HOW OLD??

[Blanding_Boy]

QUESTION??

I have seen several post where people say that they have found sheds that are 2-3-XX years old, (self included) and I am curious to know the methodology to this madness.

For example, I find a set of sheds that are white and mostly bleached out on the side that faces the sun down in the desert in late November. The ground side still has good, likely original color. Nothing is chewed off they look great for the most part. I say they are likely sheds from that same year.

Another person finds set of sheds that are bleached some cracking on the part that faces the sun and the back or the ground facing side is starting to fade a bit. That person says they are 4 years old.

How do you age your sheds, what are your indicators, methods, etc?..?????


Todd

 

[BCBOY]

It is definately a guess. But, if you have been shed hunting long enough in your area it should be a fairly educated guess. In my area sheds go to $hit pretty damn quickly. The factors that cause this are high rodent populations, really wet rainy climate, and just basic decomopsition on the forest floor. When I find an old cracked, chalky piece of crap I firmly believe it is 5+ years. In dryer climates, that same chalky shed may be 10, 20 or even older.

 

[YoungBuck]

I agree with BC. The climate has alot to do with the apperance of the sheds...in a dry climate..sheds seem to crack faster than others...in wet climates sheds seem to turn green and start to fall apart faster.
When I find a shed that is pure white with no cracks and is pretty smooth to touch I say it has been on the ground a year. I agree with you on the one side is original color and the upper side is white = previous shedding season.
Cracked sheds in the area I shed hunt are usually about 3-5 years old....that is a complete guess but that is what I say when I find them.
Age doesnt matter to me though! I like to pick them all up!
YB

 

[Boots2]

Aging is kinda fuzzy logic because it depends on moisture, sunlight, etc as noted. If found in the shade, sheltered from moisture, its quality might last years longer.

I guess my experience comes from finding antlers from the same animals in different years.

Within a few months of drop, "Brown", "Hard white" one good sun season will bleach the bone out, but the bottom should retain color. Second year, small cracks, some color, thrid year, larger cracks all white, 4-5+, starting to get "chalkie", 10+++ turning to dust and when you pick them up they will fall apart in your hands. These last I dont keep. usually...



All that said, I have found many a shed htat has chalked wasted points but I cut the burr handle off for salvage for antler tool projects. Usually the burr end retains good bone and the outer chalk is easily sanded off. This can then be restained and further restored with olive oil, varnish etc. Experiment!

 

[Boots2]

Elk burr -restored from 5-7 year old antler

Lg Muley shed - 25++ years, decomposing into soil

 

[boneaddict]

In my neck of the woods that deer antler would be about year 6.

 

[antlerradar]

I think you are right. That antler is 25 years old and likely much older. I have found antlers that I know are close to 30 years old because I have pic of the buck when he was taken. I also have a few matched sets that took me close to 15 years to match up. Those antlers are in better shape that the one you have. It might be newer if it is were it gets alot of sun. In a dry aria things will last a long time. A few weeks ago I found a buffalo horn. It has to be 130 years old.

Antlerradar