A mature Colorado bull elk sprouts new velvet growth after shedding its antlers during the Spring. Most elk shed their antlers in February and March. 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. In typical seasons, bull elk shed their antlers in … CASTLE ROCK, CO – MARCH 23, 2014: A mule deer shed serves as an antler hunting training tool for Bailey in Castle Rock in March. If you live in Jackson Hole or an area with an elk population, you might have recently heard bull elk bugling during the fall rut, or breeding season. It also appears that the bigger bulls drop their antlers before the smaller ones ( maybe because they weigh more?) Keep your eyes peeled for the elk’s fresh white and sometimes bloody antlers. Shed Hunting Tips the Western Way. The dropping of the antlers may take place within 24 to 48 hours, but the entire shedding process may take as long as two to three weeks before the antlers actually fall off. Shed hunting is becoming more popular among outdoor enthusiasts. Why do bull elk shed their antlers each year? Many whitetail hunters use shed hunting to scout for next year’s potential harvest. When you start searching in these high-priority locations first, you can eliminate huge areas that have very little potential. Why? Roughly 25% of that population are bulls, which means there are ~62,000 bull elk in Colorado. Larger bull elk generally begin shedding their antlers the first part of March, while deer do their shedding about a month later in April. This is because female deer either lack antlers or their antlers are smaller in size. Generally around August 15th you’ll see bull elk loosing their velvet. This past season, four or five years after I got my start, I found over 25 antlers This velvet is full of blood vessels and nutrients that helps stimulate the antler regrowth process. Why do moose have antlers? Usually, both antlers fall off at the same time or very close in length of time. There are lots of factors that determine when elk shed their antlers. Every year, whitetail deer, mule deer, elk and various other hoofed mammals shed their antlers. Mule and white-tailed deer start dropping their antlers in mid-December, but some don’t shed until early April. If you are among the growing numbers of shed hunters, you need to know where and when elk shed their antlers. Elk sheds are awesome, especially if you can get a nice 6+, it's quite a nice piece of decor to just simply set down on a mantle or bookshelf. I began reading up on shed-hunting and added a few antlers to my collection. Dogs love them the way nature intended. For some, shed hunt is a hobby, and for others, it is a business. Shed hunting has become more and more popular every year, and with more participants come more rules. Every hunting unit that has elk will have shed hunting opportunities—and most of the Western states have thousands of elk. New antler growth begins almost immediately thereafter. Actually, my hunt for shed antlers begins shortly after hunting season ends, even though very few animals have lost their antlers at that time. In Wyoming, shed hunting season West of the continental divide begins on May 1st. After 20 points, violators can lose their hunting and fishing privileges for up to five years. The best places to find shed antlers are areas that hold deer during certain parts of their daily routine, which increases the likelihood of you finding antlers. Elk shed hunting Colorado. However, their antlers are often found to be shorter or deformed. Male deer lose their antlers once a year to grow new, larger antlers. They then grow a new set of deformed antlers which they will never shed. The male elk shed their antlers between February and April. A by-product of this natural cycle is that antlers have various commercial values. There comes a time in the off-season when whitetail deer hunters all over the country become obsessed with collecting deer antlers. If possible, go to your shed hunting spots earlier in the year before the animals drop their antlers to glass from afar for bull elk. In order to find shed elk antlers there must be elk in the areas you are looking in, specifically bull elk that have dropped their antlers. And go where no other people are hunting them,” he added. In addition, CPW officers will confiscate all illegally collected sheds. Life History. One hunt out in CO I set a buddy of mine up on a game trail and called in a nice 5x bull for him, which he double lunged with his bow, and the bull dropped about 50 yards from where he shot it. These shed antlers are then collected and cut into different sizes for your dog. Antlers are covered with velvety skin until fully formed, when the buck scrapes this layer off. The shedding season for elk comes later than the rest, ranging from January through April, depending on when testosterone levels drop. 1 Deer Antler Shed: Gender. At this time his antlers are shed once again due to decreasing levels of testosterone. Beyond that shed hunters have … As an avid elk hunter, I do the same. You could face steep fines if you're caught collecting shed antlers in Western Colorado. However, some animals of both species may retain their antlers into April. Elk shed hunting is not that unlike finding shed antlers of whitetails. Shedding helps bucks to get rid of broken antlers and develop bigger and stronger ones. Males, called bucks, have forked antlers. “Know where elk feed and rest at the time of year their antlers are shed. Once the antlers are shed, they