Braxton Taylor
For most hunters, February marks a definitive end to deer season and likely a welcomed break. Unless you plan to post-season scout, take down trail cams, or join the increasingly popular shed hunting community. February, for me at least, serves as a reminder that the work of deer hunting extends beyond the official seasons. For better or worse, my wife has also come to this realization.
As a certified weekend warrior, I already struggle to find time to hunt during the season. While my wife is more than gracious when it comes to my hunting pursuits, it’s not exactly easy (or fair) to dedicate a month’s worth of weekends to shed hunting and post-season scouting after she spent her fall and winter Saturdays chasing toddlers.
So, if I only have a couple of days in February, I know post-season scouting will serve me better next season than a few dedicated shed hunts will. And here’s a secret: I almost always find a shed when I’m post-season scouting. If you’re already limited on time, here are a few reasons to prioritize post-season scouting, which might just reward you with a couple of shed antlers.
Byproduct Effect
I mentioned that I almost always find a shed when I’m post-season scouting, which I attribute to scouting the places I expect bucks to frequent. Rather than focusing my efforts on finding sheds, I’m more interested in finding spots where I can hunt next season.
If I happen to find a shed, it only boosts my confidence and affirms my theory about a certain area. Maybe I’m just tricking my subconscious, but there’s no disappointment when I don’t find a shed, and I’m just as pumped to find other deer sign and walk away “empty-handed.”
The truth is, if you’re scouting the right places, you’ll probably find a shed as a byproduct. But even if you don’t, that doesn’t mean the intel you’ve gleaned from a scouting trip won’t help you punch a tag next season.
Post Season Scouting Is More Beneficial Than Shed Hunting
Even if you’re successful grid searching a cut cornfield or food plot for a monster shed, that doesn’t really tell you anything other than a buck visited it. Besides, you probably have enough nighttime trail camera photos to tell you that much.
If you’ve got the time or extra evenings to comb a field for sheds, knock yourself out. For those that only have a few days, you’re not going to learn much that you don’t already know by walking that food plot.
Instead, backtrack trails and buck sign to the cover. Look for creek, river, or fence crossings that provide natural travel corridors, where you might hang a stand come August. These are also natural spots to find sheds, as deer are likely to drop their antlers while jumping a fence or climbing a creek bank.
Focus your attention on soft edges, too. Bucks are more likely to travel in these places during shooting hours. Soft edges hold more screening cover, so bucks feel more comfortable traveling through them.
Last year, I scouted a hardwood river bottom that bordered a bedding area. That thicket transitioned to a privet hedge that provided travel cover. I followed a trail through that cover that had not one, but two sheds within 100 yards of each other. Not only did I find a couple of sheds, but I also found a great early-season spot to hunt with access from the river. I don’t know that I would have scored as much, had I only been focused on sheds.
Shed Your Expectations
Don’t get me wrong, sheds are cool and exciting to find, but I’d much rather have a pile of antlers in my garage from deer I’ve shot. Besides, you’re not guaranteed to find a shed just because you cover a ton of ground. The odds suggest you’re more likely to find a potential hunting spot for next season than a pristine shed from a booner.
If those are your expectations, get ready for disappointment. I’ve never been deflated after finding mega rubs or huge tracks. I can’t say the same for going home empty-handed after a shed hunt. If you’re pushed for time, focus on scouting for next season and enjoy the sheds when you do find them; they’ll be a welcome bonus.
Read the full article here