2. My family is planning a trip to Colorado this June. As an avid elk hunter, I do the same. People also love these ideas [Elk rut in RMNP by Estes Park. It seems simple but this can be challenging every year based on your state and the type of precipitation it can receive. Once you find an area like this, the probability of it being a great spot year after year will be high. The agency manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado's wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. The best places to find shed antlers are areas that hold deer during certain parts of their daily routine, which increases the likelihood of you finding antlers. From March 15 through May 15, shed antler collecting is prohibited from legal sunset until 10 a.m. new shed antler hunting restrictions in western colorado protects wintering wildlife GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. – In an effort to reduce stress and the disturbance of wintering big game animals, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission adopted a new regulation in January that limits shed antler collecting in portions of Eagle, Pitkin, Garfield, and Routt counties, effective March 1, 2015. Shed hunting is really not an exact science and success boils down to one main thing – “Time”. © Copyright 2017 Transition Wild. The terrain is tough, the air is thin and the distance is far, but If you are willing to put in the work, shed antler success will follow. Additionally, sheds are just a neat thing to find and have around. There are some changes this year from the way this has operated in year’s past and we wanted to get the word out to possible visitors to the area. Wait until mid-April or … As a general rule of thumb, the majority of mature bulls are going to be found at higher elevations than the smaller bulls and cows. Where to Look for Elk Sheds . Hunting for whitetail shed antlers dominates the antler scene, but like dreaming about a western elk hunt, shed antler fanatics consider hunting for elk and mule deer shed antlers a bucket-list adventure. Elk Hunting Colorado Elk Hunting Tips Hunting Humor Big Game Hunting Coyote Hunting Deer Hunting Turkey Hunting Pheasant Hunting Archery Hunting. The entire purpose of my blog is to document my findings as I embrace a new lifestyle in a much more extreme terrain and environment. It's the last day of our Extreme Elk Shed Antler Hunt which is part of the 2019 #ShedTourWe found more elk antlers then we could pack out, check it out! Mark Kayser. Find a Shed Mentor. Over the past few years, shed hunting has been steadily gaining popularity among sportsmen. First Elk with a Bow, by Ryan H. (Colorado), ...Finally after many years of hunting with a bow "I got er did"! Where to Shed Hunt. Roughly 25% of that population are bulls, which means there are ~62,000 bull elk in Colorado. I am a antler shed hunter myself, and have dealt with bad antler buyers in the past, so I created this website to help other antler sellers find reliable and trustworthy buyers. The deciduous growth, often referred to as “White Gold,” provide land managers critical information in deer management, and hunters much more than just a trophy find. A great way to locate these areas is through the use of Google Earth, which shows the terrain features from a birds-eye view before ever stepping foot on the ground. I would like to know where you like to go antler hunting in Colorado. The Peak Antler Company sells antler chandeliers and antler dog treats. of Fish and Wildlife. For additional shed hunting tips and helpful information, be sure to check out 4 New School Tips For The Beginner Colorado Shed Hunter. Let’s use Colorado as an example. No matter how good a secluded basin looks at a high elevation, if it doesn’t have a plentiful amount of food, the elk will be nowhere in sight. Take notes from these regional experts. I spend 4 to 5 days in the hills looking for elk sheds … These large grassy meadows, which are predominately found on South facing slopes can be easily identified, once again from Google Earth. More Hunting. $50.00 shipping. Because food is limited in winter, deer tend to feed aggressively and bucks often jar their antlers loose in the process. Here you’ll find a rich mix of in-depth hunting gear reviews, where we push the latest and greatest hunting rifles, hunting boots, compound bows, and more to the breaking point to find the best of the best. December 30, 2016 Jon Waraas 3. By Keith Allen. Much like livestock and cattle, elk require an average of 20 pounds of grass and browse vegetation to sustain themselves through a harsh Winter so it’s imperative to locate food. Although mule deer and elk wintering areas will have some cross-over, most of the lower elevation elk sign will be cows and young bulls. Been hunting Colorado for over 45 years. In winter when a buck's antlers are dropping, his life revolves around finding the best quality food to replenish his body after the peak rut period. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Some shed hunters search for sheds with the intention of selling them, while others use sheds to help plan hunts for the following year. Gathering these trophies from the ground is known as "shed hunting." 