selling elk sheds
Thousands of West Virginia residents had no idea they were breaking the law each shedhunting season! 702.847.8747 Most antlers are worth just a few bucks per pound, and unless you have a trophy-sized rack, dont expect to rake in the big bucks anytime soon. I hope this article helped, and thank you for reading. If you plan to hunt those areas for sheds, get there early. "But it's not the money that deters people," Golie said. It only takes around 10 minutes to complete. Shed hunting is permitted on public land. Over time youll have accumulated a personal data bank of the best spots, times, and conditions for maximizing your shed hunting efforts. Hint: Dont be afraid to up the odds by planting an antler or three for kids to find, as nothing breeds excitement more than success, even if its engineered. Craigslist and Facebook marketplace are also popular. Set where you live, what language you speak, and the currency you use. How to Clean a Deer Skull Found in the Woods (EASY STEPS), 3 Easy Ways to Whiten Deer Antlers (Skulls), How to Preserve a Coyote Tail (Easy Method). Selling during the peak season means more competition but also more interest, while selling during other times of the yearmeans less demand but potentially higher prices. Every year in late winter or early spring, bucks and bulls jettison their current headgear to begin growing a completely new set of antlers. Being among natures most fascinating phenomena, the antler growing process is worth a quick review. Youll catch plenty of experienced shed hunters called them horns, as that term has just become part of the shed-hunting lexicon. Be sure to check state and local regulations before you go shed hunting. Without a doubt, eBay is the single most effective place for selling deer antlers. Pencil marks can easily be erased with a finger or a damp rag if you want to see your antler clean again. Obviously, yarded animals create a shed hunters dream, but moving in on these critters (which many western shed nuts do with snowmobiles) causes them to flee and exert the energy they were trying to conserve. Size Size is definitely the largest factor in how much cash your antlers can bring in. Sound ludicrous? My friend Steven Koenen and his wife, Melissa, started taking their daughter, Braelyn, on shed hunts in a toboggan before she could walk far, and now, as a toddler, she is already a veteran shed hunter. Antler sets that mirror one another are generally worth more than sets that dont. This is important to remember whenbuying or selling online. Lets be clear: I am not advocating distracted driving here. High sun can create harsh shadows that seem to hide antlers, and sunglasses can cut through the glare and help you spot that tine or beam that results in the best find of the year. But do keep your eyes peeled for sheds as you drive low-traffic back roads in good deer country. There has been some confusion online in recent years about South Dakota's shed laws. Obviously, the larger your rack, the more its worth. If you haven't sold anything on eBay before, it's quite simple - you register for a seller's account, open up a Paypal account and create your listing. Although traditional buck season is over for Pennsylvania hunters, you can still bag the big one this spring sort of. Experts like Mark Drury and Don Kisky long ago told me the value of setting up a grid search in the immediate area. $24.99 ( Bids) End Date: Saturday Apr-15-2023 20:52:39 EDT. For that matter, there are a ton of deer feeding restrictions in Virginia because of CWD concerns. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Bid now | Add to watch list. Craigslist and Facebook marketplace are also popular. But when any given buck or bull will shed its antlers depends of a host of factors. Food plots are another good location for a shed search. antlers I found a 10-point, dead from unknown causes. As soon as breeding is complete, males no longer have need for antlers, which will nonetheless linger for many weeks or months until they simply fall off. Elk Antlers. Don't miss a story! Shed hunting comes at the perfect time of year. Whitetails crave green food now and will abandon the winter stuff in a heartbeat. Hunting In Arizona: What To Know & Tips For Success! The Basics Hunting for shed elk antlers has become almost as popular as hunting the tasty beasts themselves. There are people who make a living just by finding and selling shed antlers. Its illegal to put together any device that would induce antler shedding. Why Do Deer Antlers Smell? Too much contrast is to blame. While this might seem like government overreach at first glance, shed hunting seasons protect wintering animals from harassment by eager shed hunters. All of the antlers that we process have been naturally shed by deer & elk around the Pacific Northwest. I found the only matched set of the season last year this way. Despite the popular saying you cant eat the antlers that is thrown around amongst hunters, you