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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories 'We tried to de-escalate it' App Finder: Top tax apps Emergency Services West Medford neighbors welcome program to feed homeless, but want bathrooms added Eight vie for Medford School Board positions Crime, Courts and Emergency Services 'We tried to de-escalate it' Emergency Services Boyfriend gets 20 years for abuse of toddler Pursuit of stolen car in Medford ends with crash, power outage Emergency services, March 19 Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Arthur I. Cyr: South Korea represents long-term triumph – for them and for US Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax Ex-Merkley aide chosen as Oregon secretary of state Ashland: Budget increase, swimming pool funding discussion on council agenda Education Eight vie for Medford School Board positions Proposed Medford textbook raises constitutional concern North Medford High School principal to retire in June Southern Oregon University's building boom adds up to $130 million South Medford, Ashland, St. Mary's students building video game Environment Mt. Ashland hopes coming storm will reopen ski area Odd visitors found off Oregon Coast Forum explores data gathered in Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument Herptilian haven Proposed new rules for Oregon critter catchers would require the killing of nuisance animals State News Bend company's aim: Connect investors to Africa Brown proposes $1 billion in California drought spending Are they decorations or desecration? The Dalles Standoff: Suicide by smoke inhalation Officials urge meningitis shots at University of Oregon Nation - World Obituaries Death Notices David Braden Frohnmayer Ray Houck Death Notices Geneva Rosel Canty Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse Sports Latest Stories Grants Pass duo tops Crater tourney Thomas pitches North Medford past Henley Harden erupts for 50 in Rockets victory Djokovic reaches semifinals via walkover Grandma dies, then Hoffman takes lead Varsity 541 College Sports Despite critics aplenty, UCLA surprises SMU on rare 3-pointer Beavers ready for NCAA home date Familiar feeling greets Ducks, Cowboys Early exit for Colorado State at NIT BSU loses heartbreaker Pro Sports Harden erupts for 50 in Rockets victory Djokovic reaches semifinals via walkover Grandma dies, then Hoffman takes lead Cavs pick up 14th straight at home Federer, Nadal, Murray reach quarters Community Sports Business Latest Stories Blog: Three Cheers for Today! Test Drive: 2015 Subaru Outback Limited Silvio Calabi: 2015 Cherokee is a modern Jeep Oregon winemaking emerges as mighty agricultural force Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Real Estate News East McAndrews Road sees a resurgence in commercial projects Business briefs: March 7 New construction prices jump 18.2 percent in Jackson County People In Business People in Business: Feb. 28 People in Business Transportation Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Alaska, United Express boost Medford airport to record February CEO Rieder leaving Erickson March 31 Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Agriculture Harry & David announces new president Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Opinion Latest Our View: Textbook authors' reasoning hard to fathom Letters to the Editor, March 20 Michael Gerson: Hillary Clinton's Nixonian path to office Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Antionette Kerr: Some items shouldn’t fly with TSA Editorials Our View: Textbook authors' reasoning hard to fathom Our View: White House public records move is less than sunny Our View: Where the wild things shouldn't be Our View: Keeping the light trained on government Other Views: State must rein in medical marijuana Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, March 20 Letters to the Editor, March 19 Letters to the Editor, March 18 Letters to the Editor, March 17 Letters to the Editor, March 16 Columns Michael Gerson: Hillary Clinton's Nixonian path to office Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Dana Milbank: GOP budget is one big gimmick George Will: Kasich waits in the wings Kathleen Parker: Hillary and the Media: Act 2016 Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Central Point Cemetery needs work and city action Guest Opinion: Return to clearcutting is wrong approach for counties Guest Opinion: Plan a Hawthorne playground for all children Guest Opinion: There is nothing uniform about the Uniform Crime Report GUEST OPINION: Police, community should work to prevent profiling Lifestyle Latest stories Looking Up: Looking for the zodiacal light Ocean salmon look plentiful off the Southern Oregon coast this year, but next year's a different story (No heading) Wood bison to roam Alaska again Health Watch: 5 tips for seasonal allergy relief Food Eat this, not that Peanut allergy breakthrough Eat your sprouts More fast food perils Pork perfection: Consider pork steaks instead of ham for the Easter dinner table Home and Garden Hello, honey: Invite bees for a lush garden Understand home inspection Dear Monty: Tips for checking out an existing septic system Garden Cameos: Now is the perfect time to spot wildflowers Paul Rogers: It’s time to assess the damage to yards Health Health Watch: 5 tips for seasonal allergy relief A better bedtime Studying stress Eat this, not that Peanut allergy breakthrough Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs Religion News: Presbyterian Church gives approval on same-sex marriage Religion briefs: Friday, March 13 More religion events in the Rogue Valley Religion Briefs Milestones and Achievements Haga-Parks Exercise helps special-needs kids adjust to airport procedures Engagement: Workman-Wright Anniversary: Hofer Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Here's five top entertainment picks for the coming week Alt-rock band Key of Three is a contender this weekend at Rising Stars Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Andrew Lloyd Webber's lush musical 'Sunset Boulevard' opens at Camelot Theatre in Talent Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Theater Andrew Lloyd Webber's lush musical 'Sunset Boulevard' opens at Camelot Theatre in Talent Review: Thanks for the Memories pulls off challenging 'Anastasia' Review: 'Same Time' after all these years Randall Theatre presents playwright Bernard Slade's comedy Thanks for the Memories