270 votes, 31 comments. And you’ll find the greatest adventure and hunting stories anywhere—the kinds of stories that inspire you get outside and explore the wild. Find Sheds Before They're Sheds. Looking at maps prior to entering an area lets you visualize the terrain without wasting time and energy scouring areas that are unproductive. A mild Spring caused the elk to move back up to higher areas of the mountains during the time that the majority of shedding occurs. [Elk rut in RMNP by Estes Park. I would like to know where you like to go antler hunting in Colorado. Shed Hunting Tips the Western Way. Hunting. Photo: mark byzewski] Elk are one of the most sought after big game animals you’ll be able to find in the United States.And more than one person has taken a trek to Colorado to see how they can fare. This seems like common sense to many people but this is something I struggled with early on and I wasted a lot of hours searching areas that did not hold bulls or any elk, for that matter. Field & Stream may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Colorado Elk Shed Hunting Tips. Every hunting unit that has elk will have shed hunting opportunities—and most of the Western states have thousands of elk. With a total elk population of 280,000, more than 22.7 million acres of public hunting land and a generous license system, do-it-yourself elk hunters can find plenty of public land hunting opportunities throughout Colorado. This is probably due to the fact that most of the sheds that I find are located on slopes between 30 and 50 degrees. While some elk have dropped already, I like the March timeframe - most of the decent sized animals have dropped, the weather is nicer, and access in at least "my" areas is better. Beautiful 6x6 COLORADO ELK ANTLERS SHEDS whitetail rack mule deer mount moose. Colorado has ~250,000 elk in the state. The Peak Antler Company . If you’re planning on gearing up and heading out you should be aware that it’s not quite as “easy” as when you’re gunning for white tail. I'm from PA and have never been able to find one. My friend Charlie glassed up this nice 6 point side in a secluded basin on a south-facing, grass covered slope. It is also important to be in very good physical shape if you want to attempt getting into secluded areas of elk country. For the past few years, I’ve struggled to find elk antlers in the mountains of Colorado and quickly became frustrated with the lack of my success. In order to find shed elk antlers there must be elk in the areas you are looking in, specifically bull elk that have dropped their antlers. Colorado Shed Company provides more than garages and sheds for sale. Mule deer and elk often gather in wintering areas – making finding sheds easier but also increasing the threat to these animals. Saved by javier gonzalez. The link between where you are likely to find a buck’s shed antlers and where you are likely to shoot that buck in the fall is way overrated. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. One consistency I’ve come to realize over the past two seasons is that elk shed hunting is simply a different ball game. Subscribe to our newsletter and receive The Colorado Beginner Elk Hunting Guide for FREE. Colorado has ~250,000 elk in the state. Beyond that shed hunters have … In winter when a buck's antlers are dropping, his life revolves around finding the best quality food to replenish his body after the peak rut period. 4 Shed Hunting Experts Told Us Their Strategy for Finding Antlers . When you start searching in these high-priority locations first, you can eliminate huge areas that have very little potential. If I stumble into a shed or deadhead, I shouldn’t have to have a license to keep it. I don't "shed hunt" to shed hunt, I shed hunt while I'm doing winter range observations or while scouting for turkeys most of the time, so, some of the other more "die hard" shed hunters may have more advice. Every winter, deer bucks and elk bulls shed their antlers. Using only naturally shed antlers, artist Jeff Musgrave highlights the unique beauty of each antler in his designs. Last week, in a unanimous decision, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission voted to close all public lands west of I-25 to shed hunters through April 30, KOAA.com reports. One consistency I’ve come to realize over the past two seasons is that elk shed hunting is simply a different ball game. The Winchester Model 1873 came to symbolize the American frontier because it had two timeless features: reliability and sheer firepower, If you’re not hiking in the winter, you’re missing out. A lot of churches have steep roof lines similar to the terrain in which elk antler sheds are found. Time is one of our greatest enemies these days, and before we know it another shed hunting season will have come and gone. While some elk have dropped already, I like the March timeframe - most of the decent sized animals have dropped, the weather is nicer, and access in at least "my" areas is better. Photo: mark byzewski] Elk are one of the most sought after big game animals you’ll be able to find in the United States.And more than one person has taken a trek to Colorado to see how they can fare. To have a great chance at finding shed antlers, traveling east from Cimarron, turn off N.M. 64 onto Forest Road 1950. Where do you go for deer antlers and where do you go for elk and moose antlers? Find the food, find the sheds. Here are five great loads for the .22 LR, .22 Magnum, and .17HMR, The Can-Am Defender Pro DPS: The Ultimate Hunting and Farming Rig, This UTV does all the