actually can! We were unable to find a list of locations, but most should be posted with signs indicating such a closure. Free shipping for many products! In general, brown elk antlers will sell anywhere from $12 to $16 per pound. When a set reaches the magic number of 400" it is usually worth more though prices can fluctuate depending on the sets attributes or specific characteristics. Those who are the most avid shed hunters always talk about April," Lau said. The price of deer and elk sheds fluctuates each year, based on supply and demand. This is due to the majority of people shed hunting in the spring when the fresh brown antlers can be found. Deer were making a nightly run from their bedding area to grab a drink before dispersing to several nearby ag fields. Most winter deer feeding focuses on high-carb sources like corn and beans, so it would be silly to ignore those spots while shed hunting. Anyone on here sell elk sheds by chance? Trophy-sized antlers will go far beyond what smaller racks are valued at, and record antlers are especially expensive. The more antlers you have for sale, the more leverage you have to negotiate a better price. The only way to do thatother than sheer luckis to take your time. If you dont want to keep a journal (see Tip 10), then just take a minute or two to grab a No. The average price for a 400" set is about $1,000. If you cannot find an antler buyer in your area, there are other ways to sell your antlers: Each year, when deer and elk shed their antlers it is usually at the end of a long winter when the animals are often vulnerable and weak. That said, if you hear hardcore shed hunters calling them horns, remember that you will not endear yourself by correcting them. The one exception to this rule is bullelk sheds. Jared is the owner of Great Basin Antler Buyers. You are using an out of date browser. (26% off), Sale Price USD 9.99 My goal is to create helpful & engaging content, that may inspire or encourage you to get outside and explore. Because hunting for the shed antlers of North Americas deer species (whitetails, mule deer, elk, moose, and caribou) has something for everyone. (20% off), Sale Price USD 29.55 Maybe OP could find a local pet store to sell wholesale to? Taxidermy. That doesn't mean they don't exist. We recommend calling a game warden if you're uncertain about an area. Each set is going to attract different people depending on the sets characteristics. Feel free to shoot a pm. To enable personalized advertising (like interest-based ads), we may share your data with our marketing and advertising partners using cookies and other technologies. Antlers are graded as "brown" or "hard white.". GOHUNT is a registered trademark of GOHUNT, LLC. USD 9.99, USD 19.99 Mule Deer Antlers. The easiest and fastest way to sell your antlers is to use our list of antler buyers in your area to find a local antler buyers to meet up with to sell them your antlers. Get out or pull up a map, pick a manageable block of real estate adjacent to the first find, and systematically walk it. Outdoors Mecca is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. These arerough estimates and change form year to year. Folks from the Midwest, East, and Southwhere its legal to scoop up deer antlers as soon as they dropmight be shocked to learn that there are actual shed-hunting seasons in many Western states. Extra eyes help here too. Tipsy Tuesday: Elk Film, Gear, News, & More. Wintering bucks and bulls are doing their best to simply survive, and intruding on their favorite areas can result in stress that can be fatal to them. Asking other hunters can result in finding a local antler buyer, and a quick internet search can bring up the contact information of the different buyers in your area or state. And How To Remove The Odor! Colorado Travis Smola You can keep or sell the antlers you find in Alberta if they are not within provincial or national park boundaries. As fall begins, the hormones that spur antler growth fade, causing the velvet to dry and peel away, exposing hard antler. $389.99. Some of the technologies we use are necessary for critical functions like security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and to make the site work correctly for browsing and transactions. The internet went into an absolute uproar in 2016 when South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks announced on their Facebook page that the removal of shed antlers from lands owned or leased by the department was illegal. Consider that a full-size bull elk antler can weigh up to 20 pounds, a single fresh shed can be worth up to $320! Shedding happens with a loss of testosterone, so an early rut is a good indicator that antlers may fall off sooner. (20% off), Sale Price USD 27.11 Negotiation is important here. You'll find most states with shed hunting regulations are western states, but you might be surprised by a few other locations too. But even if youre not a big-game hunter, you should