When to look for sheds?

[Coach]

I live in central Iowa and was wondering when to start looking for sheds. Are there any set rules or tips to when and where to look. I have atleast 2 monsters on my farms and would love to find a shed from them. Thanks in advance.

[blake]

Coach,

In my area in Southwest Iowa the bucks start shedding antlers around the third week in January and continue to do so thru Febuary-sometimes into March. I have alo seen them begin to shed the first week of January.

I have found great places to find sheds are were the bucks jump a fence or a ditch. The jolt of the landing after jumping cause's them to drop.

Also look in a bucks core area, or areas that have a heavy cover of Evergreens. This type of tree has low branches thus knocking the antlers off as the buck moves thru them. If you find one antler it is likely that you will find the other in close proximity as the bucks attempt to cast them nearly at the same time. This is not always the case however.

I like late winter and early spring to scout my deer areas and look for sheds, a great way to see how the deer move in your area.

[Coach]

graemlins/wavey.gif Blake,
Thanks for the great shed info. I cannot wait to get out and find some sheds. Have you ever tried any trap or bucket devices? Just curious.