NH Shed Hunter's Log

5 for 5! (no lie)

2012-01-18T15:06:00.000-08:00

Write up coming

4 for 4

2012-01-15T15:15:00.000-08:00

Okay so I am on a hot streak of sorts in that I am finding shed antlers every time I am hitting the woods. When I get up today I knew I got some things I have got to do, like put a new battery in my truck so we will not get stranded out in the out back again( long story for a different day) so before I into the big town I do a recon through the neighborhood to find where the deer had been. A quarter of the way through my tour I hit pay dirt and notice that an orchard I have permission to hunt is just destroyed with sign. Well mission control we have acquired a target for this afternoons hunt.

After my horrible Walmart morning(also another story for another time) I had lunch ,packed my gear and headed into the woods. On my short drive I knew I would be successful, call it positive thinking or cockiness or what have you I just knew. Upon reaching the orchard I was just blown away with all the big buck tracks I was seeing. I don't mean big tracks I am talking splayed foot dew claw gouging 200 lb + mature monster tracks. Those of you who are in the know, know what I am talking about. As long as a 30.06. shell and almost as wide.

Okay now I am just wound tighter than a ten day clock. big buck = big rack (mostly). I first work the upper orchard with the persistence and skill knowing the big Ol' stickers buck is still kicking around with that massive non-typical rack. The upper level has nothing that I can see but there is some snow covering potential small sheds, however big ones should still poke up.

I work into the lower section and immediately find its just as tracked up and that the deer had been bedded only fifty yards from the road. Not only is it more tracked up but there are more paths between sections. I kick around every tree and move gradually to the East then follow a trail to another section. I am walking stooped over because of the under brush and stopping and scanning the ground every few feet side to side up and down. and then as I scan just to right of my foot I see just a few inches of tine popping up out of the snow. I reach down and pop out a nice 3 point side .

A basic clean six with no brow tines. Fairly good size off a 2 and one half year old. I spend until dark thirty looking for the match. To much to cover and the bedding area is a way off so I will have to come back. Just 10 minutes from my house so I can even stop by after work. notice the size of the pedicle base huge, huh! he has some growing to do. well stay tuned, the streak will continue

3 For 3 ("Seed Antler")

2012-01-14T17:20:00.001-08:00

So we finally got out to do some moose antler hunting in my little spot over in Croydon today.
James met me at my place bright and early and we were welcomed by a brisk 10 degrees and no wind. after a short ride and a whole lot of anticipation we were under way.

I was surprised at the lack of sign at first but the snow had only been on the ground a short time so the animals had probably been there just the snow had erased their signature. We got on some good deer tracks and followed them for a ways up a ridge to a crossing on the stream to get down to a moose yard. We went quite a ways and finally picked up some fresh moose sign and started to follow. We jumped them and followed some distance back in to the big moose yard. I was seeing little bull sign ( the two we tracked were either small yearling bulls or a cow and a calf) but once again the snow probably covered it up. after another 100 yards or so I spotted a curious site, something red and yellow and quite large. I called over to James and told him I saw something "An antler?" he asked ."Nope, a half a canoe!"

Yes a half a canoe in the outback of Croydon at least 2 miles from any navigable water way.

I still am at a loss.

We continued on into the depth of the area and started to find rubs and fresh chews on the trees. We worked an edge of some feeding areas and I started getting that vibe. We started to go down along a small bog and came out in another feeding cluster and I noticed a tree stand. How in the hell did they get that out here? I took another step and bam ! sticking up out of the snow Not three steps from the base of the tree stand was a meaty tine. GOT ONE ! And this was James response," Your kidding!" I detected a bit of envy in that statement. Sometimes being an antler addict can get me in trouble.

Anyways, it was a non typical shed with a whitetail style brow tine and a kicker off the back. The bases are really large like a mature bull but the antler itself has short beams like a five year old. Maybe a bull on the decline I am not sure. Well after a few pics and a grid search we did not find the match at this spot so we began looking in the surroundings to no avail. After James so kindly strapped my treasure to his pack we were off.

We came across a ton more rut rubs on trees closer to the stream .

We then laced our way back to the road following rubs and tracks. At one point we sat for a bit on a blowdown and James asked if I would sell him the antler. I told him no. (I did not plan on selling him that antler, my plan was to make him sweat carrying it back to the truck and then give it to him.) But I let him know then that it was his. I think he was shocked. I honestly thought he was gonna fall off the log! "You see, sometimes you need a seed antler." I told him. James asked, "What is a seed antler?" It is a antler you give some one that they put in their trophy room and it mysteriously starts adding more to the collection.

We made our way back to the truck me with another find in the books and James with the start of his moose antler collection and another push towards complete antler obsession.

Two for two

2012-01-08T17:53:00.000-08:00

After a few unsuccessful outings , I finally broke the ice! You know it just feels good just to put your hands on some antler again!

So James and I head out on Saturday to his favorite hunting spot and tromp around for a bit. It's a very good spot he has taken some nice deer in there and found quite a few sheds, but this trip was to no avail. So we decided to head to another spot that he has been getting some nice pictures on his trail cam. One is a buck with a real nice typical NH 4 point antler on one side and the other antler looks like he had some pedicle damage because it looks as if it melted down his face.
My first impression of this spot is that it is a typical deer yard in a residential/rural area , and the deer sign is insane! We have all seen these spots (Chris Holmes I mean you) where a giant deer is seen by the desperate housewives while the hubby is 30 miles away hunting the big North Woods seeing moose and squirrels.

We moved up and along various shelves and ridges finding nothing but tons of sign. As the day waned on we worked down into planted rows of red pine and started meandering around only 200 yards from someone's back porch. As I stopped and leaned against one of said pines, I looked down at the forest floor at my feet and I saw what appeared to be a couple of chewed sticks, I knew in a instant what it was. I bent over and picked up shed # 1 of 2012, a nice big 5 point side, a little chewed but enough left to get a idea of what kind of bucks were wandering these hills . I humbly relinquished my find to the master of this hunting ground like I customarily do when shed hunting as a guest. then I headed home to recharge for day 2

Day two went like this: I trekked out to the back side of our fifty acre piece and worked into the big cut. I wandered for hours crossing all over open woods ,hemlock swamps, open clearings and nothing. I was still coming down from the high of breaking the ice yesterday so it was just great learning the routes and bedding areas I had over looked this hunting season. At just about dark I had made it just about back to the house and took a deer run that runs just 40 yards behind my big double stand and at the base of a rub for all to see out in the barren ground was my first freshie of the year! It was not the Unity Mt. swamp monster but the smaller 2 and a half year old 8 point that had been seen eating my apples not just a few days before. I looked around pretty hard for the match but since we are having some logging done I fear it is buried under dirt and debris from the machinery. Well the swamp monster's rack is still out there either on his head or on the ground and I will find them!

New Years Eve Day

2011-12-31T16:17:00.000-08:00

Well, as many of you know I no longer head up NHSHC. Although I am still involved, I play a much smaller role assisting James Smith, jr the new owner/President. James is a hell of a guy and has a fire in his belly for our sport unequaled by anyone that I have met in many years. He has many new ideas and a clear goal in mind in what direction the club can and must go in to best serve the shed hunters of NH. James is an official scorer for both the NH Antler and Skull Trophy Club headed up by Roscoe Blaisdell and the NE Big Bucks Club, so I urge all of you to contact James about scoring your sheds. In coming days He and I will do a little shedding around the old farm just to get our feet wet.

And now for today's adventures. I met up with a lifelong friend Chris Palermo up in his home turf to go on the first antler hunt this season on the hunt for the sheds for his double main beam buck. This deer is by far the biggest bodied buck I have ever seen on digital trail cam. Given the fact I have stood where the pic was taken, I was blown away at his size. I would guess dressed weight at 250 anyways! The rack looks average until you factor in his body proportions.
It may be a little early but who knows. The terrain reads like a text book on where to find some soggy bottom old swamp beast, hemlock swamps that go on for an eternity with mixed hardwoods that surround in the highlands and open fields to the northeast and apple trees and rural lawns mixed in here and there. We first ran a ridge that fed down into a swamp (one of many I mentioned before) I found a rub line crossing a bottle neck where Chris will be placing a bow stand next season. We covered the area but judging by the pink doe pee the buck's testosterone had not dropped enough yet because of the does still being breedable.

We then noticed a snowshoe hare be-bopping in and out of some hemlocks and seeing that Chris loves to eat bunnies, we put the stalk on. Well after some masterful stalking and some careful aiming ....he missed. We chased the little guy around for near on twenty minutes and then Chris decided to eat pizza instead.

All in all, it was a good day because we now have a better understanding of how that bruiser is moving . I just wish we had a better understanding of his antlers. but I will go back in a few weeks

Bird Season moose skull

2011-10-02T10:27:00.000-07:00

October 1st Steve and I headed to Pittsburg to do some grouse hunting and to roam the woods of the north country. I was accused early on in the 3 hour ride of using the opening of bird season to shed hunt. I assured him that my intentions were pure. But, I had fully intended to shed hunt and shoot any birds that just happened to cross my path but I did not state that to my friend Steve.

As dawn broke the next morning I could hear rain pattering on the roof and knew our tradition of only going to Pittsburg in the rain held. I swear every time we go it rains the whole time no matter what the weather says. At about seven we headed to Happy Corner for some belly stuffing. We drank our coffee in deep thought about the day, me dreaming about antlers and Steve fantasizing about the cranberry sauce and stuffing we had toted along in anticipation of some fat grouse breast for dinner. We had ordered our standard; the Rhode Island red (corned beef hash served on a bed of home fries covered with cheddar cheese) the breakfast of shed hunters...I mean bird hunters.

We finished our feast and headed into the woods. I strategically suggested a spot that had been very productive in the past and the best part is that even though it gets hunted hard in Pittsburg this spot gets overlooked because of its simplicity. it also has birds. I generally am fairly open in giving up the general location of my spots but this place is top secret. We both took a side of the brook and headed north, after 10 minutes or so I noticed a leg bone . Then a scapula. Then another leg bone. I then decided to follow the gruesome scavenger hunt.Through the spruce boughs I caught a glimpse of tines "that's cool", I thought... an antler! But as I pushed through the scrub, what awaits but the holy grail ! A moose skull with antlers attached!

So at this point I called for Steve to no avail. I hoofed it back to the truck myself .Not a monster by any means but for this shed hunter a giant just the same.

The rest of the weekend went by fast, but soaked to the bone. But we did see a cow and a bull doing the courtship thing and in another spot I called in an absolute monster of a bull within 15 yards. But sadly not a single bird. At least Steve got to eat his cranberry sauce and stuffing.........with pork chops from Young's store.

