Shed hunting

gottafish · 02-20-2006, 02:34 AM

Sucks, I look one whole day last week. Not even a glimps of bone. What am I doing wrong?? Tips please??? I followed trails in the reprod and where they jump over trees and the like and nothing???

elkoholic · 02-20-2006, 03:42 AM

Well, shed hunting is called hunting for a reason. If you can find them every time out, it would be called shed finding. Just stick with it and it will pay off.

sliverpicker · 02-20-2006, 03:59 AM

Ain't no science involved in shed hunting, just keep walking and checking where they bed, feed, and anywhere in between. It helps if you look where the bucks are at this time of year!

Good luck!

gottafish · 02-20-2006, 04:41 AM

I'll keep trying by GOD

baltz526 · 02-20-2006, 05:20 AM

you need to look where the bucks were, not where they are. bucks hang out together with antlers, and hang out with does after they drop. on highway 31 between the 30mile marker and 37 mile marker on the west side of the road about half mile in.roads are all closed, so you need to park on the highway and do some hiking.

osulogger · 02-20-2006, 07:13 AM

It's a tough sport, that's for sure. I've gone on many trips out and came up short. It always hurts to come in with nothing to show because then my wife thinks I'm wasting time :smile: Just like everyone else said, just keep with and try to locate where the deer have been. Stick with the trails and if you're working the reprod scene, I'd check at the bases of trees. I've found a good number of sheds next to trees where they've knocked them off.

Good luck!

From the land of Big Sticks,

Osulogger

Roseybulls · 02-20-2006, 08:08 AM

Yep, it's a very tough hobby, especially in the Blacktail woods. Just keep at it and keep covering the country.

oregonoutdoors · 02-20-2006, 09:59 AM

I went out with a buddy yesterday (Sunday). We only had a few hours, but were able to see a good dozen+ deer and found 1 4pt shed. Only about half of the bucks that we saw had shed.

gottafish · 02-20-2006, 12:27 PM

Thanks for the tips please keep them comming

Roseybulls · 02-20-2006, 12:38 PM

Hopefully this works..... this a pic of what me and a buddy found on Saturday.

Pretty good day. Only 2 fresh ones. We just covered lots of country, checked feeding and bedding areas.

Amahnee · 02-20-2006, 12:53 PM

I'm finding semi-fresh elk rubs down below the house in the BLM. Alot of activity. Do they normally rub alot before they drop? I found four just today in an hours walk. They weren't there a couple weeks ago.

just_hunt'n · 02-20-2006, 12:54 PM

Looks like you had a pretty good day Roseybulls.
That one looks to be a huge fork, nice find.
Just_hunt'n

Roseybulls · 02-20-2006, 01:17 PM

Just_hunt'n

Yeah, it's the biggest forky Blacktail I've ever seen. I found one almost identical in the same area last year. I think it's probably from the same buck.

sooslaw · 02-21-2006, 06:04 AM

are the fresh ones in the pic? the one on the end looks the newest but a little faded? could be the picture. Are the two on the right side end the same buck two consecutive years? appears so from behind my computer. Very good day. Looks like you found some new ground.

Roseybulls · 02-21-2006, 07:16 AM

Both fresh sheds are in that last pic. The far right shed is from last year. The two closest 3 points are the "fresh" ones. I'll attach an "As it Lays" photo of one of the fresh sheds.

sliverpicker · 02-22-2006, 01:05 AM

Quote:

I'm finding semi-fresh elk rubs down below the house in the BLM. Alot of activity. Do they normally rub alot before they drop? I found four just today in an hours walk. They weren't there a couple weeks ago.

I've found quite afew fresh bull rubs in March. A couple years ago my kids and I went into a timbered bench where I'd seen 8 bulls the week before. We found some smoking fresh rubs and bumped some bulls minus their antlers, elk beds everywhere! But we only found 3 bull sheds. :depressed:

I'm pretty sure the other shed antlers were in that basin somewhere, but we couldn't fit the puzzle pieces together.

Amahnee · 02-22-2006, 08:43 AM

Thanks Ron. I bumped one outta bed yesterday morning. There is just an insane amount of elk traffic around my place right now. In the two and a half years I've been here I've never seen so much sign.

Might just be wintering around here though?

saman · 02-22-2006, 10:33 AM

Think of it like easter egg hunting for green eggs. It definately takes a keen eye. I've walked right past many sheds that were picked up by hunting partners later. I would guess that for everyone you find you walk past 5 to 10, unless they are fresh ones.