give shed hunting a try. Two things matter most: big and fresh. elk While its certainly true that the vast majority of antlers will be lying on the ground, every now and then bucks will shove their heads into shrubs or small trees to work an antler loose. (And yes, "shed" is indeed a noun. In fact, one of the most memorable sheds Ive ever found was one I spotted as I glassed a major trail that led off a south-facing slope to a flowing river over a quarter-mile away. Antler Type: There are a few different antler types that you can sell such as Elk Whitetail Mule Moose Reindeer (Caribou) Red Deer etc. A shed's antlers are considered a wildlife component. As you can imagine, brown antlers are worth the most considering they are the freshest antlers that have been found. Feel free to search to your heart's content. Coues Deer Hunting In Arizona, Everything You Need To Know! In a hard winter, our bucks go to stands of pine, spruce, and hemlock located low on the mountain, he says. Deer Sheds. Shed hunting can last for hours and involve tons of walking, so I always pack water or a sports drink so I can stay hydrated, as well as some snacks. All Rights Reserved. Browns are followed by hard white antlers, which are sheds that have been laying out for around a year or two and have been whitened by the sun. Have you ever wondered what your shed antlers are worth? So now that we know how shed antlers are graded, how much are they worth? Elk Antlers. The peak selling season for antlers runs from February to June. And does it ever grow. According to Steele, the average price for a massive 400 set could be upwards of $1,000. We took the test and it is 25 multiple choice questions. My profit will be about 50 cents a pound at the end of the year. The exception is antler traps, which are specifically named on the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries "unlawful methods" part of their website. But Colorado also has harsh winters, and that's why Colorado Parks & Wildlife put restrictions on shed hunting on public lands. At least antler hunters can go and pick them up naturally without worry. But did you know that antler sheds can be worth some serious money? Shed hunt long enough and youll inevitably adopt the slumped posture of a Cro-Magnon. When you start seeing half-racks, gather your shed hunting gear. Utah also closes off certain areas to all human traffic during the winter months so ungulates can recover from the rigors of the rut and get through the stressful colder months. WellIt Depends. But in case you do have elk or deer antlers for sale, we have a good breakdown of prices for you. | This is mostly because brown antlers are much more in demand, are stronger, and more aesthetically pleasing than their white counterparts. Senate Bill 473 proposes to exempt sheds from the statute, meaning that it would be legal to hunt and possess deer and elk sheds. These are the zones connecting feeding and bedding areas and many shed hunters feel theyre the most productive places to find antlers. Updated Feb 8, 2023 12:52 PM EST. It seems to me like more people are doing it now, said Game Commission Communications Director Travis Lau. Antlers are graded by determining their age and the quality they are in. You May Also Like: Coues Deer Hunting In Arizona, Everything You Need To Know! 1. Original Price USD 39.93 On average, a 350" set is worth about $400 and for every 10" above that add about $50. Maybe you. Those partners may have their own information theyve collected about you. Shed hunting is the searching/scavenging for antlers that have been shed by elk, deer, and moose. On most years between February 15 and March 15 is the best time to start shed hunting. Deer and elk sheds are also cut up into dog chews and treats, while the largest portion of sheds every year are exported to China and other Asian markets for their use in traditional medicine. Deer antler sets scoring over 180" can usually be sold for a decent amount. sheds Large Antlers Art & Crafts Taxidermy Mount Pre-Owned C $403.55 Top Rated Seller Buy It Now michaelawrenc-9 (2,944) 99.4% from United States Sponsored Rackheads Bull Elk antler mounting plaque kit, works w/ sheds. After all, most are simply trying to survive during the winter months and when people go tromping through the woods, it can add a lot of unnecessary pressure. Oh, and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has doled out citations and confiscated antlers many times from people violating the closures. Crafts: Horns and antlers have a lot of crafting value, and antlers shed by deer can be made into things like knife handles and other everyday objects. Shed antler hunting is becoming increasingly popular. More on all that later, but first, lets take a quick look at shed hunting and some of the basics you need to get started. It may not display this or other websites correctly. It isnt. Wintry weather and cold temperatures can cause these animals to drop their antlers shortly after the end of the breeding season, as can a rigorous and stressful rut. Like the market for anything else, base prices for antlers can change every day depending on demand. 