Bought a moose

2011-06-20T10:22:00.000-07:00

Well a shed anyhow. Had a chance to buy this big Pittsburg Moose antler that was found by the son of a friend while snowmobiling. It was about to be turned into a lamp and I could not bear the thought.

Big and impressive describes this beast. And yes that is a full grown female Rottweiler.

Skulls, Skulls, and bones

2011-05-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

Broken moose

2011-05-04T10:10:00.000-07:00

Today's trip was shortened to a half day due to obligations beyond my control. Do people know what time of year this is? Moving right along, I returned to the place I was last week but I was going up higher today. Right away I found a well used moose path, wait, no, this is a moose road!

It went up along a ravine onto a expansive mixed hardwood and hemlock flat. Not 200 yards up I found a rub line. Yes moose, like whitetails have rub lines,they are just bigger and farther apart in distance. The first rub was on a thigh sized spruce what I would consider a marking post tree one just upon entering an open area known as a breeding arena. I did a grid back and forth of this area and found nothing. I entered a huge hardwood flat and grid searched that also. As I reached the far end of my last turn I found one, I have never found one before in a area like this, devoid of browse with all mature hardwood. It's a great shed because of its uniqueness, the palm is broke off not chewed! It also has a kicker off the back. It is I believe a year old.

I checked along the rest of the flat and found nothing ,but again saw some areas I will be back to go over again if I get time.The shear size of this particular wilderness is overwhelming and poses more than a few challenges. But I just know in myheart that there is more and bigger sheds in here.

Chewed up "yard ornaments"

2011-04-21T09:48:00.000-07:00

One of the things I've tried to do this season is expand myhunting grounds. The more I talk to people about sheds, the more places Ihear about. I have found that Stoddard ,Munsonville, Windsor and Washington to be hidden gems, with immense open land opportunities and abundant moose and deer population.

I headed out to a place that I have been in before but not really looked thoroughly over. Almost immediately upon entering the woods I found significant moose sign. While creeping down an old abandoned farm road I looked out across a slough and noticed a hemlock covered peninsula jutting out into the summer moose feeding grounds. I noticed a number of winter chews on trees and some antler rubs on some sizable spruce and I knew in an instant that this was going to be the place to really start looking. I followed a game trail littered with moose and deer pellets over a spongy moss laden bog to reach the spit. Once I set foot on solid dry ground I could see up close that the moose spend alot of time in there. I covered the spit in three waves, outer edge by following the trail around the outside of the tree line where the rubs were all the way around. Inside edge ,This area the small hemlock was all browsed up and showed the most use and the inside where the moose bed down on the ridge that ran down the center of the landmass. When searching it is very important to go over a piece of ground with a fine tooth comb.

While scouring the inside edge I picked up my first shed of the day. A big but chewed side laying in the middle of the browse. Still with a lotof mass and weighty for its size ,would have been a cocker of an antler whole. I strapped it to the pack to use as a garden antler.
I Finished scouring the spit without any luck of finding the match. So I moved off the spit and followed the inside edge around the east side following astream. I climbed up a small rise and laying on a flat rock like an altar is a small fork moose shed chewed on the end . I am always amazed at some of the ways I have found antlers, hanging off logs, sitting up on stumps, stuck points down in the mud, in the middle of the road ,submerged in streams, just amazing.

Well the rest of the day was devoid of antlers but I did make note of a few trails and clearings that I will check into next week.

April swampin and slippin

2011-04-13T08:39:00.000-07:00

So, as usual I am a little behind in my post.

On Thursday the I went back to Unity to attempt to find the matches to the antlers I found last week. But first I stopped to see my friend Dave Gokey at the taxidermy shop. He had mentioned that he had been ill so I wanted to check up on him. He had some real giants on the wall that duh, stupid me neglected to get photos of not to mention a splendid caribou that I was very impressed with. We talked for about 2 hrs I showed him the sheds from last week as Dave who keeps tabs on the deer around town is familiar with the area I had found these two. He let me in on the whereabouts of another buck in that vicinity with some very distinct set of antlers that he saw early last fall. Without giving much detail, it has a lot of junk sticking out all over the place. Along with a long tined 10 and a even bigger 8. Well with this new info I set off to my secret spot with visions of non-typicals dancing in my head. With strategic precision I placed my truck out of sight and headed up hill to Fields to access my spot.

I took extra care to not leave man tracks showing my entrance to the spot. While others may know of this spot during the rut, I need no competition for the treasures that await me on the ground. As I crept my way along a deer trail beside a grassy marsh area I scanned the matted down reeds and 40 or fifty yards out I could see what looked like a couple large tines poking up. the view through my binocs confirmed my suspicions. As I slogged out to my intended target It grew to the point that I thought it was a yearling moose fork. Imagine how awestruck I was after I examined it and found the basic conformation and brow tine of a whitetail!
A basic fork with the nub of a brow,measures around 22-23 inches long and from about a 2 years old. I Had not even reached the yard yet. I Traveled another hundred yards or so and crossed into the hemlocks on the backside of the pond and found the spot I picked up the 5 point antler last week. i followed the packed trail toward the south and not 40 yards away next to a dug up area where the deer had been searching for acorns was the match laying in the snow as plain as day. How in the hell did I miss it? My tracks where still visible in the snow not 5 feet away!. With that said it goes to illustrate the importance of searching an area from different angles and the necessity of turning around and examining the ground behind you. Case in point, I had traveled this same path last week only coming from the south toward the north. I have found so many that I had passed by simply by occasionally turning around to survey were I have been.

After some as it lay photos I pressed on to try to find the match to the 4 point side from last time or an altogether different antler After a lengthy search and a few misadventures with knee deep snow and more than a few steep icy deer trail and no more antlers I retreated from the woods with my two treasures, being as careful coming out as going in. It will be just a matter of time before I find more in that spot.

Next time I am heading to Croydon with Steve to try to find the match to my January moose shed or other moose sheds and hit up a big deer yard. This will give this spot about two weeks to melt out some more, Easter I will be at the farm. After that who knows, the far North? We will see.

March melt

2011-03-30T08:15:00.000-07:00

Today I decided to go to Unity. After weeks of fighting snow and finding only one shed so far this winter the snow was finally leaving some of my best spots and Unity seemed to be at the Northern most edge of spring melt. That is at that point I like best, patches of open ground and just enough snow to give a hint of wintering activity.

In years past the brunt of the deer stayed close to the old homestead and ate the buried apples and yarded in the two hemlock groves bordering the old orchards. However, an earlier trip this year in February reavealed the deer had abandond these well used yards that I had succesfully hunted for many years. Time to think outside the box.

After reviewing some sattelite images and doing some thinking I settled on a plan of attack. I would hike way back in to an area I could remember from earlier scouting trips. I could gain access by snowmobile trails most of the way in, according to the map 1.75 miles. Then it was up to me to bushwhack back in and make good on my hunch. After walking almost 2 miles on mud snow and ice I came to a bend inthe trail that marked the bushwhacking portion of this trip. Up to this point I had not seen a track.

Walking 500 yards weaving through what seemed prime wintering ground,bingo! The deer yard. The sign was over whelming, and so wasn the smell. If you don't know what a deer smells like let me take you to one of these yards and you will not ever miss that smell again. This yard was large, maybe snaking around 5 acres, most likley more. The first thing I noticed were some giant rubs on some thigh sized hemlocks from last fall. My excitement rose when I realized the caliber of deer that may be in this spot.

I started to follow the packed down remnants of the trails. I crossed a small stone wall a headed up hill. I noticed an open quarter acre patch of oak leaves to the right of the trail, good I thought "maybe I will see something in these open spots."And up I went. There was still spots back in the yarding area that I had to strap snowshoes on and follow the packed down trails. An hour later as I reached the top of the yard I still had found nothing and started my swing backdown. Some how after alot of looking and a slightly unscheduled trip around some mystery river not on any map I arrived directly back where I had originally crossed the stone wall and as I began to follow trail # 2 along the wall, I noticed in that same open patch of oak leaf coverd ground was an antler!

How in the hell had I missed that before? There in the middle as plain as day a nice 4 point side, not the giant that had been rubbing those big trees but a nice one none the less. More than likely from a 3 1/2 year old. At this point my watch read 5:00 so I decided to start heading out by following trail#2 to the Northeast back in the direction of the truck, attempting to exit the woods at dark. Ihadn't gone thirty yards and there not a foot off the trail at the melted out base of a big spuce was a beauty of a 5 point side. Dark and with nice mass.

I was amazed at how perfect it had fallen. After a few pics I hefted it up and just marveled at how dark it was. Short stubby points but from a 4-5 1/2 year old I would guess. I looked around quickly for the match but to no avail. I started move along at a quicker clip to get out and made the truck at 7:00 pm with a good take for the day.

Bear steam

2011-02-24T12:10:00.000-08:00

Well last weeks trip turned into a health and welfare check of one of the three deer yards at the farm. Seems that so far I haven't lost any of the mature bucks in that yard,but no antlers for they must be under some the 3 and a half odd feet of white and not so fluffy snow.

The deer seemed to be eating the fir, cedar and hemlock buds and not so much the bark. Found a few south facing edges on an oak ridge that the deer had scraped up acorns. My brother is doing some forest management where his sugar-bush abuts the drainage that connects two of the deer yards and is having the logging outfit leave the tops of the sugar maples down for the deer.This seems to be working as the deer are flocking to the site and even bedding down in and around the cut. The other two yards are primarily does and small bucks and fawns, one of which has access to the topped maples. That other yard unfortunately will be where the winter-kills will be more than likely, not to mention they will be tougher to get into because of geography.

I will wait about two more weeks before I attempt them. As far as for the next trip ,I will probably go to Wilmot and try to get into some traditional deer-yards that are in along rte.4a, or I may attempt the moose yard in and around Fowlers Town. It will all depend on snow conditions, some places are accessible by snowshoes and the crust is enough to hold you up and then there are the places you just bust through to your waist. and that my friends makes for a long miserable day.

Here's a picture of the bear den I found. The snow edges are all "melty" and when I put my head to the hole, I could hear the bear softly breathing in it's sleep!

Finally out again

2011-02-21T11:58:00.000-08:00

Well its that time of year again when our winter weary souls start itching to get out and find bone.

I can say that the moose are bald now to the most part in our Granite State, antlers in the upper valley falling like rain somewhere around Jan. 19 or so around a full moon. Deer though are being a bit more stubborn. Some are still sporting crowns according to some local game cams but I have it on good authority that some tines are poking out of the 3 odd feet of snow.

I have going out regularly since Dec 24 keeping an eye on the ground and on a large moose-yard that holds about 7 or 8 moose, at least 4 are bulls, one is a brute with big wide palms, then another good one about 45-48 inches wide, I found his left side in Jan.

