deersheds 2011 Shed Journal

[deershed]

I started my 2011 shed season Jan 1st. finding to 2 fresh drops and a small dead head.

My first find was the dead head,a little 5pt.

Next was my first fresh drop of the season,a little 4pt. side.

20yds away from my first find I spot another fresh one.

And both sheds for my first hunt of the year..

I made a few more trips only seeing buck packing both sides.I did find an old one Jan 9th.

My next hunt was Jan 14th. when I found any new finds.

I went to an area where I found a big big set off a 10 pointer and the same day found another shed off that same buck from the year before.

Here's a post from 2009 for that day.

I went out yesterday and had a Great day!! Found 5 sheds total,4 fresh and an old one and a dead 8 pointer.

I started off finding a fresh 3pt. side in one area then moved to another area.

It didn't take long in this new area when I spotted tines.It was an old shed in perfect shape with no chews just faded from the elements.

A little bit later I was walking a hedge row between two cut cornfields when I walked up on this dead buck.

I left the dead buck figuring I'd pick it up on my way back covering the other side of the hedge row.Just before reaching the dead buck on my return trip I spot a shed and about fell over.

After seeing this shed sitting next to my first find here the old shed I thought they may both have come off the same deer.They're opposite sides so it's hard to tell.

I pick up my sheds and the dead buck skull and move on towards the end of the hedge row.Once there I hang the head in a pine tree for safe keeping and when I start to head towards the cut corn I spot a shed 10' away.

I don't know how I didn't see this when I first got there.I hung the head and took a pic of the head hanging then when I started to walk away I saw it.

This was from the angle I first walked up on it.

This is from the other side of it.The big pine in the front far left of this next pic is where I hung the 8 pointer.

After my pics of that last shed and making sure nobody saw me almost trip over that last shed laying in the open.I started my search for the other side to that big shed I just found.

To make a long story short I searched for 2 hours all around that area except the direction I had to walk out.I already had plans to come back the next day and search all day until I found the other side.There was more corn to search and further back in the woods the opposite direction.

While walking out I cut the corner of the corn field watching in the corn as I went when I spotted the mate.

This was about the actual distance I spotted the shed from and the angle.

A little closer view.

Closer yet.

From the opposite side.The cut corn in the upper left of this pic is where I searched first,.The hedge row where I found the first half was to the left of it.

After finding this side the same side as the old shed found earlier I knew the 3 antlers all came off the same buck.How often do you find 3 antlers off the same buck the same day.

The 2 left sides together.

All 3 together.

And all my finds for that day together.

With the 2 major snow storms we got last year with this area being open the deer were void in this area and I never found any sheds off the big 10 last year.

Jan 14th this year I was back in that same area again hoping the big 10 would be back and drop there again.

About a 1/2 hour into my hunt I spot a fresh drop,it's off the big 10 and one of the antlers I was hoping to find.

I searched out from where I found that first shed in all directions.At the bottom of the hill there was one last pass about 40yds. long that I some how missed everytime I'd search out in a new direction.

On one of my searches out from where that first shed was found about 300yds. awayI spotted another fresh drop.It's not the missing antler I'm looking for,but they're all good finds.

After my pics I no sooner started looking again and 20yds. away I spot tines sticking out of the snow.At first I thought it was an old antler from last year,turned out to be the mate off the antler I just found.My first matched set of the year.

And back together again.

Over 2 hours later after finding that first half off the 10 and not knowing where else to look I started heading back to where I found that first half.I figured I'd either already walked past it or it was in some small pocket I'd over looked.And I still had that small 40yd. stretch at the bottom of the hill below where the first half was found I hadn't searched.

When I got back to the strip of grass where I found the first half of the 10 five feet into the strip from the edge and 20yds. below where the first half was found I almost tripped over this,the other side.

All 4 sheds for the day.

And the set from 09 and today.

Jan 22nd made a trip and found a couple fresh and a couple oldies.

My first find today came fast the first couples mins. of the hunt and not 100yds. after starting.

I searched amost another 2 hours before spotting my next find for the day.

That was it for anymore fresh finds for the day.This next one was an old one with some chews.

And my last find was an old old one.Actually it was a busted off antler with chews and in pretty bad shape.

And all 4 at home.

My next trip was Jan 24th. finding a yard shed and a nice set.First was my yard shed.Last year I found my first fresh shed of the year in the yard next to this one.

Sitting up by the house was the homeowners dog.He did alot of barking when he spotted me,but that was about it.

Later in a different area I was walking the edge of a field heading towards some woods when I spotted these.

And all 3 for the day.The set is a small g-4 on the one side,but it's big enough that I'm calling the set a 12.

