Elk shed question....

BLooDTRaCKeR · Jan 27, 2009

I have April 9th through the 13th off of work. I wanted to go out and do some shed hunting for elk antlers, I wanted to get some opinions from the pros on here as to the timing of these dates in relation to when the elk have shed their antlers. Is this a good time to go hit the hills of central utah?? Thanks in advance for your responses.
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S.A.F.!

NeverStopHuntin · Jan 27, 2009

They say that animals will shed close to the same day each year but in my opinion there are early years and late years (especially with deer) I have seen elk shed as early as march 2nd and bulls still packing both sides towards the end of april.

That being said i think you have picked pretty good dates. The elk in central utah typically start dropping the second week in march through the first of april.

The biggest problem is the popularity. Unfortunately there are some areas in central utah that an elk horn wont sit on the ground for more then a few hours. Stay away from the areas that bulls are visible from roads because you will be very dissappointed!!

What area are you considering shed hunting? Maybe i can help you out.

BLooDTRaCKeR · Jan 27, 2009

Well, I have shed hunted the northern part of the manti unit with limited success. I am hunting very remote areas but only turning up chalkers and year old antlers. Haven't scored any brown bone. I never see anyone in these areas nor signs of anyone being in the area so I know the brown is around, just don't know if I'm too early getting into the area or not looking hard enough. More or less I just like to explore the country, if I find anything, it's a bonus. I know the manti unit better than any other unit as I have drawn a big bull tag there and spent my fair share scouting/hunting the unit so I guess I prefer to shed hunt that area over anything farther south being that I'm from Layton.

jack_sparrow · Jan 29, 2009

gsgdf

jack_sparrow · Jan 29, 2009

I think your dates to look for elk sheds is about perfect. Most of the bigger bulls will have dropped by then. There will be a few bulls still packing but most of them will be younger bulls.
Good luck shed hunting.

Ungulate · Jan 29, 2009

Last year when you and I were out there it was April 12th and some bulls were still packing and some bulls already had 3 inches of growth.

timpram · Jan 30, 2009

I usually take the last week of April off work to look for horn. If your "spots" are secret enough its great because a lot of the bulls have dropped and moved on so they dont get pushed. And when you find one horn you know the other side is close by. But there are still quit a few bulls packing. The hard part is finding places like that, could take years. A frind and I hit a canyon last year the last week of April and it took us 2 days to pack it all out. I think a lot of people give up to early thinking everythings been picked up. My favorite time to horn hunt is in Nov. Alot of horn hitting the ground after the leaves are on the trees. Good luck.