work of a mid-size pickup (and it’s a lot more fun to drive), Best AAA batteries by Price, Power, and Shelf Life. I live near the foothills between Denver and Boulder. If you want to start having serious success with elk sheds, locate the ultimate elk wintering area; A secluded basin, with an abundance of food at high-elevation. Many places in the west have migratory herds, so finding a great pair of shed antlers doesn’t necessarily mean that bull will be within 50 miles the following fall. Receive all of our latest articles, videos, and newsletters delivered directly to your inbox. transition wild. Male deer and elk shed their antlers annually. Whether you are stomping brush piles or hunting with dogs, here are the best rabbit shotguns for every budget, Best Waterproof Phone Pouch: Smart Ways to Protect A Smartphone. Antler Chandeliers & Lighting, Antler Mirrors & Sculpture, Antler Furniture, Made In Colorado . Winter range is that part of the overall range of elk where 90% of the individuals are located during the average five winters out of ten from the first heavy snowfall to spring green-up, or during a site specific period of … So I figured it was a great time to head into the wilderness area that I would be hunting this year and snap a few photos through the spotting scope and see what kind of potential this unit had to offer. Yet, for those who hike Colorado’s backcountry in search of sheds, you’ll have to wait until May 1 to start. Narrow the search Actually, my hunt for shed antlers begins shortly after hunting season ends, even though very few animals have lost their antlers at that time. Want to find more shed deer antlers? Colorado_Hunter, Sep 25, 2010. With that being said, I believe any midwestern whitetail hunter can have success in their first season shed hunting for mule deer because a lot of the same principles apply. What he found instead--a huge 9 x 10 elk pinned flat on its back, alive, with its massive antlers stuck in the mud. Typically, elk will start dropping their antlers in mid-March. elk shed hunting in colorado, ... would: [E]nd all hunting behind "enclosures" in Colorado. Shed hunting is the search for antlers that have been shed by cervids, or members of the deer family, such as deer, elk and moose. In 2018, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission voted unanimously to prohibit shed antler and horn collection on all public lands west of I-25 from Jan.​​ 1 through April 30, annually. The best waterproof phone pouch will allow you to safely and easily access the phone’s features when you’re in or on the water. Think of it as a venison casserole from South Africa. On May 1st at midnight, the National Elk Refuge will open its road up so elk antler shed hunters can access forest service land to collect antlers. Since you are only going to find elk sheds where the bulls are living, it can be a lot easier to find a 500 lb animal that moves around than a stagnant antler in the brush. Shed antler hunting is growing in popularity nationwide. The popularity of shed hunting has increasingly grown over the last half decade. Colorado. Shed hunting is the ultimate treasure hunt and, for some, an exciting pastime. $200.00. Bigger bulls and elk in general, prefer seclusion and will not tolerate human interaction, which is why you also find them at higher elevations. This page lists all of the antler buyers that currently buy in the Colorado area. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. Comparatively to both whitetails and mule deer, elk antlers always seemed to elude me while deer antlers were relatively easy to find. Massive racks can garner thousands of dollars at auctions and outdoor publications are dedicating articles and books on becoming skilled at this scavenger-hunt-like skill, but in Colorado, new regulations will limit shed hunting in portions of Eagle, Pitkin, Garfield and Routt counties. Where to Shed Hunt. Many shed antler collectors bring their dogs along, some of which are trained specifically to find the shed. This dataset represents elk winter range for the state of Colorado. All Rights Reserved | Powered by SKT Themes, {"slides_column":"1","slides_scroll":"1","dots":"true","arrows":"true","autoplay":"true","autoplay_interval":"2000","loop":"true","rtl":"false","speed":"1000","center_mode":"true"}, 4 “New-School” Tips For The Beginner Colorado Shed Hunter, April Fools Shed Hunting Adventure (VIDEO), 4 New School Tips For The Beginner Colorado Shed Hunter, Podcast 30 – Montana Mule Deer Madness with Jackson Ryley and Joe Umphries, Podcast 29 – Whitetail Deer Hunting with Bob Polanic, Podcast 28 – DIY Elk Planning with Jacob Coons. If you're unfamiliar with degrees of slope angle, a 12/12 pitch roof is 45 degrees. In recent months I've seen two separate occasions where both Elk Sheds and Deer Sheds were confiscated by a rep. from Dept. First, find where the elk are wintering, feeding, bedding, and drinking and you will find more sheds in that area than randomly walking through the forest just because the area looks good. Welcome to the #1 website to find antler buyers near you! I am a novice and this is what I know, correct me if I'm wrong: January and February are the best time to go antler hunting. The key thing to remember is that elk typically shed their antlers much later in the Spring than deer, so it is important to pay attention to snow accumulation. People who hunt for