I'm getting snow right now so it's hard to tell when I'll get out again.

Edited January 26, 2011 by deershed

[toddyboman]

great stuff!! Can i come shed hunt with you some day........simple amazing!!

[Zambo]

All great finds. Congratulations. Nice bunch of pictures also. Here in Minnesota we have already hit our annual snow fall average. Sheds are really tough to spot under the snow.

[Stone Cold]

WOW Can I walk with you? That is really cool! Way to get it done!

[bowhunter73]

WOW! what state is this?

[deershed]

WOW! what state is this?

Maryland ..I do a little shedding over the line in Pa. but most my shedding is in Md.

Welcome to the boards!!

[Prairiepredator]

Wow!! That is awesome! It would take me a few years to find that many sheds!

[deershed]

With it still being early in the year and fresh snow on the ground it's a wonder I found anything today.

I did manage to find another yard shed.

[fly]

You found more sheds in one day than I have in my entire life!

[deershed]

I made another trip last Thur. finding one then another trip today finding 5 more.

Last Thur. it was about 3 hour hike and I found my only find for the day in the first 5 minutes.

Today it was 5 little dinks.

I looked for about 2 hours in my first spot before I found my first for the day.It's still early and many are still holding.

After checking out some different areas and doing more scouting then shedding I hit my last spot of the day late in the day.

In this new area I spot a shed right off the bat not 5 mins. after I started.

40yds away another fast one.

Then 80yds later 2 together and not a set.

And both as they layed.

And all 5 dinks at home.

Edited February 6, 2011 by deershed

[Tominator]

Either I'm having a deja vu, or you posted the same pictures last year.

Either way, great finds.

[deershed]

Either I'm having a deja vu, or you posted the same pictures last year.

Either way, great finds.

Impossible...all fresh finds this year.I'd like to see that post.

Here's some pics from todays hunt.

Had a pretty good day today,4 more sheds and a bittersweet dead head.

Watched a buck try to mount a doe and watched a couple buck going at it.Thought for sure I'd see an antler fly.

Before any excitement started for the day I spotted my first piebald for the season.

Then I found a shed in a trail the deer cut in the snow that I've probably walked 4 times already in the last couple weeks.Friday I walked that trail and it wasn't there then.

My next find was a couple hours later when I spotted this one down a small hill.

It wasn't 50yds. later I spotted this one at a distance,saw that curve in the mainbeam.

Then about 100yds. further on I thought I found that last shed's mate.

I never did find either of the mates to the last 2,but did spot this old one in the same area.

After that old shed and my last find for the day is when I watched 2 buck follow a small doe around.Then the bigger of the two and a sweet buck at that,tried to mount the little doe.

Thinking that was strange this late in the year.A couple hours later I walked up on two other buck sparring pretty good.I watched them for 15 mins. waiting on an antler to fly at any moment.

An antler never flew and the 2 wandered off after the bigger of the two started getting nervous of me.

It was a ittle 8 and a spike in the shoving match.They were going at it pretty good,I could hear their antlers banging 80yds. away.

[Zambo]

You are having one heck of a great season. Do you need help carrying sheds out of the woods? I will volunteer.

[toddyboman]

more great finds!!! Keep em coming!!

Either I'm having a deja vu, or you posted the same pictures last year.

Either way, great finds.

I am pretty sure they are different each year

[deershed]

I made a few more trips since my last update.I did alot of walking so far this year for the sheds I've found.The buck seem to be dropping in pockets and then only a few at a time in those areas.

My next trip was Feb.16th back in the same area where I found the big 10pt. set.

I no sooner started my search for the day when I almost stepped on a matched set laying together.

Walking into the sun it wasn't easy seeing these at first.

After the set walking just inside some woods that bordered a cut corn field I spotted tines at a distance.

It was an old one.

Then a little while later in a different area I finished up the day finding a busted up dead head spike.

All 3 for the day.

Feb 18th. I found another 3 sheds starting the day off with a fresh 3pt. side.

It was a couple hours later before I found anything else.Last year I found this bucks matched set.Not a monster set,but a sweet set just the same.

I gave that area a good look trying to match that last one up and came up empty.I left that area and stopped at another area for a quick search before heading home.

Here I found one for my last find of the day.

And all 3 for the day plus that set from last year.

Feb 20th I was back in the same area I was in where I found the big 3pt. side my last hunt.After 3 hours coming up empty on anything I moved to a different area.This new area I was in once in early Jan. seeing a few buck using this area.

Today it was a couple buck still carrying and 4 small dead heads.I spent a couple hours here before moving again.

