To improve your chances of finding sheds shortly after they drop, the author encourages hunters to monitor the local deer herd via trail cameras and glassing. (Photo by Honeycutt Creative)
February 03, 2025
By Josh Honeycutt
Shed hunting is one of the fastest-growing activities in the outdoors. Hunters and non-hunters alike are getting in on the fun, and rightfully so. Of course, picking up a prized deer antler is fun, and generally, it holds sentimental (and sometimes monetary) value. They don’t call them “white gold” for no reason! Shed hunters often get impatient. It’s easy to cave to cabin fever and start searching for antlers too early. In short, shed hunting too soon is a problem. Similarly, shed hunting too late can be an issue, too.
So, it begs the question: When is it okay to start shed hunting? Here’s what you should know.
ANTLER CASTING INFLUENCES The very foundation of shed hunting is picking up antlers that deer cast. To better understand when to shed hunt, it’s good to know the factors that influence antler casting to begin with.
The end of the antler cycle is casting, but the dissolution of the antler pedicle results in the detachment of the antler from the deer. The big regulators of this process include hormones and photoperiod (change in daylight length).
Advertisement
Drilling down further, testosterone is the big influencer. Just as rising testosterone causes deer antlers to mineralize and velvet to shed in late summer, falling testosterone levels cause deer to cast their antlers during winter.
Hunters often overlook the importance of timing their shed hunts properly. Go too early and you risk bumping non-shed bucks off the property. Conversely, if you go too late, something or someone may have already taken the fallen antlers. (Photo by Ryguyryguy74, Shutterstock) Aside from photoperiod, various things can influence testosterone levels. This chemical process is reliant on numerous factors, some of which can spark early antler drops. Primarily, it’s health related. Poor health usually results in early shedding. Poor nutrition, bodily injuries, persistent disease and more can influence testosterone levels and antler casting.
In contrast, good health tends to cause deer to hold antlers the typical length of time. Beyond that, if bucks cast antlers later than usual, it’s generally due to unbalanced buck-to-doe ratios. Usually, it means unbred adult does keep bucks’ testosterone levels elevated. Similarly, areas with higher percentages of doe fawns entering estrus can lead to the same. Both of which lead to later antler casting.
Advertisement
Because mature bucks have higher testosterone levels, most mature bucks hold onto their antlers longer than smaller bucks. That’s the rule, but there can be exceptions.
SHED HUNTING INFLUENCES Without question, biological factors that influence antler casting are the primary things to focus on when planning shed hunts, but there are other factors, too. Some considerations spark earlier shed hunting start dates, and others lead to later kickoffs.
For example, on private properties I own, lease or manage, I prefer to shed hunt later rather than sooner. Giving deer extra time allows for more antlers to hit the ground before starting the search. The last thing you want is to walk in on March 1 and see one of your still-crowned target bucks dashing through the woods.
On the flip side, on public properties or private tracts that I share permission on, I tend to start a bit sooner. Still, I wait until after I think deer have shed, but I don’t usually install that two-to three-week buffer window (beyond the average shed date) that I’d like to have.
Properties with higher concentrations of predators, specifically coyotes, should be shed hunted slightly earlier as well. Oftentimes, coyotes pick up these calcium-rich antler deposits and extract the minerals and other nutrients.
DATES BY REGION Shed hunting timelines aren’t as simple as saying everyone should begin on February 1 or March 1. No, it’s far more involved than that. Antler casting timeframes vary greatly from region to region and state to state. Even within states (i.e.: Florida), average antler casting dates can vary by weeks or months.
That said, in the Midwest, most bucks shed from late December to late March or early April. Northeastern bucks tend to shed from late December to early March. Southeastern bucks tend to shed from late January to mid-April. Northwestern deer shed from January to April. Finally, southwestern deer shed from early February to mid-April.
STAGGER SHED SEARCHES Shed hunting is a surefire way to learn more about mature bucks on your land. The sheds you find this winter or early spring provide intel on the buck(s) you’ll pursue next fall. (Photo by Honeycutt Creative) Those who shed hunt numerous properties, or who shed hunt large singular properties, should stagger their shed hunting searches. Planning shed hunts in such a manner is ideal.
Using this method gives deer more time to shed if they haven’t already. By starting with low-risk areas, such as destination food sources, it offers lower odds of pushing deer off a property before they shed antlers (if they’ve yet to do so). Additionally, shed hunting the easier, more visible spots increases the odds of you picking up an antler before another shed hunter or animal.
