[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/blog\/shed-hunting-homework\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/blog\/shed-hunting-homework\/","headline":"Shed Hunting Homework","name":"Shed Hunting Homework","description":"With peak shed hunting season less than a month away throughout most of the Midwest, here are some quick tips...","datePublished":"2015-01-30","dateModified":"2018-11-15","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/author\/hagosto\/#Person","name":"Hector Agosto","url":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/author\/hagosto\/","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d7bfedbdc5ef3ed8f8df91eb37e1ffbe?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d7bfedbdc5ef3ed8f8df91eb37e1ffbe?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Legendary Whitetails","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"http:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/logo-legendary-whitetails.png","url":"http:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/logo-legendary-whitetails.png","width":522,"height":226}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/17.jpg","url":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/01\/17.jpg","height":900,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/blog\/shed-hunting-homework\/","about":["News"],"wordCount":1128,"keywords":["News"],"articleBody":"With peak shed hunting season less than a month away throughout most of the Midwest, here are some quick tips to get you geared up and ahead of the game.\u00a0 Shed hunting is both a marathon and a sprint in today\u2019s world.\u00a0 A marathon in the sense that those who search the longest get the most bone, and a sprint in the sense that those who get to the best areas first, also collect more sheds.\u00a0 The time between the end of hunting season and antler drop is when you should be doing your homework so that you have plenty of quality areas to search in the coming months.Most bucks will lose their antlers between January and March. \u00a0On the same day this shed was found, I observed 6 different bucks holding both antlers during the evening hunt.Driving, Mapping, AskingIt\u2019s exactly what it sounds like.\u00a0 When you\u2019re driving around, whether it be on your way home from work or while you\u2019re running errands, remember the areas that look good.\u00a0 You must have some sort of deer hunting knowledge to identify these areas, but it\u2019s a relatively simple eye test.\u00a0 Living in the farmland region of southeastern Wisconsin, unplowed crop fields surrounded by thick wooded areas get me excited.\u00a0 I take several different ways home from work to scout potential shed hunting grounds.Marking shed hunting “hot spots” and locations where you found a shed on a map is a great scouting tactic and can teach you a lot about the deer in your area. \u00a0\u00a0Shop for Pro-Text Hunting GlovesIt is almost exclusively private land in my area, so if I want land to walk, I\u2019m going to have to work for it.\u00a0 First, find a good looking field or area.\u00a0 Snow really makes it easy to spot deer and sign.\u00a0 Secondly, don\u2019t just make a mental note, but physically mark it on a map.\u00a0 Thirdly, knock on the door or call the landowner to ask for permission – OnX Mapping App is a godsend.\u00a0 Personally, I prefer knocking on a door so the landowner can get a feel for the type of person I am, rather than making a judgment over the phone.It may seem like a lot of work, and most aren\u2019t willing to put in the time beforehand, which means more antlers for you and me!Hanging, Checking, WalkingHanging, checking, and walking refer to using trail cameras to scout for when and where bucks have cast their antlers.\u00a0 Trail cams are a great tool for keeping an eye on your own hunting property to know exactly when you need to go out and look.Quick WalksAgain, exactly what it sounds like . . . taking quick walks in search of sheds.\u00a0 This is more of an early shed hunting season tactic.\u00a0 I started doing these this week, as I would say roughly 30% of deer have shed in my area.\u00a0 Hit up the good-looking areas early and often, especially if they are near high traffic areas like busy roads or nature parks.Bonus tip: Don\u2019t forget to ask or look for sheds in non-hunting areas like nature preserves, business parks, and golf courses.GlassingIf you only pullover to glass fields during hunting season, you\u2019re missing out.\u00a0 Glassing tells you if bucks are still holding antlers, if bucks are using that area\/field, and can sometimes even lead to you spotting a shed lying out in the wide open.\u00a0 DO NOT TRESPASS! Even if the shed is just screaming for you to grab it, DON\u2019T. Ask for permission.A good set of binoculars is a “must have” during any shed hunt.Gearing up \u00a0Once peak shed season arrives, you want to be ready to hit the ground running . . . or should I say walking\u2026 slowly.\u00a0 The above tips should assist you with prepping a game plan for the weeks to come.\u00a0 Mark out which locations you will hit first and when you will hit them.\u00a0 Gather and pack your gear.\u00a0 My must have shed hunting gear includes a\u00a0comfortable pair of rubber boots, a quality pair of merino wool socks (often overlooked, but the key to avoiding blisters), binoculars, hunting chaps, a good bushwhacking coat that can handle the thorns and briars, a smartphone, and a backpack filled with a couple water bottles, energy bars or trail mix, toilet paper, and maps.\u00a0 Don\u2019t forget a hand saw or hatchet for the occasional shed that’s frozen into the\u00a0mud or any dead head you may find.\u00a0 Mind you, dead bucks are not legal to take in a lot of areas without contacting the local game warden first, so be sure to know the local regulations.Now that you’re armed both figuratively and mentally, get your plan together and get out there! Remember, Miles=Piles!"},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/#breadcrumbitem","name":"Legendary Whitetail's Blog"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https:\/\/community.legendarywhitetails.com\/blog\/shed-hunting-homework\/#breadcrumbitem","name":"Shed Hunting Homework"}}]}]