Hunting Washington Forum

Other Activities => Shed Hunting => Topic started by: hunterofelk on February 06, 2012, 02:58:20 PM

Title: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: hunterofelk on February 06, 2012, 02:58:20 PM: In a current thread about helicopters some replies made the impression to a reader that shed hunting was a money making business. Let me tell you nothing is farther from the truth. Back in the nineties, yes, but now the current price for brown elk antler is even lower than when it was when I started shed hunting thirty years ago. Take into account inflation and it is more profitable working a day at a minimum wage job instead of busting your hump all over the mountains for antlers.
I think the hoopla over sheds these days is just bragging rights. Our competitive nature makes us want to be the guy to find 'old mossbacks' sheds this year, post it on the internet and bask in the glory. Reality is the growing pile of antlers in the basement with no purpose but memories. Maybe if you can find some record book racks you could talk a taxidermist into buying them, but I just don't see the market anymore.
I antler hunt a lot less than I use to, but I still enjoy the pastime. I get tired when I think about all the lengths some people go to to beat me up the hill or get in the refuge before it is open.
I could be wrong about the worth of antlers, though, and I would like someone to prove me wrong. I have a pile of elk antlers I would be willing to sell. ;)
Title: Re: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: boneaddict on February 06, 2012, 03:05:16 PM: Lets see.....tank of gas $120. Brown shed.......... No, not a money making adventure for me anyways.
Title: Re: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: Maverick on February 06, 2012, 04:57:11 PM: I'm sure there's still a little money in it if a guy could find enough sheds and not burn tons of money on fuel. I shed hunt for myself. I'm noy.selling any of my sheds. They're my little trophys :chuckle: I enjoy the hike, looking at the wild life, the great weather and love getting the big smile on my face when I spot a shed. Doesn't matter how big!
Title: Re: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: HornHoarder on February 06, 2012, 05:19:32 PM: Like I stated on the other thread, the only place I know to sell antlers offers $8 lb for perfect fresh sheds. considerably less for bleached white ones. Like $2-$3 lb. I dont think too many people do it for the money. :dunno:
Title: Re: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on February 06, 2012, 05:22:02 PM: I agree hunterofelk. There is no money in selling sheds. I get calls all the time from people asking if I want to buy sheds. Every once in a while I will buy a few to include in a base/habitat or a large matching set.

It's not just the shed market that is going down hill. The price of large racks are as well. Why should somone buy the real thing when they can just buy a Reproduction that looks real.
Title: Re: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: Shed Stud on February 06, 2012, 05:28:07 PM: Not for sale! My wife calls it hoarding, I am not ready to admit a problem yet.
Title: Re: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: HornHoarder on February 06, 2012, 05:30:29 PM: Yeah, look at my name. Never have sold one. :chuckle:
Title: Re: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: Maverick on February 06, 2012, 05:33:09 PM: Ha! Id love to see an antler hoarder on that hoaders show. I think instead of people saying Omg how can he live like that. A bunch of us would be sayin, holy cow! Would you look at the size of them antlers! That guys living the dream! And of course, damn, I gotta get out and find some more sheds! :chuckle:
Title: Re: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: Arteman on February 06, 2012, 05:50:18 PM: I could never ever sale my sheds. I've been offered by a few people that want to buy them, one off HW. Just cant bring myself to do it. Like others said, I can tell you where I've found every one of them, and recite the day. My heaviest is 6 pounds, and the average is around 5 pounds. At 8 dollars a pound that's only 40 bucks, I put 50 in my tank everytime I went last year, that got me there and back with just a little extra left. Best day was 7, but only two of those were browns, had one triple, and a few doubles, ended up with 33, and about 15 days I came home empty. Plus food and drinks, in the end id be paying somebody to come take my sheds basically. Some people might be in a situation they can make money, but im not one of them. Nor do I think I could stomach selling them if it was profitably. I think maybe the only way i could justify selling them would be for a finished antler dog that will contribute to finding more, Idk.
Title: Re: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: bow-n-head on February 06, 2012, 05:56:20 PM: A horn buyer offered me 10,000 for my pile of shed antlers. I laughed him right out of my garauge :tup:
Title: Re: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: Arteman on February 06, 2012, 06:08:08 PM: Wonder what 3rd in the world would fetch though??? :chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: Miles on February 07, 2012, 09:55:18 PM: Should I cancel my helicopter ride that I scheduled for next weekend? I thought I would at least make enough to cover all the expenses and retire by April.
Title: Re: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: Chesapeake on February 09, 2012, 02:47:15 PM: Petsmart charges $6 or $7 for a little 5" chunk of shed antler for a chew toy. You can search the web and find similar prices for antler dog chews. I dont think any of the prices are less than about $15 a pound for antler dog chews. You can search E-bay and see sheds selling every day.
You could sell the nice ones intact at a premium and cut the others and sell by the pound.
I have purchased 5 hand made baskets at $100 to $150 a piece that each are made from 1 shed antler.
Some folks are making money.