To implement this strategy, this mindset involves beginning shed hunting in areas that pressure deer less. These are areas well away from bedding areas, such as open fields and food plots. Driving or walking these apply less pressure to deer, especially if you can’t be seen from bedding areas.
USE GLASS AND CAMERAS All things considered, the antler drop varies slightly year over year. Continue monitoring trail cameras to gauge the percentage of bucks that have shed. Glassing destination food sources from afar is a great way to keep track of the herd, too. Then, when it’s right, move in and find that white gold!
SHED HUNTING TIPS As a general rule, immature bucks are more likely to shed before mature bucks. An older buck’s increased testosterone levels allow it to hold antlers for longer. (Photo by Michael Tatman, Shutterstock) Shed hunting requires keen eyes and miles of walking to pile up deer antlers. Fortunately, certain tricks can help with your shed hunting timing and effectiveness once in the field.
Glass From Afar: In ag country, spend afternoons glassing open ag fields and food plots. In timber settings, back off dense pockets of red oaks that produced well in fall. In either situation, glass these areas to see if deer are still carrying antlers or not.
Run Some Trail Cameras: In areas where permitted, run trail cameras even after deer season ends. Place these over food sources and isolated water holes. Gauge the antler drop, and then move in when most bucks have lost their headgear.
Choose High-Odds Days: Some days and conditions are better suited for shed hunting than others. For example, calm to no wind is better than high winds. Light rain and overcast skies are better than sunny days without cloud cover. Warmer temperatures ensure less frost and snow, which camouflage and hide antlers. Focus on days with better conditions to find more sheds.
Look for a Tine: Don’t look for the entire antler. Rather, look for a single antler tine. That’s commonly all you’ll notice at first. Then, upon further inspection, you’ll see more parts of the antler. Thinking small and looking for part of an antler, rather than an entire one, will result in recovering more of these.
Carry the Binos: The best way to find sheds is to keep eyes trained on an area inside of 10 yards. That said, other objects can look like shed antlers. You might see something 30, 40, 50 or even 100 yards ahead that appears to be an antler (to the naked eye). However, through the binos you’ll see it’s clearly a stick. This can save you unnecessary walking and wasted time.
Use Shed Dogs: Unless you’re a terrible shed hunter, a shed dog won’t increase your shed antler haul by a factor of three or four. Usually, at best, it multiplies it by one and a half or two. Still, owning a shed dog is fun, and it can help stack more antlers on the shelf.
Use an ATV: Riding an ATV can save you some time, especially when covering open fields. It helps cover a larger area more quickly. Plus, it decreases energy burned, saving more of it for hiking areas that can’t be covered by ATV or UTV.
Use a Hunting App: A quality hunting app, such as HuntStand, is ideal for keeping track of where you’ve been. Turn on the “Trace Path” feature to keep up with where you’ve already shed hunted and where you haven’t.
THE BEST SPOTS FOR SHEDS The author advises shed hunters to look for a singular tine instead of searching for a whole antler. By “aiming small” with your search, you’re more likely to spot hard-to-see sheds through the snow or brush. (Photo by Tom Reichner, Shutterstock) Let’s be honest — a deer can drop an antler just about anywhere. I’ve found sheds in every spot imaginable and have even spotted them in the medians of interstates and parkways. That said, the bulk of sheds tend to fall in key locations.
Bedding Areas: Deer spend most of their daylight hours in bedding areas. Therefore, it only makes sense to search these locations. With nearly a third of each 24-hour period spent here, a good number of sheds are confined to these relatively small areas.
Food Sources: Wintertime deer flock to the best food sources. Of course, by late winter, food sources are limited. This makes remaining ones especially attractive. Find sheds here.
Water Holes: Deer are skittish critters, especially around water. Because of this, water holes are great spots to find sheds. Deer constantly throw their head up between sips, and this can be just enough to jar antlers loose.
Travel Routes: Trails between bedding areas and food sources are like highways for deer. These see a good amount of deer movement and time spent along them. That makes these ideal candidates for antler drop locations.
Creek, Ditch and Fence Crossings: Lastly, other features such as crossings are good spots, too. Creeks, ditches and fences are great, because the sudden running and jumping motions can cause antlers to fall off.