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It's shed hunting time

February 21, 2016 at 6:08AM
Avey, a 2-year-old female black Labrador owned by Mike and Georgette Coppersmith of New London, Wis., returns quickly to her trainer, Josh Miller, of Riverstone Kennels in New Richmond, Wis., with an antler she found. Avey and other qualifying dogs will compete Apri 16-17 in the North American Shed Hunting Dog Association World Championship at Tom Dokken's Oak Ridge Kennels near Northfield, Minn.
Avey, a 2-year-old female black Labrador owned by Mike and Georgette Coppersmith of New London, Wis., returned quickly to her trainer, Josh Miller, with an antler she found. The North American Shed Hunting Dog Association World Championship is April 16-17 at Tom Dokken’s Oak Ridge Kennels near Northfield, Minn. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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Last week's fast-warming weather revealed more than the promise of an early spring. Also exposed throughout Minnesota were antlers shed by white-tailed deer. Or about to be shed. Increasingly the objects of widespread affection, antlers draw evermore "shed" hunters into the hinterlands each spring. Most effective are those who in their pursuits are aided by dogs specially trained to sniff out, find and retrieve these hidden and quaintly odiferous (to dogs) trophies. This being America, antler questing is now a competitive sport, and New Richmond, Wis., canine trainer Josh Miller last week prepared charges he and his customers will enter in the upcoming invitational North American Shed Hunting Dog Association (NASHDA) World Championships at Tom Dokken's Oak Ridge Kennels near Northfield, Minn., April 16-17. More information is at sheddogtrainer.com.

Dennis Anderson

Trainer Josh Miller sends a student into the woods to find a deer antler Miller planted. Some deer are still carrying their antlers, or in some instances one side of them. But soon the highly sought after artifacts will be the objects of intense searches throughout Minnesota's woods and fields ó efforts increasingly aided by dogs.
Miller, at left, sent a student into the woods to find a deer antler he had planted. Some deer are still carrying their antlers, or in some instances one side of them. But soon the highly sought artifacts will be the objects of searches throughout the state’s woods and fields. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Deer antlers ó the real thing ó are used for training shed hunting dogs. Plastic replicas also are sometimes used. Scent rubbed onto either type of antler simulates the smell of actual antlers discarded by deer, and helps competing dogs find antlers quickly.
Deer antlers ó the real thing ó are used for training shed hunting dogs. Plastic replicas also are sometimes used. Scent rubbed onto either type of antler simulates the smell of actual antlers discarded by deer, and helps competing dogs find antlers quickly. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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