There are folks that make money picking huckleberries, mushrooms, boughs, bear grass, pinecones, ect........

But its probably alot like trapping was for me. Spend $1500 on gas for a season just to sell $1500 in hides.
Title: Re: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: Maverick on February 09, 2012, 03:38:52 PM: Could you post a pic of one of those baskets!
Title: Re: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on February 09, 2012, 04:03:54 PM: Quote from: Chesapeake on February 09, 2012, 02:47:15 PM
Petsmart charges $6 or $7 for a little 5" chunk of shed antler for a chew toy. You can search the web and find similar prices for antler dog chews. I dont think any of the prices are less than about $15 a pound for antler dog chews. You can search E-bay and see sheds selling every day.
You could sell the nice ones intact at a premium and cut the others and sell by the pound.
I have purchased 5 hand made baskets at $100 to $150 a piece that each are made from 1 shed antler.
Some folks are making money.

There are folks that make money picking huckleberries, mushrooms, boughs, bear grass, pinecones, ect........

But its probably alot like trapping was for me. Spend $1500 on gas for a season just to sell $1500 in hides.

The baskets might cost $100 - $150 and only made out of 1 antler. . . .BUT how many hours worth or work go into each basket?

What kinda antlers were these made of and how big?
Title: Re: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: boonerboy on February 09, 2012, 04:22:01 PM: and how many baskets do you think the guy sells?
Title: Re: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: WAcoyotehunter on February 09, 2012, 06:16:13 PM: I won't walk 10' out of my way to pick up an antler. I am getting sick of seeing the ATV/Sled tracks in a grid pattern through the winter range...
Title: Re: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on February 09, 2012, 07:37:43 PM: I would tend to think that with the WOLF devouring all the elk and deer that once they are extinct they should be worth alot?
Im holdin tight to see how the market trends. :twocents:
Title: Re: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 09, 2012, 07:43:41 PM: Quote from: boneaddict on February 06, 2012, 03:05:16 PM
Lets see.....tank of gas $120. Brown shed.......... No, not a money making adventure for me anyways.
Yea but you double yours as photo taking sessions also, which provide us with some quality viewing.
Title: Re: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: Chesapeake on February 27, 2012, 01:26:13 PM: Finaly wandered back by this thread.

I dont have any pics of the baskets on my computer. The guys name is Garry Schoenborn. He sells them at some different places around Oregon.

Yes I understand the $150 isnt all in the shed antler. My point was simply that some folks make money with them.
Title: Re: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: Moose22 on February 27, 2012, 06:07:51 PM: Quote from: WAcoyotehunter on February 09, 2012, 06:16:13 PM
I won't walk 10' out of my way to pick up an antler. I am getting sick of seeing the ATV/Sled tracks in a grid pattern through the winter range...

I have to agree with you on the winter range stuff but some of us use our atv's responsibly. I use mine on the jeep trails to get father out but then I park the thing and I hike my arse off in the back woods. Just takes a few to ruin it for everyone. As far as selling the sheds, NO WAY. For me it is all about getting out in nature and enjoying the weather, scenery, and good company.
Title: Re: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: HairTrigger on February 27, 2012, 07:31:34 PM: I thought some on here said that's why the natives hunt them to just sell tha horns lol
Title: Re: No money in shed antlers.
Post by: Seabass on February 28, 2012, 08:45:16 PM: You can make a little money selling sheds. I have a buddy that has sold a lot of sheds but he didn't get rich by any means. If you are lucky enough to work in the woods and find them you are already being paid to be there so you have no overhead Every horn you find is profit. Most of us are not in that boat. I always claimed I would never sell a shed but when the pile gets big and storage becomes an issue, why not. I will get money for them for sure but make a profit, definitely not. I used to sell hucks and mushrooms as a kid as well but I barely covered expenses.