End of Feb too early? SW Kansas/NW Oklahoma

[shawneebottom]

I've been lurking around here for a few years without posting. I am looking to try my hand at shed hunting this year for the first time in SW Kansas and/or NW Oklahoma where I have hunted in the past few years. My only available weekend is the last weekend in Feb. Is this too early? What percentage of bucks should have dropped by then? I will likely still go as long as some of the bucks have dropped. While hunting up there, I have found sheds from previous years that were in good shape, so I have that to fall back on if many of this years bucks are still carrying. What would be the ideal time to shed hunt there? All of this is assuming that there is no snow on the ground at the time, which there shouldn't be that time of year.

Any advice on how to search would be appreciated. My starting strategy would be to walk trails out (which will look like cow trails) in the cottonwood groves and tamarack thickets along the river that runs through the property. Is this where you would start? No wheat/alfalfa fields are on this property, although there are some trails that lead to neighboring crop fields. Any and all repsonses are appreciated. Thanks in advance for the replies.

 

[B&CMulies]

I always hate to get into an area to early and disturb the deer before the majority of the busck have dropped however at the same time if you are not the only one with access to the property I would start as soon as you knew sheds were on the ground. I also have a hard time convencing myself to walk the same area over and over which is the main reason I wait until later to start looking. I do have the fortune of "sheddin" a huge ranch (56,000 acres) and I am the only one with access. If there was competition I woudl most certenly start sooner. I can't tell you exactly when deer in that area will be dropping as it is kind of specific to the area of the country as well as the climate. Here in Wyoming the deer start dropping at the end of January and are almost completely done by the first pary of March. I would assume that your area would be some what similar. I usually start looking near the end of February with this year being no exception, looking forward to Sat. the 23rd. At the same time lots of guys have already started to pick up fresh ones. Although you can find a shed almost anywhere I would concentrate on bedding areas where the deer spend the majority of their time. Also check game trails, feeding areas as well as fence crossings where they have to jump which may cause one to break loose. Other than that, have fun, bring your Binos and camera, then post them up to let us see your success! Hopefully this helps, if I have not answered all your questions post again or I am sure one of the other guys will clean it up for me.

 

[shawneebottom]

Thanks for the advice, B&C.

 

[deershed]

I copied and pasted this from another site.
http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/ma...post?id=1655039

 

[shawneebottom]

Thanks for the link.

 

[golden boy]

I live in Ks and have been picking up fresh sheds since Jan 7th, 14 sheds, 3 match sets and I have only gone out a hand full of trips. I am seeing lots of bucks with headgear but they are dropping.

 

[shawneebottom]

Thanks Golden Boy

 

[whitem]

I'm in central Kansas and I can't tell you much more than golden boy did. I'm at 17 for the year already with ten of them being freshies. I haven't touched my private property yet but have been hammering the public ground. The last week of february though is when I start hitting my best spots. I would say 80 percent will have dropped by then.