I checked out a couple different areas coming up empty in all of them before finally finding an old chewed up antler.This was in the area where I watched the 8 and spike sparring.

After the old find and most this area already covered I started heading out.That's when I walked up on 3 buck,two were the 8 and spike I saw sparring earlier and the third a sweet 10 pointer.

This was the 8 that was sparring with the spike.

And the spike with the 10.

After running into the 3 buck I hurried out of that area to hit one last spot for the day.It was a open grassy field that would be easy to search and the deer used this field alot.

It was 6:10 when I almost stepped on these before seeing them.A perfect way to end a long day after starting my hunt at 9 that morning.

And all 3 sheds for the day.

We got hit with about 6" of snow 2 days later and haven't been out since.The snow levels have been dropping good and warmer temps. and rain are in the forecast so maybe some more sheds soon.....

Edited February 24, 2011 by deershed

[toddyboman]

AWESOME way to end the day! Great pic!!

[toddyboman]

You holding out on us or what.......I know you have been out and have a ton of pics and stories to share......Come on with the update :D:D:D:D

Please

[Crew999]

Looks like your having a great shed hunting season, love the piebald deer to. Great photos!

Edited March 26, 2011 by Crew999

[deershed]

You holding out on us or what.......I know you have been out and have a ton of pics and stories to share......Come on with the update :D:D:D:D

Please

I did fall alittle behind. An update just for you Todd...

It's been a rough year with the buck holding extra long this year seeing my latest buck still carrying Sunday.I was getting days in the 50's and 60's in mid feb. and then the deer started spreading out over a larger area when the warmer days hit spreading what sheds out that did drop.

My next shed hunt was back on feb.25th. when I found one shed.

The turtle shell I pulled from my collection that I'd already had.

Feb. 27th. I made another trip finding a couple more.

I headed further down the road to a farm I've had some good luck the last couple years.Last year a new group of hunters leased the property.They must have put alot of pressure on the local deer herd there.

Found zero sheds and found very little sign of any deer using the property.

I did find a little dead Y buck.

I spent most the day on that farm and tried finding a couple new areas coming up empty before hitting the road.On the way home I stopped in one of my areas for a quick search.

10 mins. into my search I spotted an old one laying in a deer trail.At least my competition didn't hit it here yet this year.

A little bit later I spotted white tines at a distance.

After a few passes trying to find the other side I spot a little fresh 3pt. side.

I

After giving the rest of the immediate area a good look for the other side to the last two I started searching further out.

That's when I jumped these 2 buck.I tried making the pic bigger,but it won't save for me when I'm finished with it.The spike's left antler goes straight out to the side.

To make a long story short I covered that entire area good trying to match that 5pt. up for the next 2 hours.Frustrated and tired I started out to go home.

That's when I jumped a small herd of deer with one buck in the group that dropped one side.

You guessed it,the missing antler I just spent the last 2 hours looking for.

All 3 for the day.

March 1st. was my next shed hunt when my youngest boy Stacy went with me.

Our first find for the day was a team effort.I spotted the shed and never said a word.

Stacy then walked up and spotted it also.

And this little one.Glad this was dropped where it was or this antler might not have been found.

And both for the day.

March 3rd

My first find for the day was a little spike.It was in some open woods with alot of pines and alot of fallen trees and branches.I'd spotted the shed and took my first "atl" pic.As I stood to take another pic I then noticed it's other side laying there also.

The shed laying dead center in pic was the first find.I never saw the side laying to the right until after I took the pic.

In this pic the second shed is laying straihgt above the obvious shed under the twig off the branch.

A little bit later I spotted this at a distance.

And then one last little one to end the day.

And all 3 for the day.

March 5th.

Today I went on a group shed hunt that a bunch of us do every year.This was the same group and hunt where my booner set came from a couple years back.

My only finds for the hunt was an old one and a 8pt. dead head.Alot of buck were seen still carrying and only a handful of fresh sheds were found.

First was the old shed.

After covering some serious ground on the backside of the property and beyond,I was headed back in when I stumbled on this guy.

After the shed hunt on the way home I stopped where I made my last trip finding the fresh 3pt side and the 5pt side.

I was hoping to match either one up specially the 5pt side.

About an hour at this place I stepped on this guy.It's the other side to the 3pt. side I found here my last trip.

I never matched the 5pt side up that I saw still carrying his one side nor did I see either of the other 2 buck I saw still with both sides my last trip here.

I did see a bigger bodied buck that dropped both sides.I'm thinking it was the one that was carrying one side my last trip.

Here's both sheds from today with the 3pt's other side.

March 7th.

