Another Up-State Pa Elk Shed

[deershed]

I made the trip by myself this past sunday and all my efforts were finally rewarded.After looking most the day and coming up empty after searching my high percentage spots or at least where I thought I might find a shed.Walking along discouraged and tired I finally spotted one in an area I didn't expect to.
It's not the biggest shed,but a monster in my eyes.It looks bigger then it is sitting next to that little turtle shell.

:

 

[baddison]

Great find deershed!

I've always wondered what it would feel like to find such a huge shed.

I'm sure its very rewarding.

 

[Shag]

You just don't give up do you? You have that burning desire to find that next shed and wear out the boot leather to get it done. I was thinking the other day that I crave that rush I get when I first see a shed laying there in the cover and pick it up in my hand to examine it. We're going to start growing grass here soon and it will be over----gotta go like hell the next weekend or two to get a few more. Nice elk shed---whattya think.....3 or 4 year old?

 

[deershed]

Thanks guys!!
baddison-I get the same rush no matter what the size of the shed.

I do get more satisfaction though when there's more work involved finding anyone given shed.I haven't figured it up for hours spent searching for a elk shed,but I'll bet it's probably close to 50hrs. compared to maybe 3 hrs. per WT shed.
Shag-as long as I know there's sheds on the ground and I have a chance to find it I'll be out.I think Jan.- April is the shortest time of the year,not enough time to find those sheds before green-up.

The snow this year messed everything up and now trout season is already here.Mushrooms will be popping up anyday too.

 

[h2obobh2o]

Deershed-

I am envious! I live in PA, and our family hunting cabin is in Ridgeway, Elk Co., 40min from Benezette. I love looking for whitetail sheds, and when I inquired about looking for elk sheds, I was told by one of the locals thats its "darn near impossible" to find any, because the local retirees, un-employed, etc. etc. are out there watching the herd daily, and they know where the elk are dropping their head gear. OBVIOUSLY NOT all of them, as you and your boy seem to make out fairly well! I have never made the effort to go up because of the discouraging words from the local, but I guess he got what he intended, it kept me from going. I would be happy with one elk shed, I have several Mule deer sheds, and a pile of whitetail, an elk shed would complete my goal, I have searched in Colorado but only found mule deer sheds. Congratulations on your awesome finds~

 

[deershed]

h2obobh2o-if a had a cabin up in the elk country I'd be spending more time there in the spring then during hunting season!!!
Last year was my first at trying for elk sheds and I found 5 included was a 6X7 set.One of the other sheds came off the bull the locals call Bill.His sheds for the Benezette area are up on list for the most sought after sheds.He doesn't have the longest main beams,but he's got mass!!
Do you know the locals name(s) that told you forget it? I talk with a couple of the locals pretty regular and many know me up there as the Md. guy.
Don't get me wrong.You'll have to put in alot of time and walking,but you don't have to be a local to find them.It's a 4 hr. drive one way for me.
Alot of the sheds that are found right outside Benezette are from the locals yards that have baited the elk in before the grasses take off in the spring.Once the grasses take off the elk start leaving the bait piles and spread out.
From what I've heard most locals don't like to work very hard for the sheds they get.If they have to do any serious walking to find them,forget it.And most are only worried about the bigger sheds.The key is finding and keeping track of the elk out away from the small towns.That's not easy cause they travel all over the place.The locals have the edge cause they can watch them everyday and learn their routines.
If you do go looking make sure you take pre-cautions for ticks!! That area is infested with them.
The pics are of the sheds I found last year and between the boys and I this year we have 3 so far.
The big dark shed in the middle of the pile is the shed off the bull called Bill,which a local was looking 6 wks. for it before I found it.

 

[135inchsingle]

Nice sheds! I really like the matched set. They look to have awsome color. Keep up the good work.

 

[h2obobh2o]

Deershed,

The local that I talked to actually owns the canoe/Mt. bike shop in Ridgeway where our cabin is, his name is Dave Love, and he owns Love's Canoe rental. He has quite a few sets of sheds in his shop, one is a massive 7x7 that he had mounted on a cape. That's an awesome pile of bone you have there! Very Nice!

 

[deershed]

h2obobh2o-the guys I mainly talk with are right around and in Benezette.I never heard that guys name come up before.You have to be careful who you listen too.

You'll find not too many people want'a talk about what they find either.You could be looking for a shed for weeks to find out after the fact the guy you've been talking with knew the antler was found weeks ago.It keeps you looking in that area so you won't be looking elsewhere.And at the same time they might tell you a antler was found when it wasn't.
If I were you I'd start looking for them and when you talk to others up there in the area,play the head games too.If you talk to enough different guys you can get a feel for who's pulling your chain and who's not.
I can't complain with a couple of the guys I talk with.One put me on that 6x7 set I found my first year and another guy, I found what he's told me to be consistent with what I see.
That's not to say they'll bend over backwards to help me out,but the things they say can help out if you listen.
The biggest thing to remember when looking is the elk travel all the time.....Those mountains are like little hills to the elk and a hike for you and I would be a short walk to them.And all the sheds don't get found. I've talked with guys that don't shed hunt, but have either found them while hunting or heard of others that found them during deer season.A couple guys told me that and they had nothing to gain by lying about it.

 

[h2obobh2o]

Thanks for the info deershed, I always enjoy reading your posts, and seeing your pictures. Maybe we will run into each other someday up in Benezette! Keep the pictures coming, it gives some of us inspiration!