Sheds & Strutters
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The Bowhunter Podcast dives deep into the intertwined worlds of shed hunting and spring turkey hunting, revealing how the two activities fuel each other in a strategic, year-round pursuit. Host Christian Berg and guests Jace Bowserman (Colorado) and Clint Casper (Ohio) break down the science and soul of timing: shed hunting peaks in late March to early April in the Midwest, but varies by region and species, with cameras proving essential for tracking bucks and predicting drop zones. The real gold lies not just in collecting antlers, but in using shed hunting as a stealthy, low-impact scouting tool to map deer movements and bedding areas—critical intel for the upcoming deer season. Meanwhile, turkey hunters can leverage the same early spring window to scout roosting sites, strut zones, and feeding patterns, turning shed hunts into turkey prep missions. The guests then reveal their unconventional, high-stakes tactics: Clint Casper’s ‘kneel-and-call’ method, where he uses minimal cover and curiosity to lure birds within 10 yards, and Jace Bowserman’s bold use of a bow-mounted decoy to mimic a rival tom, enabling point-blank shots from the open woods. Both emphasize precision aiming—targeting the beard or the dark triangle on a broadside bird—as the key to success, with the ultimate goal being a shot so close the arrow doesn’t fully clear the rest.
Shed hunting in Ohio and the Midwest peaks March 15–30, when 90–95% of deer have shed; use trail cameras to confirm drop timing and target specific bucks.
Use shed hunting as stealthy deer scouting: map bedding areas, travel corridors, and movement patterns to gain a strategic edge for fall bowhunting.
Combine shed hunting with turkey season: early spring is ideal for finding turkey sign (scat, scratchings, roosting sites) before vegetation hides it.
For turkey hunting, the most effective strategy is to avoid the roost; instead, wait mid-morning when birds are active and less wary, using light calling to draw them in.
Jace Bowserman’s bow-mounted decoy tactic allows mobile, blind-free hunting—position behind cover, show the decoy to trigger aggression, then shoot when the bird walks by.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Welcome & College Football Banter
Host Christian Berg kicks off the episode with lighthearted banter about college football rivalries, setting a playful tone before transitioning into the main topics of shed and turkey hunting.
Shed Hunting Timing: Ohio vs. Colorado
Clint Casper shares his Ohio shed hunting window (March 15–30), while Jace Bowserman explains Colorado’s regional variation—mule deer and elk shed later, with public land restrictions starting May 1st.
The Camera Advantage: Proof of Life & Pattern Recognition
Both guests emphasize using trail cameras through winter and early spring to track bucks, confirm survival, and predict shed locations—turning shed hunting into a data-driven strategy.
Methodical Shed Hunting: From Glassing to Crawling
Jace details his two-tiered approach: glassing open fields with optics for volume, then methodically crawling through dense bedding areas to find specific bucks’ sheds.
Shed Hunting as Turkey Prep: Finding Roosts & Strut Zones
Clint reveals how shed hunting led to discovering turkey roosting sites and strut zones, turning a deer hunt into a turkey scouting mission with minimal extra effort.
“want him to actually walk by me looking for me. He's looking for the hen that he heard. Okay, I heard the hen over here. Now she's closer. I heard her again. I gobbled. Okay, I'm going to go this way looking.”
“if I hit just above that beard, that bird goes like this. Like you shot him with the shotgun. He's dead right there on the spot.”
“If you can't sit on your butt and nicely and slowly draw that bow back, you're pulling too much weight.”
Host
Guests
Jace Bowserman
person
Clint Casper
person
Ohio
place
Christian Berg
person
Colorado
place
Pennsylvania
place
Ultimate Predator
brand
Timothy Berg
person
Bowhunter Magazine
other
North American Whitetail
other
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