Matched Set

[deershed]

Yesterday was my third trip out this year and I found a matched set.I spotted the first antler and as I was walking over to it saw it's mate laying only feet behind it.The best way to find a set,side by side.
I put alot of walking in so far to get the 9 sheds so far this year. 4 were old sheds from last year.3 of the 5 fresh sheds had some blood on the pedicle and the other 2 had super white pedicles.Looks like they're just starting to drop.Another couple weeks they should be dropping good, in my areas anyway.

 

[shedhuntingislife]

those are some nice sheds to start out with

 

[coyotebandit]

Welcome to the Shed forum shedhuntingislife

 

[Defcon15]

I found a pair of sheds that look identical to yours. I just looked at mine again. Identical!

 

[deershed]

Cool!! You'll have to post a pic.You wouldn't be shedhunting in Md.would you?
I got 5 different matched sets from this same area last year.I'll have to go check and see if I have sheds off this same buck from last year.

 

[baddison]

Nice find deershed!

 

[deershed]

Thanks guys!!
I went back though my sheds from last year and yes I did find this same guys matching set last year.Every thing matches up perfectly right down to the same missing antler on the pedicles.
Last year I found each of his sides a 1/2 mile apart and a month apart,this year both sides laying side by side and only about a 100 yds.away from where I found one of his sides last year.This is the first time I ever found matching sets from the same buck.I do have a half off a big buck this year already that I got his matching set last year,that would be nice to find his other half.

 

[ru12hunt]

Nice matched set! Pretty cool to see that you can see how much he has grown over a year.

 

[Shag]

Deershed. Go out right now and empty out the trunk of that shed-huntin car of yours. I bet you've got quite a few singles from various bucks over several years in your collection, Sounds like in your area there's a good chance of doing that. It also sounds like from what I read on these forums that when multi-year's sheds from the same buck are found, they're usually right in the same general vicinity where that buck likes to winter. Know a guy here locally that found two matched sets off a really nice deer right in an area about an acre or so of thicket in an old orchard here years back. Found all four sheds the first time he went in there---more evidence that they will do that. I haven't been that lucky or good. I've only found successive years sheds off a buck once, a single side at 2.5 years and both sides at 3.5 the next yeat. Buck was shot that fall and scored just over 140".

 

[deershed]

Shag-I don't doubt that for a second.I use to tie different color strings on each shed showing what area each came from.I always kept sheds from the previous year out til after the shed season the following year.I always checked matched sets,but never bothered with singles or if I found a really unique shed I'd check.It was too much trouble trying to keep them seperate.
One year I found a shed off a buck I'd found the year before.The 2 sheds were both laying 20 yds away from where I found the other.Every year in certain areas I'm almost guaranteed to find sheds,seems the buck favor those areas year to year.
Sure wish this snow would melt!!We got about a foot laying and it's COLD out there,no sign of it going away too soon.

 

[bigbear]

I would like to get into shed hunting never thought of it until I got on Jesse's. Whats the best way to start (I know go in the woods) Maybe some tips.

 

[YH88]

Congrats on the find

 

[Tsmola]

nice find, hopefully this year I'll find my first sheds

 

[TJF]

Congrats on the finds. Always is great finding the sheds from a certain buck in a two year period. You hear of guys finding sheds to a certain buck for 3 or 4 years. We've never done that but hopefully will some day.

Tim

 

[Shag]

There was a story in "Big Buck" magazine (it's that Canadian publication you may see on stands now and then) a few years ago about a buck they found the sheds from over about a 8 or 10 year period. Yupp, a wild buck and a doozy at that. Never killed him but a group of fanatical shed hunters were able to collect most of his full sets for a good 8 years as I remember. Wish I'd kept that copy of the magazine.

 

[coyotebandit]

bigbear,

Welcome to the shed forum!

There is a lot of good information here on this forum, spend a little time and read some of the older posts, there are many good tips here. I'll give you a couple of mine.

Keep your eyes on the ground
Concentrate on areas that have heavy use from late Dec-March
Focus on fencelines and creeks, anywhere they will be jumping
Trails leading to/from a food source and bedding areas
Don't go to early and push out the deer before they shed
Bring someone else along, 4 eyes are better than two
Scout from a distance to see where the deer are hanging out
Keep you eyes on the ground

Good luck

CB

 

[TJF]

bigbear

Coyotebandit cover it pretty well. The only things I will add... Always carry your binocs along. They are a must!!

Stop every 30 yards are so and scan around you, especially back the way you came. You will walk by some sheds hid in the grass, branches, snow or leaves that were blocked from view from one direction only to be sticking out like a sore thumb from another direction.

Sunny days, I always try to walk with my back to the sun. You have a better chance to see the sun reflect off the tines in open areas. Caps with a brim is a must to keep the sun's glare out of your eyes. Also nice to keep the rain out of your eyes as it never fails when you are two miles from the truck that a shower pops up fast and dumps on you.

Enjoy all the things nature has to show you. You will really apperciate it on high mile days with no sheds to show for it. LOL

Shag

I remember hearing about that. Unreal!!

Tim

 

[deershed]

bigbear-you find that first shed you won't regret getting started.You better have alot of free time late winter early spring.
The only thing I'd like to add is,look for parts of the antler and look small.Don't expect the sheds to stand out like a sore thumb no matter how open the area may seem..Look for parts of the antler,the curve of the main beam,tines,the off color of the antler,etc.While walking don't look too far ahead,give the area ahead of you a quick scan and keep the serious looking closer to you.You'll find most of your sheds probably no further then 20yds. from you.You find a few and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.
I've almost stepped on sheds then said to myself,why didn't I see that shed sooner.If you have a antler laying around the house.Take it out with you and toss it out in front of you with out watching then find it again.Don't toss it too far til you get some practice finding it.It will help you understand how well some can blend in and give your eyes some training.
I found a shed one day and put it in my back pocket.It was only a average shed off a small Y buck.I took a short break a little later and knew I still had the shed after my break.I started looking again and only went about 100 yards and realized I dropped the shed.It took me about an hour to relocte that same shed and I knew exactly where I walked since my break.

Tsmola-you'd find some sheds if you wouldn't kill them big bucks like you do.CONGRATS again on your buck!!

 

[Shag]

Don't forget to go out on drizzly days too. The ground litter and leaves get really dark when they get soaked and the antlers get "whiter". It can be inclement but the sheds will stand out like a sore thumb with greater contrast. Just my opinion but probably one of the few decent tips I can offer.