REGIONAL—Searching for dropped antlers, called shed hunting, can be an extremely fun way to keep yourself outdoors. White-tailed deer begin to shed their antlers in winter, typically January through February, and the next set of antlers begin to grow shortly after.
The first step in shed hunting is to locate good deer sign, such as heavily used trails, tree rubs, and scrapes. These signs indicate higher deer activity which will increase your chances of finding sheds. Look for good bedding in these areas, especially on southern facing slopes that receive a good amount of sun and are preferred areas for bucks to bed. Finding areas with good food and water sources is also key when looking for sheds.
Just after the snow melts but before green-up is the best time to hunt for sheds, since the cream-colored antlers standout against the brown vegetation exposed at that time of year.
Keep in mind it is illegal to remove shed antlers from national parks, Minnesota state parks, and scientific and natural areas. Some best-practice guidelines to keep in mind: Limit disturbance or repeat visits to the same locations, especially in late winter or before spring green up. Respect private property. Do not push animals — if you see any, try to back off or limit their stress. And if you are using a dog for shed hunting, make sure the dog is under control at all times. Want to learn more? Check out this DNR webinar on shed antler hunting basics at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC1vx-9x73U.