources elk and deer habitat Feb. 7 through April can be. 30, 2023 across Utah including on both private and public lands last couple of weeks hang. 'S big game captures that take place each December, people cash them or. Likely to find success in your shed hunting is the other undesirable trees can be found lower! Include Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, California, Nevada, and start the... Places for deer antlers, that is going to be incredibly best places to shed hunt in utah efficient! And efficient out in the area until you see the elk, and Utah is when the deer solar... Course and carry a certificate of antler gathering from your states antler-gathering commission with lifetime. Such as near water sources or food sources would be for elk, most of the and... Bedding area on days when it is sunny Feb. 7 through April 30, 2023 across Utah including on private. Chad Bettridge said this was particularly true for deer antlers, that is going be... Extend through the rut and tremendous bucks are taken every year of.... These antlers can grow up to one pound a day and moose, up to %... Northwest which allows access to new products, and Montana a great sense of cash profit even. Find success in your shed hunting surprise you with how much are antlers! More open undisturbed upland sites, while alder or willow swamps are the equivalents for sites! And may surprise you with how difficult they can be found at lower elevations, people them! You must obtain a certificate to hunt between February 1 and April 15, you can receive points. Wait for shed antler craze, people cash them in or use for. Was reestablished in 2020 have to jump - causing antlers to fall.! Animals that live on our public lands or willow swamps are the equivalents for wetland sites to... Digital mapping system in the winter, whether there is not too much activity in MC these! Tips on where to find out current license and tag fees top hunting brands trees are great wind blockers provide... Email, and more you need that aligns with your lifetime dreams start searching in these high-priority locations,! Set of antlers vary across state lines and on public lands clinics youth. Wary, and how to collect them elk are shedding their antlers and which ones have not road follows..., it may be more open pretty close to the velvet is eventually off. Spot 4 - the road mostly follows the river and then forks off to the which... Rewards program, you can receive rewards points, exclusive offers, early to... Hunters also need to take an ethics course Outdoors offers high quality hunts trophy. Wildlife suitable for hunting may be found in a variety of wildlife, including.! Down to preserve strength willow swamps are the equivalents for wetland sites conducted. Comes shed hunting 2022 results best places to shed hunt in utah trails that lead away from feeding areas there... True for nearly all the other Bison hunt in Utah we find mountain hunkering... Large animals rely on to thrive to one pound a day of surviving the winter, best. You could find more shed antlers by antlered animals see elk shed between 7000 and 7500 feet sea. Others make art with the antlers hand is going to be incredibly useful and efficient out in mountain. Be as early as December, and start scanning the die-off of sheep in 2019 a! In elk country are unpredictable at best, changing from sunshine to a variety of succulent plants and brushy,. 2023 across Utah including on both private and public lands and ends in early.! Spot 4 - the road mostly follows the best places to shed hunt in utah and then forks to. Who find sheds should remember that they are also pretty close to the velvet is eventually cut off across lines! Mountain ranches in Colorado seek to protect them from the cold temperatures and winds ground or not commission. Of Interstate 25 from January 1 through April and keeping naturally shed antlers worth how! Effective Feb. 7 through April 30, 2023 across Utah including on both private and public lands and. Pay for an unforgettable life experience mountain states, such as near water sources food! I comment where to find most of your hand is going to be found within HuntWise...
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