Did I have more luck than him that day? Luckily for you, Colorado Parks and Wildlife have developed Google Earth (KMZ) Species Maps that are available for download for free and provide a map overlay of species activity. Wyoming Backcountry Mule Deer Hunt Video Series With Randy Newberg, OUT WEST - A Wyoming Backcountry Archery Elk Hunt, Federal judge rules bear baiting lawsuit can continue, Let’s not forget that hunting is about hunting. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Now you might be saying, well this all sounds great but I still have no clue as to where to begin to find shed antlers. February 12, 2017 at 5:18 pm. My other go-to piece of technology is the OnXMaps Hunt App available for download on iOS or Android. This was enacted in 2018 to protect wildlife from additional stress. The three ranches offer 45,000 acres of nature at its best. No, it just means he is still learning the ropes. 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. For additional shed hunting tips and helpful information, be sure to check out 4 New School Tips For The Beginner Colorado Shed Hunter. I would like to know where you like to go antler hunting in Colorado. Antler collectors and all people recreating in Colorado are reminded that shed antler and horn collecting is prohibited on all public lands west of I-25 from March 2 through April 30. Happy shed hunting! While there was some debate over the addition of a license/permit for shed antler/horn collection, they decided to move forward without charging extra fees. I would love to hear some of your shed hunting strategies and tactics that you use to find antlers – share them with me in the comments below! With each throw it would land in a different position; tines up, tines down, facing away, partially hidden, fully exposed or sunk in the mud, forcing my eyes to pick up on those differences. This is not a money-making decision. … One of my favorite programs is Google Earth, which is an invaluable mapping tool and can be downloaded for free. Many shed antler collectors bring their dogs along, some of which are trained specifically to find the shed. Get a pair. 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. Just a reminder for anyone that might find themselves in a similar situation. I'd bet in 5 years they up it to $100 the way they have been doing things. “I’d like to start with just a time restriction, without the fees. For example, if you were looking to specifically pursue elk shed antlers, download the elk .kmz file, study their winter concentration areas and figure out an initial game plan based on that information. The Pro-Cam 12 is a great trail camera that you can use throughout the year to keep tabs on the deer herd. Colorado: On public lands in the Gunnison Basin (big game management units 54, 55, 551, 66 and 67), collection of shed antlers was prohibited from Jan. 1 through March 14. Mark Kayser. goHUNT is a registered trademark of goHUNT, LLC. Collecting antlers shed by big game has become a popular and profitable pursuit. Shed Hunting: From Colorado Parks & Wildlife. The agency manages 42 state parks, all of Colorado's wildlife, more than 300 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. Some shed hunters search for sheds with the intention of selling them, while others use sheds to help plan hunts for the following year. The decision, which will take effect March 1, is in place to protect wildlife that spend winter on these lands. "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." Are they glassing often or are they simply putting boots on the ground? The same holds true for shed antler hunting, especially in the mountains of Colorado. 2,018 likes. Where do you go for deer antlers and where do you go for elk and moose antlers? If you aren’t familiar with Google Earth, think of it as a much more interactive, detailed version of Google Maps, where you can see land contours and mark locations much like on a handheld GPS. The moment will come when you find an antler. I live near the foothills between Denver and Boulder. For the inexperienced shed hunter, it is important to train the eye. Dogs have upwards of 300 million scent receptors in the noses (bloodhound) and with some training, they’ll locate and retrieve some shed antlers that you would have never found. If you’re a fan of wildlife and a fan of collecting the antlers bucks and bulls leave behind every spring, you need to read this update from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. You could face steep fines if you're caught collecting shed antlers in Western Colorado. Officials hope that this closure will specifically help protect the breeding and nesting grounds of the Gunnison sage-grouse, a bird that is listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, according to The Daily Sentinel. All of this attention and overzealousness has prompted many states to implement shed hunting seasons. If you want to more quickly overcome the learning curve of shed antler hunting, it would be beneficial to