Have a few questions on elk sheds

[Tom2008]

I know there are few people on here that search for elk sheds and I would like to ask a few questions. Me and my girlfriend are hoping to take a road trip next year to Wyoming to look for elk sheds. I was wondering when the best time to go would be when most of them have dropped. I would also like to know what we would need to do to get access to some public land. For example maybe we'd have to buy some public land access license or something like that since were non-resident. Thanks for any replies it will be greatly appreciated.

[whitetailtrax]

Here is my experience in Montana. Elk shedding usually follows a bell curve with the earliest (usually the largest) elk shedding during the second and third weeks in March (rarely the 1st week). Then the majority of bulls shed between about March 25th to April 15th. Some spikes and ragheads will hold on another week or two. For reference purposes, I watched and photographed a 320 class bull in Yellowstone Park shed his antlers on March 19th. At that time, about 10% of the 40 or so mature bulls I saw had shed.

My advice would be to plan on being in Wyoming or wherever you end up on or about mid-April. This will insure that a majority of bulls have shed. However, shed hunting is becoming HUGE in Wyoming and Montana and the antlers are disappearing as fast as they are dropping. So by waiting you run the risk of getting beat to the spot. You will also need to do some homework on places to go. Elk are still on the winter range or transitioning to spring range when they shed depending on snow conditions and spring green-up. You will need to find these critical wintering and spring areas.

As for access, most public lands in the northern rockies are open to public use without any permits required. In Wyoming, you should be able to access all BLM and Forest Service lands without a permit (somebody correct me if I'm wrong). There are many areas where public and private land intermix so you want to make sure you have good maps and not accidentally tresspass onto private land (you might get shot at).

Lastly, you will probably have a difficult time getting anyone to help you find a spot. Biologists generally won't reveal locations because far too many people are chasing elk all over the countryside when their fat reserves are at their lowest (not good for the elk). And, those that shed hunt generally keep their hot spots to themselves.

Hope this helps. let me know if you have any other questions or need help.

Mark

[Tom2008]

Thanks a ton Mark. I'm sure we will have quite a few more questions sooner or later. We'll be sure to send you a PM. Thanks again .