I prefer shed hunting over hunting. A 7-8" piece of elk antler at petsmart is over $20, but they last forever and are great chews. 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. This doesn't apply to private lands, but you might want to have written permission from a landowner with you, just in case. It is not meant to be a comprehensive look into current antler prices, but merely an indicator of what a specific species is valued at. hunting Conversely, an easy winter can result in a later antler drop. Craig has always had a passion for hunting, and has turned his passion into a business loved by many. Free shipping for many products! Here's what you can expect to pay for antlers at these locations: Fresh elk drops retail for about $8 to $12 per pound. Size matters! The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources made it very clear in a post on their Facebook page in 2019 that antler traps are not allowed in the Bluegrass State. Elk Grade A: $12-$14 a pound* Elk Grade B: $9-$10 a pound* Elk Grade C: $2-$3 a pound* Whitetail Grade A: $10-$12 a pound* Whitetail Grade B: $5-$6 a pound* Whitetail Grade C: $1-2 a pound* Mule Deer Grade A: $12 a pound* Mule Grade B: $5-$6 a pound* Mule Grade C: $1-$2 a pound* *Prices are estimates. WellIt Depends. 2022 GOHUNT, LLC. Matching sets are still sold by the weight unless it is a truly large or unique set that is being sold to a collector for a price separate from the weight. Step 1. It's safe, secure, and best of all you can set the minimum price you're willing to sell your antlers for. 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. Nous partageons galement des informations sur votre usage de notre site avec nos rseaux sociaux, publicitaires et partenaires d'analyse. If you find more than a couple sheds every year and youre like most of us, youll probably toss them in a pile. In recent years, the IDFG has repeatedly asked shed hunters to wait until later in the spring to start their search. So, again, check regs. Feel free to shoot a pm. For simplicity, we're only looking at regulations regarding naturally shed antlers. These are the zones connecting feeding and bedding areas and many shed hunters feel theyre the most productive places to find antlers. There was a problem subscribing you to this newsletter. Remember, antler drop is a bell-shaped curve, with some bucks dropping early, a bunch casting a few weeks later, and a handful seemingly waiting for their new antlers to pop the old ones off. If theres snow on the landscape, and of course on sunny days, sunglasses can save tons of strain on your eyes. Because of this, you will see elk sheds selling for a few dollars more per pound depending on the different grades. Some 400 sets can bring much more depending on the overall quality, color and characteristics! Many Asian countries still use the antlers to grind up and use in different types of medicines that are mostly used to treat things such as arthritis and joint issues. More specifically, shed hunting is prohibited on all public land west of I-25 from January 1 through April 30. If you plan to hunt those areas for sheds, get there early. When it comes to the legalities of collecting sheds, there is a lot of conflicting information out there about West Virginia. I'm the knife nut that everybody is ashamed to know. The medicinal use of antlers can be traced back thousands of years. Antler weights are more dependent on the size when it comes to actual weights, but it is widely believed that brown antlers do tend to weigh a little more than whites or chalks that have dried in the sun. Also note that we did NOT include states with regulations on the buying and selling of antlers. Some shed hunters search for sheds with the intention of selling them, while others use sheds to help plan hunts for the following year. In the big woods or other non-ag areas, wintering deer will focus on the best browse or mast sources. Follow that info with data on any sheds you scoop up, including location, size, etc. 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. In a hard winter, our bucks go to stands of pine, spruce, and hemlock located low on the mountain, he says. You can always contact multiple different antler buyers in your area to get an average of the region you are in and get a better idea of prices for that shed season. Mule Deer Antlers. Other areas will be posted with signs, so keep your eyes out unless you want a ticket! At that point, it depends mostly on demand for the rack from collectors rather than a base price per pound. Huge 5 X 5 matched elk? Size is definitelythe largest factor in how much cash your antlers can bring in. The Centennial State is an awesome place to shed hunt because you've got the big four: whitetail, mule deer, elk and moose all within one state's borders. Elk Antlers. Damaged antlers decrease in value, so try not to rough up your sheds too much. Consistently earned 5-star reviews, shipped orders on time, and replied quickly to messages, Looks like you already have an account! If I spot something, I stop, pull out the binoculars, and verify. The average prices are also for antlers in prime condition. Keep that sunnow low in the skyat your back, and sheds should jump out at you. Most antler buyers will only buy antler sheds. For example, a 180 set may be worth about $150 to $200, while a 200 set may