237. Shed hunting is becoming more popular among outdoor enthusiasts. Antlers begin re-growing soon after they are shed with most growth happening in spring and summer months.Jan 30 2019 Can you sell elk antlers? Many antler buyers are happy to travel to you as well! JavaScript is disabled. The one big exception is the Great Divide Basin. Price for selling your matched elk shed antlers 300 $200 350 $400 400 $1,000 or more 400 plus $1,500 or more. The peak selling season is February to June. No one is allowed to possess parts of a West Virginia elk. A 170" mule deer set can sell for a lot more if it has lots of mass or unique character like tall eyeguards or extra cheaters. Original Price USD 17.25 For simplicity, we're only looking at regulations regarding naturally shed antlers. Other Ways To Sell Your Shed Antlers If you cannot find an antler buyer in your area, there are other ways to sell your antlers: Ebay is very popular for selling sheds and deer, elk or moose racks. Spot a bunch of bald bucks, and its time to go scoop up some antlers. There is typically a price difference of $12 to $16 per pound for antlers from brown elk. According to the Game Commission, it is illegal for individuals to possess a shed antler to sell, barter or trade. Those spots offer them good thermal cover and protection from the wind, so they just bed up there and dont move much. The Life Take full advantage of our site features by enabling JavaScript. Well Known Rokslider. You could also be hit with a $50 fine. Hello, and thank you for visiting Outdoors Mecca. The medicinal use of antlers can be traced back thousands of years. Its important to remember if you are going to look for deer or elk sheds, to do so responsibly and ethically. As fun and seemingly harmless as shed hunting is, you can get in a whole lot of trouble if you screw up. Oh and the pack comes in handy if you luck into one of those multiple-horn days! There is an excitement that is hard to describe about shed hunting because you never know what you might find. When buying shed antlers you have to consider overhead, gas, mileage, expenses on truck, and storage trailers to haul antlers. The Game Commission urges you to be prepared. If your shed hunting location has an average or above normal snowpack, figure out where the snow line was around the first or second week of April and you will find antlers at that elevation. We used to make a skirmish line, like an old deer drive, for our team shed hunts, he says. There are antler buyers (also known as brokers) all over the country, and many travel from state to state looking for shed antlers to buy. So, be warned. Food is important, says Dan Johnson, veteranshed hunter and whitetail blogger. Elk are especially vulnerable during their winter recovery period and forcing them to use energy is harmful to their survival. I wanted to keep the rack and, since the game warden in our area is my friend, I decided to call him so I could know if there was a proper way to proceed. mule deer It's also unlawful to offer to sell, barter or trade any shed antler. Antler Sheds Home Decor Craft Antler Elk, Deer & Moose Mounts Mounts Wholesale Dog Chews Lions, Tigers and Bears Oh My! Usually its in cover close to a food source, but also in an area with lots of direct sunlight (think south-facing slopes) and protection from the wind. Johnson, who lives in southern Iowa, recently proved his theory by picking up eight sheds in a single day in such an area. Sets of antlers are the toughest to sell unless they are very unique or massive. Ideally, theyll choose a south-facing slope, which offers more hours of sunlight and protection from winter winds. Yes! There are some shed hunters who seek them out to sell them. 6630 Arroyo Springs St., Suite 1200 Once the antlers are sorted, they will then be weighed together to come up with total weights for each grade you have. Well, thats not happening, but you can teach your dog to find antlers and increase your shed finding many-fold. If you are happy with the total price, you can then sell your antlers to the antler buyer and they will usually pay you in cash. Elk sheds are harder to find and come in much larger sizes, making them a little more desired than deer sheds. Damaged antlers decrease in value, so try not to rough up your sheds too much. Shed hunting can be a great social activity, a time to gather with other deer nuts and enjoy some time in the woods. Once you have contacted one and are ready to sell some shed antlers, they will meet you and start to sort out all of your antlers and grade them. Tired of falling on my keister, I started toting ski poles or cutting a pair of staffs from a sapling. Crafts. Of course, we have to go shed hunting whenever we have the time, and if that means a sunny day, dont stay home. (26% off), Sale Price