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Are elk sheds worth anything? SOLD $300

elkoholicelkoholic Member Posts: 5,130
edited May 2006 in General Discussion
I have both halves of a 300+ bull. They are in good shape. Are they worth anything?
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Comments

  • Warpig883Warpig883 Member Posts: 6,459
    edited November -1
    Crafters buy them, the aphrodisiac market buys them.


    There are always prices listed in the Fur Fish Game magazine bit the fur auction reports. When I get home tonight I will look.
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  • spryorspryor Member Posts: 9,155
    edited November -1
    As Wp said crafters use them. Chandelier makers especially. Some knifemakers use them, but many find them too pithy when dry. I've used them on knife handles and kind of like them.
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  • temblortemblor Member Posts: 2,153 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A matter of finding the right buyer that wants them.
    Might try placing an ad if selling them.
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  • spryorspryor Member Posts: 9,155
    edited November -1
    On a particularly popular auction site, antler of most anykind goes very high. Big racks go for prices that make one wonder if they're gold plated.
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  • MossbergboogieMossbergboogie Member Posts: 12,211
    edited November -1
    One mans junk is another mans treasure
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  • elkoholicelkoholic Member Posts: 5,130
    edited November -1
    It looks like the craft price is around $12.50 per pound. I really don't want such a nice rack to be cut up but at 12.50 they might be able to finance a new rifle.

    I'll post some pictures.
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  • CLINTFCLINTF Member Posts: 735 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am a pistol grip and knifemaker and usually prefer Indian, european, or red stag antlers but some elk sheds turn out very nice if they have a lot of knobs to their bark. The other option is to have a taxedermist mount them.
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  • mrseatlemrseatle Member Posts: 15,467 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    know any soldiers station in Korea?
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  • garanchgaranch Member Posts: 3,681 ✭
    edited November -1
    Go with what spryor suggested. I have sold numerous antlers on the other popular auction site that starts with an E-. Most larger antlers go for good money especially a matched set if they are in #1 grade.
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  • Warpig883Warpig883 Member Posts: 6,459
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by mrseatle
    know any soldiers station in Korea?


    You are correct there. Korea is the major consumer of elk antlers for the aphrodisiac trade. When I was stationed there in the early 90s the price was $50 a pound. I will find a more current price tonight and post it.
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  • matwormatwor Member Posts: 20,594
    edited November -1
    Nah, prolly not. Just send them to me, and I'll dispose of them good and proper.

    Seriously though, when I was in WY last year at this time there were ads every week in the papers with people wanting to buy antlers. JMHO, but I think these people would probably "bottom dollar" you. I would think your better chances would be to watch flea-bay and see what some similar to yours are going for and then sell them there.

    I'm curious what do they weigh. A buddy of mine in WY shed hunts and the year before last he found both sides, one weighed 10 lbs. and the other was 11 lbs.
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  • tazzertazzer Member Posts: 16,837
    edited November -1
    look them up on ebay if they are worth anything they will be some on there [:D]
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  • Grunt2Grunt2 Member Posts: 2,524 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    We have folks around here that go out and search for sheds as a SERIOUS hobby. They bring major bucks. There are a couple of guys that come through the area and buy all they can load onto a trailer.
    Hang onto to them until you find out what they are worth...
    Retired LEO
    Combat Vet VN
    D.A.V Life Member
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  • rob223rob223 Member Posts: 2,358 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Not to promote them, but go to ebay and look. At least get an idea on what people are getting for them. They sell lots of them there.
    Brian
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  • Warpig883Warpig883 Member Posts: 6,459
    edited November -1
    The newest magazine I have is January 2006 and elk antlers were bringing $5 a pound, brown colored deer antlers $8-$12 a pound, and moose $$8-10 a pound. It says premiums are being paid for elk antlers with good craft sides whatever that means.
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  • elkoholicelkoholic Member Posts: 5,130
    edited November -1
    10 lbs each and very symetrical.

    quote:Originally posted by matwor
    Nah, prolly not. Just send them to me, and I'll dispose of them good and proper.

    Seriously though, when I was in WY last year at this time there were ads every week in the papers with people wanting to buy antlers. JMHO, but I think these people would probably "bottom dollar" you. I would think your better chances would be to watch flea-bay and see what some similar to yours are going for and then sell them there.

    I'm curious what do they weigh. A buddy of mine in WY shed hunts and the year before last he found both sides, one weighed 10 lbs. and the other was 11 lbs.
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  • elkoholicelkoholic Member Posts: 5,130
    edited November -1
    I revieved two offers today, from a local craft guy at $8/lb and a local taxidermist at $6.5/lb. I'm off to E for a look see. Thanks for the input. Pictures coming soon.
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  • texaswildmantexaswildman Member Posts: 2,215 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Keep us posted - it will be interesting to see what they go for. I've got a bunch that aren't for sale, including full skulls. Elk antlers in the velvet (about half grown out) once sold for $65/lb on the Korean market. I always figured if you needed them for that, you might just as well leave them whole and just tape or tie them to "it"....
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  • Teflon888Teflon888 Member Posts: 36 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I heard jackalope antlers are up to $30 a pound! The elk antlers on fleabay usually fetch a pretty fair price but it's like all other auctions in that sometimes people get carried away and you get more and sometimes there's just no one paying attention and you get less.
    I would probably sell them local but you may as well get the best price.
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  • elkoholicelkoholic Member Posts: 5,130
    edited November -1
    sheds3nd.th.jpg

