Shed hunting is pretty pointless in my area. 70%-80% of bucks never see their second birthday, so results are tough to come by. The kids love to get out and walk the woods, especially as the weather starts to break. I thought I had received permission to shed hunt on an hunting preserve, but that feel through. The kids were pretty bummed. That was when my parents came up with the idea of spreading some antlers their property for the kids to find. I took the kids to my parents this weekend for the egg, err, shed hunt. After a breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes, bacon, and fresh fruit...my Dad and I went out back to "collect wood". We took 3 small sets of antlers and placed them on runs and feeding areas. We returned back to the house, and wouldn't you know it, I found a small shed while we gathered wood. The kids were very excited and pleaded that we go look for more. Sure, we said, but we probably won't find anymore. The kids quickly got dressed and we headed into the woods. We checked a couple runs upfront, and then showed the kids how to look for areas where deer had been searching for acorns. She's getting closer. Can you see the antler? She found it! Sheds have blood on them, right? And her brother found one on the next oak ridge. We found some turkey tracks. And explored some more. Then they found more sheds on a run entering a bedding area. Learning how to tell which way a deer was heading. And finding more sheds. Yeah, it was staged, but the kids had a blast and were none the wiser. They learned how to identify deer runs, and why they travel where they do. They learned how to spot where deer have been feeding, which direction a track is going, and how to avoid stepping in deer poop. Only problem...they might think its easy to find sheds. It could be worse.
Too bad the other deal fell through. Great job on getting them out for a shed hunt anyways !! looked like a very nice day to get out. Tim
Matt, that is absolutely awesome. We would have to do that around here as well because there are not too many sheds on the forest floor.
Thats really cool but I have to admit...I was getting a little jealous until I read it was staged. :D
Their smiles say it all Matt- a day they'll not soon forget. What a great way to spend the day. .Great job.