Keep at it and you will be sucessful and keep in mind that there are definatley areas better than others. You might find some helpful pointers HERE

Super Fluke · 02-22-2006, 04:24 PM

Just keep on looking

riverswild · 02-22-2006, 05:07 PM

I took my 15 yr old son out yesterday for his first shed hunt. As I was explaining what to look for and how to look, he tells me he found one. Sure enough he found a good two point shed from last year. Talk about beginners luck.

Normaly I only go out one day a year, sometimes two, looking for sheds. Best day I have ever had was 3 in a day. Most of my sheds are found during the season.

oregoncritters12 · 02-22-2006, 05:25 PM

To find alot of sheds, you have to look alot. Food sources become a magnet this time of year and depending on weather conditions you can basically eliminate one side of the mountain. I've found the same buck year after year within 50 yds of each other every year.

gottafish · 02-25-2006, 08:02 PM

Well I gave it about 8 hours on friday. nothing but sore legs. I dont know. My father-in-law asked me if my eyes where just painted on. Someday Im going to find one. but I think I'll find me a big foot first. LOL

baltz526 · 02-25-2006, 08:55 PM

i'll be hitting the fortrock area sunday

gottafish · 02-25-2006, 09:00 PM

Good luck baltz

baltz526 · 02-26-2006, 08:45 PM

i found the smallest three point x two point set, i have ever seen i would score it around 26". an old forked horn and a very good 7 point last year shed.

gottafish · 02-26-2006, 09:00 PM

WOW, I guess My eye's are painted on LOL

blackdog · 02-27-2006, 06:08 AM

baltz - were you up in that area that we talked about? I took the girlfriend and the two labs out Saturday and covered some country for 3-4 hours and came up empty. Found a couple of carcesses but no drops. Heck of a nice day to be out anyway.

baltz526 · 02-27-2006, 07:34 AM

in the general area. no fresh sheds. with the good new winter range road closures. the best areas are a little far for short day hikes. i did a 5 mile loop and was still 2 miles from the best area. next time i plan on the green mountain area. i have found no heavy cougar kill areas yet.

Santiam338 · 02-28-2006, 05:43 PM

Got out for a little afternoon shed hunting ...Didn't have much time but the break in the weather looked inviting...

I foud a old old fork the was probably not worth packing home...My brother did a little better finding four freshies...

We got a big all day shed hunt planned for this Saturday...I think Roseybulls is going to be in the same general area...I am looking forward into bumping into him on the hill...

gottafish · 02-28-2006, 06:16 PM

Nice, I gave up LOL Steelhead are calling. gottafish!!!

Santiam338 · 02-28-2006, 06:32 PM

Wimping out Rich?? :whazzup:

:whazzup:

gottafish · 02-28-2006, 06:35 PM

You guys got skillz, I just walk around with my finger in my rear. LOL Need to get my fishin fix in. Bow seasons almost here.

Super Fluke · 02-28-2006, 07:27 PM

Nice sheds

A Quest Shooter · 03-01-2006, 05:16 AM

No skillz just lucky.. Found all 4 of those sheds with in a 100 yards of each other. Hit a hot spot..
Hi all I am santiam338 brother.......

baltz526 · 03-01-2006, 05:28 AM

welcome aboard, early risers are greatly needed

gottafish · 03-01-2006, 05:51 AM

Quote:

No skillz just lucky.. Found all 4 of those sheds with in a 100 yards of each other. Hit a hot spot..
Hi all I am santiam338 brother.......

Hi right back!!! Nice to have another Trad shooter around By the way good Job on the elk in the late hunt

Santiam338 · 03-02-2006, 03:51 PM

We got back out again today...Found 11 sheds in 3 1/2 hours...The best part is that we got TWO matched sets...None were fresh drops from this year but the matched sets are last years and still in very good shape...

Kens is a heavy 3 point and mine was a 5x4...We hunted a ridge we haven't been on before and the deer sign in there was unbelievable...I found myself wishing it was late November and the hunt was on....LOL...A long wait,but it will come... :whazzup:

Bugle4em · 03-02-2006, 04:26 PM

I was driving around the South area of Bend yesterday. Saw six bucks hanging out on the edge of town. All six were still carrying gear. Two of them were sparring and I was just hoping they would knock something off. Oh well. Good luck hunting.

Welcome Uncle Ken

Santiam338 · 03-02-2006, 04:36 PM

Still packing???

Dang!!! They can't last much longer...

I almost missed the other side of the 5x4...You can just see a little bit of horn to the left of the easy one to see...After pulling them out,I cleaned them up a bit and they will almost pass for fresh...

osulogger · 03-02-2006, 05:37 PM

Nice finds Santiam338 & A Quest Shooter!

