Shed hunting
Family time in the great outdoors
Have you ever heard of shed hunting? If so, you might already know how much fun it can be. If not, allow me to explain. It just might be your next outdoor adventure.
Male whitetail deer and elk shed their antlers each year. These antlers drop throughout a buck’s wintering areas as early as mid-January, continuing through the prime months of February and March. Shed hunting is simply the activity of hunting for these antlers, and it makes a great family activity.
Shed hunting has become more popular in recent years, which means it can be harder to find shed antlers, especially during warmer months. That said, increased popularity also means there are now countless videos and articles online to help you fine-tune your skills in shed hunting. Some common tips include focusing on bedding areas and food sources, using binoculars and going shed hunting earlier in the season to beat your competition.
Always secure permission before hunting on private land, and check regulations and season dates before shed hunting on public land. It’s legal to keep antlers that have been naturally shed, but if you find antlers attached to a skull, you must obtain a carcass disposal tag. Contact your Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources conservation officer in the county where the skull was located. The skull and antlers cannot be moved until this tag is obtained.
Humans aren’t the only ones on the hunt. Some critters like to gnaw on antlers, and they might get to them before you do. Squirrels and mice are the main consumers of shed antlers, but other larger mammals, like beavers, foxes and opossums, will also chew on antler bone—both for nutrition and to keep their ever-growing teeth in check. Deer themselves have also been known to chew on shed antlers for the minerals they contain. For this reason, you might want to photograph the shed and leave it for the critters.
This is something my wife and I are doing ourselves. We are planning an extended family outing this year to hunt sheds (with cameras only) and spend a day together, complete with a picnic and a photo contest. Kentucky has many great shed hunting opportunities on public land near you, so consider giving it a try. Pack a lunch, load up the family and spend a day exploring the great outdoors.