Since then conditions have gotten absolutely miserable almost impassable in the woods, I have broken snow shoes twice because of the inconsistent but heavy crust, and its just too damn deep to slog through. Mark my words we will have extreme winter kill this year. Not only can the coyotes run quite effortlessly over the the crust BUT the conditions alone will be deadly, and not just to the deer. So far this year I have heard of many owls and hawks being found dead. Seems with this crust mice and other prey can stay under the snow in tunnels. Even the mighty moose will fall victim. Even though 3 feet of snow is manageable for them ,the crust is tough even on their movement. But despite conditions I may venture out today on this presidents day and evoke the adventurous spirit of Teddy Roosevelt and do a little low impact scouting in Stoddard N.H.

I'll let you all know how that works out. .

NH Fish & Game National Hunting & Fishing Day Event

2010-09-25T09:31:00.000-07:00

The first outdoor expo for the NHSHC went well, and hopefully the people who took information will sign up and become members.

I talked to so many people that my brain hurt at the end of the day. I did meet now new member Carter Heath and his son. We talked at length about shedding, wheres and whens He even told me his brother lives in my home town. Greatguys, and I can definitely see some team antler hunting in our future.

The one thing I noticed and really was encouraged by was all the kids that were interested in all the activities of the day. They came by the booth asked great questions and shared their shed hunting stories, it was great, the next generation getting interested in this.

I think having a kids outdoor and antler hunting seminar day is something that the club should do to reach out to the next generation.

Members Nancy and Dana Fogarty had brought this up at the annual meet this year at our 'round the table discussion and I've been thinking about this ever since. I think it's time start turning it into reality.
If anyone has any Ideas on this email me.

Now before I go I personally want to thank some very important people who have been so far instrumental to the club'ssuccess.
Chris Holmes who I believe has Been hunting antlers with me before I started this club thing. He built our display wall(which is totally awesome) and his lovely wife Lisa for making us a feast of a breakfast that morning.

Steve Bittner for helping with set up, financials and most of allbeing a good friend putting up with my insanity.

And Nancy and Dana Fogarty and Earl Gaudette for Being involved in the club, Giving up their personal time to attend and spreading the word and to Earl for donating those awesome hiking sticks to the club. (we still have some if anyone will be in the Keene/Brattleboro area and wants to get one)
In closing ,good luck during the hunting season ( Dana and Nancy, get a real big one!) and soon the bones will be dropping

NH Shed Hunter Club inaugural event/meet June 4-6, 2010

2010-06-11T15:33:00.000-07:00

Even though the first annual NHSHC meet and antler hunt is in the history books, I am still wringing water and mud out of my socks!

To say it was wet would be a gross understatement. Pittsburg moose woods are a wet destination without any help from the sky opening up, and with that help it just gets water logged.

But being hardcore antler hunters we put on the rain gear and jumped in with both feet. You can't find antlers unless you are out there.

(MORE PICTURES at http://www.robrichardsonart.com/2010event2.html and http://www.robrichardsonart.com/2010nhshcevent.html )

Member Steve Bittner and I drove up on Friday. After unloading our gear at Spruce Cone cabins we did some scouting. We drove around and picked out some very promising spots. we then made our way to the Fogarty Camp on Indian Stream. We wanted to meet team members Nancy, Earl, and Dana in person to button down details for Saturday.

After we arrived and exchanged pleasantries, I gave Nancy an antler candelabra for her camp as a thank you for her help with the club and for making us some really great certificates for the hunt. We all sat down for a great visit and we even celebrated Earl's birthday.

We learned the history of the camp and heard numerous hunting adventures that have transpired over the years. We talked about antler hunting techniques that we each use. After buttoning down Saturday's agenda and deciding to meet back at Camp Fogarty Saturday evening between 3 and 4 pm for the awards ceremony. We said our goodnights and drove back to Spruce Cone.

Saturday June 5

Saturday morning broke with the promised rain that was forecast. We packed the rain gear in the truck and headed to Happy Corners Café for some much needed coffee and breakfast. We met the members who were there already waiting with a table. I could tell everyone was excited and raring to go. After ingesting the fine cooking at the Café we had the waitress take a group photo before we headed out.

We walked off into the rain and split off to go to our respective spots. Just behind happy Corners, between the restaurant and the hardware/lumber store a young cow moose was standing in the field drinking water from a moose wallow. It looked to me like she had shown up to say "good luck guys" as we stopped to take some photos.

We then headed on our trek some 20 miles to our spot off Route 3 and into the brush. The area we chose was looking even better to me this morning then it did last night. Steve was even anxious to get in there. We quickly geared up and slogged into the woods. This spot was a huge area of wintering ground for numerous bulls. It was a 4-7 year old cut surrounded by Moose maple and Spruce. Many streams and old tote roads intertwine this huge piece. In a word- PERFECT!

We first explored the old cut. Everywhere we saw wintering activity. Trees were tipped and bark chewed. We moved methodically but unfortunately, the grass and ferns were knee high and you could be within a foot from a big antler and never see it. June is a bit late for antler hunting, but in Pittsburg much of the area is gated and until the gates open it cuts your options in 1/2.

We worked our way up to the height of land and then moved over to the right of the cut. The whole area was bursting with old and new sign. we found tons of beds. It is amazing to me that moose will lay down to sleep in a wet grass bed that has water 3-4" deep! We followed some big moose runs on a hill side, when Steve was on another run in front of me, he yelled that he had found an antler. I hurriedly slogged to him. To his left was our first antler of the day. Steve had stopped to pee and just happened to look down to his right and there it was. It was a small 4 point paddle and while it was fresh, it was really chewed up. We strapped it to my pack after a few pictures and we moved on further to the right.

Steve followed one beat down moose path and I went even farther to the right and followed just inside the tree line following my own beat down moose trail. I lost sight of Steve for awhile. I slogged across a small meadow inside a small stand of spruce and once on the other side I noticed through the trees some IMMENSE antler rubs, NOT chews but true rubs. two of the spruce were bigger around then my thigh! There were six trees in close proximity. I called to Steve and got him to pose near some of these rubs. Towards the east and downhill through the open spruce and patches of moose maple, we just kept finding more and more rubs. Big, little, a real rub line of sorts. Steve and I split up again and I had him move over about 100 yards and follow along the rubs and a trail. I moved over to the left and after a short time I came out of a real swampy spot and back up on some more solid ground I found a place that all of the chest high spruce had been thrashed. The tops had been stripped and broken off. I started circling this scene because I have seen this type of activity before, and lo and behold! A fresh, dark antler laying at the base of this thicket of thrashed spruce. Not a huge antler, but decent. It had 5 points, dark color, about 29" long. I yelled to Steve and when he arrived, he modeled the antler for my picture taking and then we searched the immediate area for the match. We did not find it but it may still be there somewhere. It could be back in the grass and we'd never see it at this time of year.

We decided to move down to the East again. This way we could connect to the brook that leads down to where we parked the truck. On my way down we ran into even more rubs. Once back to the truck we quickly stowed our gear and the two antlers and motored out to Spruce Cone to gather up all the prizes and awards.

Anticipation was running high as we turned onto Indian Stream. I had recused myself from the contest as the judge, so my antler was not eligible for any awards or prizes, but Steve was in. Once we pulled up to the camp it was apparent that someone here would definitely be taking the Rack Track prize home. The deck of the camp was lined up with sheds and one was just a giant in comparison. When I walked around the back of the truck I could see earl holding his breath. I pulled out our antlers one at a time, alluding to the possibility of a monolithic antler. I see the sigh of relief as I pulled out my medium. We walk onto the porch and can see Earl's antler is a fine specimen. It is double palmed with 9 points, 33-36" long, 10-12" wide and triple eye guards. Bleached, algae covered and a little chewed but full of character. It was very obvious that THIS was the most Impressive antler. So Earl Gaudet was the Official Grand Prize winner of the rack trap. Nancy Fogarty won the 2nd prize painting for an old 5 point antler, Dana Fogarty got 3rd prize of a $20 gift certificate to Place in the Woods and Steve Bittner won 4th prize (a large coffee mug from Place in the Woods)

After visiting and celebrating our club's first meet, we all decided to get together on Sunday to do a group hunt.

Sunday June 6, 8 AM

After breakfast, Steve and I met Earl, Nancy and Dana at our spot in the clearcut. The rain was coming down and we decided to limit our hunt to about 3 hours. We all moved up the hill and made a "beater line" while searching towards where Steve and I had found my antler yesterday. Somehow in the search Steve and I lost track of Team Fogarty, we tried to circle around in front of them but got slowed down in a huge swamp. We finally made our way to the top of the hill and headed down to where we thought they would be. We found nothing but their tracks. We looked around the area where we found the antlers yesterday. Nothing here. Steve went to the east side of the brook and I went to the West side. I started tracking Team Fogarty down along the brook and while standing in their tracks looking at a big rub, I happened to look back and to my left and lying not 10" from the tracks was an old 3 point moose antler (looks like a ghost costume), at least a year old, a little green and in great shape. Had I NOT stopped and happened to look back I would never have seen it, and that is likely why Team Fogarty missed it. I called Steve over to show him the antler and we headed back down to the truck.

When we got back to the truck, we found a note from Nancy and they had gotten out about an hour ahead of us. we were hoping they'd be back at camp so we could show them the antler and leave it at their camp; but alas they had already headed out of town. So the little "ghost costume antler" was to make the journey home with me. We drove over to one more place and gave it a quick go, but we just did not have a lot left in us. The rain had really beat us up. Steve and I changed into dry clothes, loaded up and sadly lefts Pittsburg.We made a detour to Beaver Brook falls, I felt like a tourist but Steve had never seen it.

Before I close I want to thank Gary Bedell of Spruce Cone Cabins for his hospitality and advice. If you plan to go to Pittsburg and need a place to stay, try Spruce Cone. Gary has a very impressive taxidermy collection in his lobby and that alone is worth the visit

Also a HUGE thank you to our event prize sponsors; Rack Trap and Place In the Woods . ALL the winners were thrilled with their prizes.

Hopefully next year, MORE members can join us (there will be a next year) antlers still can be found in June, despite what many think. Everyone went home with at least one!

May 19 & 20th with Friend Steve B.

2010-05-20T15:56:00.000-07:00

A few May days in the woods

2010-05-06T15:07:00.000-07:00

Off to my home town to do a little more this year. The woods are greening up fast but they are still huntable, but a lot of the places dont have much ground cover anyways.

Have you ever gone christmas shopping on Dec 24 and found the store has picked clean except a calender with kittens and a Chia pet? Thats how I've felt this year. There is nothing worse than
getting to your best spot feeling good and meet someone walking out with antlers or finding an imprint in the leafs were someone pulled one out. Oh well thats the game I guess. Thats how it was Tues.

