Outlaw the sale of Shed Antlers

[DBHAWTHORNE]

I think it's good to have these discussions. There are obviously people who agree and disagree in this thread. Maybe some will be swayed to the other side of the discussion by thoughtful dialogue. Screw the anti-hunters. It's one thing to present hunting in a way that non-hunters can relate to. It's another altogether to stop having important discussions based on whether some patchouli-smelling hippie might use to fight hunting down the road. As a matter of fact, I think that these discussion help us with those of the non-hunting crowd who get to see the reasonable-ness of ethical hunters/sportsmen v. the fanaticism of the antis.

I know what you mean. Unfortunately, I think there are a lot more anti's reading this forum than there are non-hunters.

[singleshot12]

Maybe some of these anti-hunters can be swayed the other way

My thinking or question is - what has created all these anti-hunters and what can we as the minority do to change their mind set? Some of the anti-hunter types I have run across claim to not have a problem with hunting if *our sport" weren't a trophy driven sport. I think we need to work harder on creating a better image for ourselves in todays world if we want future generations to be able to hunt. We as a whole need to change our mind set about why we hunt in order to change their mind set

[pianoman9701]

Anti-hunters can't be swayed, only non-hunters can - two different groups. I don't think anyone's going to look at shed hunting and associate it with regular hunting. It's more like foraging. In reality, the more responsible shed hunters are likely going to be hunters who care about the game in the first place. Regardless, looking to outlaw the foraging of antlers to look good to someone else is mind-blowingly mentally defective thinking. You'll never convince an anti-hunter to change their mind by conceding your rights to them. They're just like anti-gunners. They won't ever change. Their goal is the end game. Ending it.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Anti-hunters can't be swayed, only non-hunters can - two different groups. I don't think anyone's going to look at shed hunting and associate it with regular hunting. It's more like foraging. In reality, the more responsible shed hunters are likely going to be hunters who care about the game in the first place. Regardless, looking to outlaw the foraging of antlers to look good to someone else is mind-blowingly mentally defective thinking. You'll never convince an anti-hunter to change their mind by conceding your rights to them. They're just like anti-gunners. They won't ever change. Their goal is the end game. Ending it.

You are correct that in 99.9% of all cases an anti-hunter can't be swayed. I take that mindset anytime I debate someone (even on here) that has an equally strong but opposing opinion to my own. My goal in debating them isn't to change their mind but rather present the best argument I can so that anyone who may be on the fence can make an informed decision based off the opposing facts and positions presented.. or use it as a catalyst for their own research prior to making a decision (which is what I prefer they do).

[singleshot12]

Maybe not change their mind but maybe atleast curb the rampant growth of the anti-hunter movement. We as conservationists know that we can't have hords of shed hunters on wintering grounds or herds of atv's racing op and down our wild lands.

[Coastal_native]

Outlawing the sale of shed antlers altogether is probably a bit too extreme, but I don't see why anyone would take such a hard stance against a general discussion about preventing commercial exploitation of shed antlers on public lands.  It's not a big ask as a tax payer and someone who enjoys collecting antlers as a recreational past time.  Anti hunters probably don't give a hoot about this little disagreement.

[pianoman9701]

There's a pretty big economy surrounding crafts to do with antlers. Making the commercialization of if illegal would hurt a lot of people.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Outlawing the sale of shed antlers altogether is probably a bit too extreme, but I don't see why anyone would take such a hard stance against a general discussion about preventing commercial exploitation of shed antlers on public lands.  It's not a big ask as a tax payer and someone who enjoys collecting antlers as a recreational past time.  Anti hunters probably don't give a hoot about this little disagreement.

This sounds like a few motivated guys to me... certainly not a large scale commercial operation. I'm not quite sure what regulation would be needed. It may be a little discouraging but I can assure the OP there is plenty of ground left uncovered.

[AntlerHound]

Remember that any ban at the state level would not be enforceable on the treaty tribes.  The end result would simply be this: Your proposal would remove the ability of non-tribal citizens to engage in commerce, and secure a monopoly for tribal members for this business. 

Look at the lucrative trade in fireworks that the state has ensured for the tribes, because of the bans on fireworks that do not fit the "safe & sane" requirements.....

 Pd that statement right there has swayed my opinion...Didn't think of this repercussion at all... I am not for monopolized business in any way...

[AntlerHound]

DBHAWTHORNE... I'm not sure if these guy don't have jobs other than antler hunting or what the deal is... But they setup camp last weekend and will be there till the beginning of April... I agree I don't think they are running a commercial scale operation.. But they are feeding one...

[hunterofelk]

This is a reply to antlerhound and skillet.  I was getting $4.50 per pound in 1987 and the last time I saw a quote from an online buyer was that price.  If the ennis buyer is Antlers Unlimited, they don't list any prices.  Probably because the rates change day to day.  I can only guess fourteen dollars a pound is for the record book or near record book sets.  Doing online searches for buyers in Washington yields nothing. 

[Skillet]

I've posted that I'm buying elk sheds on here multiple times over the last few years, so have others. Looks like my marketing could use some work. 
There are always buyers looking for sheds on CL, too.  Any online quoted buying price is going to be really low, since they're just trying to get to ticked off wives who want their garage parking back to sell them the whole shooting match while hubby is out fishing.
FWIW, I think you're right and highly doubt the MT buyer is going to pay $14/# for regular sheds.  I've heard of some prices that high, but that was only for big matched fresh brown sets.  I did have one guy offer to sell me a 360+ set, but Im guessing it would have been north of $25/#.  Those are really for the taxidermy market, if a guy could ever part with them.

[AntlerHound]

This is a reply to antlerhound and skillet.  I was getting $4.50 per pound in 1987 and the last time I saw a quote from an online buyer was that price.  If the ennis buyer is Antlers Unlimited, they don't list any prices.  Probably because the rates change day to day.  I can only guess fourteen dollars a pound is for the record book or near record book sets.  Doing online searches for buyers in Washington yields nothing.

Yes I am talking about Antlers Unlimited. Largest antler distributor in the world.  I made a trip to Yellowstone last August... Passed through Ennis and talked to the owner personally. Talk about A LOT OF ANTLERS.. They were loading a big cargo trailer with elk bone when we pulled up so he was busy but I asked prices and 14 dollars a pound for fresh was what he had said... That is the best price I have ever heard..... In Augusta MT last May for the game range opener there was an antler buyer waiting to pay $12.50 a pound for fresh brown..... better than WA prices from what I know

[hunterofelk]

Okay. Wow. Thanks for the info, antlerhound. I will stop in ennis someday to see the stash. 

[Chesapeake]

I think that all commercial exploitation of public lands should be permitted. Perhaps it already is? I always see the sign stating  "permit required for the removal of forest products".
I don't think a ban would be good, but some revenue to support enforcement might be good. Not that I'd expect the politicians to use the money wisely......
I'm for enforcing laws we currently have and finding funding for that enforcement from those participating in the activity needing oversight or at least from the same user group.
Maybe create permits and additional taxes for the "buyers" and or "distributors".