Landowners and hunters throughout Texas have been following the results of this experimental regulation with much interest. Of course. On average, a 350" set is worth about $400 and for every 10" above that add about $50. Some sheds are white, others are brown and blend into the grass and leaves. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. A 180" set is worth approximately $150 to $200 depending on the look and characteristics of the set. Geoffery ("Jeff") Stolle was raised on a family cow-calf and row-crop farming operation near Wharton, Texas - on the Texas coastal bend between Houston and Victoria. Quantities of less than 100 pounds can be brought to our location As you roam the woods theres a chance youll stumble across a deadhead, or the skull and antlers of a buck that perished months earlier. Sets of antlers are the toughest to sell unless they are very unique or massive. Mule deer country is big. Its not only fun, but great exerciseespecially when youve been shut in for days. Many areas restrict access until elk are off their winter range. Search for land and ranches on our properties page. While this is not a trophy-buck management strategy, most hunters and landowners probably would agree that it would be irresponsible of TPWD to propose a regulation that would have an adverse effect on antler quality. Kerrville Antler Buyers Pays Top Dollar For Your Antlers! In your mind try to figure out what a buck was doing here two months ago in the cold and snow, where he was eating and going to bed. Save yourself steps., Go for a matched set. Delivered to your inbox! Chip is married to Audri Eilers Bowers, from Fredericksburg, and they have six children; Braden, Bryce, Brant, Brittley, Brett and Briggs. Prices vary among antler buyers, but Grade A bone is currently fetching $16-$20 a pound. Antlers are easier to see when you look straight down from a horse. Michael Hanback. Don't be surprised if none of them want the spotl One goose, two geese. A 180 set is worth approximately $150 to $200 depending on the look and characteristics of the set. Location: The gate entrance is on West Old Lockhart Road just south of West Point, Texas. Once youre allowed onto the land, get to where you watched a bull group shrink, and start looking. Gary began working in auction barns across Southeast Oklahoma and Northeast Texas at a young age sorting cattle, while acquiring cattle for his own cow-calf operation. Antler restrictions may be considered in some counties because landowners and hunters wanted an extra tag to help them better manage the herd. Brushy, wooded staging areas within 100 yards of old crop fields is the next place to check. Call: 801-557-2284. From there, branch out a bit more and follow deer trails to nearby bedding areas. You keep the rest and let them breed. While working for Steadman Angus Farm in Blountville, Tennessee David met and married his wife Cindy of 30 years. Over the last 10 years antler prices have roughly doubled. Were seeing all sorts of people who just want to get out in the woods in the spring and have some fun with their dogs, says Dokken. 702.847.8747 Currently, 100% of the yearling bucks are vulnerable to harvest. A study in Mississippi found that individual penned bucks usually shed their antlers during the same week each year. Or do you? Western shed hunters will backpack deep into the backcountry to find shed antlers from the biggest bulls in the unit. While there, Trent played an active role in the procurement of calves for backgrounding to be shipped to the company's grow yard in Nebraska as well as replacement heifers. mindful of the long-term effects. 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. deer likely were spikes as yearlings. After graduating, Justin went to work for JBS Five Rivers at XIT Feeders in Dalhart, Texas. When you find an antler, imagine four quadrants around it, and search each area for a companion antler, which will often be within 50 to 75 yards. From 1990-93, he worked for Harris Ranch Beef Company in Selma, CA in their packing division learning the meat industry from the kill floor to the portion control and food processing divisions. Encourage landowners and hunters to become more actively involved in better habitat management. Country Antler Art, Ltd., 201 East Creek St., Fredericksburg, TX Protecting the bottom end of the herd (i.e., spikes and 3-pointers) would do just that. You might want to bag the hunting boots and wear sneakers or soft-soled trail runners so you can feel those big sticks you step on. Corn stubble is good, too. In fact, 70% of survey respondents (in the 6-county experimental area) in the fall of 2004 said that they enjoy hunting more now than they did prior to the experimental antler-restriction regulation. [Don't misunderstand the previous statement. The peak selling season is February to June. The primary goals of the experimental antler-restriction regulation were: Improve the age structure of the buck herd; Increase hunter opportunity; and. Kerrville Antler Buyers offers the best grading in Texas, which will maximize the value of your antlers and ultimately put the most money in your pocket on every transaction! Provided that public opinion continues to strongly support such a harvest