The place I went too, I found a nice one last year that I found late in the season. There is so much moose sign in there, there is a couple of 4-5 year old clearcuts, tote roads, three huge beaver bogs (beaver equal moose); It looks like the Yukon. This this place is just awsome.

I found where at least two antlers were taken out. I found huge rubs and wallows. If i get
unit G in the Moose lottery, I will be in here ( if one of you get lucky and get G let me know this spot rocks!)

I found one really eaten up piece and a cool beaver skull . I went in two days in a row and I'm still convinced there are some antlers still in there so I will go back.

It is about 6000 acres, there has to be more in there somewhere, maybe we will find out next week.

A couple days later I headed back into "moose town" down near Keene and I pulled out this Bull Moose skull (which I'd like to try mount my friend Steve's matching set of antlers onto). Also almost ran headlong into a last year's moose calf.

Lucky day

2010-04-22T08:15:00.000-07:00

Every once in awhile I get lucky.

I woke up on the right side of the bed, had a premonition, whatever it was I knew right where I wanted to go. So I shoveled down some eggs and coffee and was off. (Did not take Itsy because the ticks are bad already here)

Now the Southwest corner of the State is not known for moose, but I have found an area that I like to call "Moosetown". The exact area shall remain nameless because it is especially easy to access, but it is in the Keene area.

I walked in off a tote road and was immediately overwhelmed with the amount of moose sign. This spot is near some power lines and my first mistake was to wander too far out into the brush. I started to lose sign and decided to back track. Usually I preach that you have to bushwhack way out to find anything, but this area is so simple that it has remained unmolested. I found most of the sign ran parallel to the power lines in a swath about 300 feet deep.

Once I got my search vector set, I began to search it in earnest. I moved along the edge of a swamp and found rub after rub. A large bull is running this trail a lot.

I followed along this trail and started into some moose maple that had all been chewed on. To my right was a small stand of hemlock and on top of a mossy hummock was the first antler. A small 5 point with a cool little kicker off the back. This antler was at least a year old but in great shape, no chews just a bit green. First decent moose shed all year for me, even if it was small. Lashed it to my pack and moved on.

Seeings how the antler was small there was no reason to look for the match nearby as the moose would likely have worn 1 side for awhile longer. So I started doing a loose grid search in the yarding area. It only took about 10 minutes and I found a second antler on the side of a small knoll along some more moose maple. An even smaller chewed up 3 point which I usually would have left lie, but we have been using the chewed up ones in the flower garden as ornaments.

I worked up and down a few more ridges until I ran into a cow moose. She was VERY pregnant and refused to move from this little hollow. She had scraped up this area and appeared to be in active labor. I watched her for near an hour just to see if she would give birth. She was a large mature cow around 600+lbs But alas I had to get moving. I decided to circle downwind out of her sight, I knew with the pending birth she would be very protective and I have experienced enough irate cow moose to last me a lifetime!

I dropped down into a hollow and up the other side. This whole area is just awesome. When I topped the ridge there was moose maple and sugar maple everywhere with some hemlock thrown into the mix. If I had previously been walking through "moose town" then this was the town common.

I found another main trail and a few more big rubs. Then I moved down this bench and I look to my left and "Behold the Holy Grail"! A big antler. I about tripped over myself to get to it. And it was a nice one! A big 6 point. It has a few chews and is a bit bleached but over all really nice. My first "big boy" for 2010.

I searched for about 15 minutes for the match, I know it must be there but it was getting pretty late and I was about 3 miles from my truck.

Before I wrap this blog entry up, one word about getting excited about antlers and setting your gear down. Don't. I looked for my stuff for about 10 minutes! Make sure you pay attention to your are setting your stuff down. I was actually more worried about the antlers on the pack then the pack. But I found it all eventually.

I carried the 50lbs of pack and antlers out to the truck with a second trip here already planned!

Moose town here I come

April 4-8

2010-04-08T10:30:00.000-07:00

I took three days off to recharge my batteries and to me that means antler hunting.

After driving my daughter to Durham and then myself back to Springfield, I hit the big woods of the Gile State Forest at 8 AM. I headed in past our bear bait sites and over the mountain. My destination was a 3 year old clear cut about 2 miles in.

I saw plenty of sign at first but then it petered out. So I kept on searching through what seemed like hours of mooseless terrain. It was really off to experience that in the Gile but I believe they were wintering elsewhere.

After traversing a number of beaver ponds I ended up on the back side of the clear cut, and low and behold that's where the moose had wintered.

I moved along the edge of the clear cut and ran across this old moldy antler, it would have been a giant at one time. Ah well, it looks good in the flower garden!

The next day I searched the farm. I did a scout through my hunting spot, lots of huge buck sign but no antlers until I got over the other side of the hill. I found a chewed up 4 point side with good mass, another buck to add to my mental catalog of big deer using my mountain. Also found a portion of a deer jaw.

A weird year

2010-03-31T10:10:00.000-07:00

What a strange year for me so far, for me it has been almost antlerless! It has been many years since I have gone through the end of February without at least a handful of antlers, both moose and deer.

I have pounded a lot of ground since starting in December. At this same point last year I had around 11 antlers, many of these being matched sets. I have covered all of the normally good spots throughout the last few months.

I have to tell you my faith in myself has been shaken, but any true antler hunter knows that you just can't give up. A few of you NH Shed Hunters Club members have done pretty good so far and thanks for submitting the pictures. I think I just need to change my search criteria.

If you recall, last season in the places I hunt (and possibly in areas where you hunt as well) we had a good crop of acorns in december. I was finding a LOT of feeding activity in the oak groves.

I have 5 days off the beginning of April and I plan to get out most days and hope for luck. I also have days off in May and June. Although June is typically my cutoff point for me because of greenup. Pittsburg is still huntable in June though, especially way up.

As most of you know, Diane has gotten the NHSHC website finally updated and we will be trying to add some more features and photos. Club members don't forget to get into the raffle for a NHSHC shirt and hat, check the website or yahoogroup emails for more info.

We have added a lot of cool stuff on the NHSHC store page so check it out.

NHSHC members please remember to write in to the yahoogroup about your own antler adventures, I love to read about other antler hunts. Also if any members have hunting photos remember to submit them to Diane to put on the hunting page of the website. Our hunting photo gallery page is pretty weak guys!

June is coming up soon and I am looking forward to meeting as many of you who can attend our first club Pittsburg antler hunt. A few things to remember for those planning on attending; it will be calving season- (1) STAY AWAY from all cow moose and keep your eyes sharp for them! My first hand experience posted here last year should tell you that this is a serious thing. (2) Bring PLENTY of bug spray. If we get a lot of warm weather the black flies will be out and HUNGRY. (3) bring exra shoes and socks or water proof boots. the one thing those of you who have hunted in Pittsburg know is that everywhere you go up there in the bush is WET. Muck boots or any of the tall water proof boots are great, like the ones you wear for bowhunting. Hopefully the weather will cooperate for us

Good luck
Rob

A long antler hunt with the dog

2010-03-18T09:31:00.000-07:00

While driving to my wife's friend Maggie's , I thought that the chances of finding antlers was good. I was heading to 350 acres of corn and hay fields surrounded by CRP fields and hemlock groves. A roaring native trout brook tuns down a ravine that is full of deer travel. The day promised to be warm and sunny, in the 60's. A day antler hunters love, certainly for March. (Pre bug season).

With me I had my partner in training, Itsy (Little Bit), my trusty antler dog. Today would be a fine tuning trip for her blossoming skills.

When we reached Maggie's I ran into a logger who was eager to tell me where they had been seeing deer. Information considered, off we went. I had planned to go down into the ravine and work the dog in and around the deer trails. A lot of the upper piece had been select cut.

Within 50 yards of getting to the upper shelf, we got our first hit. Turned out to be a leg bone, but she's on the right track. I refocus Itsy and move along. 20 feet later and another bone. Down by the brook, you guessed it another bone. Did I mention none are antlers?

Well we quartered for quite awhile and I had planned on crossing the brook, but the water was still far too high. The deer trails showed that the deer had been crossing it most of the winter and last year I found a 5 point side over there, but no access yet.

The deer trails headed up the bluff and we found 3 huge rubs. We made our way along to the home stretch, we had been out now for over 5 hours and finally found an antler. Out in the middle of a field Itsy found the end of a main beam and part of a tine that had been broken by the hay mower. It was very weathered and had been out there a long time. I left it where it lay as there was not enough to bring home.

So what did we turn up? 10 legs, part of a hip, some cow bones, a chewed up doe skull, several turkey bones, the broken antler piece and LOTS of deer poop.

I think we are doing good for a 2 year old, barely worked pup. I just wish some more antlers would pop up, but it's only March

First 2010 trip out with the dog

2010-03-11T09:15:00.000-08:00

Posted by Diane

Rob's antler dog, Itsy, broke a toe in December and has been unable to go antler hunting until she healed.

Rob took her out this week, for the first time in 2010 and he took her to Unity, NH an area they are familiar with.

Last fall a good friend called us because he had arrowed and lost a doe

We did not have our license (one of our other dogs, Annie, is a Wildlife recovery Dog) and could not legally go

The deer was not recovered and all we knew was an aproximate phone conversation about where it was shot and where they thought it went

Rob and Itsy went to the same property on March 11 to look for dropped antlers. To an antler dog a bone is a bone is a bone so she often finds more bones then she does antlers. Coyote skulls, pig and calf bones the coyotes have dragged away from the farm dump pile etc

Itsy has no blood tracking training (yet) and only a smidge of human tracking training, but when they got to this one area she locked onto a "trail" of some sort and was very obviously tracking something. She works off leash with Rob simply keeping her close verbally

He said he decided to let her follow this trail for a bit and after only a short distance became aware of flagging on branches (the type you leave while blood tracking with or without a dog). Rob started being aware that the trail Itsy was following matched the flaggging and so followed along to see where she'd end

Well she ended near a bog where the local coyotes had obviously pulled a dead deer out of the bog and consumed it. itsy picked up all the bones in the area and Rob says they amounted to about the whole rear 1/2 - 1/3 of what looked like a doe based on pelvis

Rob was fairly certain that this was the lost deer from his friend last fall.. This was 5 months ago.

While Rob could not say that Itsy was following a blood trail, the path she followed was right on with the flagging and she was obviously tracking/trailing not just air scenting the bones from a distance

Annie (left), Rob and Itsy (right) take a nap at the end of a fun, tiring day

December 28, 2009-February 11, 2010 recap

2010-02-11T17:45:00.000-08:00

I decided to try to get a jump on finding some Moose antlers in the Gile Forest (Springfield and Wilmot, NH) so I went out for the first time on December 28,2009 with my friend Steve.