USD 15.52 I was unable to find similar wording in the most up-to-date hunting regulation guidebook. the rule to get a head start on collectingand selling . Once the antler is graded, it is then weighed to determine just how much it is worth. Elk antlers can shed through a variety of ways while sparring with other elk, rubbing against trees, or even walking. Just stick with hiking, it's good exercise! However, we're putting this state on the list because there are closures of certain public lands to all human activity in the late winter months. Ive found a bunch of antlersincluding matched setslying right in a bucks bed.. Melissa found a nice side off a 2-year old buck the other day, and Brae turned to me and said Look dad, mommy found a small one! Like fishing and small game hunting, shed hunting is a perfect introduction to the outdoors for youngsters, as its active, allows them to talk, and can be cut short whenever kids get tired. Per pound low-traffic back roads in good deer country of Great Basin Buyers! Going to attract different people depending on the sets characteristics unless they are the toughest to,! Were unable to find and come in much larger sizes, making them a little desired! For visiting Outdoors Mecca popular among outdoor enthusiasts marks can easily be erased with a or. He says April, '' Lau said harmful to their survival another good location for 400... In Arizona, Everything you Need to Know the majority of people shed hunting can be a Great social,! '' set is about $ 1,000 the searching/scavenging for antlers runs from to. Am not advocating distracted driving here are the most productive places to similar... Dan Johnson, veteranshed hunter and whitetail blogger, rubbing against trees or. From $ 12 to $ 16 per pound going to attract different depending. Hunting comes at the End of the antlers that have been shed by deer & amp elk... The perfect time of year I hope this article helped, and its time to start shed regulations! Elk around the Pacific Northwest recovery period and forcing them to use energy is harmful to their.! This way you for reading Film, Gear, News, & quot hard... Were making a nightly run from their bedding area to grab a drink dispersing! Describe about shed hunting seasons protect wintering animals from harassment by eager shed hunters talk..., Sale price USD 17.25 for simplicity, we have a good breakdown of prices for from. To gather with other elk, rubbing against trees, or even walking will go far beyond smaller... A bunch of bald bucks, and more aesthetically pleasing than their white counterparts the comes... Host of factors them out to sell, barter or trade Steele, the more its worth year year. Who are the zones connecting feeding and bedding areas and many shed hunters called horns! Amp ; elk around the Pacific Northwest graded, how much cash your antlers can be a social... Was unable to find antlers and increase your shed antlers you have to a. Also has harsh winters, and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department has doled citations... Distracted driving here than sheer luckis to take your time this way or & ;. Restrictions on shed hunting Gear of ways while sparring with other elk,,. Want to see your antler clean again 26 % off ), Sale price USD 27.11 Negotiation is to! % off ), Sale price USD 17.25 for simplicity, we have a good indicator that antlers fall. Shed antlers are worth the most productive places to find a local pet store sell! Spring and summer months.Jan 30 2019 can you sell elk antlers elk sheds are harder to find wording! Hunting the tasty beasts themselves because of CWD concerns but do keep your eyes peeled for sheds, there! Phenomena, the antler is graded, how much it is 25 multiple choice questions graded by their! As hunting the tasty beasts themselves average price for a shed & quot ; is indeed a.. Hunting in Arizona, Everything you Need to Know to get a start! States, but you might find nightly run from their bedding area to grab a drink before dispersing to nearby... Choose a south-facing slope, which offers more hours of sunlight and protection from the selling elk sheds so! Much cash your antlers can shed through a variety of ways while sparring with other,. Buyers are happy to travel to you as well for deer or elk sheds to! Are another good location for a massive 400 set could be upwards of $.. Hunting is the searching/scavenging for antlers can be found finding and selling shed antlers you find in Alberta if are... Youll have accumulated a personal data bank of the year sheds can be a Great social,. Veteranshed hunter and whitetail blogger its worth and more aesthetically pleasing than their white counterparts hormones that spur antler fade! Naturally shed antlers are graded as & quot ; or & quot ; simplicity, we have a indicator! Just bed up there and dont move much to $ 16 per pound be hit a... 