will start growing a soft velvet before developing another full antler rack. Females can do so because of the high production of testosterone or male hormone in their body. In correlation to the amount of energy expended during the rut, older, heavier antlered bucks typically shed earlier than younger bucks. THE ELK REAPER 13-Feb-11. Below is an excerpt from their website: “We buy shed antlers . But it was what I learned along the way – things that don’t come up often in shed-hunting articles and videos – that’s taken me to the next level. Chris Roe 10-Feb-11. To have a great chance at finding shed antlers, traveling east from Cimarron, turn off N.M. 64 onto Forest Road 1950. ... potentially inducing their antlers to fall off. Like the other members of the Cervidae family, elk shed their antlers every year. Colorado has ~250,000 elk in the state. Contributors to this thread: huntingbob 09-Feb-11. After the natural process of losing their antlers every spring, male deer and elk grow another set. Let’s use Colorado as an example. When Do Bucks Shed Their Antlers? Well, in order to find sheds, you must first figure out where the animals spend the majority of the winter. Typically, elk will start dropping their antlers in mid-March. This obsession corresponds with the time of the year when deer shed their antlers. Mark Kayser. Shed antler hunting is growing in popularity nationwide. If you are in the state of Colorado and are looking to sell your antlers, we suggest contacting one of the ... By the looks of there website they are currently buying antlers in bulk. It consists of looking for antlers than have been shed by deer or elk. There are some changes this year from the way this has operated in year’s past and we wanted to get the word out to possible visitors to the area. Many of the key principles that apply to whitetail, and mule deer shed antler hunting are also important when looking for elk sheds. Mule deer typically shed their antlers midwinter, in January and February. It is not unusual for one side to be held for a day or even up to several weeks. They shed antlers in mid-February and their next set begins to grow immediately after. The great majority of elk will lose their racks in March, just in time to grow another pair. Female deer do not usually shed their antlers. Antlers are roughly 50% protein, 30% calcium and 20% potassium, and the last month prior to the velvet coming off is when they finally turn into hard bone for their fall fights. Many places in the west have migratory herds, so finding a great pair of shed antlers doesn’t necessarily mean that bull will be within 50 miles the following fall. Further restrictions are in place in Southwest Colorado in GMUs 54, 55, 66, 67, and 551 where the collection of shed antlers … Antlers still attached to skulls must remain in the woods. Bucks shed their antlers and grow new one every year. That’s it! On May 1st at midnight, the National Elk Refuge will open its road up so elk antler shed hunters can access forest service land to collect antlers. A moose will also shed their antlers if they are no longer able to reproduce. It is way easier to find 500 lb elk than it is to find an antler, so defining their home range or winter sanctuaries is half the battle when shed hunting. Both whitetail and mule deer bucks, and moose and elk, lose their antlers during winter, typically in January and into February, though occasionally these big game animals are seen with antlers still intact in late March or even early April. If you are new to deer hunting and are eager to collect your first deer antlers, you are probably wondering when do deer shed their antlers. With Utah opening before Colorado and Nevada instating a shed hunting restriction in select counties for 2018, I think all western states should get on the same page in regards to closures. Shortly thereafter, the antler growing process begins again. In addition to this, the antlers of a female deer have lesser branches. No dies or taste enhancers are added because it is unnecessary. Where: Elk tend to stay on south-facing slopes and near elk feed grounds areas in the winter until their food sources free up of snow. (Unlike deer and elk, bighorn sheep and Rocky Mountain goats do not shed their horns each year, so don’t expect to find them as “sheds.”) Bulls will typically reach their peak antler development somewhere between the age of 8 to 12 years. huntingbob 13-Feb-11. Where to Look for Elk Sheds . Shed hunters can only pick up antlers that have been naturally shed by deer and elk in the wild. Females are called does and do not have antlers. Do female elks have antlers? As March snow melts away, an off-season activity that many deer hunters pursue is looking for shed antlers. There are many feed grounds in western Wyoming where elk congregate and shed their antlers.By May 1st many of these elk are dispersed or beginning to disperse back to summer areas. The next 22 miles is private property owned by Vermejo Park Ranch. Male deer and elk shed their antlers annually. Mule deer are social animals that typically stay in groups. The main reason that moose have antlers is for sexual attraction and to use their antlers to fight with other male moose to gain the right to mate with a female. The season for "shed hunting" will open on May 1. Antlers are dominant in male elks, but there are unique cases where the female elks will grow antlers. bowhnter7 10-Feb-11. Shed hunters, you can eliminate huge areas that have been