This was Steve's first time out looking for antlers of any kind and so we decided to go to one of my favorite spots in the Gile Forest. UNFORTUNATELY it was 9 degrees F with 45 MPH wind gusts and a constant 25 MPH wind. We did not stay very long and did not see ANY Moose tracks or any sign whatsoever. We did find some big deer rubs and some deer activity so will have to go back later in the season.

I have never experienced cold like this in my entire life! We were chipping ice out of our beards and mustaches after getting back to the truck.

Steve and I went out a few weeks later near Center Pond in Stoddard and saw LOTS of Moose sign but again no antlers. Another spot to return to.

I made a couple quick trips to Pisgah State Park which is near my house and again saw deer sign but no antlers.

I have been back to the farm in Springfield a number of times and seen lots of deer, lots of sign but also NO ANTLERS. (NOTE of interest: I was actually witnessing breeding activity as late as the end of December and beginning of January!)

I decided to go to a place with a very high concentration of deer in Unity. I've gone back 3 times now because of the amount of deer sign. Two of the trips were a wash out for deer antlers, but on my way back to the truck on the first trip in a whiteout I did find a rotting Coyote skull in the middle of a hay field.

And on the third trip to Unity, EUREKA! I finally found an antler. Well, half of one. After hiking through most of the bedding areas I meandered my way to a lower apple orchard and was working my way along the brook near the orchard looking at where the deer cross the brook and in the field adjacent to the orchard under a lone apple tree was an antler. The only way to get to this antler was to go onto private property, so I knocked on the man's door. After a brief conversation he graciously gave me permission to pick up any antlers out in his field and so I ran out and picked it up only to discover that the antler was broken clean off right after the G2. This is the second broken off antler I have found in this area.

The property owner then showed me the giant 8 point buck he had shot in the same area 4 years ago. It's a big typical 8 with a 20" inside spread and has 11" G2s and great mass. THEN the property owner proceeded to tell me about a GIANT deer on his lawn back in December that he claims had 16-18 points, this actually coincides with the stories my friend Dave has heard about a deer in the area that people have started calling "Stickers" and this is PROBABLY the buck that is snapping off other buck's antlers and responsible for the rub's I have seen on 25++" trees in the same area.

"Stickers" is now my main priority in this particular area and I'd love to find his sheds to prove his actual existence.

Today (2/11) Steve and I went back to Unity on the search for "Stickers" and we found some HUGE tracks and more BIG rubs but no antlers.

Opening Day Success

2009-11-11T17:30:00.000-08:00

Due to being lucky enough to find a new job, I had far less time to hunt then usual. So feeling a little rushed, I still hunted my way to my favorite spot and luckily and literally almost ran smack dab into a deer!

I noticed a few other deer moving in a small draw, so I moved to a position where I had a better vantage point. After seeing 3-4 deer that I could not identify as buck or doe I heard running coming straight for me. So I patiently waited and prepared to take the shot if it turned out to be a buck.

I immediately saw two bucks running towards me, they came up a small knoll towards me and the first one - a small spike- ran by at about 7 FEET from me. He was being chased by a fatter larger racked buck-a fork horn- who also ran by at the same 7 FEET!

Instinctually I brought up my tried and true Model 94 and let one rip and knocked the fork horn over within feet of impact.

No sooner had this 4 pointer expired at the foot of the knoll then a larger buck, much much larger, emerged from the undergrowth at the bottom of the draw. I thought I'd have some fun and grunted to this new buck which did not immediately respond, but 5 minutes later it walked up to the now dead deer and acted like he was going to attack it.

It was the deer so affectionately known as "The big 10" that I had planned on hunting for. I could have cried. The hunting instinct, the pressure to get the hunt done and over and the closeness of the deer had overwhelmed me.

After a few minutes this large buck melted back into the brush. I went down the hill and started field dressing my buck. The fresh bear crap all around me made me a bit nervous, but dragged the deer out to the road and waited for my friend Chris to come get me to take it to be checked in.

Although dissapointed that I did not get "The big 10"; I AM eating venison and I can look forward to finding "the big 10"'s antlers in the woods this year since there was only 1 buck taken off the farm and it was mine.

Adventures AND misadventures while NOT finding antlers

2009-06-11T17:01:00.000-07:00

This antler adventure started out just terrible.

TWO stops on the way up to Pittsburg for emergency bathroom stops. I felt just awful.

I got to Indian Stream Valley at 11 am (I had left my house at 5:30 AM and this is normally a 3 hour 45 min trip).

The gate was closed on the road I needed to get to, so I decided to go to the next road down. THIS looked promising. Lots of Bull moose sign. I was getting excited and then I saw foot prints... NOT moose, but human. I wasted 4 hours just to hunt an area that had already been picked clean. It was misting rain and the ground was soggy. I hate getting soaked for nothing.

Then I fell ass over bandbox and slightly hurt my ankle and I hobble out.

SO, I drive over to Magalloway valley. Still feel like crap. Hey, wait! I remember an older clearcut where a friend and I saw the biggest bull I had ever seen.

What the hell is that noise? Why is my truck heading for the ditch? Don't tell me. Oh look at that... I have a flat. I just LOVE changing flat tires way out in the mud. This is so awesome! Oh good. My spare tire is one size smaller than the other tires on the truck. Oh well.. adapt and overcome.

I drive out of this place and think "should I just go home?" No i decide, I will head out to Perry Stream to check out a spot for tomorrow.

I drive by the guy with "ANTLERS" on his plates and moose antlers everywhere all over his house and barn. I saw him out awhile ago. I wish he was in NHSHC, he must be the master of Moose antlers!

Checked out a few places for tomorrow and hope I pick a good spot.

Back to camp and eat. At least I have enough gas to cook something. A hot meal will help my outlook. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Day 2

Woke up at 5:16 am when two log trucks blow by at what seemed like 200 MPH and pulled the jake brake when they went by my truck. Then a Chevy truck went by at what seemed like 275 MPH! HOLY CRAP! So i got up and shook off the night. Packed up, good gosh for a mini camp I sure have a lot of crap! Happy Corners is calling for me, I need coffee. I can eat cold food for days , be soaking wet and chilled to the bone, but the one thing I need is coffee.

6:30 and I am the first one in the restaurant but many soon follow; fishermen, people fixing their cabins and ONE loud, obnoxious, down stater flirting mercilessly with the waitress who is old enough to be his grandmom. Guess this is what happens to some people when they spend this much time up here away from their women. The food came almost as soon as I had placed my order, the cooks must have been psychic. The coffee is awesome!

Drove to the first spot above the First Connecticut Lake on Magalloway Rd. It's so simple, it's stupid so let's see what we can find. Nope, I found nothing except an antler that was so chewed up that there was no base or palm left. It would have been a wicked nice one.

I went to Perry Stream and it was a great spot BUT had been hit by hunters already as evident by the big antler impression in the dirt and grass next to the trail.

I did get to see a very large bear poop and eat grass. THAT was my hint to move on to a new spot. I got gas for the truck and went to yet another place.

I have to say that this trip I have seen more animals than ever. Maybe it was the weather, or time of year or just because I am really boondocking this trip. When I first got into town yesterday, I followed a yearling cow moose for about a mile on Indian Stream. Saw my little friends, the Canadian jays but this time they did not lead me to any antlers. I have seen deer everywhere, most memorable was the buck who stared me down in that first clearcut I walked in. he had really nice beams all fuzzy with velvet.

This brings me to my last stop, on Indian Stream. Why I did not check here yesterday I do not know. I never would have gone anywhere else. I only had about 2 hours left but this place is it. I parked and walked about 200 yards and saw a moose trail going up the hill and woods to my right. Moose rubs along the trail. I get to the top and it flattens out and is DRY!

I catch a movement to my right and there is a tiny red moose calf about 75-100 yards away, bouncing about. I look at him through the binoculars. Where's Mom???? I do not see her. Baby looks at me and oh gosh Mom stands up as if materializing from the earth. She lays eyes on my and instantly charges. I RUN.... FAST. Well i thought it was fast, but NOT as fast as Momma Moose. Geez she is FAST! I fall.....thankfully I fall behind bushes and a stump. She stops chasing. Because of my "genius" move of hiding (falling) behind a stump that is only 10 inches high, I don't move a muscle. Momma moose decides I am gone and goes back over the hill to her baby. I hear him making these soft mewing type noises excited for his mom to be back. I sneak away and continue to check the area out. I finally find the main clear cut but my time is running out and I have to leave.

I get back to the road and find a neat smooth red rock, then I find three 4 leaf clovers, why couldn't I find these earlier?

Whoops, I forgot about the porcupine that was hanging out in the tree. I bet he was amused when that moose chased me because he was so high up he could have watched it all happen.

So here I am walking out with my rock and my 4 leaf clovers and I think, maybe I will just pop into the woods here and look around a little. Then I am attacked again! This time by a little fluffed up hen grouse with chicks. She charges. I stand my ground. She runs off screaming like a wounded rabbit. THIS was my cue to leave Pittsburg, the animals have had enough of me!

Rob

Green up hunt June 3, 2009

2009-06-03T13:38:00.000-07:00

I went back to Wilmot in the same place that Chris Holmes found a matched set of moose sheds on our trip last year.

It was tough hunting because green up is in full swing there, can't even see your feet.

If I had not stopped to tie my boot, I would have missed this one and I did not have my dog with me.

It was on the edge of an overgrown tote road and some hemlock trees, overlooking a beaver pond

This might be the last time I go out in the Southern part of the state specifically antler hunting because of 3 things.

1-green up

2-ticks

3-maneating mosquitos

I am probably heading to Pittsburg 1 last time the 10th/11th. I'll let you know if I find anything.

Memorial Week 2009

2009-05-28T14:32:00.000-07:00

My nephew and I pulled onto Indian Stream road in Pittsburg with a built up excitement.

we knew we COULD come out of the woods with many or few Moose antlers. that did not matter, the chance of any antler was enough to get us fired up with visions of fields full of Moose dropping their antlers by the dozens.

We parked in a spot above gate 13 and went into the woods. After crossing a stream we came across our first antler! A 5 point with a nice broad palm. It was lying upside down on top of a stump just like it was set there for us. We were in the woods just 20 minutes!

THEN it started to rain... and rain. After 9 hours of slogging through the wet woods we decided to make the hike back to the truck.

It is at this point that I would like to thank NHSHC member Nance Fogarty for letting us park/camp at her camp driveway. THANKS Nance

Day 2

We wake up after a rough night's sleep. Dennis woke me every couple of hours to stop me from snoring! I took him to breakfast at my favorite Pittsburg eating place, Happy Corners. Let me give a plug for this GREAT establishment. They have an extensive menu for breakfast alone. GREAT coffee. REALLY hit the spot.