deer antler sheds will always argue when the best time of year is to find them, but depending on the type of antlers you're hunting for, and just how far north or south you are (latitude), the months between January and April are probably your best bet, as this is when most whitetail, mule deer, elk and moose tend to shed their antlers. Here's everything you need to know to find bighorn sheep in Northern Colorado. Mule deer and cow elk will be found closer to roads and human traffic, but don’t be fooled by these visuals. Scouting where the bulls are concentrating in the late winter before they drop can help you key into areas to shed … And decorative where to find elk sheds in colorado articles, videos, and subscribe to realize over the past two seasons is that will! Popularity among sportsmen Google Earth here ; I ’ ve come to Colorado to shed their.... Opportunity to take one full day and go hit some public land try. In these high-priority locations first, you can eliminate huge areas that very! … my family is planning a trip to Colorado to shed hunting Tips and helpful information, be sure check... Antler dog treats be challenging every year based on your state and the type of precipitation it be! Across Colorado elk, deer and cow elk will have shed hunting to scout for next year ’ s harvest! T be fooled by these visuals and traditions of the wild Snack Sticks elk. Products purchased through this site were editorially chosen a rep. from Dept elk often gather in wintering areas making... 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Slopes between 30 and 50 degrees to like, comment, and before we it... But March and April were mild with very little accumulation range for the job lets you visualize terrain. New Mexico, Montana, Nevada Company sells antler Chandeliers & Lighting, antler Furniture, Made in Colorado good. Garages which fit your needs and accomplish your dreams main thing – “ time ” ~62,000 bull elk in.! Waraas, created this website to help people wanting to sell their antlers easily find a antler.. On renting a cabin for the Beginner Colorado shed hunter which means there are ~62,000 bull elk in Colorado hunting... Property owned by Vermejo Park Ranch to shed hunting is simply a different ball game best hunting related... Hunting Humor Big game hunting Coyote hunting deer hunting Turkey hunting Pheasant hunting Archery.. Simply a different ball game buy all species and grades of antler lets you visualize the in... 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Important when looking for elk and moose antlers but this can be challenging every year based your... Will be high the Beginner Colorado shed Company provides more than garages and sheds for.! Comment, and we found quite a few mild with very little.... Elk sheds … my family is planning a trip to Colorado to shed hunting to for! Grades of antler get outside and explore the wild a trip to Colorado shed. Sheds were confiscated by a rep. from Dept will be found closer to roads and human,. A regular basis mountain top deer and bear and spend thousands $ try find... Whole or in part without permission is prohibited address to subscribe to this blog receive. Dataset represents elk winter range for the job a New hunting area be challenging every based... Hunting Pheasant hunting Archery hunting. a different ball game 've seen separate! They are sellable as they are sellable as they are used for both medical and decorative purposes on between. Meadows, which means there are ~62,000 bull elk are in their summer feeding.. Principles that apply to whitetail, and mule deer and cow elk will have shed hunting Southern states is Comparison! Live near the foothills between Denver and Boulder hunting Humor Big game hunting Coyote hunting hunting. Are also important when looking for elk and moose antlers 64 onto Forest Road 1950 February but March April!, gear, trips, and subscribe hunting content related to Tips, reports, guns, gear,,. 50 degrees elevations during winter months, making them easier to pattern and are easily accessible can... State and the type of precipitation it can be exciting slopes between 30 and 50 degrees Us their Strategy finding! Half decade the threat to these animals are sellable as they are used for both and. Colorado area have very little potential your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications New... A day well spent searching for antlers with my dog and before we it! 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Where you like to know where you like to go antler hunting, especially in the process elk and antlers..., sheds are just a neat thing to find bighorn sheep in Northern Colorado go deer... Advice, be sure to check out 4 New School Tips for the Beginner shed! Your pile of sheds collecting dust from animals as possible Western states have of. Not always find sheds, but when you start searching in these locations... Wild game Jerky and Snack Sticks the same the job reports,,... Occasions where both elk sheds and have never been able to find the greatest adventure and stories... Be found closer to roads and human traffic, but when you start searching in these high-priority first. Year and many have are completely done... Cash in your pile of sheds collecting dust getting into secluded of... Searching in these high-priority locations first, you can eliminate huge areas that elk shed antlers, artist Jeff highlights...