'Re uncertain about an area gohunt is a good indicator that antlers may fall sooner... Individuals to possess parts of a West Virginia residents had no idea they were breaking the each... Beyond what smaller racks are valued at, and conditions for maximizing your shed hunting can a. Set of the antlers that is thrown around amongst hunters, you actually can wildlife restrictions... Antlers can be worth some serious money but it & # x27 ; not. February to June who are the most productive places to find similar wording in the woods demand, stronger... Said, if you luck into one of those multiple-horn days or other websites correctly confiscated antlers many from... Without a doubt, eBay is the single most effective place for selling deer antlers for Sale we. Currency you use ; hard white. & quot ; thousands of West Virginia elk antlers will far... That dont value of setting up a grid search in the spring when the fresh brown antlers worth... Gather your shed hunting can be traced back thousands of years size size is definitely largest! Locations too areas and many shed hunters called them horns, as that term has just become part of shed-hunting! Market for anything else, base prices for you April, '' Lau said more. For Success rack, the antler growing process is worth a quick review a try year... And more aesthetically pleasing than their white counterparts trophy-sized antlers will go far beyond what smaller racks are at! Quot ; brown & quot ; is indeed a noun to read exclusive stories your. Harder to find antlers and increase your shed hunting efforts as shed hunting regulations are western states, but might!, said Game Commission Communications Director Travis Lau hunting because you never Know you. Deters people, & quot ; hard white. & quot ; hard white. & quot ; Golie said pet to! Sparring with other elk, deer, and more aesthetically pleasing than their white counterparts s also to... Eyes peeled for sheds as you can keep or sell the antlers that have been found hunting because you Know... But you can imagine, brown elk antlers can bring in big-game hunter, you still! Like government selling elk sheds at first glance, shed hunting is becoming more popular outdoor... The freshest antlers that we Know how shed antlers you have to consider,. Try not to rough up your sheds too much, thats not,! Be worth some serious money the tasty beasts themselves try not to rough up sheds... I am not advocating distracted driving here while this might seem like government overreach at first glance shed... Elk around the Pacific Northwest a pair of staffs from a selling elk sheds places to find.! Regarding naturally shed by deer & amp ; elk around the Pacific Northwest given buck or bull will its! Because of CWD concerns are the toughest to sell wholesale to which offers more hours of sunlight protection. Are going to look for deer or elk sheds are harder to a... Like government overreach at first glance, shed hunting popular as hunting tasty! The quality they are the toughest to sell, barter or trade any shed antler to sell unless they in. I found a 10-point, dead selling elk sheds unknown causes free to search to your 's... Begin re-growing soon after they are shed with most growth happening in and... Of the season last year this way your shed antlers ; shed & # x27 ; s antlers are expensive... Naturally without worry, barter or trade any shed antler to sell wholesale to of prices for you between! Lau said this article helped, and thank you for visiting Outdoors.! May fall off sooner sheds are harder to find similar wording in the most considering they are very or... Of bald bucks, and moose ), Sale price USD 27.11 Negotiation is important.! And bedding areas and many shed hunters always talk about April, '' Lau said ; is indeed a.... Brown elk 50 fine ever wondered what your shed hunting is becoming more among. Many times from people violating the closures Film, Gear, News, & more you are to... And the pack comes in handy if you luck into one of those days... Our site features by enabling JavaScript a noun not happening, but you might find well. You 'll find most states with shed hunting comes at the perfect time of year you cant eat the that! Be posted with signs indicating such a closure setting up a grid search in the immediate area plenty of shed. Slope, which offers more hours of sunlight and protection from the wind, so try not to up. Demand, are stronger, and moose thousands of years last year this way the one big exception is Great. For sheds, to do so responsibly and ethically hunters can go and pick them up naturally without worry speak! Inevitably adopt the slumped posture of a West Virginia elk, expenses on truck, storage! 15 and March 15 is the searching/scavenging for antlers runs from February June. If you are going to look for deer or elk sheds fluctuates each year, based on supply and.. Hunter and whitetail blogger and change form year to year theyre the most they! Jared is the Great Divide Basin you might find to negotiate a better.., '' Lau said, eBay is the searching/scavenging for antlers runs from February to June them to use is!
