Shed antler deer hunt brings out nature enthusiasts looking for a buried treasure

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

Josiah Freidhof stomped through the thick, snow-covered prairie grass on Saturday afternoon just west of Rockford, then raised his hand in triumph.

He had found the hidden treasure.

His hard work scouring the landscape at the Fossil and Prairie Park Preserve was rewarded with the excitement and satisfaction of uncovering one of many deer antlers scattered in the area as part of Floyd County Conservation’s first-ever deer antler hunt.

Almost 30 people attended the event, and Freidhof was one of the first attendees to snare an antler. His mother wasn’t all that surprised that her son had struck gold so early.

“He has a nose for finding things,” said Rachel Freidhof, who made the trip from New Hampton to take part in the informative program.

Heidi Reams, Floyd County Conservation naturalist, led a discussion about deer antlers prior to sending the participants out searching for the 18 antlers that were hidden along the trails that encompass the preserve.

Any person who returned an antler received a prize — a Floyd County Conservation bag, that can also double as backpack.

“We have kind of seeded some antlers out there, kind of like an Easter egg hunt,” said Reams.

Reams said deer antlers can grow several centimeters a day. Usually only male deer, or bucks, will grow the antlers going into the breeding season, which is called the rut. As the animal’s testostosterone increases, velvet will grow on the antlers and usually shed in a 24-hour period at some point during the winter. Deers will also rub on trees to mark its territory or to shed the velvet. At some point the the deer will lose the antlers.

Reams said the best places to find antlers are along deer trails, fence lines or creeks.   

“If you’re super lucky, you can find the matched set,” she said.

Reams said she saw several deer running across the prairie as she waited inside for attendees to come back with the antlers that had been set out, which were identified with a greenish-blue mark near their bottoms. The majority of the antlers were found by the time the program ended mid-afternoon.

Reams said that 60 percent of the time the antlers will fall off the deer with the tines up. The other 40 percent, the antler will be found with the tines facing down. She said larger antlers can sometimes be found typically a quarter mile radius away from the first half that was dropped.

Reams, along with other conservation staff members, have a fun challenge with found antlers that they take part in every year.

“It’s kind of our own game as conservation staff, after we do a prairie burn. We go around and see who can find the most antlers. We do actually keep a tally through the season. It’s a very serious contest,” said Reams.

Reams said age, genetics and nutrition play a part in the growth of the antlers on deer. At five years old, that growth will peak on a deer.

Nate Mead, a conservation aide, placed the antlers around the trail system at the park.

“We didn’t want to make it too tough that they couldn’t find any. If a kid finds a couple antlers out here doing a program like this, it might make them excited about doing that kind of thing and might get them outdoors in the future. That’s kind of our whole goal,” said Mead.

Reams said she was very pleased about the turnout and said she plans to do another one in the future.

“I’m pretty happy with all the kids coming, too,” said Mead. “I think these kids really had fun.”