First time out for sheds...

[poorboy28]

Hey all,

Even with snow on the ground I still got out for a few hours this afternoon. This is the first time I've gone out for the sole reason of finding sheds. Needless to say I didn't find squat. We have more snow around here than I thought. Some areas I was in still had 10-12 inches!

I did find where they've been hangin' out though, the pines. Duh! It would have to be a pretty nice shed to see it above the snow around here now. Oh well, I think I'll wait til we lose more of the white stuff before I go back out.

I have a whole new respect for you guys out there finding these things on a regular basis. My eyes were almost crossed by the time I got out of the woods!

 

[TJF]

The one good thing is you have found the areas to really pay attention to when looking for sheds for your area. Your outing may not have produced a shed but it did give you some insight on where to look. Half the battle of finding sheds is knowing where the deer are at when the bucks drop.

The other half of the battle is just spending as much time as you can looking for sheds. The more time spent, the more you learn and the more sheds you will find on account of it. I bet most here agree that in order to consistly find sheds, you need put in the time and you need to get to know the habits of the deer during the winter. Those are the two most important things to me when it comes to finding sheds on a regular basis. Goodluck on your next outing.

Tim

 

[Shag]

That amount of snow shouldn't keep you from finding some of what's out there. Been hearing of Pennsy bucks shedding for quite some time already. Believe me, anything on or near snow and ice packed runs will stick out like a sore thumb. Don't give up on it. Now, if you had a good 3' of snow cover, then you have to deal with the possiblity that the sheds that are there from two weeks ago are under 12" of snow. Go for it.

 

[deershed]

Hey neighbor- poorboy 28!! Have you been out lately?The snow is melting pretty good around here.
Before this year I avoided going out in the snow.This year I gave it a serious try and have to say now that it's melting I'm a little disappointed.(a little)Walking in snow is still a pain in the butt.I walked the trails packed down in the snow and found some sheds laying right in the trails.The information I got was unbelievable with where the deer were staying and going.
Now a little further south where I shed hunt most if not all the snow is gone.I'm finding alot of my sheds still on trails and where I saw most of my sign.My earlier outtings told me what areas to avoid now that the snow is gone.Only trouble now that the snow is gone.The deer are roaming more about and the deer that are still carrying will be scattered around.

 

[poorboy28]

Thanks for the "prod" deershed. I have to admit I was a bit disapointed after the first time out, but after I heard you're finding sheds that makes me want to get back out there.
You're right, the snow is going away quick. It took some work just to get around last week with all the white stuff and it looks like there's some more on the way tommorow. I don't think think it's going to last though.

I'll probably get back out later in the week. Thanks for the encouragement!

Wish me luck!

 

[deershed]

I've found the deer are really hitting a coupe of the apple orchards I've been checking.You better check them though before they start trimming the trees back.
Good Luck!!

 

[poorboy28]

Well I just got back and I'm sorry to say I didn't find anything. I found A LOT of sign though. Fresh tracks and trails everywhere. I guess I found where the doe are hanging out but not the bucks.

I'm getting pretty jealous of all you guys out there finding those nice sheds. LOL

I'm sure they have to be dropping by now, right? Oh well, I'm not giving up yet. I'll try to get out again next week. Wish me luck!

 

[Shed_Head]

The number one trick I think to finding sheds is to NOT GIVE UP! Sometimes you get lucky and find a couple quickly, but I think a lot of guys on here including myself put on a lot of miles in a day and cover a ton of ground. You said you have found areas with a lot of deer sign, try walking the area slowly and at different angles. I have walked past many sheds hidden behind a stump or a plot of grass and saw it when I came through the area again at a different angle. Keep with it...Good luck!

 

[deershed]

Shed Head's got that right! I've been having a great year so far and the pile of sheds look great.That pile though doesn't begin to say how many miles I've put in to find them.Actually finding the sheds is the easy part,the hard part is finding the areas to look for sheds.
Some areas I find are good from year to year,others it takes some time to figure the deer out again.
I started my looking jan 11th more of a scouting trip and have probably put in a good 2 dozen days plus searching anywhere from a couple hours to all day.On the average a good day would be 7-8 hours.I don't even count stopping at a likely looking spot to check an area out.
The nice part is the more you do it and find sheds the easier it gets figuring out what areas might hold sheds.
Good luck your day is coming soon!!