In many western states and really anywhere elk are distributed there is a movement gaining some serious traction and momentum. Hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, and many others are headed to the hills to find shed antlers and if you’re here you are probably wondering how you can find your share among the crowds. Finding sheds can be a daunting and intimidating task but as you commit more time and energy your dividends will pay off.

We should start with a quick note about the legality of shed hunting and some things you should keep an eye on as you are out and about. Many states have shed hunting dates which initially may seem odd but there is a good reason for it. If you live in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming or have been keeping up with the winter snow totals in the west you’ll know that the winter of 2022-2023 was especially cumbersome on the deer and elk populations. 

When To Find Elk Sheds

State wildlife officials have also taken note and as a result, have limited shed hunting to prevent additional stress on the wildlife. While controversial, it is believed that the increased interest in shed hunting and the human proximity to wildlife in their critical winter habitat areas creates a stress on the population that results in real consequences for the health of the herds. 

Colorado imposed a shed hunting season in 2018 following a harsh winter in 2017 and Utah followed suit in 2023. Possessing sheds in these seasonal closures can result in hefty fines so be sure check your local regulations before heading out.

Once the shed hunting seasons are open though where should you start? Well, the answer is in the question. A good place to start looking is where the elk congregate during the seasonal closures. 

Elk usually drop their antlers by mid-to-late march so if you can pinpoint where the Elk are between February and April those areas will be hot zones to find sheds.

If you don’t have the luxury to track Elk during that time there are some additional resources you can use to get you pointed in the right direction. For example, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has an online mapping tool called the “The Colorado Hunting Atlas” that has all sorts of species information that can be helpful in trying to find a starting point. 

Where To Find Elk Antlers

What you want to look for are layers for the “Elk Winter Range” and “Elk Winter Concentration Area” distributions. These areas will give you a general guideline of where Elk are spending their time during the months they are dropping their antlers.

From there, you want to focus on areas that Elk will use based on their needs during these months. Simply put Elk will be seeking food, water and sanctuary which often translates to lower elevations and private property, however; there are plenty areas of public land that will meet these requirements as well. 

Try to focus on lower-elevation south-facing slopes as the snow starts to melt, these areas will provide the best early-season feed and elk will be trying to replenish nutrients lost during the winter. 

Bull elk during this time period also will not be mingling with the cows and calves, they will be in bunched groups called bachelor herds which often are found in less than obvious places as they seek sanctuary from predators and other dangers. 

Wintering grounds leave Elk particularly vulnerable so if you aren’t finding bulls or sheds venture out to areas that you think Elk would think of as a safe haven. These will be areas that have a mix of steep open faces for feed, dark thick timber for cover, and of course areas that don’t see regular human traffic. 

Another great spot to look is along fence lines or areas Elk have to jump over, the force from the jump can knock those antlers loose so you will often find sheds sitting near fences.

Be prepared to cover some ground and show some patience while you are out looking for sheds as this endeavor isn’t just a walk in the park until you have some areas that consistently produce. If you can identify some larger areas that you would like to search you can also spend some time using binoculars or spotting scopes to glass for sheds too. 

A phrase often used in hunting is, “let the glass do the walking”. Instead of hiking endlessly through rough terrain you can spend some time behind the glass to try and find sheds or at least eliminate areas you know for sure don’t hold any. Some people even train their dogs to recover sheds so that’s always an option as well if you’d like to bring your furry friend along on the adventure.

Why Hunt For Sheds? $

When you do end up finding sheds you can obviously keep them for your own personal use or display but everyone has their own reason for seeking out sheds and one of the top driving factors for the increase in interest is that sheds can produce some serious cash flow. 

When you get into the sale and purchase of antlers you can relate it to the diamond-buying business. Shed buyers will grade your find and usually off a payout on a per-pound basis. 

Grading depends on a number of factors but the main ones will be the color and condition of the antler. As antlers sit out in the elements they will get bleached by the sun and start to degrade. A heavy brown antler will indicate a fresh shed while a bleached and hollow feeling shed will indicate the antler was likely shed more than a season ago. 

In addition to the elements squirrels and other animals will gnaw on sheds as a source of calcium and other valuable nutrients. If you don’t want something as formal as receiving a grade and weighing the antlers there are a number of other buyers out there including artists, general homeowners looking to add some décor, furniture builders, and pet stores for cutting and selling as chews.

With each shed found you’ll acquire a better understanding of the habitat they require during the end of winter and into the spring and before long you’ll find your “honey hole” or as seasoned shed hunters would say “The Bone Zone”. 

Where you find one shed there will often be more and in some cases if you’re lucky you’ll find a matching set. Over the years you can even collect shed antlers from the same animal. So whatever your reason may be, strap on those boots and get out there! Increasing your time in the Elk winter range and habitat areas will likely lead to finding sheds and at the very least will get you outside. 

If you enjoyed this article, here are some more helpful articles from Pinetrees And Solitude. 

• How Much Is A Mule Deer Hunt? Guided vs. DIY
• What You Need For An Idaho Mule Deer Hunt
• Catch Mule Deer While They Are Active
• What Should I Bring Elk Hunting? Idaho List
• Hunting Elk In Timber: Tactics To Even The Odds

(This article was originally published on Pintreesandsolitude.com. If it is now published on any other site, it was done without permission from the copyright owner.)