So we hit the road again. Today we went out to just along the Maine/ Canadian/ NH border. After 6 long, WET hours Dennis finally found an old but large antler.

It had not rained all day, we actually had sun most of the day but the ground in this area was a wet swampy woodland and we were soaked.

We hiked back to the truck and collapsed on the tailgate to eat lunch/supper.

As we drove out past East Inlet we eyeballed a few more spots for our next trip.

There seems like endless opportunities in Pittsburg for shed hunting, you just have to hit the right spot where the Moose had congregated.

I'll be going back up one more time in the next few weeks

Rob

May Pittsburg trip

2009-05-15T20:40:00.000-07:00

Rob took a journey up North to Pittsburg on friday and he had a relaxing day. here's his report

Hit the road at 3:30 AM! After a brief stop to get coffee and sustenance I
arrived on Magalloway road just before 7 AM

I was happy to see that
the gate was open. I noticed a large number of trucks parked at the fly fishing
area trying their luck with the freshly stocked breeder trout and
salmon.

After parking at an "undisclosed location" I geared
up and headed out. The area I was searching was a downward sloping conifer
forest. It took me 2 hours to find my first moose antler ( a small one) on
a well used trail. I stopped for a bit to eat and a drink and saw a flittering
in the trees. At first I thought it was a kestrel but as it landed feet from my
face, I realized it was a Canadian jay- My FAVORITE bird. For those who do not
know these are Blue jay sized birds (cousins actually) that are very personable.
I decided to share my food with them, I say them because the one magically
turned into twelve friends that took food directly from my hands. These guys
rock! (a red squirrel also shared my food..)

I followed the moose
trail to a large clear cut that was about 7 years old. Much easier to move
through now than it was a few years ago. After my first pass through I was
getting discouraged, so much land and so little time. But I collected my
thoughts and methodically searched. next to a small outcrop of rocks near a
trail I found a smallish antler that had been on the ground 1-2 years. A little
chewed but not bad. This should illustrate to you that no matter how many times
you search an area you can miss an antler, because I searched this same area
last year and never saw it.

Got through the clear cut as best as I
could and worked my way back to the truck, it was about 2 PM and I drove to my
next search area. A lot of moose sign but saw no antlers. I was hurrying though
as I needed to leave around 5. However I did "re-find" a bull Moose skull from a
2-3 year old that I had seen last year but had not picked up. I decided to bring
it home this year because with the right sheds I can mount them to the skull to
sell.

I plan on going back up in a week or so and maybe spend the
night and maybe I will find a big set then

Late April shed

2009-04-24T11:20:00.000-07:00

On April 22, Itsy and I went shed hunting on a private farm that is steeped in Whitetail mystery. My wife has seen an extremely large deer in velvet early last year and my friend Dave witnessed a massive 10 pointer in the corn field within easy shooting distance, but he could not take it because he did not have permission to hunt the farm.

After aquiring permission to shed hunt this several hundred acre farm, I have found now 3 antlers in total and many bones of other types including the pictured Fisher skull. To an antler dog a bone is a bone is a bone and Itsy has found LOTS of bones- deer, cow, pig etc... as well as some antlers!

I went back out on April 24 by myself because the area I wanted to search was a mess of down trees and found this antler, which is the largest of the 3 I have found on this property.

After showing this one to both Dave and my wife, they have both confirmed that this is not the giant that they saw.

This antler would score around 66" had the G2 tine (estimated at 9") not broken off. It currently scores about 57"

Easter finds

2009-04-13T09:56:00.000-07:00

Easter was the end of Rob's current dry spell

Sunday he found the mate to the Moose shed he found back in Feb. It was within a few feet of where the other was, Rob even had been standing directly on top of it in Feb. The snow was just incredibly deep!!

Today he found the mate to the Whitetail antler he and Itsy found awhile back as well. Much farther from the first one than Rob would have guessed. It was up on a bedding hump/hill that came up out of the swamp

he says now his mental block is gone!

Diane
NHSHC

March shed hunting overview

2009-04-05T09:52:00.000-07:00

Shed hunting has been tough this month. So much snow still in most of the places I go.

You keep seeing and hearing about all these sheds being found out West already, but it is a far far different hobby. Out there the snow comes and goes due to the wind and openness, and it is very common to go out and come home with a backpack FULL of sheds. It is so much easier than NH that it is often billed as a good kid's hobby due to it's ease. It is so much easier in fact that many of the most popular wintering areas have an Antler Hunting opening day to keep people from bothering the winter weary animals. On opening day (It's in May) at these places people line up at the gate and when it opens they ride horses or 4 wheelers or hike to get the best antlers first!

I'd love to see some of those people who claim how easy it is to pick up 100's of sheds a year to sell on Ebay come to NH and try the same. I think they'd give up in a hurry.

At any rate I found 3 sheds in March. I've been out a lot but the snow is still quite dense in many shady areas. Field edges and apple tree areas have been where these sheds were found, if you recall the icestorm had covered a lot and around the time the deer were dropping antlers they were hanging out in these areas

I picked up a nice 3 point (photo on the railing attached) in the middle of a hay field.

Then had a pretty dry spell, until the end of the month when the snow started to melt better

The second 3 point Itsy and I found under an apple tree at the edge of a field towards the end of the month.

The fork horn was found in an open stand of big Hemlock trees near the edge of a field. It is a fresh shed but is pretty chewed up from porcupine already due to being pretty near a porcupine den

That's it for the month of March, here's hoping the finds pick up before the ticks get bad!

Rob

Feb Moose shed

2009-02-15T09:50:00.000-08:00

Rob went out for a short antler hunting hike today in Springfield, Nh. The snow is still pretty deep in the woods there- in some places 3' drifted , 2' in most places and in the rare Southern spot not too deep

In an area that was 2' deep with 3' drifts around the bases of the hemlocks Rob went through a section of waist high hemlocks and found this antler.

Only a few inches were sticking up.

Rob ran out of search time but he'll go back there soon to find the match

Diane

Moose Sheds

2009-01-19T09:47:00.000-08:00

Sat I went to a spot in Springfield that I had found moose antlers before.

As I was following deer tracks I happened to look down and saw something brown IN the deer track. I bent down to look more closely at this track in deep snow and noticed that the brown had antler texture. I swept away snow and found the base of a moose antler. With some effort a pried a nice right hand antler from the snow

I decided that the match could not be far and started to search in spite of the deep snow making the discovery unlikely

I took into account the position the antler had been lying and headed in the direction the moose likely traveled

About 150 yards away I saw the very end of a base and 2" of tine sticking up from the snow

Don't let the differences in the antlers fool you, they are from the same moose. I have seen him personally with antlers on his head and have 3 years of antlers from this same moose that we are guessing is approximately 7-10 years old.

The farm produces for me again!

Rob Richardson

The streak continues

2009-01-06T09:45:00.000-08:00

I decided that I would go and check out some more fields and apple trees today before the storm arrives. I went back to our old homestead in Unity.

I was pleasantly surprised when my old neighbor Dave decided to go out with me (Dave is a taxidermist by the way) So there was a little competition there to say the least.

We checked the apple trees first and found nothing, then we went to a ridge behind the old house where there is always a deer trail. I found this nice small 10 point set lying together as if gift wrapped. Dave was a little jealous but he got over it.

We were following a much bigger track and we knew this rack was not his. One of the neighbors had seen a large 10 point with two side stickers and that's the one we were trying to find but no luck.

Nothing more for the day but will hit there again soon

Rob

Rob and Itsy go shed hunting

2009-01-05T09:41:00.000-08:00

Rob took his 11 month old Rottweiler girl Itsy for her first ever shed antler hunt today.

They went to a State park near us and did a field search. When they got near some apple trees, Itsy dragged him over to a tree and started digging and whining. When Rob got there he discovered she had found a nice 5 point antler

Rob was very pleased with her.

Diane

Mon Jan 5 2009

2009-01-05T09:28:00.000-08:00

On Sat I decided that it would be good to dump a load of apples for the deer. My nephew and I jumped onto my brother's Rhino and drove up to the apple tree which is next to the corn field.

before we could dump the apples we spied this beautiful set of 10 point sheds

It seems early maybe but I'm not going to argue

Rob

More Deer Recovery/ blood tracking

2008-11-16T11:34:00.000-08:00

More notes from Diane, from a deer call 11/14/2008

We are now 0 for 2

I don't think this guy hit the deer where he says either. (the first track the hunter could not have been more wrong)

We only went (in the dark and light rain) because it sounded like a sure thing and was just 7 1/2 hours post shot, though it had been raining then steady and was said to be a monster deer.
Hunter said he shot the deer in the shoulder (missed the first shot hit it with the second)
However the deer went STRAIGHT up over some nasty rocks/boulders with no trouble and no blood sign.

The point of impact had some grey hair and ONE drop of blood. There was a small bone chip and light blood about 50 yards in (bone chips from shoulder exit wounds are typically at the shot site itself) for about 25 yards and then nothing until they did big circles and found a couple splotches and then a bloody bed 100 yards+/- from hit site along with what they claimed was a teeny hunk of lung (but based on the evidence we saw I'd bet it was fat and/or bone marrow) and no blood to speak of after the bed

Annie tracked fabulously from point of impact, up over the boulder etc straight up to where the 6 hunters had milled about at last blood. The area was so rucked up that instead of waiting for Annie to puzzle it out I had them take me to the bed.

She tracked off the bed great but this deer was NOT acting lung hit nor chest hit at all. NO blood on the bushes at all very very little on the ground and this deer went amazing places and up amazing inclines. He then waded/swam through a large pool and on the other side there was some blood on a hemlock but then no blood at all. The deer went in a large circle down hill then looped back uphill towards the bed area then another larger loop. He wanted to be on that high point of land. And he also kept going back to this pool. (Annie would have swum it if I'd let her- the guys did a light sweep of it and saw no floating deer. He did hesitate in one place that at first I thought he laid down but then decided he just stood still and Annie said there may have been some blood in the dirt there. probably the darn animal was watching the search!

After 2 1/2 hours of tracking, 2 falls by me resulting in a smashed knee and no sign of the deer, more blood nor that he ever bedded up again.

My husband and I think the deer acts like an elbow or leg hit MAYBE a brisket, the hunter thinks a square shoulder hit and we strongly doubt that

The hunters are going out again and I pray they find it but ya know what? I doubt it.

