How early for sheds?

[jonsimoneau]

Some deer have shed already here in Illinois, but March is normally the best time to find sheds around here.

[Terry Green]

I got some trail cam pics March 3rd, 4th and 5th in 2005 of a couple of bucks still sporting racks.  I figure that's pretty late.

[Pat B]

My wife and I were in Cade's Cove, in the Great Smoky Mountains Park in Tenn, a few years ago in March and the 2 biggest bucks there still had their head gear and were chasing does. The other bucks had lost their antlers and it looked like they were trying to start new ones.
   As I understand it, as long as does are going into heat, the bucks, at least the domanent ones, will keep their antlers. It is a sign of an unballanced buck/doe ratio.  Pat

[Gordy]

I found a couple nice ones yesterday in northern MN. Did some hunting for more but didn't turn anything else up.

[Wudstix]

I read somewhere that the older bucks will drop theirs first and form new ones first.  Here we start looking hard in February for sheds before the critters get them.