You guys definitely have found a nice spot for sheds. Don't be scooping them all up; I'll be out with Rooseybulls on Saturday and we'd like to find a couple too! Hope to meet up with you guys....

From the land of Big Sticks,

Osulogger

crownpoint · 03-02-2006, 05:50 PM

Heres a couple of blacktail sheds from last weekend with my overweight lab. She needed the walk. The shed on the left has a double eyeguard.

Santiam338 · 03-02-2006, 06:20 PM

She looks all tuckered out...LOL

oregoncritters12 · 03-02-2006, 07:00 PM

Does your dog find them for ya? I've been working with mine a ton to do the same, it's going to pay huge dividends on my legs in the near future

Santiam338 · 03-02-2006, 07:31 PM

Hey logger,

We are on channel 7 on the FRS...If Roseybulls goes in where he has been going we will be just on the other side of the ridge....No worries on us finding them all....LOTS and LOTS of country...We been staying away from Rosey's road anyway...

I told Sliver that if I had a year ,I couldn't shed hunt all the country around here,or deer hunt it for that matter...

I sent Rosey a email to see what time you guys are coming through town Saturday...Might meet up in morning and visit for a bit...

I was getting gas tonite and the attendate spotted my pile of sheds in the back of the pick-up...He asked if I hunted them to sell...I said no...

He then asked if I made stuff out of them...I said no...

He looked at me kinda funny and asked "well,what DO you do with them?"

I said I like to find them...LOL...Thats it...

I don't think he got it...

:whazzup:

sliverpicker · 03-03-2006, 04:08 AM

Quote:

I was getting gas tonite and the attendate spotted my pile of sheds in the back of the pick-up...He asked if I hunted them to sell...I said no...

He then asked if I made stuff out of them...I said no...

He looked at me kinda funny and asked "well,what DO you do with them?"

I said I like to find them...LOL...Thats it...

I don't think he got it...

:whazzup:

I made a shrine in the corner of the bedroom complete with shed antlers and blankie. When life get's too difficult I go curl up in my "happy place"!

A Quest Shooter · 03-03-2006, 05:20 AM

Yip that would be great to have a dog to find sheds for us..lol lol. My next one I will try and train..
I found it a bit unusual we found only old sheds in this area,but down the ridge a way's only fresh one's. Hmmmmmmmm very interesting...
Mushroom's and sun are the key..

gottafish · 03-03-2006, 06:19 AM

So do you guy concentrat on sunny areas??

A Quest Shooter · 03-03-2006, 06:41 AM

yes. I like to,but have found sheds everywhere. But this year have been concentrating on open sunny hillsides.. A diuverse country help's alot.
I.E... reprod old growth.and some hardwoods don't hurt either...

Santiam338 · 03-03-2006, 04:59 PM

Rich,

Hunt the south side of the ridge...Top third...Thats been the best so far..

A little afternoon jaunt...Poor Quest Shooter didn't find NOTHING!!! hehe

Santiam338 · 03-03-2006, 05:06 PM

Taking the picture we spotted something way over there....On the far ridge right underneath the horn in my left hand...

A Quest Shooter · 03-03-2006, 05:34 PM

no worries there's always tomorrow....

sooslaw · 03-03-2006, 06:38 PM

santiam, just curious if you are actually shed hunting in a clearcut? do you ever? I dont, but probably should because i have found a couple when packing out an animal from one. anyone else hit clearcuts?

osulogger · 03-03-2006, 06:38 PM

Santiam,

you're killing me man! I hope we can find some tomorrow..... seeing all of the sheds you've found this past week is making me nuts. Not sure if Rooseybulls hooked up with you or not today but apparently we'll be a ridge over from you. Hope to cross paths... is Sliverpicker coming or not?!

From the land of Big Sticks,

Osulogger

Santiam338 · 03-03-2006, 07:11 PM

No, Sliver has other commitments tomorrow...He wanted to come though..

Don't actually find many in clear cuts...I found the ones today working the top of a timbered ridge...Right on the point was one of those small clearings with small oaks...I found both the sheds in that clearing....

I spotted the little clearing ahead and I had a good feeling about it before I entered it....I found the one shed right off the bat....After zig zaging the point I spotted the points of the other one sticking up out of the grass...Kinda hard to explain,but when you see a good spot you know it...A little searching most times pays off....

A little out of the way clearing like this is a good place for a buck to get out and get some afternoon sun and still feel safe...

The bleached out rack I found in the next little clearing up the ridge... I spotted those white horns from 50 yards away...I am 51 years old and still feel like a little kid..LOL ...I got pretty excited...LOLOLOL...

We will try and meet you guys at the gate where Rosy goes in about 7:30...