Oak Creek Whitetail Ranch is excited to announce that shed season is here! If you haven’t yet made shed hunting a family tradition, now’s the time to start. Get everyone together for some great outdoor fun, fresh air, healthy exercise, quality family time, and some beautiful antlers to carry home. What could be better? And no need to worry about gun safety and training with the kids since this is a gun-free activity.

There are a few things to keep in mind to maximize your chances for a successful shed hunt. Check it out.

Patience

Practice a little patience. Don’t search a hunting area before the shed in your area is in full swing, as you may drive the bucks away before they drop their antlers. Observe the bucks from a distance (binoculars or scope) to determine their status when deciding on the best time for your hunt.

Location

Do a little research to determine the feeding and bedding areas the bucks are using during shed season. Search active trails, but keep in mind that some of the lesser trails may be more productive, especially if the area is popular with other shed hunters. If you have permission from the owner, hunt private rather than public property to minimize your competition. If you are shed hunting on public land, be aware of your state’s regulations.

Watering holes can be a rewarding location since bucks may dislodge their antlers when lowering or shaking their heads while taking a drink.

Don’t Forget the Dog!

The exercise is great physical conditioning for your four-legged companion, and many dogs will naturally locate and retrieve antlers. In fact, some hunters specifically train their dogs to shed hunt. They say it’s similar to training the dog to retrieve game birds as freshly shed antlers have a strong scent.

In addition to a fun outing, shed hunting has the advantage of providing valuable insight for next season’s hunt. Bucks tend to drop antlers near bedding areas and

food sources. By scanning the surroundings, an observant whitetail hunter will note which bucks should be there next season, and where they prefer to feed and make bedding scrapes.

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