If you’re new to shed hunting, finding a shed might seem nearly impossible — like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack. You might look at photos of other shed hunters on social media and wonder how the heck they’re finding all those antlers.

Well, let’s get you on the board and help you get a few antlers under your belt. To do that, we’re going to take some batting practice off a tee, rather than facing a 90mph pitcher right off the bat.

First, you need to find a good area to shed hunt; somewhere you can swing the odds in your favor. I’ve certainly found sheds on heavily hunted public lands — the kind of places where you’re afraid to walk around during shooting hours of deer season. Although some bucks do inevitably survive the gauntlet of hunting pressure, odds are, there won’t be many sheds on those properties and it could take years of walking to find one.

A better bet would be to search on some private land with lighter hunting pressure, or on parcels where hunters pass up young bucks, allowing them to shed their antlers. This could be land that you already hunt, or it might be a farm where you don’t hunt, but you regularly see deer in fields. Getting permission to deer hunt on a stranger’s land isn’t easy these days, but landowners may be willing to let you shed hunt their property, especially if they’ve ever had a shed lodged in their tires, combine head or other equipment. It can’t hurt to ask.

Another great option is to shed hunt where deer hunting isn’t allowed. This ensures far more bucks survive than in hunted areas, meaning more sheds on the ground. Urban and suburban parks can be great bets and you may be surprised how little space it takes to support deer. Think about where you see deer crossing the street. Many of these parks have no restrictions on collecting antlers, although some may, so check ahead.

Other places you might find unhunted deer are on golf courses, gravel pits and vacant lots. You’ll have to get permission to shed hunt these areas, but these hidden gems can harbor a lot of deer.

Once you’ve got your honey hole, it’s time to shed hunt. It pays to not only scout the deer, but also other shed hunters. It seems every time I think I’ve found a spot that no one else thought to try, boom, there’s a footprint! It’s frustrating, but it’s reality. Walk the spots with the best sign, looking for both sheds and other footprints. If it’s clear other people are walking the area, you might have to walk the property frequently during peak antler drop or consider walking the fringe areas where other people don’t walk. This could mean busting through thick brush, climbing up a steep hill or crossing a stream. Think about where you’re hesitant to walk and assume others might balk at these areas too. No matter what, just remember that nobody finds them all.

Weather can hurt or help your chances of finding antlers. I shudder to think of how many sheds I’ve walked right past on bright, sunny days. I’m sure it happens because I’ve found sheds with my footprints from earlier trips right next to them. The perfect day to take a walk is just as the snow is receding (if you have snow). This exposes antlers that may have been buried. The leaf litter will also be matted down from the weight of the snow, which helps antlers pop out from their surroundings. The same can be said for a rainy day, or just after a rainy day. With overcast skies, you won’t be squinting and there won’t be shadows, which make it difficult to see. Plus, the rain mats down the surrounding vegetation. If it’s sunny when you’re walking, wear sunglasses and keep the sun at your back. It helps a lot.

Another tip is to practice spotting sheds. If I’m walking with a partner and one of us finds a shed, the other person walks over and tries to spot it before the finder even touches it. It gives you an idea of where antlers may be and what to look for. If nothing else, bring an antler with you and toss it on the ground, then go find it. This trains your eyes to see antlers.

If your ultimate goal is to find an antler — any antler — walk where there is minimal or no hunting pressure. Go above and beyond where other shed hunters may be walking and hike on days when weather won’t hinder your ability to see. Above all, be persistent. If you want it bad enough, you will eventually find antlers!

— Joe Shead is a hard-core outdoorsman and a dedicated shed hunter. Professionally, Joe is an outdoor writer and a former managing editor of Deer & Deer Hunting magazine. His years of shed hunting experience inspired him to write the first full-length book about the topic. “Shed Hunting: A Guide to Finding White-Tailed Deer Antlers” is recognized as the ultimate guide to finding whitetail sheds and can be purchased on his website.