paulcarol+FollowMy secret spots that yielded 5 sheds last weekend!Just got back from a weekend of shed hunting and figured I’d share a few spots that always seem to deliver — but don’t get talked about much. Food plots and bedding areas are obvious, but if you want to start picking up more bone, try looking in these underrated places: 1️⃣ Regrown clear-cuts – Deer hammer woody browse in winter. Clear-cuts from a few years back are full of low vegetation and buds they love. 2️⃣ Swamp or marsh islands – Most folks won’t wade through water, but deer do. They bed on high ground in the middle where they feel safe. 3️⃣ Deadfall timber zones – Downed trees offer cover, block wind, and often grow browse-friendly plants. Great bedding = more chances for sheds. 4️⃣ Deep-woods pockets – Especially in high-pressure areas. If they’ve got food (like red oak acorns) and cover, expect sheds. 5️⃣ CRP/native grass fields – Warm, soft bedding. Grasses insulate well, which is why you’ll often find antlers buried in them. 6️⃣ Natural green sources – Greenbriar and other winter-staying plants are gold. Not every food source is in a field. 7️⃣ Wind-sheltered valleys – Deer conserve energy by staying out of the wind. Ridges and hollows shaped just right make cozy hideouts. 8️⃣ Sanctuary edges – Deer hang just outside of off-limits land. Walk the fence lines — they might drop right on your side. 9️⃣ Travel corridors – Shed along paths between food and bedding. Even brief stops can be enough to drop an antler. 🔟 Feeding stations (if legal) – Keep feeding past the season. Deer remember where to find food and return, often shedding nearby. Anyone else finding success in unusual spots this year? #hunting #shedhunting #deerhunting662Share
lolson+FollowI always do more work in July than hunting seasonJust got back from checking my spots and can't stress enough how crucial July prep is. Made the mistake of skipping this a few years back and paid for it all season long. Here's what I'm hitting hard right now: 1️⃣ Food plot check - drought hit my clover hard this year, already replanting before it's too late 2️⃣ Water sources - with temps climbing, deer patterns revolve around water. Found three new seeps I never knew existed 3️⃣ Low-impact scouting - deer aren't spooked yet, perfect time to find those bedding-to-feeding routes and hang stands 4️⃣ Early season setups - ag fields are starting to show which trails get heavy use The beauty of July work is deer barely notice you're there. Come September, you'll know exactly where to be while other hunters are still figuring out the property. What's your biggest July scouting priority this year? #hunting #deerhunting #scouting #huntingprep81Share
Manuel Bright+FollowI dug a pond on my hunting land💧 So I decided to dig a small waterhole on my hunting property last year, and guys... this has been absolutely incredible for tracking during hunting season! Not only does it keep deer on my land year-round, but during those brutal summer droughts when deer hit water sources multiple times a day, I can predict their movement patterns so much better. The trails around my waterhole are like highways now! Anyone else tried this? 🦌 #hunting #DeerHunting #HuntingProperty #TrackingTips #WildlifeManagement11026Share
paulcarol+FollowHow I got access to hunt private land! 🦌Just scored permission on my dream property after years of rejections! The secret? It's not about what you ask for – it's HOW you ask. Key moves that worked: 1️⃣Showed up in person (not camo!) - built real rapport first 2️⃣Offered to help with fence repairs and predator control 3️⃣Brought references from other landowners 4️⃣Created a simple hunting agreement to show I'm serious 5️⃣Always shared meat from successful hunts The game-changer? I spent time learning about their land challenges before even asking to hunt. One farmer was dealing with wild hogs destroying crops - offered to help control them and got year-round access! Remember: reputation is everything in small communities. One "yes" often leads to introductions with neighbors. #hunting #privateland #deerhunting #huntingtips #landowner #huntingaccess2436Share
lolson+Followy'all, the south is winning the mature buck gameUsed to think the Midwest was the go-to for older bucks, but new data says the South is where it’s at. Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Louisiana hunters are harvesting the highest percentage of 3½+ year old bucks in the country. Oklahoma tops the list with a whopping 85% mature bucks in harvest! Maybe it's time to plan that Southern hunting trip... #hunting #deerhunting #southernhunting #whitetails00Share
lolson+FollowWhat I’m doing this July to prep for fall hunt 🦌Been spending some time getting things in shape for fall, and July's been the perfect window for low-impact prep. Here’s what I’ve been working on: 1️⃣ Check food plots - Make sure they survived the heat or start planning backup plots if drought hit hard 2️⃣ Scout water sources - Find or create water holes while deer patterns are predictable in this heat 3️⃣ Boots-on-ground scouting - Low-impact time to find bedding areas and travel routes without spooking deer 4️⃣ Hang stands now - Perfect time to set up ambush spots while deer have plenty of cover to avoid you The key is connecting food sources to travel routes. If I can figure out how deer enter ag fields now, those patterns usually hold through early September. What's your July prep priority? Food plots or stand locations? #hunting #HuntingPrep #DeerHunting #OutdoorLife70Share
paulcarol+FollowWhen’s the best time to dig a deer waterhole? 💦🦌Put in my first waterhole this spring, right after a few days of rain. Soil was soft enough to dig without heavy equipment, and I figured the earlier the better so deer could find it before summer dried things out. I’ve noticed more movement near that area already, especially in the evenings. Hoping it’ll help build a more huntable pattern by early season. Curious—anyone else have success with waterholes? #hunting #DeerHunting #WildlifeManagement #HuntingPrep55Share
lolson+FollowWhen do you start scouting whitetails? 🦌Is spring too early or fall too late for deer scouting? Trying to get ahead of other hunters but not sure on timing. #hunting #whitetailscouting #deerhunting #huntingtips1610Share
Manuel Bright+FollowWhat's a deer antler worth? 🦌💰Fellow hunters - been curious about antler values lately? What have you been getting for sheds in your area? Seeing wild price differences everywhere! 🦌💭 #hunting #DeerHunting #Antlers #ShedHunting 15399Share
jeffreyhester+Followwhy deer hunting costs are upDeer hunting is becoming a pricey adventure! 🦌💰 From steeper license fees and gear upgrades to skyrocketing ammo prices, the costs can really add up. Even finding a place to hunt isn't cheap anymore. What's your take on tackling these rising costs? Share your thoughts! #DeerHunting #HuntingLife #OutdoorLife #RisingCosts #Finance3051Share