presents 'Anastasia' Music Alt-rock band Key of Three is a contender this weekend at Rising Stars Improv rock and folk band hosts a dance party at the Ashland Community Center Kites & Crows, Ryan Marchand and Mercy Duo face-off this weekend at Rising Stars music competition in Jacksonville Rogue Valley Chorale presents 'A Festival of Choirs' at the Craterian Theatre SOU's Chamber and Concert choirs present 'Songs of Passion' Community Events Rogue Valley artist Linda Evans' pastel paintings capture landscapes of Southern Oregon Ashland Independent Film Festival announces this year's lineup OSF Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jesse Lawson and Joe Moxley host 'Barkeeper' Dining Jasmine Thai Cuisine Restaurant Inspections Agave offers gourmet tacos, tamales, ensaladas and more Serra storms Seattle Sakura Japanese Sushi Restaurant opens in new location Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW 'We tried to de-escalate it' ... Our View: Textbook authors' reasoning hard to fathom ... Emergency Services ... 'We tried to de-escalate it' ... Our View: Textbook authors' reasoning hard to fathom ... Emergency Services ... OUTDOOR JOURNAL Hunting's Second Season It's time for shed-antler hunting in Southern Oregon Comment By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 13, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Mar 15, 2015 at 9:08 AM By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 13, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Mar 15, 2015 at 9:08 AM --> DO'S AND DON'TS FOR SHED HUNTING Don’t disturb big-game animals: Don’t approach animals or follow the same ones on a daily basis. Respect road and area cl... » Read more X DO'S AND DON'TS FOR SHED HUNTING Don’t disturb big-game animals: Don’t approach animals or follow the same ones on a daily basis. Respect road and area closures : Public lands around Shady Cove and elsewhere have seasonal road closures to limit vehicle traffic in deer and elk habitat. Where there are open roads, stay on them because off-roading in winter can damage habitat. Don’t be in the same spot every day: Deer and elk might need to be in that spot for food or cover, and your presence will keep them from it. Keep dogs under your control: State law bans people and dogs from harassing wildlife. Don’t trespass on private property: You always need permission to be on private land. Under Oregon law, antlers that are shed on private land belong to the landowner. Sell your sheds? Naturally shed antlers can be sold along with other antlers detached from the skull. Source: ODFW » Social News Jason Haley had his young son, Jacob, in tow as the pair stepped down an eastern Jackson County forest trail in search of a place to set up their bear blind when an object caught Haley's eye. Haley reached off the trail and grabbed a small five-point antler that once graced the cranium of a Roosevelt bull elk, and Jacob quickly chimed in that he wanted to find one, as well. "I said, 'Well, buddy, it's pretty rare to find one,' " Haley says. "Next thing you know, he walks 20 or 30 yards down the trail and he darts into the brush and grabs an elk antler, but it's even a bigger one from a different animal. "You've got to be kidding me," Haley says. "We were high-fiving each other, we were so excited. What are the odds of that?" Seeking shed deer or elk antlers has become Southern Oregon's second hunting season, and one shared by more than just those equally used to hunting with guns. Shed hunting is becoming more of a family affair in recent years, little day-long outings into the woods "It used to be a pretty secretive sport, but it's no longer the hard-core hunters," says Rob Tanner, co-founder of the Redmond-based Oregon Shed Hunters club, which will hold a shed-hunting rendezvous Saturday near Fort Rock. "The past five years, we've seen a lot of families doing it as an activity," Tanner says. "Instead of hiking to hike a trail, people are going hiking to look for shed antlers." Southern Oregon's black-tailed buck deer are entering the prime shedding period — the end of the life cycle for those celebrated racks of bone and cartilage that grow annually between their ears. It's a season that brings out shed hunters like Haley who mine the forest floor for these prizes, one half-rack at a time. The prospecting will hit its crescendo in Southern Oregon later this month as more people ply the woods every year for these majestic discards, often collecting them as trophies of animals without killing them. "It's great stuff," says Duane Dungannon, spokesman for the Medford-based Oregon Hunters Association and a shed hunter himself. "You don't need a tag, you don't have to get up early and you don't have to gut anything," Dungannon says. Unlike horned animals that keep their appendages throughout their adult lives, deer and elk grow and lose their antlers annually. Hormones triggered by daylight patterns cause blood flow in the antlers to cease, making them harden and drop off, usually one at a time. Elk tend to drop their antlers, which can weigh more than 30 pounds, beginning in late March. With about 3,000 elk and as many as 25,000 blacktails in the region, blacktail antlers are far more common than sheds from a bull. That makes the Haley's haul last summer that much more unique. "It's one thing to find two 5-point antlers from different elk when you're actually looking for them," Haley says. "But to accidentally find them? Pretty crazy." Most shed hunters hunt public lands below the 3,000-foot elevation, focusing on areas with a mix of hardwoods and conifers. But this year's poor snowpack will see hunters venturing into higher elevations than normal. Fresh sheds have a deep red-brown appearance to them, almost like polished wood. Yet the winter woods are full of downed branches shrouded in those same colors, naturally camouflaging them from the eyes of shed hunters. Usually, the two antlers can be found within 200 yards of each other. Sometimes they're found weeks or even years later. But you can't find them without looking. "I wish I had the other one, buddy," Haley says to Jacob, a 10-year-old fourth grader. "Hey, wanna go back?" Reach reporter Mark Freeman at 541-776-4470 or [email protected] . Follow him at www.twitter.com/MTwriterFreeman . By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 13, 2015 at 2:00 AM Updated Mar 15, 2015 at 9:08 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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