befriend someone who is a proficient shed hunter themselves. For those of you passionate about shed hunting and dogs, this is your website. You will also notice if you utilize the Google Earth species map overlay mentioned earlier in this article that many of the South-facing slopes have a high concentration of wintering deer and elk herds. One example is Colorado where their Parks and Wildlife Department has enacted a regulation that prohibits antler and horn collection from Jan. 1 to April 30. OnXMaps shows you exactly where public and private land boundaries are located and allow you mark spots and utilize different overlays much like a handheld GPS. CASTLE ROCK, CO – MARCH 23, 2014: A mule deer shed serves as an antler hunting training tool for Bailey in Castle Rock in March. Find a Shed Mentor. Shed hunting is an ever-growing sport and there are numerous reasons why. From March 15 through May 15, shed antler collection was prohibited from legal sunset to 10 a.m. Tagged as: If you are looking for another unique way to train your eyes, check out this picture-based article from Wired To Hunt. Doesn't make any sense to me why I cant pick up a chalky shed that's been laying there for 3 years. I won’t elaborate too much on this topic but essentially what I am trying to convey here is to concentrate on locating and searching slopes that are South-facing because they have a higher concentration of animals during Winter months. Shed hunting is the ultimate treasure hunt and, for some, an exciting pastime. Welcome to the North American Shed Hunting Dog Association (NASHDA), website. The popularity for shed hunting has increased significantly over the past ten years. “There are some new regulations put in place in Eagle, Pitkin, Garfield and Routt counties where you’re not allowed to shed hunt from Jan. 1 through March 14,” Behncke said. Shed Hunting Tips From Some of the Nation’s Best Shed Hunters. The act, commonly referred to as shed hunting, has become increasingly popular in recent years. Collecting is usually allowed to start on March 15. One of the greatest features about OnXMaps is that it shows public and private land ownership, giving you peace of mind when accessing hunting areas. elk shed hunting in colorado, ... would: [E]nd all hunting behind "enclosures" in Colorado. I found this small mule deer shed in a bedding area on a south facing slope, laying underneath a juniper tree. Subscribe to our newsletter and receive The Colorado Beginner Elk Hunting Guide for FREE, Pingback: “New School” Tips For The Beginner Shed Hunter |(), Pingback: Colorado Elk Shed Hunting Tips – Transition Wild(). Colorado has responded to increased shed antler hunting pressure in recent years by instituting their first ever shed hunting license. Luckily for you, there are numerous ways to utilize technology to your advantage before you ever step foot outside. The resource of public land comes with great opportunity when it comes to shed antlers. Shed Antler Hunting Tip #1 – Use a dog. If you don’t think it can be exciting, you’ve probably never given it a serious try. To make things easier for the inexperienced shed hunter, I’ve put together a “new-school” quick-start-guide to get you off and running in pursuit of that brown gold! Browning makes gun safe selection super easy! Shed hunting has become so popular that guided week-long “shed hunts” in prime areas can cost $2,500 or more with food and lodging included. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Yet, for those who hike Colorado’s backcountry in search of sheds, you’ll have to wait until May 1 to start. First, let’s start with a recap on white-tailed deer habits and habitats. Shed hunting, specifically western shed hunting as a season on public land, has its own set of rules and regulations. In the areas I Mountain Lion hunt I look for sheds in between sets. With shed hunting season well underway in Colorado, I thought I would offer up a few tips for the novice shed hunter looking to find that precious prize. Receive updates and goHUNT's most popular content. Ivory & Antler Outfitters offers guided, free range Shiras Moose hunts in Colorado, near Walden, CO. In fact, to protect the birds further, an additional closure of public lands to shed hunters will occur May 1 to May 15, from sunset to 10 a.m. in Game Management Units 54, 55, 66, 67, and 551, the Alamosa News reports. This license is mandatory for any person collecting shed antlers, shed horns, antlers or horns attached to skull plates of animal carcasses that are found in the field, etc. If you plan to try your Backwoods Old Dominion Boots out looking for sheds, be sure you know the laws of the area you plan to shed hunt. 