Are you wondering what wild animals are responsible for chewing your antler sheds? Here's your answer.
It's shed hunting season. You've probably found some awesome antler sheds this year. Hopefully most are still in good shape. There's nothing worse than unearthing a stellar set of antlers to find out they've been chewed on, but it happens.
Have you ever wondered what wild animals are responsible for chewing your antler sheds? I know I have. In 2013, Lucky Buck completed a study to find out just that. They used trail cameras to identify who exactly were the culprits behind chewed antler sheds. Their results were rather interesting.
Let's take a look at their findings.
Here's how their results tallied up (percentage is based on photos captured of certain species chewing antlers):
- 66 percent of images captured squirrels. Active 53 days on 31 camera sites in 10 different states. Mostly morning and evening activity
- 15 percent of images captured raccoon. Active 23 days on 21 camera sites in 6 different states. Mostly after dark activity.
- 5 percent of images captured mouse. Active 6 days on 4 camera sites in 3 different states. Mostly after dark activity.
- 4 percent of images captured deer. Active 7 days on 12 camera sites in 4 different states. Mostly active in the morning and evening.
- 3 percent of images captured opossum. Active 5 days on 11 camera sites in 4 different states. Mostly after dark activity.
- 2 percent of images captured fox/coyote. Active 4 days on 20 camera sites in 4 different states. Mostly active at night and early morning.
- 2 percent of images captured rabbit. Active 1 day on up to 6 camera sites in 1 state. Active in late evening.
- 1 percent of images captured woodchuck, chipmunk, beaver and otter. Likely only investigating antler sheds.
NEXT: VIDEO: EAGLE EFFORTLESSLY GRABS LUNCH TO GO
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