I like to check my cameras, placed on the best winter food sources available, on a weekly basis. When I see that more than 50% of the bucks have shed, I know it’s close to go-time. On most years, between February 15 and March 15 is the best time to start shed hunting.
When should I look for elk sheds?
Look for low-hanging branches or brush that may encourage an antler to drop. Elk are vulnerable in the early spring after enduring a long, cold winter. Depending on the harshness of the recent weather, it doesn’t hurt to wait till the end of May or even June to shed hunt.
What time of the year do elk shed their antlers?
Usually, bull elk shed their antlers beginning in mid-to-late March — later than any other North American cervid, and months after the rut, when the antlers served their role in battling competitors for cows to mate with. But the winter had been milder than usual, and elk were shedding their antlers early.
When can you start shed hunting in Colorado?
In Colorado, shed hunting is restricted Jan. 1 through April 30 with additional restrictions in the Gunnison Basin that run through May 15. This year, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officials have been cracking down on illegal shed hunting, targeting those who are collecting sheds during the restricted period.
Where is the best place to find elk sheds?
Glassing south facing slopes and parks looking for bedding and browsing elk is a great way to locate spring time bulls. Being able to identify the bedding area and the feeding area makes an ideal situation that can help you narrow down the travel route the elk are using in between the bedding and feeding areas.
How much are elk sheds worth?
On average, a 350″ set is worth about $400 and for every 10″ above that add about $50. A 380″ set and larger will be worth between $550 to $1,000.
…
| Price for selling your matched elk shed antlers | |
|---|---|
| 300″ | $200 |
| 350″ | $400 |
| 400″ | $1,000 or more |
| 400″ plus | $1,500 or more |
Where should I look when shed hunting?
South-Facing Hillsides
Whether covered in grass or mixed shrubs and tree cover, the south side of ridges can create dynamite winter bedding areas for bucks. Knowing deer spend so much time snoozing winter away in these spots makes them prime for shed hunting.
Do elk grow new antlers every year?
Like most deer, Roosevelt elk grow and shed their 18-kilogram (40-pound) antlers every year.
Do deer antlers get bigger each year?
Since most free-range deer are hunted during their prime age of five to seven, you will find few deer older than eight years old. Until this age, deer antlers get bigger each year. As deer age, the shape and size of their antlers will decrease and their body mass will shrink.
Why do elk like north facing slopes?
Active member. My experience is elk “prefer” to bed on the north facing slopes, because these slopes are out of the direct sunlight which equates to a lot of things (typically cooler, more vegetation for security, moist soils, etc.). The key word is “prefer”.
Can you shoot a spike elk in Colorado?
How can you even ask that? Cow = less than one 5″ spike = legal. Bull = at least 4 points on one side, or a brow tine = legal. That leave any elk with more than a 5″ spike and less than 4 points, off limits.
Can you pick up elk sheds in Colorado?
Colorado has enacted a shed antler hunting closure between Jan 1 and April 30. … Elk shed their antlers in winter, but now you can’t collect them until after April 30.
Can you keep elk sheds in Colorado?
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) wants to remind shed hunters and everyone who enjoys the outdoors that collection and possession of shed antlers or horns on all public lands west of I-25 is prohibited between January 1 and April 30 of each year.
What elevation do Elk shed?
It could have been dangerous if we weren’t prepared with the right clothing. March and April, the key months for shed hunting can be brutal and unforgivable, especially at an elevation of 8000-9000 feet. Shed antler hunting is growing in popularity nationwide.
Do female elk have antlers?
As one of the largest mammals in North America, elk are noticeably larger than deer. Female elk, called cows, weigh around 500 pounds; males can weigh over 700 pounds. Male elk, or bulls, are the only ones that have antlers. … They begin growing in the spring and fall off, or shed, each winter.
Can you shed hunt in the snow?
On sunny days, it is extremely difficult to shed hunt whether there is snow or not. It is especially difficult with snow cover because the glare off the snow can be blinding to your eyes making it very hard to stay focused. Antlers are typically dark in color, definitely darker in color than white snow.