2011 Shed Hunt (February 19)

Spotted this antler in the ditch from the county road while driving out this morning. The other side of the fence was a wheat field. Uncle Charlie and I were excited to get the day started off with an easy find.

After walking awhile, I spotted this lil guy from the hill in the picture.

About 50 yards later I spotted this antler.

20 yards from this was the match in a creek bed. My first antler find submerged in water.

The set side by side...

Scoping the terrain with my binoculars when all of sudden I spotted a sight every shed hunter dreams of seeing...

While taking a pic of the set above I noticed this dink from last year.

2 miles later...I finally spotted this. I actually walked by it at first and then turned around and said "what the..."

30 minutes later I noticed this antler sticking out like a sore thumb. I know he had to jump the fence in the pic to shed this antler.

7 to 8 miles later we got back to the truck and took a break and then decided to binocular a wheat field before we call it a day. I spotted this guy right away from the road.

And then then 40 yards away I spotted this...hoping it was the other side...but it was not.

"Textbook" shed while hanging close to the fenceline next to a wheat field. Still not a match.

21 antlers total..Not a bad haul for approx. 8 miles of hiking. I took a picture "ATL" (as they lay) of most of the finds except for a lot of the "dinks."

Uncle Charlie and I had great day and also some very enjoyable 60 degree weather. I was hesitant to walk bedding areas this early but we saw many deer and not a single deer with antlers. I think that this past week many have shed their headgear for whatever reason. My feet hurt after todays hike, but cannot wait to get after it next weekend in search of some more bone!

...But Ryan, what do you do with all them antlers you find?

I just like to collect and disply them in diffferent ways. I call it "hornography." I enjoy looking for sheds just as much as deer hunting. I just feel so damn free when I just pack on a backpack loaded with fluids and a camera and food and binoculars and of course the other essentials. There is nothing like shredding rubber from your boots as you just pack on the miles through all kinds of terrain looking for some bone!

2011 - First Shed Hunt

This was my first time out this year. Thinking it was stilll a little early, I just knew that some had to of dropped by now. As an experienced shed hunter, I still think that only 35-40% have shed by the first of february. The last week of February at least 75-80% have shed and by the second weekend of March most deer have shed their headgear!

Dad found this shed from the vehicle in this wheat field as we were driving down a lease road. Dad said "there's one!" and sure as shit there was one!

I told dad that the other shed shouldn't be too far away. I walked around the wheat field, but hung tight to the fence. As I approached the truck, I noticed an antler 10 yards in front of me and knew right away that it was the match. First matched set of the year!

2010-2011 Fall Turkey

I recently purchased my first "HeadsUp Decoy." With Spring turkey season just around the corner I decided to purchase one of these realistic decoys. I have talked to Garret Roe who designs these decoys, and he told me that he just came out with a turkey decoy. I was sold after he showed me this decoy and how "lifelike" it appeared in the field with real turkey tail feathers. Also, every turkey hunter knows how dragging bulky decoys, blind, chair, backpack, gun or bow into the field can be quite a chore. This turkey "HeadsUp Decoy" breaks down and fits easy in your backpack or one hand and is very light but durable and weather proof for any hunting situation.

It was Sunday, January 30 and I still had my fall turkey tag in my wallet and just had to get outside on this beatiful, sunny day. I decided to leave the bow at home and bring out my browning BPS 12 gauge pump shotgun. I noticed a group of turkeys in the distance and decided to try and get in front of them and cut them off in a narrow but steep draw with cedars. I sat up against a small cedar and waited for about 10 minutes. It wasnt long before I noticed two red heads making there way through the timber. I aimed my gun and noticed they were nice toms as they passed 25 yards in front of me. I looked again and the rest of the group wasn't far behind so I decided to hold out and try to pick out the biggest bird. As about 25 toms crossed the sights of my shotgun single file I realized that the last tom turkey was about to cross in front of me and decided it is time to shoot. I fired one shot as this gobbler passed in front of me and dropped him dead in his tracks.

The Turkey weighed 18 pounds and had an 8 inch beard. After butchering this bird I cut off the tail feathers and spread them out so they dry and harden for me to use on my "HeadsUp Decoy" this spring.

Here is a link to my freind, Garret Roe's, website. On his blog you can see pics of this decoy (plus many other decoys he designs). He also has some great videos of success using these decoys on his blog.

http://www.headsupdecoy.com/