Make Money Shed Hunting – Tips and Shed Dog Training: A Beginner's Guide

Yes, you can make money shed hunting, and Michaela “Mich” Hager is proof of that. The 35-year-old CEO and Founder of Chewy Pawz has turned her shed hunting hobby into a thriving business.

Chewy Pawz is a Wyoming-based online marketplace offering pet treats, including wild elk, deer, and moose antler chews.(Mich Hager pictured above with her shed hunting dogs Yara, Rogue and Raja.)

“In 2017, we (my husband and I) started a pipeline leak detection company that used our highly trained detection dogs to pinpoint leaks for buried oil and gas pipelines,” Mich says. “To help with the high costs of operating in the oil and gas industry, we started selling antler chews on the side.”

By 2020, at the height of COVID, the online business took off—and has been growing ever since.

Meet the Shed Hunting Dogs

Mich’s team includes elite shed-hunting dogs, each with a unique skill set.

Yara (Dutch Shepherd)

Yara, a 7.5-year-old Dutch Shepherd, has found the most antlers of all Mich’s dogs. She specializes in pronghorn sheaths and brings in armfuls each spring.
Favorite Protein: Yak 

Rogue (German Shepherd)

Rogue, a 6-year-old German Shepherd, has found antlers but has a mischievous streak—often stealing finds from the other dogs!
Favorite Protein: Bison

Raja (Malinois)

Raja, a 4-year-old Malinois, not only finds antlers but also hauls them out using her dog pack.
Favorite Protein: Rabbit

Beyond shed hunting, these dogs are highly trained pipeline detection and personal protection dogs.

“They’re more than just shed dogs—they keep me safe, too.” – Mich

(Pictued below, Mich's husband glassing in the Idaho wilderness.)How to Train a Dog for Shed Hunting

Not all shed hunters need a highly trained detection dog. Many breeds can learn with the right training.

Mich’s Top Shed Dog Training Tip: Start with a fun game of retrieval. Proof your dog off of your own scent so they learn to find the antler itself—not just objects that smell like you.

For those serious about shed dog training, Mich recommends Work Your Pack’s e-course. The owner, Chris Williams, has over a decade of experience training shed-hunting, game-tracking, and missing-person search dogs.

Best Dog Breeds for Shed Hunting
Williams says the best shed hunting dogs are typically:
✔️ Labrador Retrievers
✔️ Golden Retrievers
✔️ German Shorthaired Pointers

However, any dog with strong motivation and training can excel.

“The key is to make the process fun! A great shed dog should LOVE the hunt.” – Chris Williams

(Chris Williams of Work Your Pack pictured below with his training dog Liesel Weapon.)Q&A with Chris Williams – Shed Dog Training Expert

Q: How long does it take to train a dog to shed hunt?
A: It depends on the dog and trainer’s dedication. A high-drive dog with a solid training culture can learn the basics in a few days. Proofing a resilient shed hunter takes ongoing practice.

Q: What safety tips do you have for training a shed dog?
A: Make sure you understand canine behavior. Don't rush training. Ensure your dog has strong off-leash control, and always carry a GPS when shed hunting in the backcountry.

Q: What’s the most important part of training a shed dog?
A: Let the dog hunt. Avoid helping them too much. They need to struggle, discover their advantage, and own the process.

In addition to the Shed Hunting 101 course, Chris is also producing a more nuanced Harmonious Retrieve course and a 'Tracking Wounded Game’ course.

(Mich's German Shepherd Rogue pictured below.)Shed Hunting Tips from Mich

Safety First
-Bring essential hiking gear.
-If in bear country, carry a gun and/or bear spray. Spring bears are hungry and aggressive.
-Tie bright bandanas on your dogs for easy identification.
-Always have a hard-copy map in your pack. OnX is a great app for tracking land boundaries.

Mich’s Must-Haves for Shed Hunting
-Favorite app: OnX
-Best boots: Kenetrek Boots
-Self-defense: .38 Smith & Wesson LadySmith Revolver
-Gear essentials: First aid kit, Leatherman, firearm

 Shed Hunting Success Tip
“The more you get out there, the better you’ll get at finding sheds. Make it a fun, regular part of your routine!” – Mich

 (Mich's Dutch Shepherd Yara pictued below.)

 

Have shed hunting tips to share? We’d love to hear from you! Contact us or DM us on Instagram.

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