I went to a area I saw a nice 8 running around still carrying both sides a couple weeks ago.This is the first year I've ever been in this area.

I think I found the set off the 8,not sure if it's the same one.I did see at least 2 other buck still carrying both sides maybe a third buck.Alot of buck are still carrying in my areas and I'll be working bad hours to get out looking soon.

I'd already searched a couple other areas for the day coming up empty.On my way home I stopped to check things out in this area.

About a 1/2 hour of looking here I spotted this.

About an hour later after heading off and checking another area there I spotted this about 150yds away from my first find.

And both for the day.

Everytime I go shed hunting I pass this zebra out in a field with a couple donkeys.This is out in the country where you'd never expect to see something like this.

I finally stopped on my way home today for some pics.

I've still got a few more finds to update (30 some) and I'm not done looking yet,more later.

[toddyboman]

Thanks for the update!!! :D:D

I always enjoy reading and viewing your updates!!

hope your bucks start dropping so you can start finding more!!!! Good luck!

[OHbuckeye1]

Awesome stuff, keep it up. Those are some great pictures, I need to start taking My camera with Me.

Wonder what's up with all the dead Bucks that you have found.

[hoosierhunter]

Where in the heck do you live and how much land do you have because that is a silly amount of sheds

[deershed]

These are all Maryland deer.I jump from one area to another all over the county(s),alot suburbia areas too.

That's where alot of the dead deer finds come from.Too many roads criss crossing through my areas and the deer don't have a chance.

[deershed]

A couple more updates from my season so far this year.

March 9th.

I made a trip back in the area where I found my sets off my little big 10.Last year with all the snow we got the deer weren't in this area and I never found his set last year.

I was hoping to search out in some other areas that connected to this area where I'd found his other antlers from earlier years.No luck on finding his sheds from last year,but I found some other oldies instead.

My first find I'm still not sure if it was an oldie or just looked old from where it was laying.It was laying in a ditch on a hill that gets run off water when it rains or snow melt.

After that first shed find I came across a little dead head.Later on my way out I ran into a guy cutting firewood and asked him about the little dead buck.

Where I found it,it wasn't far from a treestand.After a little talking with this guy it turned out he hit a little buck from that treestand and that it was probably that same buck.He didn't want it,but it was still pretty cool.

Before running into the wood cutter that lost the buck I found a little chewed antler some squirrel kindly left lay next to the base of a tree.

After the chewed up squirrel shed is when I ran into the wood cutter.After talking with him about the dead buck I started off again and not 30 yds. away I almost stepped on another old one.

And then to finish the day almost back to where I started my hike I spot my last find for the day,another old one.

All 4 for the day.

March 12th.

Today picked right up where I left off my last hunt finding oldies.My first find a little old piece of chewed antler,no ATL for this one.

My second find for the day wasn't much better.

About an hour later I spotted white tines at about 40yds away.At first I thought I had another old one.While trying to get a good angle for a pic I noticed a second antler laying there too.

I love finding matched sets laying together.

It was a couple hours later before my next find,another old one.

After hitting a couple different areas and coming up empty I finally found another fresh drop and my last for the day,another one spotted at a distance.

All 6 for the day.

March 13th.

I was back in the area where I saw the 8pt. and spike sparring then ran into the 2 of them running with a Sweet 10 pointer.

Here's the 10 point I saw a couple weeks back.

About a 1/2 hour of looking here I spot this,the 10's left side.

At the back side of this property where I thought I'd find the 10's other half I find an old one.

There's a small creek running down through the center of this creekbottom.The creek is only a couple feet across,not big at all.I was following a deer trail to the creek to cross when I spotted this one feet from the waters edge.

This shed was just dropped in the last couple days.Any sooner and all that rain we got the other day would have washed it away.

This last shed was towards the front of the property.I wanted to check a small open area at the other end back by the 2 small blocks of woods where I'd just come from.On the way back there I find a dead head.

After the dead head and next to the 2nd block of woods I hadn't searched yet I jump about a dozen deer.The 8 pointer is in the bunch carrying both sides and a bigger bodied buck that shed both sides,most likely the 10.

After seeing these guys I decided to head out and let the area go another week.

Almost out and across the creek from where I found that last shed I spot one last one for this area.

See the mud on the base,this whole area was flooded bad after that last rain.

When I moved from this spot I only moved down the creekbottom about a mile to hit a small spot.

10 mins. here I found my last shed for the day.

And my finds for the day.

I still have some more to update then I better find some fresh finds or I'm done. I'm planning to get some time in Sunday then again Tues.

[toddyboman]

I better find some fresh finds or I'm done.

YEAH right.....your addicted....and can't stop :D:D