be worth more than $400. Hard whites are averaging $8 to $11 per pound, with chalk at $1 to $3. Example: Surrounding a feeding plot with chains so that the deer must put their heads through the chains, potentially inducing their antlers to fall off. Shed antler hunting is becoming increasingly popular. In this 20 percent pocket is where bucks cast their antlers, and where you need to look. The only way to do thatother than sheer luckis to take your time. USD 9.99, USD 19.99 This is another state that doesn't have a lot of restrictions on the table. Don't miss a story! Im sure you will be able to buy some but I feel it loses a lot of sentimental value if it comes from someone you dont know. If you dont want to keep a journal (see Tip 10), then just take a minute or two to grab a No. All of these different uses translate to a large demand in both deer and elk shed antlers that make prices continue to increase year after year. Public collections can be seen by the public, including other shoppers, and may show up in recommendations and other places. To that end, here are 20 advanced tips from hardcore bone collectors. It consists of looking for antlers than have been shed by deer or elk. Deer are actively moving through these areas, and all that walking, crossing obstacles, sparring with other bucks, etc., can shake antlers loose. Wintering deer, elk, and moose are all about conserving energy, so count on them to bed fairly close to food sources if possible. I'm getting the feeling he wants to keep the matching pairs together, but this could work for single sheds. has doled out citations and confiscated antlers, I THINK I ENJOY SHED HUNTING MORE THAN HUNTING THE DEER THEMSELVES. And you might find a killer new stand location in the bargain. We were unable to find a list of locations, but most should be posted with signs indicating such a closure. You May Also Like: Coues Deer Hunting In Arizona, Everything You Need To Know! Instead, watch from a distance and pick up sheds once elk have left the area. Antlers are graded as "brown" or "hard white.". In most cases, the smooth, white antlers you have laying around the house are probably worth more in sentimental value than out in the market. It seems counter-intuitive, but sunny dayswhen bright light should highlight antlerspresent some of the toughest shed hunting conditions. Most sets are bought by the pound unless they score over 350", but even at that size they can be hard to sell. Shed antlers from both deer and elk continue to climb in price year after year as the many uses for them grow in demand. According to antler buyer Jared Steele, an impressive whitetail rack such as a 200-inch set could net you about $400, but the value goes up exponentially the larger it is. Scores 400 +/- Description: Massive elk sheds - almost 60" x 60". This is useful information in any case, but especially helpful if youre trying to match a shed with a buck thats still walking. Shed elk antlers rest in some of the most picturesque country in America. Because hunting for the shed antlers of North Americas deer species (whitetails, mule deer, elk, moose, and caribou) has something for everyone. The general answer to when deer shed is late winter or early spring. But Colorado also has harsh winters, and that's why Colorado Parks & Wildlife put restrictions on shed hunting on public lands. With typical sheds, keep an eye out for antlers that match up nicely. I remember being mad at the time until I understood that the person who gave them to him got them at a yard sale. Hammock Head, or sometimes Ole' Hammock Head, is an elk. The Equality State has put out some of the most shed hunting restrictions in recent years. Too much contrast is to blame. We're at least glad to see the part about deer antlers changed. That means most of us are looking for a reason to get outside, and what better reason than a chance to get your hands on some antlers? The most natural thing to do is pick up the remains and tote them home, especially if the buck is one you know. A discussion on picking up antlers still attached to the skull could be a whole other topic, because almost every state has laws against picking up deadheads. I actually learned this by mistake many years ago, when I found a dead buck in the woods behind my home. Brown deer sheds will see prices anywhere from $10 to $14 per pound, hard whites from $6 to $8, and chalks at $1 to $2. A 380" set and larger will be worth between $550 to $1,000. That's because the state's Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has said they are illegal. Some estimates have placed antler growth at 2 inches or more per day, fueled by vessels in the velvet that carry blood and nutrients to the beams and tines and points all summer. Observe hot food sources from afar and keep trail cams out in popular feeding and travel areas. But the vast majority of shed antlers are kept by the finders, who recognize them for the beautiful objects they are and the reward for miles of walking and effort. I give some of mine to family back east who love them only because they know who found them. The value depends on the individual set. But if you want the most antlers for your efforts, wait until you know the majority of bucks have dropped both sides. 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. 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