Man, I was cruising the planet today on Google Earth, shed scouting random tracts of land in Iowa, Illinois... It's so much different that what I'm used to seeing. Our population density if off the charts compared to those places, and the land out west has so much less in terms of terrain. Particularly in the areas where the river/creek drainages house the only real timber tracts, it would require a completely different brand of hunting. Our ag fields are just so small, comparatively speaking. Very interesting to really break down and scout a different area, planning hunts for prevailing winds, ingress/egress, hunting deer such that they never know they're being hunted. Anyway, I'm heading out tomorrow for what may be one of my last shed hunts of the year. The Shed-0-Meter is stuck on 11, and I'm mired in my worst shed season in recent memory. The bucks, they're just not shedding. Everybody that's running trailcams locally are hauling in picture after picture of racked bucks. Mid-March. So frustrating. It's going to green-up here, soon. Really soon.
In regards to the "different mindset" of shed hunting ag land, I'd say you're probably right. I walked all the field edges and bedding areas and couldn't find a shed to save my life, but the minute I stepped out into the winter wheat field, I found 4 (literally within 5 minutes). I know you said you find most of yours along field edges, and bedding areas, and Ive found all of mine so far in the fields. You would think that Ive spent most of my time walking the fields, but it's the opposite. I tend to walk the fields quickly trying to cover as much ground as I can, and then I slip into the timber and move very slowly, really taking my time. So far, in 3 years, I've not found a single shed in the timber. And Fran, If you ever feel the urge to drive to IL to shed hunt, hit me up and we'll walk, LOL
Well guys, I didn't have a bad day yesterday - reeling in four more. I snatched up three 4x sides and a small five pointer. Only one freshie, but it was the best one of the day (44"), so that was a plus. Shedometer is settled on 15. It was bloody hot out there. Almost too hot to shed hunt. The gnats were already out and swarming, and I stepped on a snake. Things are greening up wicked fast.
Stuck at 7. All that I have seen are deer ticks. Unless I stumble across one turkey hunting... I'm done. Good luck to all!
I'm up to 22 this year, and I probably won't go anymore. Unless turkey hunting gets slow or something
I am heading out to my honey hole this coming weekend. My son was out there last weekend and busted open his knee screwing around so he didnt search much.