strategy, we will draft a proposal in the fall of 2005, and request permission (from the TPW Commission) to publish in the Texas Register for approximately 60 days, beginning shortly after the Regulations Committee meeting in January 2006. We have craft antler, mounts, dog chews, home furnishings, walking sticks, antler art and so much more. All price quotes are per lb. Jared is the owner of Great Basin Antler Buyers. Born and raised near Cuero, Texas, Jennings Steen graduated from Texas A&M University with a B.S. pinkish tint on them. Buy Antlers, Hill Forums Calendar Active Threads Forum Help: Main Menu Forum; Guidelines/Rules; . The Life Hill Country Antler Buyers 201 E Creek St Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 USA (830) 997-2263 Hours not available Problem with this listing? The property is dominated by thick woods consisting of multiple oak species (particularly post oak), cedar, hackberry, and cedar elm. A shed hunt is not a race. Facebook You can train your family pet, say a Lab or golden retriever you keep in the house, to hunt sheds. However, mature bucks made up 22% of the total buck harvest the following year, when more (more than the 5-year average prior to the regulation change) bucks were harvested. Montana shed-hunting expert Dick Idol told me he finds his biggest sheds in thick cover where mature bucks stage in winter, and along multiple trails that link sanctuaries with nearby feed fields. The specific time a buck will shed his antlers might be determined heavily by his individual antler cycle. With just a little basic training, a bird dog can learn to find sheds, and then he can multi-task between retrieving ducks and shed hunting in spring, he says. Jeff has served as Vice President of Marketing and the lead staff person for the Nebraska Cattlemen's Market Reporting Service since 1994, and he also serves as the association's lead liaison on marketing focused issues at the national level. Therefore, we agreed to consider such requests for one-buck counties in which at least 60% of the buck harvest is comprised of bucks 3.5 years of age. Put simply, shed hunting is about scouring the woods and fields to find the antlers that deer or elk drop in late winter and early spring. Over 90% of our business is due to repeat clients, and for good reason too. HOW CAN YOU REDUCE HUNTING PRESSURE ON BUCKS BY ALLOWING AN ADDITIONAL BUCK TO BE HARVESTED? Give us an opportunity to earn your business. since 1992. By the way, the incidence of mature bucks that would not be legal Say you find 30 or so more sheds this spring and add them to your growing collection. Some people try to distinguish between young spikes and older spikes. My profit will be about 50 cents a pound at the end of the year. I own Great Basin Antler Buyers and have been selling shed antlers for eight years. Region and timing of the rut are also factors. If the number of mature bucks in the harvest increases significantly over a period of years, while overall buck harvest does not decline (and other factors such as season length and bag limit remain constant), then there is an apparent increase in the number of bucks surviving to older age classes. the condition, weighed, and purchased by the pound. antler@ktc.com. Through his time buying for local farmers, Gary also started buying packer bulls and cows for Gibbons Pack out of Gibbons, Nebraska. Data from our Big Game Harvest Survey are consistent with the latter statement, where youth hunting participation in those 6 counties apparently has increased since 2001, whereas statewide youth-hunting participation has remained relatively constant (and lower than in the 6-county experimental area). What is the average price for a 200" set of deer antlers? Send us feedback. antlers Based on 30 years of solid data (described below), from research There certainly are more one-buck counties (than those indicated in the map above) in which greater than 60% of the harvest is comprised of bucks 3.5 years of age. Grade B: Antler in good condition, still natural brown color, may be a bit dull or faded on one side and slightly weathered, probably last year's drop. Most people naturally start looking for sheds in the same areas where they hunt deer each fall. Most sets are bought by the pound unless they score over 350", but even at that size they can be hard to sell. These and other southeastern states are taking a hard look at their data, and questioning whether they should be continuing with such a harvest strategy. As we move forward with our data-collection procedures, we will follow a design that will allow us to report harvest data with 95% confidence, and will allow us to detect a 10% change in the population over a 5-year period. There also was a guy up DFW area that bought shed antlers and antlers still on skull caps. Feel free to look him up on Facebook or give him a call at: 801-473-3508. sheds Mature bucks in the harvest increased to 23% the first year simply because fewer bucks were harvested that year (i.e., "sacrifice year"). I've got a bunch of brown elk sheds and some big mulie to racks to sell. The harvest of spikes dropped to only 20% (of the total buck harvest) during the final year of the experiment. Manage My Subscriptions, archive ! Walk each grid and look straight down around your feet for sheds, then move on to the next grid. Combine our prices with our most customer-friendly grading and you will easily leave with the most money in your pocket! Terrill Ostrum is a native of Fishtail, Montana, and remains an active partner in his family's commercial Angus and quarter horse operation. 