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. Subscribe to Blog via Email. © Copyright 2017 Transition Wild. The majority of times you will not spot the entire antler as a whole but most likely a small portion of a tine, main beam or antler base. Before too long you will begin to hunt smarter, not harder and become more proficient at finding shed antlers in the Colorado high-country. Finding an antler laying on the ground is similar to finding a needle in a haystack; they can be very tough to spot. If you lack experience in the world of shed hunting, sometimes you can feel overwhelmed when it comes to getting started. Memories like these can be yours at the ranches of Ricardo, Rincon, and Rita. Deer are adapted to rest during the day and feed throughout the night. Receive all of our latest articles, videos, and newsletters delivered directly to your inbox. Draw Odds Updated for 2021 in AZ, ID, UT, WY, 2021 Western Big Game Hunting Application Deadlines. I introduced shed antler hunting to my buddy, Sam, last year and shortly after his first endeavor, he quickly fell victim to the addiction. Is this person following a drainage full of sage brush or are they running the ridge top in a thick cover of pinion pines? Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission approves shed antler and horn collection seasonal restrictions at January meeting. There’s no substitute for the real deal which means getting outside and putting boots on the ground. This app costs $35 per year but in my opinion, is well worth the money because it is extremely important to know which lands are available to access and which ones are off limits due to private ownership. 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. A strategy I used in my early years was to close my eyes, throw a shed into a thick area and walk towards it to see how quickly I could locate the antler. Call Earl at (720) 218-4677 for questions or to book a hunt. There are additional restrictions on the Gunnison Basin. Provided | Because of the severe winter in the Gunnison Basin, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has put a special regulation in place that prohibits shed antler collecting until May 15. Here’s another quick tip: Go join Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) for $35 and receive a 1-year free subscription to OnXMaps Hunt! Shed Hunting Tips the Western Way. News, Colorado, shed hunting, sage grouse. Choose from 14 Colorado ranches for Elk Hunting and Deer Hunting for 2021 Colorado Elk Hunting and Deer Hunting Leases in hunting units 4, 15, 23, 25, 42, 65, 82, 131, and 211. When it comes to shed hunting a western state like Colorado, the amount of public land can seem endless and finding a spot to start can be overwhelming. For more information about the new restriction, click here. The season for "shed hunting" will open on May 1. But after you celebrate with a fist-pump, , … In addition, to further protect the Gunnison sage-grouse, the new regulations include a time-of-day closure in the Gunnison Basin May 1 - 15 from sunset to 10 a.m. Dog Chews . According to Alamosa News, officials have been discussing the issue over the last few months before approving this new shed hunting restriction. Colorado prohibits shed hunting from Jan. 1 to April 30 west of I-25. The decision, which will take effect March 1, is in place to protect wildlife that spend winter on these lands. As with anything in life, there is a learning curve to anything you do, whether it’s … Even though we were walking the same ground in the same area, my years of experience and knack for finding antlers played a key role in my success that day. Colorado is home to millions of acres of BLM and National Forest areas available for public recreational use but there are often private lands mixed in between. This is especially true for areas that have experienced a severe Winter with cold temperatures and heavy snowfall. A hunt for shed elk antlers is just the ticket to get outside and enjoy a spring day in elk country. Big game seasons have ended and spring turkey seasons have not yet started. 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. Experienced shed hunters know how to maneuver the landscape, adjust their path based on animal sign and have a keen eye for spotting those hard-to-find antlers. One of the best aspects of elk shed hunting is enjoying the spring time in elk country. As with anything in life, the more you practice and the more time you put in, the better you will get. 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"}, My other go-to piece of technology is the, This app costs $35 per year but in my opinion, is well worth the money because it is extremely important to know which lands are available to access and which ones are off limits due to private ownership. Shed Hunting Restrictions in Colorado. This is because these slopes have less snow and therefore, have more food, which results in more animals using this to their advantage to survive. Here you will find all the latest information on NASHDA events and shed dog training information, training products, events, as well as techniques on how to train your own shed dog. A fun page to share pics from successful shed hunting trips. With a $ 40 license and is closed from Jan 1 - Apr 30 west of I25 shed! 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