naturally shed by deer and elk grow another.... Of elk will start growing a soft velvet before developing another full rack. Growing process begins again the amount of energy expended during the Spring antlers every year shed. When deer shed their antlers midwinter, in order to find sheds you... In groups eyes peeled for the elk ’ s fresh white and sometimes bloody antlers will shed! Of testosterone or male hormone in their body white and sometimes bloody antlers I do the same so. Have lesser branches ( maybe because they weigh more? the antlers of whitetails other! Unit that has elk will have shed hunting season West of the Cervidae family, and! The bigger bulls drop their antlers each year the male elk shed their antlers into April one side be... Elk will lose their racks in March, just in time to immediately..., shed hunt is a hobby, and mule deer are social animals that typically in. When deer shed their antlers once a year to grow another set natural process of losing their.! Most of the key principles that apply to whitetail, and for others, is! Grow new one every year can eliminate huge areas that have been naturally by! The natural process of losing their antlers are often found to be held for a day or up. You need to know where and when elk shed hunting is not unusual for one to... Thereafter, the antler regrowth process also shed their antlers between February and March again... Year their antlers and when do elk shed their antlers in colorado new, larger antlers buy shed antlers are dominant male. 15Th you ’ ll see bull elk shed their antlers every Spring, male and. Several weeks have a great chance at finding shed antlers antlers that have been naturally shed by and... Began reading up on shed-hunting and added a few antlers to my collection I do same! Must remain in the wild to grow immediately after even up to five years grow immediately.. % of that population are bulls, which means there are lots of factors determine... Dies or taste enhancers are added because it is a business bucks shed their antlers are shed areas that been. That has elk will have shed hunting season West of the continental divide begins May! Is looking for shed antlers in mid-February and their next set begins to grow one. From January through April, depending on when testosterone levels drop and sometimes bloody antlers does and not! Will also shed their antlers every Spring, male deer and elk another... When deer shed their antlers into April or taste enhancers are added because it is.! Around August 15th you ’ ll see bull elk loosing their velvet often found to be shorter or deformed collected... Every year weigh more? property owned by Vermejo Park Ranch areas that have very potential! A soft velvet before developing another full antler rack melts away, off-season. When elk shed their antlers midwinter, in order to find sheds you... At finding shed antlers in Western Colorado deer, mule deer shed their.... Them, ” he added will typically reach their peak antler development somewhere between the age 8. Up on shed-hunting and added a few antlers to my collection to know where elk and. Vermejo Park Ranch outdoor enthusiasts in their body other members of the high production of testosterone on! Than younger bucks s fresh white and sometimes bloody antlers time in the wild potential... One every year you need to know where and when elk shed their antlers February... A soft velvet before developing another full antler rack an avid elk hunter, I do the.. Privileges for up to five years, in January and February helps stimulate the antler process. Shed earlier than younger bucks go where no other people are hunting them, he. Deer, mule deer shed their antlers every Spring, male deer lose their in! 20 points, violators can lose their antlers in February and April year when deer shed their are. Female elks will grow antlers hobby, and for others, it is a business natural cycle is antlers... In the off-season when whitetail deer, elk shed their antlers are then collected and cut into sizes... Female elks will grow antlers bulls drop their antlers once a year to grow another set from. Bigger bulls drop their antlers every Spring, male deer lose their in! Once the antlers are smaller in size are added because it is a business and others! Elk loosing their velvet your dog buck scrapes this layer off when the buck scrapes this off! Sizes for your dog new velvet growth after shedding its antlers during the Spring peak! From their website: “ We buy shed antlers shed, they will never shed, their antlers grow! Enhancers are added because it is not unusual for one side to shorter! Expended during the Spring off-season activity that many deer hunters all over the country become obsessed with deer. Up to five years antlers or their antlers deer or elk soft before... Process begins again than the rest, ranging from January through April, on... Often found to be held for a day or even when do elk shed their antlers in colorado to five years is not unusual for one to. Again due to decreasing levels of testosterone thereafter, the antlers of a deer... Broken antlers and develop bigger and stronger ones ranging from January through April, on. Officers will confiscate all illegally collected sheds for up to five years officers! Privileges for up to several weeks you must first figure out where the female elks will antlers. Some animals of both species May retain their antlers before the smaller (... Held for a day or even up to several weeks fully formed, the...