Elk shed elevations

[406RoadToad]

Main question is do elk typically shed their antlers at the lowest point of elevation in their winter range or at some point as they move up in elevation??

I know it can vary from year to year dependent on weather etc but I’d love to hear from some people with more experience in shed hunting!

Thanks in advance!

 

[elkliver]

Depends.... if you had Heavy snow and they were still on winter range around say middle of April, then they would shed there. If you had an early spring, no snow and green grass coming up at higher elevations, they will move up and will drop sheds there. Often south facing slopes and fingers because thats where the rich green grass is starting .

 

[Moserkr]

Found elk sheds at 8500’ in UT. Thats where we hunted them in the fall so…

 

[Wrench]

Pretty much wherever low pressure and food is from end of March on is where they'll be found. Elk do their best to minimize calorie expenditures, so focus on the easiest stuff they can feel safe in and has chow....you're there.

Some places it's 600 yards from a highway, some places they gotta go deep to avoid skiers, snowmobiles and hikers.

 

[elkliver]

PS Elk need some Peace and Quiet. Even in States that dont limit when you can shed hunt, we should be cognizant of the fact that they are coming off the winter, and need to be able to Eat and put on weight as they move into calving season . As much as i dislike additional regulations, it makes me sick to see guys chasing them with 4 wheelers, Swarming on foot across hillsides covering every likely area around a herd of elk. Shed Hunting has become so competitive that its now a huge problem in every state. .

 

[BRTreedogs]

PS Elk need some Peace and Quiet. Even in States that dont limit when you can shed hunt, we should be cognizant of the fact that they are coming off the winter, and need to be able to Eat and put on weight as they move into calving season . As much as i dislike additional regulations, it makes me sick to see guys chasing them with 4 wheelers, Swarming on foot across hillsides covering every likely area around a herd of elk. Shed Hunting has become so competitive that its now a huge problem in every state. .

Animal harassment is already illegal.

 

[elkliver]

Animal harassment is already illegal.

YEs it is. as is running a 4 wheelers off road in most places. doesn't change the fact that you see 4 wheeler tracks everywhere. Tough to enforce.

 

[BRTreedogs]

YEs it is. as is running a 4 wheelers off road in most places. doesn't change the fact that you see 4 wheeler tracks everywhere. Tough to enforce.

Shed hunting specific regulations won't do anything else to stop it.

Every single time shed hunting comes up on this forum a boo hoo comes in and says something negative about shed hunters chasing animals around.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Main question is do elk typically shed their antlers at the lowest point of elevation in their winter range or at some point as they move up in elevation??

I know it can vary from year to year dependent on weather etc but I’d love to hear from some people with more experience in shed hunting!

Thanks in advance!

I found there are 2 types of bulls.
Ones that are terrified of snow and the 1st flake they see they head to the bottom.

The others stay until they will die.

It really varies with how long it takes them to drop.
You just got pound it till you find the 1st one every year. Once you get the 1st one snagged it generally sets ya on the path.

 

[406RoadToad]

Thanks for all the advice and reply’s! Looking forward to gettin after it!

 

[BigAntlerGetter]

Deer turn into elk at 8532’ elevation so they would have to shed above that


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[frank church guy]

Animal harassment is already illegal.

yes it is

 

[Ross]

Region, predator, snow, private, terrain contingent….so many variables depending on where your going to look….have fun almost as much as shooting a big bull and can be more work all on forest service land far removed from civilization

 

[bamacpl]

There is no way to tell, ever. I’ve witness elk shed in snow up to their bellies

 

[Huntnnw]

way too many variables for a accurate answer. Best thing you can do is look for elk just before they drop and you will have a starting point.

 

[Gspjimmy]

They are everywhere

 

[Cephalopodan]

Do you find that once you have found a couple sheds you can count on those elevations producing more sheds in the surrounding areas? I've heard advice along those lines.

 

[Ross]

Do you find that once you have found a couple sheds you can count on those elevations producing more sheds in the surrounding areas? I've heard advice along those lines.

Likely yes but the little raghorns start to roam all over as that snow melts ….so many pack one side for days

 

[Cephalopodan]

Agreed. Raghorns are everywhere.