Posted on 11/12/2015 9:13:42 AM PST by w1n1
If you want to find deer sheds but don't have time to search, build your own antler trap.
There are many benefits to walking through the woods and searching for deer sheds. You can get a better lay of your land, you can see where the deer were most recently moving, and shed hunting is a great way to introduce hunting to a youngster.
But for many hunters there is just not always enough time to get in the woods and hunt sheds. But with just a few dollars and a little bit of time you can build an antler trap. That way, you can still get the antlers without having to search the whole forest for them.
What you need:
This is a super easy build. All you need to do is find some small trees placed close together, this can be two trees or a patch of three or four if they are very close.
Then, wrap the chicken wire around the trees, connecting it to itself. You can use a pair of pliers to secure the wire making sure it is very tight, if it is too loose it can trap the deer if they are not ready to shed. After this is finished just pour some corn, or whatever attractant works best in your area, at the bottom of the wire trap on the ground. Read the rest of story here.
Why are these things not all over the forest floor? We have a ton of deer around my house and I never see them
In Nevada it is specifically forbidden to bait game animals.
Interesting. Thanks for posting.
You have to beat the antler fairy to them.
I’ve only ever found 1 and it was heavily gnawed on by squirrels or something. (Which probably explains why they aren’t laying all over the place.)
Cute. Around these parts, porcupines eat them. Their favorite snack.
Porcupines love ‘em.
In years of hunting and farming, I have seen exactly one antler shed. It was sticking out of a rear tractor tire. I’d think a lot of them just get buried in the leaves and under growth by winter snow. I’ve also wondered if Coyotes or other varmints would chew on them.
They do make great knife handles.
Mice and other rodents gnaw them up fairly quickly.
In VT it is specifically forbidden to possess any game animal parts that you did not legally shoot/trap yourself.
That’s what I was thinking. Isn’t that illegal?
Of course there is that thing I saw one time “This corn is for squirrels only - any deer caught eating the squirrel food will be shot on sight!”.
I think other animals must knaw on them.
“”””But for many hunters there is just not always enough time to get in the woods and hunt sheds.””””
‘If you are too busy to hunt or fish, then you’re too busy.’
[[There are many benefits to walking through the woods and searching for deer sheds.]]
Yep, lyme disease, rocky mountain spotted fever, Human anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Powassan , STARI , Tularemia ,
Hunta virus, bubonic plague, pneumonic plague, West nile virus,
Happy antler hunting
I think that small forest critters like mice and squirrels gnaw them away for the calcium content. Plus they look a lot like a tree branch to the casual observer. I read once of a man who had taught a dog to sniff them out and retrieve them.
Mrs. NHD picked up more than a half dozen on our property last year.
When I get home, I like to string them up on the eave of one of my sheds, but this one was too fragile, so I keep it on an outdoor table.
Yes, sheds for the shed...
All mule deer sheds, by the way.
When I get home, I like to string them up on the eave of one of my sheds, but this one was too fragile, so I keep it on an outdoor table.
Yes, sheds for the shed...
All mule deer sheds, by the way.
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