I KNOW we can do this. We have tested Annie with very very dilute and sparse blood and a crap for sign trail and she aced it each time. She is tracking the deer step for step according to the hunters (over trail they've already done) and working her heart out and does indeed find NEW undiscovered blood

I guess It's ME that's the discouraged one. Discouraged that we can't perform miracles

So I feel a bit better now.

In talking with two LONG time deer tracking people I have come to realize that what I have been seeing is typical. We are a last resort. Hunters always call us after mucking up the woods or making a crap shot that they thought at the time was perfect or something unexpected happens between shot and impact...

The average recovery ratio is 30% using a dog in these cases and far far lower when not using one (ie when the hunter looks with just human help)

So while I still want to be a miracle worker I guess I have to take what I get and KNOW my dog is still VERY good at her job (and it's a job she LOVES!)

Wildlife recovery/bloodtracking plus a Shed Hunting entry

2008-11-16T11:30:00.000-08:00

Here is my Wife's (Diane) notes about our first trip on a deer call

I thought some of you might find this interesting.

Annie (3 years old) and I just got our license to be a Wildlife Recovery Team (leashed blood tracking dog). This is following wounded deer, or moose for hunters.

Annie's mom, Bea, was my great tracking girl that we lost this past February to bone cancer.

This track proved to me that with a dog that has proper talent and motivation, old tracks are not quite as big of a deal to dogs as we humans like to think.

The below is from 11/9 and 11/10, 2008
___________________________________
We got home this evening from doing a long list of errands and found a desperate voicemail from a guy that shot a deer and could not find it.

This is Annie's first call since she/we became licensed, though she is still actually in training

The man had called both myself and another licensed tracker in a near by town. The other guy had come out but the dog tracked just til blood was lost and could not get any further despite several restarts.

I told the hunter that Annie is still in training and that I made no guarantees, BUT we were willing to come out if he wanted us to. He most surely did!

We got out to the site and started tracking (not at site of the shot but several yards down the trail at a bloody spot) at about 7:45. TWELVE hours after the deer had been shot. Annie tracked very well to the end of blood and then spent several minutes casting about. She then locked on a track followed it, lost it, found it, lost it. This repeated for awhile and then she found more blood!
At this point we were farther by quite a lot than the other dog team. She found a teensy bit more blood a bit farther on and then lost the track again. Found it again and followed it to a mud puddle where she dug up some more blood and then we lost the track entirely.

We circled about and eventually a ways farther on Annie locked on a track and dragged me about 300 yards to the edge of a field.

It was late, Annie was pooped and so we came home and will go back out tomorrow and restart the track again

The man was quite impressed with Annie as was my husband, Rob. I was happy with her performance but sad we did not get the deer. A first track AND in the pitch dark though she did very well and worked her darn heart out! Annie NEVER quit

Went out again this am at 6:30 (almost 24 hours post shot) and got to see the point of impact. The shot and subsequent events were not exactly how initially described and we could tell the deer was likely not mortally wounded (appeared to be an above the spine shot which stuns them but is not fatal)

We restarted the track from the beginning and Annie tracked very very well and exactly as last night, but got lots farther. We followed the deer to where it crossed a road with no sign of stopping to lay down. We quit after 2 hours and feel confident that the deer will live to see many more days

Annie was upset at not finding the deer so we stopped at the taxidermists and got a hide for her and we will lay her a track later so she can "find" her deer

She did VERY VERY well and was an excellent ambassador for the breed (Rottweiler) and the hunter was grateful for her efforts, patting and hugging her in thanks for trying!

Shed hunting and more

Shed Finds 11/12/ and 11/13

Found a single moose shed 11/12

11/13 Rob found the match to the antler he found yesterday. Just 30 yards from the first. Rob had actually walked right by it and today when he went back a bear had come along and dug it up from the leaves and chomped the crap out of it.....

Here's a picture of the set.

Rob says he hates bear! LOL

Then a sad find

Rob found a MASSIVE (and really gross/smelly) buck (estimated weight was over 220 lbs, 8" from eye corner to tip of nose, 19 3/8" inside green spread) dead in the woods being fed on by Coyotes.

The condition of the surrounding terrain suggest that he was killed while fighting another buck! This is an old buck, about 7 years old.

Rob has a set of sheds from this buck from last year (The ones his brother found "shed hunting by tractor" shown on the little girl's head) and this was ONE of the specific bucks Rob was hunting for this year

Rob is very saddened

Moose hunt, House for sale and NHSHC get together

2008-06-25T09:36:00.000-07:00

First off; I did NOT get selected in the NH Moose lottery. I know this is a big disappointment to my fans, as it is to me. HOWEVER, if any of you were chosen for units G, H or nearby I am offering my services- FREE OF ANY CHARGE- for guiding/scouting. Last year I assisted two different friends in scouting these areas I know so well and BOTH men shot very nice trophy bulls!

Next business: Our house is for sale. Reluctnatly, I must add. It is a great place for any hunter! Check it out at http://www.robrichardsonart.com/housesale.html and feel free to forward the page to anyone who might be interested Last: Once we get settled in our new home, wherever that may end up being, I want to plan our first NHSHC get together. Think about dates late summer/early fall that will or won't work for you so that when I announce the location you will be able to provide input

oh and on a NON hunting note. last week I caught a monster Northern pike! Longer than a yard stick and without a net I could not boat it even with the help of a kayaker! We were able to lay the stick on it and the teeth scared the heck out of the kayaker. No photos though because the wife had the camera! never fails!

Antler Hunting by Tractor!

2008-06-12T07:13:00.001-07:00

So a few weeks ago my brother called me and said "I found the rest of your antlers". What the heck does that mean?

I asked him had he been out in the woods and he says "Nope. I found them the easy way". So I asked him how, because we all know there is no easy way. "On the tractor spreading fertilizer out in the oat field" He replied.

He had been cruizing along with the spreader in a 20 acre oat field, happened to look down and saw half an 8 point set. He jumped down off the John Deere and found the match about 10-15 feet away. He walked around a bit and found another antler! A big half of an 8 as well.

The next night I planned to go up and see those big eights. I could hardly wait all day to see them. All day I had visions of big antlers in my head, The Jordan Buck, The Breen Buck, or even Klucky's new NH record were what I pictured.

When I got there I rushed in to the house and saw them lying on the bench next to the door. While they were not The Jordan Buck caliber, they were really nice big sets.

The one single antler is this season's version of a matched set I had already found (one 11/07 and one 5/6/08). This new one is a little bigger and has more mass than the winter 2006/07 set.

The matched set though... is from a buck that I have NO previous sheds from. The funny thing though; on my stereo there sits a rack from a buck my brother had shot in 1980, his first deer. IF this buck had not been killed in 1980 I would swear that this set in hand, was his newest headgear. Uncanny how a buck's genetics are carried on through a deer herd.

We went out into the oat field that night and looked to see if we could find the missing other half of the eight, or another antler of any size but no such luck.

We remembered that during the small thaw in January this oat field had melted to bare ground and figured that these two giants had came out to eat the exposed oat grass and maybe sparred over the eating rights causing the antlers to knock off.

So my advise is to remember to check out any food plots that deer may have been using in Januray and you may luck out!

As I write this, green up is complete and this makes shed hunting very hard until hunting season. I'd like to hit Pittsburg one more time. I've some back country spots I need to hit and I have one last area of the farm to check as well.

I need to put out some cameras and set up some small food plots and mineral licks to grow some bones for fall.

Remember, you can't look everywhere, just look where you are!

The last vacation day

2008-05-12T18:36:00.000-07:00

Today I used a vacation day, the last one, to make my way to Pittsburg, NH

Yes, that fabled land where moose and deer frolic in the vast woods of the far North.

A place where it has been said that antlers are littering the forest floor. OK, I am being a little too flowery; it actually went a little more like this.

Despite my best efforts, I left late. OK, so I wanted to leave at 4 AM and actually left at quarter to seven... I got to Pittsburg at about 10 am. Oh well. I had chosen to search one of four areas that I have had luck in before. One spot in particular is a gold mine, but Perry Stream Logging Company had not yet unlocked all of the roads. So I was now down to two spots, so I chose the easiest one first, not always the best idea because everyone else will go there too. Not much I could do about that.

I started into this spot that is a series of small clear cuts with a swamp and TONS of sign, both deer and moose. The deer sign is promising for two reasons. In the past I have always found a lot of moose tracks, beds, rubs and chews but not much actual deer sign. Now though there were lots more deer tracks, rubs etc than ever before. I had hunted this spot before, about 7 years ago for deer, but have returned since then to look for head gear with not a whole lot of luck.

I started off moving down hill weaving back and forth slowly. When you see a spot like this you can envision big moose palms just jutting out everywhere. But after the first two hours, nada!

Three hours go by and I see three big deer, trotting in deer fashion across one of the clear cuts. The last one was practically a cow, just a huge body. But I digress.

I start down this trail that I had sort of come in on. I was feeling a little worn out because I had not slept well and I was getting hungry, when I come across this moose femur. I stared at this bone and thought "This bone was not here when I came through before... BUT, maybe there is what is left of a bull with antlers still on the skull." A moose skull with antlers is the Holy Grail of shed hunting. So I push through some spruce boughs and straight in front of the leg bone is a nice big moose shed! A real nice fresh one. No chewing on it at all. As it was a pretty good size, I look around through my binoculars and POOF! another antler! But this one looks like a giant deer antler. Shaped a lot like "Hole in the horn" But when I walk up to it I saw that it was another fresh moose antler with an obvious deformity/ injury to the base area. This deformed the antler into a paddled club with points. Oh well, a set is a set.

I hike out with them attached to my pack like a proud Papa. I stop at the truck to stow them and get a bite to eat and drink seeing it was warm. I decided to go to another spot. I headed North towards the 3rd Connecticut Lake where there is a spot that I have always seen big bulls. This place is outside of the ever popular "Moose Alley" but is pretty good for bull sightings. To my surprise and delight, there's a big guy standing there almost as if on cue! He runs off into the woods and I carefully follow. He was an absolute huge bull. Definaitely a mature fellow. My mind says big bull, big antlers so in I go. I walk about 200 yards and I can see him moving at a steady pace up the ridge. At least I don't have to worry about getting stomped into the mid! I look around for awhile and don't see much so I decide to try one more place.

Off I go towards Moose Pond and I park in the area next to the pond and walk around the gate so I can work my way around the back just to give it a once over before sunset. Just before I get to the little dam, ahead of me is a small yearling cow moose. She seemed a little lost. She saw me and walked right over to me! She stopped about five or six FEET away and stretched out her neck to sniff me! If I had leaned in I could have touched her on the nose! But even though she was small, the fear of her kicking me was still a real danger if I spooked her. After about a minute she turned towards the pond, waded in and swam along the shore line. She was all alone, probably because this is just about calving time. This is when pregnant cow moose chase off the yearlings.

