The best time to go shed hunting in Utah is in the springtime. The Pro-Cam 12 is a great trail camera that you can use throughout the year to keep tabs on the deer herd. And let us know how your shed hunting 2022 results! The mule deer is very widespread - found from the deserts of Mexico, throughout the mountainous western US states, and into the prairie and forest fringe of western Canada. They are crepuscular animals, meaning they excel at dawn and dusk (i.e., low-light situations), but their eyes are adapted to see well throughout the night too. As a wildlife expert puts it, its like a cross between a winter stroll and a treasure hunt., Utah Division of Wildlife Resources spokesperson Faith Heaton Jolley described it as a very significant, sort of popular activity in the state. Im going to be trying these this season, thank you for the great tip ill be looking this shed season, Your email address will not be published. This is when the deer are shedding their antlers and the elk are shedding their antlers. CPW issues hunting and fishing licenses, conducts research to improve wildlife management activities, protects high priority wildlife . We are offering best hunting ranches for sale along with other premier properties. But unless we own the farm or ranchland, we wait for shed antler season to begin. Testimonials; Location & Directions; Wild Boar Hunts. That's a small price to pay for an unforgettable life experience. GEORGE The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources announced a statewide emergency closure to "shed hunting" Tuesday in an effort to help wintering big game, particularly deer populations. Shed hunting is open year-round in the other counties in Nevada. Find a high point, set up a tripod and binos, and start scanning. . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); https://www.gomuddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/best-places-to-find-shed-antlers_Feature.jpg, https://www.gomuddy.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Muddy_Logo_shadow-Low.png. Other places to look for sheds are near crossings where a big buck might have to jump or scramble a bit. In much of the Midwest, corn and soybean fields are king when it comes to deer nutrition. Stress caused by food scarcity and cold. The window in which these animals lose their antlers depends on location, environment, and the age of the animal. Because Iowa is largely an agricultural state, it also makes narrowing down . Utah requires shed hunters to take a course and carry a certificate to hunt between February 1 and April 15. These archery only hunts extend through the rut and tremendous bucks are taken every year. People can hunt, fish, trap, and view wildlife, as well as other compatible activities, such as horseback riding, hiking, and boating. Be certain government entities allow elk or deer shed hunting before entering public lands. Especially in wet spring conditions. Never chase or pursue animals in an attempt to make them drop their antlers. Jackson Hole Traveler. People are also advised not to disrupt any probable evidence, like footprints, in the vicinity. Here are a few tips on where to hunt for deer antler shed in Utah: 1. If you can think of a few, prioritize those spots for a trip very soon. If they can ride in an ATV, even little ones relish the adventure. Nathan Stohosky is a conservation officer for the . Glassing will be incredibly helpful in your pursuit to find these elusive sheds. "These efforts will help reduce stress on Utah's big game animals and increase their chances of surviving the winter.". On most years, between February 15 and March 15 is the best time to start shed hunting. Some habitat types to accomplish this goal include tall grass plantings or frozen, thick cattail swamps. Deer tend to cast antlers in February, Moose can drop be as early as December, and elk hold out till March. Biologists also place GPS collars on deer to monitor animal migrations and survival. Western states with the heaviest shed hunting pressure, such as Colorado and Wyoming, now have "seasons" for shed hunting. Heaton-Jolley said the big game animals live off fat stores, and spooking them or causing exertion can be detrimental to . This applies to both public and private land. If youve still not found any sheds, you should start looking for them in other ways, such as bedding areas, food sources, and travel routes. In the current shed antler craze, people cash them in or use them for crafts, furniture building, health aids. Its still quite current. You can find sheds all over the state, but the best areas to look are in the northern and central parts of the state. Wintering areas vary from year to year depending on the severity of the weather. The earlier hunts make fore easier hunts. They are both graded then sorted by weight. The Pro-Cam 12 is a great trail camera that you can use throughout the year to keep tabs on the deer herd. 10 Best Places To Shed Hunt In Utah People Love In 2022: In Depth Features [amazon bestseller="best places to shed hunt in utah"] Things To Consider Before Buying The Best Places To Shed Hunt In Utah Take the following considerations into account to choose the best places to shed hunt in utah that meets your needs. However, deer feeding will not happen in areas where chronic wasting disease has been found. Circ Media. When the deer are most active in the winter, they are most likely to be near water. Just as there is a hunting season, there may be a shed hunting season. It is valuable. They will show you which deer have shed their antlers and which ones have not. Fish and Wildlife with harvesting the shed antlers. Shed hunting is yet another way to get outdoors, improve your hunting skill set, and scout new lands. 4. Body weight is down. It's addicting and something you will look forward to almost as much as the regular hunts each year! Shed hunting can help you find hunting spots that are still available after the season has ended. Every spring, thousands of elk wintering on the National Elk Refuge lose their antlers before they migrate to their summer range. An all-inclusive bison hunt at West Canyon Ranch in 2023 costs $10,000 per hunter plus tax. If the deer aren't lying down, they are walking to the food. 7. For a variety of reasons, including the fact that thousands of humans are entering big game areas at a time when the animals are most vulnerable, wildlife specialists have recently expressed worry about this practice. 