Shed Hunting

Since moving onto our farm, we've had the opportunity to start (another) new hobby as a family.  Our land has provided ample opportunity to start doing some shed hunting, and we've sure enjoyed it!  It's like a giant treasure hunt....or looking for a needle in a haystack.... Either way, it's pretty fun to get outside and look for animal sheds.  We've found mostly moose sheds so far, but I'm hoping to come across some more deer sheds, as well as possibly an elk or two?  When Art was driving home the other day, a few miles up the road he saw an elk with only one antler still, and since then I've been dreaming of finding the other one!  That is a long shot, for sure, but who knows what the future holds!

The first set of sheds we found in the fall, along a trail in the bush.  We had gone out for a walk, after the Girls had showered, so they were in their pj's.  First we found one, and then a few feet up the trail, we found another.  That was awfully exciting!

These sheds held a place of honor in my family room for most of the winter, and now they are on a shelf in my kitchen.  Naturally.  Because isn't that where everyone puts their moose sheds?!

This winter, while out on the ranger looking at some land, Ellie Mae yells, "STOP!  I see a shed!"  Truthfully, I didn't really believe her, but she jumps out of the Ranger and runs into the bush, where she starts digging like crazy.  A few minutes later, she comes out of the bush, triumphant.  Holding this little beauty.

That was added to our pile of deer sheds, of course in the living room.

A few weeks ago, when the snow really started to melt, our shed hunting began in earnest.  On another walk, the Girls found these two beauties. 

And promptly asked Art to carry them home.

We were over at some friends the other day, and went out shed hunting with them.  Abby came away from that walk with this little buddy....

See?  Apparently this is a social thing, because when we have friends come over, this is also what we do.  Shed hunt.  Again, Abby found this bad boy - it was covered in snow, and she actually stepped on it! 

 

I think we've found the "easy ones" now, and maybe caught up on the last few years of sheds, so perhaps we'll have to wait until next Spring to find another set of moose sheds, but that's alright.  Because we've accumulated quite the stash of these beasts, and I'm not sure how much more room I have in my house for them!

Here are some pointers for those of you who may be new to Shed Hunting:

1.  We appropriate clothing.  It's no fun having wet feet, or being cold, so dress in layers.  That way you can take a layer off if it's too hot.

2.  Go for a walk.  This is a great excuse to get outside for some fresh air.  We live in the bush country, so every trail leads to new adventures.  Pick a game trail and walk it.

3.  Be aware of your surroundings.  This has been so, so fun to teach our girls.  We all look for rubs on trees, poop on the ground, places where animals may have bedded down or eaten the plants.  It's a great time to teach your kids about the land, and animals that live on it.

4.  Have fun.  Even if you don't away with the prize, it's still a win-win, in my books at least.  Fresh air, family and friends.  Really, how can you go wrong?!