Shed hunters love to talk about how many antlers they find and share pictures of their large sheds. But seldom does the topic of shed hunting etiquette come up. However, simply putting the topic out in the open and making sure everyone is on the same page before you hit the woods can prevent sticky situations later. Let me explain.
Etiquette can be defined as how you behave when no one is watching. It goes without saying that you don’t trespass on property where you don’t have permission to shed hunt. But, it goes beyond just that.
Looking for sheds with your buddies is a lot of fun. It’s enjoyable to hang out with friends, share some laughs and maybe rib each other a little when someone gets skunked or only finds small antlers. But, choose your shed hunting partners carefully. Taking someone to your favorite shed hunting spot is a big deal; just like taking someone to your secret fishing hole. And remember that once you reveal your spot — it’s exposed forever. Make sure that anyone you take along shed hunting is trustworthy.
I’ve taken people to favorite spots and then found out later on that they were returning to the spot without me. What’s more, they were bringing their friends along. I know because I saw photos posted on social media and recognized the background. When the land is open to the public, there’s technically nothing that you can do to stop them if they want to stab you in the back. But, you can bet those people never get invited to shed hunt with me again.
Also realize that there should be some give-and-take with your shed hunting partners. If your buddy invites you to look for antlers in one of his favorite spots, you should be prepared to return the favor. It’s just common courtesy.
Keep in mind that you should have a plan if you and a partner match up a set together. It’s unfortunate, but finding a large set of antlers can leave a sour taste in some peoples’ mouths, instead of the sheer excitement it should bring. It’s an unwritten rule in shed hunting that if Person A finds a shed and Person B later finds the match, Person A gets to keep both antlers. This doesn’t have to be your rule, but you should discuss ahead of time what you’ll do if you get into that situation. In some cases, you might be invited along specifically to help find a matching antler. Your buddy might let you keep any antlers you find incidentally, except for the particular match that you’re seeking. However you decide to do it is fine, but make sure that everyone is on the same page up front before a situation turns ugly.
In some cases when a very large set is found, the finders may share the antlers, keeping them together but alternating possession. In extreme cases, some shed hunters have had replicas made so that each person gets a set.
If you’re walking near a partner, keep your eyes in front of you and not in front of your partner. Be aware of people that spend more time watching “your” ground than their own. If you’re being playful about it and ribbing each other, that’s fine. But some people get greedy and legitimately try to find “your” antlers. Avoid shed hunting with these types of people because odds are that greed and jealousy will lead to bigger problems.
My best shed hunting partners and I definitely love to razz each other and boast who finds the most or the largest antlers, but we are genuinely happy for each other when anyone finds a shed. Those are the kind of people to surround yourself with.
My friend Dan is a stand-up guy. We were gridding an area once that was loaded with antler sheds. When we swung around to make another pass, I was on the outside, and thus, had a longer distance to travel, so Dan ended up a little ahead of me. A few minutes later, he spotted an obvious shed that was sticking up above the grass, directly in front of my line of travel. Dan actually felt bad that he’d seen “my” antler. When he walked up to it, he knelt to take a picture first and purposely turned his back to my area so he wouldn’t accidentally see any more antlers. I wasn’t mad at all; I was impressed with his integrity. Over the years, we have matched up many sets for the other guy, always amicably. That’s the kind of guy you want to shed hunt with.
Shed hunting with your friends should be fun. Usually conflicts don’t emerge among good friends. But lay the ground rules ahead of time so that if you get in an awkward situation, everyone stays happy in the end. No antler is worth losing a friendship over.
— 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: GoShedHunting.com
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The Magically Appearing Deer Antler Shed | Joe Shead Shed Hunting Video