3. Therefore, many states only allow shed hunting during some parts of the year. This animal can be found east of Randolph in the Crawford Mountains. There are just 25 questions in all, along with some basic biology and survival statistics. Shed hunting is the pursuit of searching for and keeping naturally shed antlers by antlered animals. About Us. The certificate requirement is set to expire at the same time as the animals normal life cycle comes to a conclusion. Once the course is completed, gatherers need. People often overlook food plots for shed hunting. If you can find a standing corn or bean field in the winter, you can be sure the deer will travel for miles around to gorge themselves. Shed hunting can be a fun family outing or something you do alone, but it will help you get into shape, learn more about the area/animals, and it gets addicting. During certain times of the year, some WMAs are closed to protect wildlife . Registration is limited to 100 people each day. Testosterone levels increase during and through the rut. Scout out rivers, creeks, swamps and lakes for deer antler sheds. This will allow you to become more familiar with the area and could also help you narrow down an animals specific travel pattern. If it hasnt happened on your property yet, its likely to happen very soon. Shed season opens at noon on May 1 on public lands. 3. Bob, they vary by state fees. We have been fortunate enough to pick up the sheds and harvest the same animal years later and it's awesome to see the growth and changes these animals make in a few years time. The ethics course is not necessary if shed hunting after April 15. Open Access Shed Hunt on Antelope Island. The males shed theirs in November, whereas the females shed theirs in May when the calves are born. They. Find feeding areas Regardless of how restrictive a state is, it may be more open. Most mountain ranches in Colorado seek to protect elk and deer habitat. Although it may be tempting to venture outdoors for "shed hunting," be aware that an ethics course must be completed before doing so. Be careful, as laws do change. Although quality is reportedly down from 2005-2007 levels, Utah is still a premier hunting destination for BIG bulls. Ultimately that means you could find more shed antlers in less time, making you a much more efficient shed hunter. Some public lands actually outlaw picking up antlers, in areas such as National Parks it is illegal. What are the cost of these hunts? DWR biologists will continue monitoring winter conditions and the condition of the deer across Utah and may feed deer in additional locations, if emergency feeding criteria are met. Deer tracks will most likely be visible at lower elevations. Spot or stalk our mature herds full of trophy-sized bison across 4,000 acres of beautiful Utah wilderness. To gain access to Heartland Lodge's properties for shed hunting all you need is an overnight reservation . Data from these monitoring efforts and GPS tracking show that the extreme cold and increased snowpack across the state are starting to impact mule deer fawn survival rates, and may negatively impact the ability of the adult deer to survive the winter. Using trail cameras will be highly beneficial. Lots of opportunities for Lehi volunteers, Lehi City creates Lehi Cares Coalition to aid youth, LPD to celebrate 17th annual Kids, Cops, and Christmas event, Lehi City announces fiber speed, options, pricing, Archive volunteer Robb Strong honored for service, Experts see no slowdown in Utahs real estate market, Mahe shares feelings about jury award and window blind cord safety, Guest Feature: Cycling the Jordan River Trailfrom Thanksgiving Point to Utah Lake, Antlers shed by large game animals in Utahs late winter and early spring are hunted by an estimated 20,000 individuals each year in the hope of finding a new set of antlers. Cracks and chips can and weather antlers are considered chalk. The process is fascinating. Its also a great way to scout those new private lands you just got permission on, or those public lands you found on HuntWise. When the weather is nice, the deer will prefer a different bedding area. For shed hunters, authorization to harvest antlers from private property must be obtained in writing, and a certificate does not authorize someone to trespass on ground that is closed to the public. Foods high in carbohydrates provide energy quickly, so they can be stored as fat easily. If they try to jump fences, however, their heavy racks often detach. Deer are adapted to have reduced metabolisms in the winter, and their digestive tracts even adapt to include the microorganisms to efficiently digest fibrous browse. Colorado Here's another western state in which opportunities for whitetail, mule deer and elk sheds are abundant. The last time "shed hunting" was prohibited in Utah was 2017. Upland bird dogs and labs can be trained to find sheds. What do we mean by browse? Check areas where deer congregate. Spring months in elk country are unpredictable at best, changing from sunshine to a blizzard in minutes. Now that you know what time of year you should be shed hunting, you should be good to go, right? With all the deer gathering in these fields, you have a much better chance of finding a shed. However, it extends beyond only observing the interactions between animals and their human counterparts. By the first part of May, most of the deer and elk will have shed their antlers and started into their new head gear. Heres a little overview. Second, overgrown swamps, conifer stands that block the wind and provide thermal insulation, saddles on ridges, brushy hollows, creek bottoms, benches just down from ridge tops, regenerating clear-cuts, and overgrown thickets with dense shrub cover are all good places to look for sheds. Friendly reminder and ethics. You'll see the animals rubbing on trees and other types of vegetation to remove the velvet. Violators may be cited. As soon as the snow melts in that window, plan on being in the woods and walking. States in this region include Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Pressure into these areas, at this time, can mean devastation to the animals that are trying to survive here. The spring brings longer days, increasing testosterone levels. Track your steps, find your way back to the truck, and establish where you have and have not been. Before going out into the field, well tell you why regulators restrict shed hunting. Better yet, scout out the fields as the snow begins to recede between February 15 to March 15. Utah requires shed hunters to take a course and carry a certificate to hunt between February 1 and April 15. With more landowners taking deer management seriously, shed hunting has evolved from a leisure hobby to a necessity. Inner Circle members earn points with every purchase to unlock rewards. If you stick with us til the end of this post, youll see tips for successful shed hunts. Every spring, reports of big shed antlers come out of the Hawkeye State. Deer tracks are likely to be found at lower elevations. The antler gathering restrictions are effective Feb. 7 through April 30, 2023 across Utah including on both private and public lands. A backpack and daypack will be suitable but a basic frame Kifaru pack will be even better.