Elk Sheds?

[completesportsman]

When would be the best time to look for elk sheds? March? April?

 

[c3]

Most of the elk around here were still packing mid April last year. The biggest, most healthy bulls might shed the last week in March or so, but the bulk of the elk will still be carrying their head gear well into April.

Cheers,
Pete

 

[muledeernuts]

I would say the best time to look for them is April. some bulls may still be packing but for the most part all big bulls have dropped. i have seen bulls in late april early may who already have browtines growing in velvet. early march might be a waste and just stress the critters but late march might be productive. Find the horn Goose!

 

[bonepicker]

I start my elk shed hunting April 15th. The earliest I've found elk sheds is April 3rd. In my area, over half of the elk have shed by then but they can hold onto their horns into May or drop in March. The weather, genetics and region all seem to be factors as well in determining when the elk shed.

 

[Ticks N Tines]

In Northern Utah, it seems like they start the first part of April and drop until mid May. For some reason I always see bulls in May. I would say the peak would be mid April.

 

[one_dryboot]

They start dropping in march and are spread out into april. I do see alot of rags in may but the bigger bulls are done.

 

[completesportsman]

Thanks guys, I live a long way from elk! I have been elk hunting in the fall several times but never been shed hunting in the spring.

 

[NVPete]

Lot of pros and cons on this...some are afraid too early and you are stressing animals you may or may not encounter. I honestly am not intentionally looking for sheds at times, just hiking when I have found them. I usually don't go 'til April, but I've had a few experiences where I lucked out. In 2009, February 5, I was sneaking on some cow elk to just get them on video...I found where a nice bull had leaped a fence and landed hard enough that BOTH antlers fell off! Last year, I was trying to close on a small buck that had not shed yet, just to capture him on a video... on the way back to my truck, I found a whitey 7 pt. Bull elk, a grey(but still restorable 6x6 both sides), and a brownie heavy 4-pt. elk left side...all in early March when I wasn't shed hunting. Sometimes, there can be other benefits...the look in a cow elk's eyes (surprise!) when you walk around a tree face-to-face, the indignant snorts,stompings, or whinnys of a group of feral horses when they realize you're not one of them! I walked among three ruttin' bulls once...I was scared to death, but they passed without winding me, or even noticing! This year, in Feb. trying to close on a group of bedded deer to photograph, I encountered what appeared to be last yrs. drops by a large forky.On many hikes, I just find nothing, but to me just gettin' out thar in the hills is reward enough, and always a worthwhile adventure.