- 1). Scout the locations of the whitetail deer. Shed antlers will be in locations where deer commonly spend time. The same kind of scouting is done by hunters prior to the hunting season. Look for both feeding and bedding areas as well as the paths between them. Pay particular attention to rough terrain. Landing after a jump may jar the antlers loose from the animal.
- 2). Pick the right time to look for shed antlers. Increases in daylight during the time following the winter solstice trigger the hormonal change that causes shedding. The best shed hunting is from January through April. Look at deer in the field. If you still see antlers on them it may be too early for sheds.
- 3). Search areas where bucks congregate during winter. Look for sheds in brushy areas, where the antlers may have become entangled and pulled from the deer.
- 4). Look for small visible segments of antler. Most shed antlers will be at least partially covered with brush, grass or even snow. Jody Hadachek, writing for the website of the magazine "North American Whitetail," advises looking for just 3 inches of antler at a time. Looking for small segments of the larger antler trains the eye to see what are likely to be the only antler parts visible.
- 5). Practice spotting antlers by throwing a found shed into the brush ahead of you. You'll know exactly where to look so finding it again shouldn't be a problem, but it will train you on what to look for when searching on the ground.
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