Montana shed hunting with the light winter

[Thomasj1107]

First year as a resident in Montana. What’s too early to start shed hunting?

With this ridiculously warm weather there’s barely any snow compared to what I expected, anyone starting really early?

 

[insanelupus]

With this ridiculously warm weather there’s barely any snow compared to what I expected, anyone starting really early?

*Whispering quietly with finger to his lips. *

"Hey new guy, we don't even dare whisper such things as these until July. Shhhhhhhhhh."

 

[35WhelenAI]

You check the laws in your new state as to when you can start? You're asking the question in February, look up when most areas open in montana. There's your answer.

 

[Thomasj1107]

You check the laws in your new state as to when you can start? You're asking the question in February, look up when most areas open in montana. There's your answer.

Sure did, which is why I was taking the next step to see if anyone had any useful feedback because that’s the point of the forum.

 

[Ross]

Guys are out. Mostly whitetails and moose so far. Muleys are just starting.

 

[Thomasj1107]

Guys are out. Mostly whitetails and moose so far. Muleys are just starting.

Is this uncommon for this time of year?

 

[Ross]

Nope about right on……..elk won’t be for another 7 weeks plus

 

[Rizzy]

They will be a lot more spread out due to lack of snow. As far as timing, that has a lot more to do with day length and bud swell.

 

[Ross]

A lot of speculation on the drop. I’ve watched 330+ bulls well into April. Then seen little 5s picked in late March. One bull I watched 3 years in a row on the day he dropped. His smallest rack was dropped 3/21 and his biggest 3/27.
IMO when they drop has to do partially as to when they are conceived. First estrus bulls drop earlier, than bulls conceived in the 3rd estrus bulls from late October. You then factor is winter stress, early greenup, a change in diet and age. Sadly the bulls I’ve talked did not want to verify You have to learn each regions subtle differences.

 

[Geewhiz]

Do the elk a favor and stay out of the winter range until they leave on their own. The last thing an elk needs at the end of the winter is some hooligan chasing them around to pick up an antler.

 

[spike camp]

Do the elk a favor and stay out of the winter range until they leave on their own. The last thing an elk needs at the end of the winter is some hooligan chasing them around to pick up an antler.

hooligan is a violent, rowdy, or lawless person, usually young and acting within a group, who engages in disruptive, antisocial behavior, often associated with sports events (football/soccer). Hooliganism causes vandalism, public disorder, and injuries, frequently stemming from group mentality, intense rivalry, and sometimes political extremism.

 

[Geewhiz]

hooligan is a violent, rowdy, or lawless person, usually young and acting within a group, who engages in disruptive, antisocial behavior, often associated with sports events (football/soccer). Hooliganism causes vandalism, public disorder, and injuries, frequently stemming from group mentality, intense rivalry, and sometimes political extremism.

Thank you for the formal definition. I'm going to start using the term "hooliganism" more often now.

 

[ckleeves]

And late night fist fights, half pipes and dirt bikes!

 

[Thomasj1107]

I’d say it’s typically the people who use an insult incorrectly that tend to display the behavior they complained about

 

[Big Sky Guy]

First year as a resident in Montana. What’s too early to start shed hunting?

With this ridiculously warm weather there’s barely any snow compared to what I expected, anyone starting really early?

Now is too early for elk. Just because you can get places you can’t normally this time of year doesn’t mean the antlers are going to be on the ground.

I’ve found waiting until after April 15 is about right. A lot of guys will be out later this month and then more and more each weekend in March. I prefer to find antlers on the ground, not on a bulls head running over the ridge never to be seen again so I like to wait until most of the bulls have shed.

Have fun.

 

[AHayes111]

Now is a good time to be locating elk and mule deer from afar. Also a good time to be looking for whitetails antlers were they feed.

 

[ThunderJack49]

First year as a resident in Montana. What’s too early to start shed hunting?

With this ridiculously warm weather there’s barely any snow compared to what I expected, anyone starting really early?

I am a literal idiot on the internet but something to point out- last time we had a winter that was very mild like this, a guy from my area was killed by a grizzly bear while shed hunting.
One of the wardens was of the opinion that it never would have happened if there was snow on the ground. Basically he assumed that the guy was able to hike as high as he did due to the lack of snow pack and that is how he came across a bedded/denned bear.
Just something to think about depending on where you go. I haven't heard of any bears being out yet. I believe this incident happened sometime in March.