Antlers I Have Found - FEATHERS & WHISKEY

By Michael Maynor

There’s a certain mystique surrounding antlers that transcends the realm of hunting. It’s not uncommon to find articles in home decor magazines and interior design blogs suggesting creative ways to incorporate these natural artifacts into interior spaces, moving beyond the traditional deer head mounted above the fireplace. Each discarded antler carries with it a tale waiting to be discovered. From being gnawed by rodents, gradually weathering to a chalky white, and eventually dissolving back into the earth, they narrate the cycle of nature in a unique way. Shed hunting, besides being an exhilarating pastime, doubles as a method for scouting the upcoming hunting season. While the vast expanses of the Midwest and Western states may offer more accessible opportunities for shed hunting, even dense forests hold hidden treasures for the determined seeker. My own experience with shed hunting underwent a significant transformation when I purchased my hunting property, Juniper Creek, fourteen years ago. Since then, I’ve stumbled upon numerous antlers, each with its own intriguing story. Today, I’m excited to share these tales along with a couple tips that have helped me!

My Small Spike – 2013

The first shed antler I stumbled upon was so tiny that at first, I mistook it for a broken piece of an antler. Despite its size, my excitement grew as I bent down for a closer look and realized it was indeed a small shed antler. Interestingly, my buddy had walked right past it. Despite its diminutive size, it holds a special significance for me.

The Matched Set – 2015

It took me a couple of years to come across the next castaway antlers. This time it was a matched set. They were found in what would later be known as the bear plot. I’m proud to say that I progressed from finding a small spike to discovering a small matching set of antlers from a young eight-point buck. In late March of 2015, after a dentist appointment, I made a stop at Juniper Creek to check out the food plot. I had a hunch, and sure enough, as I walked a short distance in, I spotted the first antler lying in the open greenery of the plot. It had been there for quite some time, as the exposed side had already turned a bleached white. I snapped a photo before continuing forward, and amidst old corncobs, I found its mate, also with the exposed side turned white. I quickly took another picture before picking it up. Though they were from a small buck, the fact that they formed a matched set left me feeling ecstatic.

The Blunt Antler Buck – 2016

I had been observing the buck all summer through photos captured by my trail camera. He was unmistakable due to one of his antlers having a blunt end. Each time I downloaded the pictures from my SD card, I was reassured to see that he was still frequenting Juniper Creek. Initially, I had no intention of harvesting him, but after witnessing him in velvet, I eagerly anticipated encountering him during the hunting season. However, I only caught glimpses of his blunt antler through trail camera photos during the hunting season, although I did witness his transition from velvet to hard horn. As deer season came and went, I resigned myself to the possibility that I might only see him again the following summer.

I was at Juniper Creek at the end of January 2016 with my father and a close family friend. As they conversed in a different part of the property, I strolled through the bear plot. Upon looking down, I discovered a gift left by the blunt-end buck. His unique antler lay in the field in good condition. I hastily picked it up, failing to capture a picture of its original placement, but I did manage to take one on the hood of the truck. The antler appeared relatively fresh, retaining its color, and the wax ring on the bottom suggested it hadn’t been exposed to the elements for long. It was a great way to end the story with this buck.

I am always grateful whenever I come across a shed antler or a broken tine. As I mentioned earlier, there is something truly magical about antlers, and one doesn’t have to be a hunter to appreciate them. While I don’t consider myself an expert in hunting for shed antlers, there are certainly individuals more skilled than I am. However, if you’re interested in trying your luck, I would recommend seeking out a late-season food source or food plot. One of the best tips I’ve ever come across is to look for something that seems out of place. When walking in a food plot, for instance, pay attention to details that don’t quite fit in. Instead of scanning the entire plot, focus on smaller areas as you walk. In 2023, I stumbled upon a weathered spike antler in my food plot. Had I been scanning a wider area, I might have overlooked it. The antler, weathered and white on one side, stood out starkly against the brown backdrop of the plot.

While shed hunting is harder down here in the South compared to other parts of the US, if your’re willing to put in the legwork you might find the antlers off that big buck you missed during hunting season. Good luck and happy hunting!

By Michael Maynor

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