    I have a local offer for $200 ($10/lb)
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  • matwormatwor Member Posts: 20,594
    edited November -1
    Methinks you can do much better than that.
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  • elkoholicelkoholic Member Posts: 5,130
    edited November -1
    Ithinks you are right.

    quote:Originally posted by matwor
    Methinks you can do much better than that.
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  • scottm21166scottm21166 Member Posts: 20,723
    edited November -1
    is it unusual to find both halves? those look really semetrical someone could build a mount from them? how weathered are they? chewed on?
    I think I would put them on sickbay and see what happens
    then have fun finding a box for shipping...LOL[:D]
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  • taco413taco413 Member Posts: 2,504 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If you are a true elkoholic you already know the answer to your own question.
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  • spryorspryor Member Posts: 9,155
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by scottm21166
    is it unusual to find both halves? those look really semetrical someone could build a mount from them? how weathered are they? chewed on?
    I think I would put them on sickbay and see what happens
    then have fun finding a box for shipping...LOL[:D]


    I had someone from N.M. send what looked like a refrigerator box full of Elk sheds once. The post office called me and only said "you have a package. Imagine my surprise when I go down to pick it up in the jeep.
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  • matwormatwor Member Posts: 20,594
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by spryor
    quote:Originally posted by scottm21166
    is it unusual to find both halves? those look really semetrical someone could build a mount from them? how weathered are they? chewed on?
    I think I would put them on sickbay and see what happens
    then have fun finding a box for shipping...LOL[:D]


    I had someone from N.M. send what looked like a refrigerator box full of Elk sheds once. The post office called me and only said "you have a package. Imagine my surprise when I go down to pick it up in the jeep.


    [:p][:p][:p]Lucky dog, how did you managed that?!?[:p][:p][:p]
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  • spryorspryor Member Posts: 9,155
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by matwor
    quote:Originally posted by spryor
    quote:Originally posted by scottm21166
    is it unusual to find both halves? those look really semetrical someone could build a mount from them? how weathered are they? chewed on?
    I think I would put them on sickbay and see what happens
    then have fun finding a box for shipping...LOL[:D]


    I had someone from N.M. send what looked like a refrigerator box full of Elk sheds once. The post office called me and only said "you have a package. Imagine my surprise when I go down to pick it up in the jeep.


    [:p][:p][:p]Lucky dog, how did you managed that?!?[:p][:p][:p]


    Well, the ol boy wanted a couple knives made and sent the antler as partial trade. Bad part is, I emailed him to let him know they made it and work out some of the details, and never heard back from him.
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  • yoshmysteryoshmyster Member Posts: 22,051 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Them shed be impressive even more when you stack Barrett .50 BMG's on them[:D].

    As for the offer of cash for found objects you can't go wrong and besides you'll be looking for more. And you don't need a metal detector since it's sight finding. You'll also get a good work out dragging those out and do like the Boy Scouts do have an auction.
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  • elkoholicelkoholic Member Posts: 5,130
    edited November -1
    I don't think it is that uncommon to find both. These were about 300 yards apart. I just stumbled on the 1st one (hunting turkey) and spent the next 2 weekends looking for the other half. As for the condition: They are not the dark brown you typically see but the color is even so I think it was this years shed, has no chew marks, a little chip off one top tine, looks like he was big and mean.

    quote:Originally posted by scottm21166
    is it unusual to find both halves? those look really semetrical someone could build a mount from them? how weathered are they? chewed on?
    I think I would put them on sickbay and see what happens
    then have fun finding a box for shipping...LOL[:D]
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  • elkoholicelkoholic Member Posts: 5,130
    edited November -1
    My addiction centers more around locating, killing, and eating. I didn't kill this one so it doesn't belong on my wall and to cut up a quality rack like this would be sacrilegious. However, I'm willing to live with a little heresy if I can turn a buck.
    quote:Originally posted by taco413
    If you are a true elkoholic you already know the answer to your own question.
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  • scottm21166scottm21166 Member Posts: 20,723
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by elkoholic
    My addiction centers more around locating, killing, and eating. I didn't kill this one so it doesn't belong on my wall and to cut up a quality rack like this would be sacrilegious. However, I'm willing to live with a little heresy if I can turn a buck.
    quote:Originally posted by taco413
    If you are a true elkoholic you already know the answer to your own question.


    Ive hunted elk every year the last 20...2 spikes and a 3 point to show for it....I would kill for a rack like that...but I will wait till I kill for a rack like that....
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  • elkoholicelkoholic Member Posts: 5,130
    edited November -1
    SOLD for $300 to a local elk quide who plans to mount them and add them to his booth he takes to shows across the country. I think I could have gotten more but they went to a good home and the cost/hassle ratio was good.

    Thanks for all of the input.
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