Podcast 40 – Elk and Mule Deer Shed Hunting Tips with Brad Delman

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On today’s episode, I talk with my good friend Brad Delman about western shed hunting. Brad is the master when it comes to picking up elk and mule deer antlers so this podcast is jam-packed with tips, tricks, and strategies to help you become a better shed hunter in the mountains.

We start the episode by covering the May 1st shed hunting ban in Colorado, how there are loopholes in the system and ways it could be improved in the future. Brad then walks us through getting started with shed hunting and digital scouting on the computer before going into an area on foot. We also cover terrain features that hold a higher number of antlers such as sage flats, benches, aspen groves, and south-facing slopes to help you increase the odds of finding sheds. Lastly, we talk about elk and mule deer shed hunting and the differences between the two.

Topics Covered In This Episode Include:

Brad’s recent trips to his Kansas farm and selling his farm in Illinois
His 2018 hunts in Kansas and Illinois for whitetail deer
Colorado’s shed hunting restriction until May 1st on all public lands west of I-25
How Brad got into shed hunting and why he enjoys doing it so much
Getting started with shed hunting for elk and mule deer in the mountains and how he prepares
Digital scouting using Google Earth and OnXmaps to locate deer and elk wintering areas
Terrain features such as south facing slopes and benches that Brad looks for to maximize success
How snowpack and snowfall affects where animals drop their antlers year to year
The differences in shed hunting for elk antlers versus mule deer
Reminiscing our shed hunt from 2017 where I went over the handlebars on my QuietKat
Brad’s shed hunting plans for this Spring