Willows first sheds of 2026

Oldrvrrat57 · Jan 30, 2026

Looking like they had just recently dropped! Showing blood still ,usually don't find them this close together!

ToddsPoint · Jan 31, 2026

I saw 5 bucks a couple days ago and they all still had antlers. Seems early to be dropping now. Thats a nice find. You can buy a bracket called “antler hub” so you can mount them. Or make your own.

releventchair · Jan 31, 2026

There are 3D printed Euromount skulls showing up this year.
interesting.

I'm not promoting one over the other. Just providing an example.
The first I saw had longer "plugs" to attach to the antlers before inserting into the skull.

Deer Skull Antler Mount - New Snap/Lock antlers - Free 3D Print Model - MakerWorld

Download this free 3D print file designed by DTM247. PLEASE CHECK OUT THE ENTIRE COLLECTION BEFORE PRINTING! 😉https://makerworld.com/@dtm247/collections/14399793?appSharePlatform=copy There is a new and improved skull for 2025 deer season… XL whitetail! Check it out before printing this...

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UnderMiner · Jan 31, 2026

Great score!

pa plateau hiker · Jan 31, 2026

It's not too early to be dropping. Three years ago, on Dec. 14, I came across a fresh complete 8 point shed. Before the snow storm hit last weekend, there were folks out finding sheds.

Oldrvrrat57 · Jan 31, 2026

pa plateau hiker said:
It's not too early to be dropping. Three years ago, on Dec. 14, I came across a fresh complete 8 point shed. Before the snow storm hit last weekend, there were folks out finding sheds.

I usually wait until the 2 week of February but a friend stopped by that also shed hunts and said he had been finding a few since the middle of December. Seeing where they have been digging in the snow looking for something to eat , probably knocking them off in doing so!!

robertk · Jan 31, 2026

I see bucks on our property all the time, yet have never found a single shed antler.

ToddsPoint · Feb 1, 2026

robertk said:
I see bucks on our property all the time, yet have never found a single shed antler.

I have 2 acres of prairie grass. The deer bed in there. Two years ago I burned it in the spring and found a pair of sheds. They got a bit toasty. This spring, I’ll walk around in there and look for more before I light it up.

Oldrvrrat57 · Feb 1, 2026

ToddsPoint said:
I have 2 acres of prairie grass. The deer bed in there. Two years ago I burned it in the spring and found a pair of sheds. They got a bit toasty. This spring, I’ll walk around in there and look for more before I light it up.View attachment 2242993

That's a nice set!!

pa plateau hiker · Feb 1, 2026

Elk are within miles of where I live, but I have never found a shed while out hiking or shed hunting for deer drops. Actually, I have no interest in finding a elk shed. I would bring one home if I found one, but would probably give it to someone else. My wife asks me if I found an elk shed when I come home, so I don't think she would let me get rid of it.

Trezurehunter · Feb 1, 2026

3 weeks ago I found a huge 4 point shed here in Illinois, I wish I would have found the other half. This is about the right time for sheds up here.

Oldrvrrat57 · Feb 1, 2026

Trezurehunter said:
3 weeks ago I found a huge 4 point shed here in Illinois, I wish I would have found the other half. This is about the right time for sheds up here.

I usually find 6 or 8 each season with the help of my Black lab. Started hunting them when she was a pup about 5 years ago. I also live and hunt in Illinois

robertk · Feb 1, 2026

We had two bucks come up to the yard today. One still had his antlers, the other had dropped them (the spots where they should have been were still slightly bloody). After they went on their way, we walked all over the property but did not find any sheds. The biggest thing we learned is that the deer go *everywhere*. The snow made that quite obvious.