I went to the back of the pond and found a LOT of deer sign here too. The only problem for hunting season is that it is a marked safety zone.. No Hunting. Other than sign I found nothing else.

So I loaded up and headed back to Unity, but think I will try to return Sunday.

Vacation report

2008-05-07T12:25:00.000-07:00

Let me just start this by saying, Bears suck. Not only do they chew up antlers but they jump up and scare you!

Sunday I was following a rub line of one buck that I think is a Boone and Crockett class, when from under a blow down pops up a small boar Black Bear. He stood up on his hind legs and stared at me from only 10-15 yards away! The wind was in my face so he never scented me and the woods were wetso he only heard me at the last minute. We stood eye to eye for a few minutes and then I asked him quite loudly,"what do you want?" and he turned and bolted off. I could hear him snuffing and wuffing as he ran down the hill. I am sure glad it was not a sow withcubs! Such are the dangers of shed hunting...

Tuesday. Well what a day! Let me start by saying that I don't usually like sunny days for antler hunting because the bright sunlight creates bright spots and camouflages the tines sticking up, but sometimes knowing WHERE to look is the primary key.I started off by looking in an area that was logged out about 5 years ago. Lots of winter browse and HOLY COW tons of deer sign! It was mostly doe and fawn sign though.Let me say that I do not find many antlers in areas with tons of deer sign. But I grid searched the area any way because I have found smaller antlers in this area before. However, none today.

The sun was hot and I decided to check out some shaded hemlock groves up at the top of a place we call "the hump" I like this spot because there is a network of lightly used trails that funnel up to a mossy/rocky topped hump that is surrounded with hemlock and striped maple and some red oaks. The back side has a small shelf with some blowdowns that drop sharply into a big wooded valley with beech, oak and maple.

I was moving along the back and looked down to my right, between two huge downed hemlock trees and saw two huge tines sticking up, boy what an awesome sight! Thick G3s and G2s. I made my way down to it through all the junk lying on the ground, over logs and the like to grasp up a tank of an antler. I had only admired it for a second when I looked over 10 feet awayand saw more tines! I couldn't get there fast enough. The first thing I noticed is the bladed browtine on the second antler. This pair is the winter 2006/2007 set that matches the winter 2007/2008 antler I picked up last week!

This whole area is a big buck sanctuary and I only come up into it once a year. I don't mess around in here at all except to antler hunt and I amvery quiet and use scent control when I do venture in. So I want to get out of there as quickly as possible before I jump the big guy up. I checked out the top of the next ridge and move out along the bank sides along some other buck trails following a rub line. Rub lines mark buck only trails and are used year 'round until the rut when bucks switch to using doe paths or crisscross them to find hot does. I made my way up a brush choked drainage that tops out in another hemlock swamp. This swamp is where I tracked a bruiser last Thanksgiving and where I found a shed then.

I decided to back track to see if I could find the match. I had looked for it earlier this season to no avail.

So I get to the spot where I found the Thanksgiving antler and I stood looking for a minute trying to figure out direction. I had searched in another direction before and found zip. Doing my best CSI work I re enacted what that deer must have done and headed towards the opposite direction than my previous searches. I took TWO steps and ducked under a spruce branch and bam! there was the mate! It was in almost perfect shape only 3feet from where the first one had lain. I can't believe I missed it last Thanksgiving.I must have all but set my back pack on top of it!

Just goes to show that you should always look within a few feet of the first antler you find, especially if it's a large/weighty one.

I hope to get back during the rest of my vacation, to the other drainage to try to find the match of the antler I found last week. It has to be close given this deer's habit of dropping them together.

Hope everyone is having good luck finding antlers as well. Look forward to your stories

Another shed hunt

2008-05-01T12:24:00.000-07:00

I went back to the farm woodlot for another hunt.

Using my topo map I found 2 drainages that I wanted to search for antlers. This was an area
unfamiliar to me so I will likely have to go through it again.

On one of the logging trails that I do know, I stopped to think about a
buck I tracked through this area 2 years ago and happened to look to my
right and there lying in the moss under some hemlocks was a stout little
forkhorn antler. very good mass for a first year buck but short in the tine.

I proceeded to get into the ravine and was impressed with the layout. 2
small brooks run through it and converge with a high spot in between. This
area is shaded heavily with hemlocks and there was LOTS of sign. No antlers
that I found but I am sure that they are there and I just need to look
again. I had been seeing a lot of moose tracks from what I believe to be a
fairly large bull.

I worked my way back to the drainage area close to the lake that I am
familir with and work my way up. It was getting later in the day and I was
tiring but I still held out hope that I'd find something else. I was
following a winter deer trail and almost tripped over the base of a moose
antler under a spruce sapling. I instantly recognized it as the winter
2006/2007 antler from the same bull I found the fresh set from earlier this
year. Knowing this bull, I had confidence that the other antler would not
be far away. I made a big circle through beech and maple bordering the
hemlock swamp near the brook. Just when I had almost given up hope I spied
the mate in a hollow along the brook.

Both antlers show signs of fighting with another bull and there are holes
punched through both.

This of course means now I need to find the other bull's antlers.

I'm on vacation next week, so hopefully more to come

A long shed hunt update

2008-04-29T12:20:00.000-07:00

I am sorry for not writing sooner, but I have been dead tired at night.

Well, as we all know it has been one of the snowiest winters on record andthis means BAD news for our Whitetail herd. Those deer whom were not getting supplemental feed in our wild areas had it really bad.

As I write this it is April 28th and in the Lake Sunapee area there is still snow deep enough for snowshoes in some areas of dark woods! The fields are open though and that is good.In the last few weeks I have taken a few excursions out into the woods sohere is the low down.

March 12- I took time to follow some deer trails on my hunting grounds. The snow was waist deep and following the pellet laden trails through theHemlocks was a snowshoe affair. I found 2 dead does that apparently starvedto death as there was only evidence of Ravens picking the carcasses. NO antlers

April 2nd - I was checking out another section of my hunting area and came across a definite Coyote kill. parts strewn everywhere. Not much left but the head, vertebrae, 1 front leg, 1 rear leg and lots of hair. It was a doe fawn

April 14th - We searched a 5 mile section of hemlock swamp that follows the highway. More deer sign than I have ever seen. Found two dead does real quick in a small deer yard. One mature and one a fawn. Went about a mile and found another dead doe, then yet another. This last one had a half eaten unborn fawn exposed through the doe's side. The infant was a buck fawn. Rob, my friend, found a nice right side antler that has 4 points. Looks like the buck got hit by a car and sent this antler flying out intothe pucker brush down along a swampy area. It was broken off at the base. Hope to get a photo of it for you.

Spent my next couple days off either out in the woods around home or up onthe farm woodlot and zilch, no antlers.On April 17th I had some inquisitive does literally follow me around the woods. Must have been yearlings without adults.

April 27th - I found an antler, FINALLY. It's a big one. Found it in a drainage between two big fields. The drainage leads downhill slightly intoa Hemlock swamp that follows a stream all the way down to a lake. Big four point shed, lots of mass and a bladed browtine. Looks a lot like "theDragon" sheds but a little different too. I also found a yearling Bull Moose "fork" antler and another dead doe!

Well, that's it for now. Going out Thursday at the farm and I'm on vacation next week!Remember Turkey season opens Saturday. Great opportunity to find antlerswhile whacking a big Tom.

Good luck and hope to hear of other's successful antler hunts

Sunday 3/16 expedition

2008-03-16T12:17:00.000-07:00

I went out Sunday on a search with a close friend and NHSHC member Chris Holmes, of Penacook, NH. More or less and exploratory search in an area he hunts.

It was a fairly suburbanised area with a tremendous amount of sign.We did not come up with any antlers, but got a great overview for futuresearches.It is a place few of us are so blessed to hunt! Some places we hunt have one or two major drawing points. This one has everything in a microhabitat.On one side a active and heavily used bedding area with TONS of hemlock ona side hill with many ravines and rolling knolls for the deer to bed on. On another side a swampy area bordered by white oaks slowly sloping upwards to two or three fields surrounded by select cut roads and tons of browse witha clear cut up top. Lots of thick cover for sancturaries.

We will hit this area again after the snow receeds. Another testament to this area is the numbers of deer Chris has taken there.

After all was said and done we covered close to 5 miles. Chris, myself and his Bloodhound Beauford were tired and hungry. Luckily Chris had invited me to a traditional Irish meal of corned beef and cabbage and lots more delicious treats that his lovely wife had prepared. Great food, greatcompany and lots of laughs with Chris and his family and guests. I amblessed to have such friends and am grateful for their hospitality. Better luck next time with the shed hunting, but it seems that they are starting to drop in earnest now so I shall be trying to post at least oncea week after each trip and it should get interesting.Good luck to all and may the tines show up light lightning from a starry night

Finds of the week

2008-03-12T12:16:00.000-07:00

On Sunday- 3/9 I found a single shed on the woods adjoining our property.

Today-3/12 I went hiking on the private farm I sometimes hunt and covered a LOT of ground. The snow pack here is still incredibly deep with a thick crust in most areas. I found three dead deer, in different areas. It's a really tough winter for them.

March is the hardest month for them. I hate rain when it still can freeze but now I wish we'd get several days of WARM rain so the poor things can get to grass and such on the ground again before they starve

Antlers ON deer etc..

2008-01-27T12:11:00.000-08:00

We had two bucks out here fighting a couple nights back. Antlers onboth. Not truly surprising since there were a couple does in heat about a week ago or so out here.

I went out today but found no antlers. I did however find an entire doe skeleton. VERY old doe. Her teethwere worn almost to the jaw. No coyotes had been at her just small stuff- fisher, ravens etc..

Today's find

2008-01-20T12:01:00.000-08:00

Say what you will about the harshness of winter, but I took advantage of today being Patriots playoff day and went out into the woods.

I was on more of a scouting trip to find rubs and scrapes from the fall to get an idea of what went on in an area I routinely hunt. This area has been a treasure chest for me during shed hunting season.

At a crisp 19 degrees F and minus 0 windchills, I was following a scrape line of calf sized trees when I noticed some moose tracks crossing my path.

I did not think much of it, until I looked over and saw two big tines sticking up out of the snow about 30 yards away. I went over and pried the antler out of the snow and it was a fairly nice moose antler.

I had a gut feeling that the other one had to be nearby. So I took off the backpack and stuck the hiking stick in the snow and started to follow the moose tracks. I followed it for about 25 yards and saw a fat tine sticking up out of the snow, I grabbed it and yanked it out of the snow and I had the match!

In closing, the moose antlers have dropped and most of the deer antlers as well so get out there and get some pictures!