Pennsylvania Game News - March 2022 - 6

facing slopes can be bountiful, too.
" If there are deer in the area, a shed
can be anywhere, " Fleegle said. " Deer
are lazy and will walk the same path,
but they filter through an area more
often than not. And since there is also
no telling exactly where or when an
antler will fall off, any place is a good
place to look. "
It pays to search likely areas more
than once, too. Fleegle said a field
barren of antlers one day, for example,
might have a couple the next, after deer
pass through.
She also suggests paying attention
to light. The " right light " will make
antlers glow, she said. In cases, that
might mean bright days. In others, it
might mean right after a rain, when wet
SHED RESEARCH
The Southeast Deer Study Group is the
largest gathering of deer managers from
around the nation held annually, an event
where researchers present findings based
on new studies.
Some of the discussion at the 2021
gathering was about shed antlers.
Brian Peterson of the University of
Nebraska at Kearney said his research
in that state suggests older bucks shed
their antlers earlier than do younger
ones, albeit only by a few days. That, he
added, might be because younger males
see a less dramatic reduction in testosterone
levels.
Peterson also said individual bucks
tend to lose both sides of their rack within
a relatively small space.
The average distance between the
two sides of a matched set of shed antlers
was 93 yards.
Sheds from yearling bucks, those
1.5 years old, were found even closer
together on average, just 59 yards apart.
The sheds of bucks 2.5-years-old or older
were spread out farther, 107 yards apart.
6
Here in Pennsylvania, it's legal to collect
any antler naturally shed by a deer or elk.
That doesn't automatically include antlers
still connected to a skull from a deer or elk
found dead, however.
The public can apply to the Game Commission
for a permit to purchase such a skull.
The agency may, at its discretion, agree to sell
those skulls and antlers at a cost of $10 per
antler point.
The law behind that - which covers all
skulls and other wildlife parts, from deer and
elk and all other wildlife - is meant to protect
finds that may be of broader public interest.
antlers stand out.
Be sure to take binoculars when shed
hunting, to be able to look at things far
away with some precision, but don't try
to take in too much ground at a glance.
It's better to be methodical and search
areas closely.
A backpack is nice to have, to carry
discovered antlers as well as drinks and
snacks for children. A walking stick is
another nice tool.
Dogs can be trained to hunt sheds,
too. An example of how to do that is
available at https://www.aces.edu/.
Most important, though, is just to get
outside exploring. Those who regularly
seek shed antlers develop an eye for
spotting them, Fleegle said.
" My advice: go for a walk, take
your dog or your kid, check out those
bedding areas, feeding areas, and travel
corridors and enjoy the Pennsylvania
outdoors. With a little luck, you'll be
rewarded, " Fleegle said.
https://www.aces.edu/
Pennsylvania Game News - March 2022

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