What a Mild Winter Means for Shed Hunters
So, what does a mild winter mean for shed hunters? Sheds will probably be further apart from each other and more in timbered areas; here’s why.
Shed Hunting Hot Spots During a Mild Winter
Without extreme cold or snow on the ground, deer are more likely to find more food sources in the timber. Grasses, woody growth, and acorns are still available for whitetails to forage on. It’s generally harder to find sheds in the big timber just because there’s more search area with more objects for your eyes to depict. Focus on southern facing hillsides, ditch crossings, log jams, small clearings, and cedar thickets that have a high density of woody browse. Even with a mild winter, deer will still bed on southern facing hillsides soaking up the sun’s rays.
Without any snow accumulation, deer will be able to travel further distances without expending as much energy they would if there was 10 inches of snow on the ground. This can be a good or bad thing depending on your property. If your farm has the preferred late season food source the deer are after, you might find sheds off of bucks you’ve never seen before. Clover and brassica food plots with ample tonnage are still getting hit hard by the deer on our properties in West-Central Illinois.
All in all, a mild winter means that deer will usually hold their antlers longer. A prime example of such a buck my brothers and I have watched for the last 3 years. We have found an antler or both antlers off of him for the last 3 years. The last two years he has dropped his antlers around the middle of January. This past year, it was at the very end of January. So, don’t get disheartened if you go out this weekend and don’t find as many as you usually do. It is just the beginning!
Zach Jumps
Zach@HeartlandLodge.com
Last Updated: February 3rd, 2023
Great article Zach! I have witnessed much of the same in my experience. Those timber sheds can be really tough ones.
In Northern Alabama,our hunting season runs from mid-October (Bow) until the first week of February. However, we will constantly get pictures of our bucks still supporting their headgear until mid-April.
Our turkey season opens in mid-March but we seldom find sheds until the season is over at the end of April. (After all seasons have expired) I know that genetics play a part in determining the shed of antlers and also the rut but this year (even now at Feb. 7) the scrapes have hardly been touched. We have the most liberal season of any state in the Union (with one buck and one doe tag per day), but it is most frustrating when the most deer activity happens (year after year)after our season has expired.
I really liked you little artifer
Thank you! Good luck this year!
I found the right side shed antler of a buck that I kicked up 5 minutes later sporting its left side!
Also found a matched set several years ago in April–I saw that buck on March 25th with both sides in tact. (Southern Michigan)so you never know! keep looking its fun.
Good article, here in southern Michigan I have only found one. Unfortunately, I have found 4 large bucks that died in velvet last fall. All in the 130″-165″ class. All were close togeather and near a water source.
Thank you David! That’s unfortunate, Sounds like you might have been hit by blue tongue?
Thanks for the info. I’m a shed nut here in Maine. Its been a mild winter here as well. I’ve seen a bunch of bucks still holding antlers. We don’t usually have these mild winters. On average winters the yards are smaller and sheds easier to find. Either way I love being out there. Good luck to you
Thanks Todd! Good luck to you as well!
Great article, well written and explained. I have so far have had my best year here in Michigan.
One matched set with one antler at 70 inches the other at 69. very massive and an old buck as his tines are short and massive.
Another single shed at 67 inches.
Smaller bucks have just started dropping, in my opinion.
Good luck , collecting
Wow that is awesome David!! Congrats!
Thanks for reading, glad you enjoyed!