Can shed hunting increase your odds at a big deer?
Troy Esau
Over the last number of years, shed hunting has grown in popularity. I think there are many reasons for this. Some experts will tell you that it is only popular due to the market for the antlers, and people are just looking to make a a few extra bucks to put toward the hunting budget. While this may be true in some cases, I believe that many shed hunters would never dream of selling any of the antlers they find. Shed hunters know that the “brown gold” that lies on hillsides or on the ground in the woods doesn't come easy in most cases. Many hours of scouting, glassing, and most importantly, walking, goes into bringing some of those prized shed antlers home. 'Miles equals piles' is one of the most common sayings in the shed hunting world, and there is certainly merit to that statement.
I wouldn't consider myself to be seasoned veteran as of yet, though I have spent numerous hours looking for sheds and have come home with some awesome antlers. I have also come home empty handed on many occasions, but every time you go walking out in the deer habitat, you come home with lessons learned.
Everyone has a different idea of a trophy in every type of hunting, and shed hunting is no different. In many areas across North America, any deer that would crack the 140” gross mark would be considered very large by a lot of hunters' standards. That being said, you need to have realistic goals and expectations. If you are new to shed hunting, start by setting small goals. It is not always about finding antlers; it is just as important to be observing other signs, and spending your time learning the country and how the deer are using it. The information you gather on these shed hunting excursions can be so beneficial for you come fall hunting season, assuming it is an area that you already hunt. If you do not hunt the area, and you find a lot of promising sign, it may urge you to ask the landowner for hunting permission, as well as your shed hunting permission. Gaining access to private land is becoming increasingly difficult, especially it seems, if the land holds big deer and good hunting opportunity. Starting a relationship with the land owner by talking to them about shed hunting and proving that you are trustworthy may be just the ticket you need to to gain permission to get back on their land in the fall to hunt.
Becoming familiar with the land you hunt is an extremely valuable tool when you are suddenly in a situation where you need to make a move on an animal while hunting. This could either mean slipping through a block of timber on a stalk, or simply trying to figure out where a deer went to die after you put a marginal shot on him. Knowing the lay of the land can help you be successful, and increase your odds in harvesting and recovering that big buck in the bush you hunt.
On more than one occasion, I have changed my hunting tactics and stand locations based on things I have found while out shed hunting. Walking through a bush or piece of land allows you to try and establish many things, like bedding areas and main travel corridors. In my own bush, I established where I believed the two main doe bedding areas to be, and positioned a stand on a small ridge right between the two areas in some thinner poplar trees. I knew it would be a buck travel corridor once the rut hit. This stand produced many deer sightings, and gave me an opportunity at the most mature buck living in the area. I hung the stand based on sign that I found during my shed hunts, and it can pay off for you too if you get out and walk a few miles.
