Updated March 2023

Every year, bucks drop their antlers, giving deer hunters the opportunity to go out and find them. Shed hunting has become a popular hobby for many hunters for a variety of reasons. The excitement of spotting a recently shed antler on the ground is enough to get your adrenaline going along with the thought of finding more. Shed hunting is also a great way to scout for deer and gain intel on whitetails that made it through the season. This allows you to acquire valuable information on deer behavior, travel patterns and habitat preferences to put together a game plan for next season.

Shed hunting is also another way to enjoy the outdoors after hunting season is over. Looking for pointy trophies on the ground is good exercise and is fun and challenging at the same time. Shed antlers can be used for a wide-range of different things such as wilderness-inspired decorations, crafts, dog toys, additions to a trophy room and much more.

Why Do Bucks Shed Their Antlers?

Deer, elk, moose and caribou all shed their antlers annually. Antlers naturally fall off of a deer’s head due to a decrease in testosterone levels post breading season. Larger, more dominant bucks that do most of the breeding, tend to drop their antlers first compared to lesser bucks. This is due to their overall physical condition after the rut as they are usually more run down. With the rut being over, bucks don’t need antlers anymore to fight off other bucks and show their dominance, so they lose them to make room for a newer, larger pair.

When Do Bucks Shed Their Antlers?

In most cases, bucks shed their antlers during the late winter months and start growing a new pair in the spring. This timeframe varies considerably throughout each region, but is about the same time each year wherever you are. As stated above, antler shedding is largely affected by stress and overall health. Factors that influence this include predation, extreme cold, food availability, etc.

Whitetails can start dropping their antlers in late January. The majority of deer drop their antlers in February and March, and are done by early April. Sever weather and abnormally cold conditions can affect this timeframe by a few weeks. Some western states even have a shed hunting season to reduce stress on animals from human interaction.

When is the Best Time to Shed Hunt?

The best time to shed hunt is a balance of not being too early before antlers have dropped, and not being too late after other people have already picked them up. Antlers that have been laying on the ground for more than a few weeks are quickly chewed by rodents. Also, growing spring vegetation can hide shed antlers and make them harder to see, as well as snow cover. The first big snow melt of the year is one of the best times to look for antlers that have been buried in the snow and are now visible.

Best Places to Find Sheds – Where to Look

• Travel Routes – Just like searching for a good place to set up a treestand, finding deer travel routes is a great place to start. These high-trafficked areas greatly increase your chances of finding a shed due to the sheer number of deer using these routes. Pay attention to pinch points and areas between food sources and bedding.

• Bedding – Locating buck bedding areas in search of sheds is another effective strategy. Thickets, tall grass, and densely wooded areas all provide adequate cover for deer. Bucks will frequent these areas, increasing your chances of spotting a shed.

• Food Sources – Late season food sources are where deer will spend a lot of their time in the winter months. Deer will become concentrated around food sources in winter as they burn more calories to keep their bodies warm. Agriculture fields, food plots and oak stands are good areas to look for sheds. Don’t overlook transition areas around food sources as well.

• Water Sources – Creeks, river edges, ponds and swamps are great places to find sheds. In addition to drinking water, deer often cross bodies of water in their daily routines. Target these areas by walking along the edge of the water. Sometimes, the few steps to get up the small incline of a creek or river bed is enough to shake an antler lose.

• South Facing Slopes – In the midst of the winter months, deer can often be found along south facing slopes in order to take advantage of the heat from the sun in order to stay warm. After a few really cold days, make sure to check these areas as deer tend to migrate here to soak up the sun.

• Thick Timber – In the late season, many deer head to the thick timber. With no leaves left on the trees and limited cover, deer seek out concealment in thick cover where they feel safe. Look for high-trafficked trails leading into thick cover. You might even find a bedding area or two. Deer will also head into thick timber on exceptionally windy days to find cover.

• Low Areas – Creek bottoms, dips and depressions all provide cover for deer while traveling. These areas help to conceal deer, keeping them out of sight. Natural depressions also shield deer from the wind making them feel more comfortable, particularly in the late winter when there is limited tree canopy cover.

• Field Edges – Field edges provide cover for deer in open areas. Deer will often travel along field edges rather than crossing a field in the wide open. Walking the edges of fields for sheds can be an effective strategy. Make sure to look 10-20 yards into the woods off of field edges where trails exist.

8 Tips for Finding More Shed Antlers

1. Train Your Eyes – In order to find more sheds, you need to know what you’re looking for. Learn to scan the ground from side to side looking for shiny white spots in the leaves, grass or snow 20-30 yards in front of you. Concentrate on spotting any white glimmer of antler. Over time, your eyes will become accustomed to scanning and looking for white objects that stand out. Many of us are guilty of getting excited and going too fast. Remember to walk slowly and take your time, scanning the ground back and forth.

2. Get Out Early – Finding shed antlers ultimately comes down to timing. It’s always better to be earlier than late when it comes to shed hunting. Not only do you risk other people finding sheds before you on public land, but rodents love to chew on sheds for minerals. In the worst case if you’re too early, you can easily go back to the same spot the next week to check again.

3. Find a Vantage Point – Spotting antlers from an elevated position is often easier than walking on flat ground. Walk to the top of a hill or any other elevated location to get a vantage point. Ridges, trees, logs and truck beds are all easy ways get up and increase your view. If you still have a treestand out, this is another great option. When in an elevated position, use binoculars to scan the ground further out. This will save you the time and energy of walking and you might even spot a shed or two from a distance.

4. Go Deep – If shed hunting on public land, it’s worth your while to look for sheds as far from the parking lot as possible. Chances are that other people have covered the areas closest to access points. Get off the beaten path and follow deer trails, go into thickets or wade through swamps or marshy areas. Go the extra mile and chances are you will see a big payoff.

5. Revisit the Same Areas – Just because you’ve covered an area doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go back. Sometimes, you might just be too early and bucks haven’t dropped their antlers yet. Try again a few days later or next week as your timing may be slightly off. If you know bucks are traveling through a certain area, continue to check it regularly.

6. Areas Where Deer Jump or Cross – Pay attention to places where deer have to jump, cross or duck. Movements from jumping may be enough to pop off a loose shed. Similarly, movements such as ducking under a fallen tree or branches can knock an antler loose. Look for sheds along fence lines, creek crossings, fallen trees across a trail and other spots where deer have to maneuver around an obstacle.

7. Use Trail Cameras – Trail cameras are an excellent tool not only for hunting purposes, but for shed hunting also. A great way to know if it’s a good time to shed hunt is to look at pictures of bucks to see if they have dropped their antlers already. Trail cameras can help tremendously to inventory deer and determine if it’s an ideal time to go look for sheds.

8. Use a Dog – Dogs are not only great hiking partners, but they can also be trained to find antlers. Dogs have a great sense of smell and can use their noses to find sheds. Many retrievers and similar breeds pick up on shed hunting easily and can be trained with little effort. If you have a dog, or access to a dog, it’s worth a try to see if they can help you find more sheds.

With the tips provided above, you should be able to find the majority of antlers on a given property by focusing on these high-likelihood areas and using the strategies provided. Shed hunting is a fun activity after hunting season comes to a close and can even help you learn more about your local deer populations. Remember, there is nothing that contributes to shed hunting success more than getting out there, covering ground and logging some miles. For related articles, check out other posts from Bowhunting Depot!