As I walk through the woods, I am looking for the glistening of a tine, or if I am lucky, maybe I will spot the entire rack of my next trophy. After searching every known deer hangout I finally see what I am looking for. In the wide open, near a fence crossing, is an antler. However, this time it is not connected to a deer. Instead, it lies on the ground, jarred loose from the buck’s head — probably after jumping the buck jumped fence and landed.
Shed hunting is becoming more popular every year — especially the sport of hunting sheds with dogs. Because sheds can be harder to find than most hunters think, training dogs to find sheds is growing in popularity.
Hunting antler sheds with a dog is very similar to hunting pheasant or quail with a close-working bird dog. The dog quarters 25 to 75 yards in front of the hunter, downwind. When the dog hits the scent of the antler, it will go to it and retrieve it back to its handler. As easy as that sounds, it does require a good dog as well as a good trainer who is willing to put in the time with the dog.
Choosing A Dog
Before purchasing a dog, it is very important to research breeders and their bloodlines. Care must always be taken to get a pup from a reputable dealer. It is not unusual to find dogs with hip dysplasi or mental problems. It is always wise to get a clean bill of health, along with a guarantee of healthy hips and elbows before purchasing any dog.
There are some advantages to purchasing a puppy instead of an adult dog. The first reason for purchasing a puppy is the very important bonding period of a dog’s life. Those first few months set the pattern for the lifetime of the dog. A pup needs to be nurtured and his confidence built to help him be able to go out and hunt on his own. When a dog hunts for antlers, he must be able to go about his work totally independent of human support. Of course, you will take him to the woods or the field, etc., but ultimately he will have to go into areas that his senses tell him to hunt. If you have a properly trained dog, his nose will find antlers even in a harvested cornfield. In corn stubble, it is almost impossible for the human eye to see an antler.
Then you have to decide to get a male or a female. As both have pros and cons, most people have a personal preference. On a reasonable level, you can make a case for selecting either. Males normally develop a little slower and can be a bit headstrong, but they can be less trouble in the field. Females, on the other hand, while quick to pick up the training, can be soft and cannot be forced into training too strongly. Females also have a way of coming into heat about the same time you want to go on a hunt with your friend who just happens to have a male dog.
There is no certain breed of dog needed for this, but Labrador retrievers are the preferred choice by many that use dogs to hunt sheds. Continue reading – http://www.grandviewoutdoors.com/big-game-hunting/whitetail-deer/how-to-train-a-dog-to-shed-hunt/ Story by Jason Houser of http://www.grandviewoutdoors.com