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Take a friend
While I typically like to hunt alone, I love shed hunting
with friends and family. Not having to worry about being
quiet, it’s a great way to get out in the woods and spend
some quality time with a spouse, a child or a good friend.
With two sets of eyes and two different perspectives,
you’re doubling your chances of picking up more sheds.
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10
More and more is being written about training and
utilizing shed hunting dogs. My bird dog doubles as a
shed dog in the spring. Not only is he able to sniff out
antlers I would otherwise have missed, it helps keep him
in shape during the offseason. Two birds, one stone! I’ll
take it.
Dress for the conditions
If you’re not comfortable, you won’t have fun. Weather
during the early months of the year can change in a hurry
and the nice sunshine you started your hike in can quickly
turn to frigid rain or blowing snow. Not only will you be
miserable on your hike back out, but it can be dangerous
as well. Finding antlers isn’t worth the risk of injury or
sickness.
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09
Train your bird dog
Utilize those cameras
Now isn’t the time to yank your cameras. They should
be pulling double duty. Pay attention to new pictures as
you’re likely to start seeing right when the bucks start to
drop their antlers. This will give you a good idea of when
to start searching. We all like to be in the woods, but if
you go out too early (before they start dropping) you’re
more likely to get discouraged and give up too soon.