111 East Cedar Drive West, Kerrville, Texas 78028, United States. This strategy will allow hunters to "turn-over" hunting So while some may think that the extra buck in the bag is a "ploy" to make antler restrictions more palatable, we are actually considering antler restrictions in some cases to make the extra tag feasible. Published Jan 24, 2023 11:41 AM EST. We must rely on strong data produced from well-designed research projects and regulatory surveys. We have been receiving requests for such a hunting regulation in numerous counties for the past 2 years. Topography: The property is in the rolling hills typical of this region with several creek drainages running through it. Are you looking to Buy or Sell Antlers? deer with less than a 13" spread. We are addressing the concerns regarding more flexible doe-hunting opportunities with other proposals, some of which were adopted by the TPW Commission in April 2005. Why Don't You Try This on Wildlife Management Areas First? 735 Mount Rushmore Road Custer, South Dakota 57730 Phone: 605-673-4345 Email Claw, Antler & Hide Company As the connective tissue dissolves, the bucks antlers become loose and fall off. They have triplets born in 1998 (Ben, John and Eliza). Shouldn't We Be Concerned About Inadequate Doe Harvest? As you hike, veer over and hit every east- and south-facing exposure, especially weedy fields and hillsides that are open to plenty of sunlight. They now have two daughters, Anna and Sarah. He currently manages the stocker/feedlot cattle ownership and risk management, as well as, buys and sells feeder cattle. That is about what they were 10 yrs ago. Most people look right over antlers, says my friend and whitetail expert Terry Drury. Delivery time is estimated using our proprietary method which is based on the buyer's proximity to the item location, the shipping service selected, the seller . During this time he had the opportunity to intern with JBS Five Rivers at Hartley Feeders. If you can find a furniture maker that has a use for them then that would be your best money I would think. Hunting dogs are particularly good shed finders because they quickly zero in on the calcium-phosphorous odor of antlers. | Any number of things could have caused the bucks demise: hit by a car, lost by a bowhunter last season, Hemorrhagic or even Chronic Wasting Disease. How Can TPWD Assume What Works in Those 6 Experimental Counties Will Work in Other Ecoregions Within Texas? Attention to detail on this ranch makes it a wonderful, turnkey hunting ranch in terrific area. Did you know that grading is more important than the price per pound? not desirable. If your area has an early rut, bucks testosterone levels will decrease earlier and, as a result, some deer will cast their racks two to four weeks earlier than usual. The average price for a 400" set is about $1,000. incidence of those older "management bucks" that slip through the Using a dog to hunt antlers is the fastest growing dog sport in the U.S. says Minnesota trainer Tom Dokken, Americas foremost authority on shed dogs. Go and find it. 'Hiemal,' 'brumation,' & other rare wintry words. Besides, harvest data indicate that a 13" spread restriction is adequate to add at least 2 years to most of the better quality bucks. That is worth approximately $1,000,000, with a small profit margin. Hill Country Antler Art, Ltd. We also provide up-to-date antler pricing data. areas where we're considering such, less than 5% of the mature bucks would Three years of harvest data indicate that less than 2% of all bucks harvested were legal based on that criterion alone (see table below). The hunters and landowners in that particular area were showing the most interest in this regulation, and they were the most informed as to what the regulation would entail. Smaller bucks may hold theirs longer, into March. This years drop and picked up within a few weeks or months. Kerrville, TX 660-441-5822 Contact us How Selling Works How Selling Works How Selling Works Why Sell To Us? Ohio Hunter Finds a Massive 233-Inch Deadhead Buck. These arerough estimates and change form year to year. Instagram For example, you may be interested in how research results from free-ranging wild-deer populations compare to the results from captive-deer studies. A shed hunt starts with glassing those small herds over time. We actually have had a number of constituents asking us to consider a wider spread limit for the county regulations. You might find some bone in these places, or you might not. Our Top-Market prices and unbeatable grading will put more money in you pocket! Brown antler: $16-18 per pound. Pleasant, South Carolina and currently sources cattle out of southeastern United States. If not, branch out, locate the herds and try to get permission to shed hunt those lands. Why add a second buck to the bag? Most antler crafters from the East and Midwest buy their sheds from Western brokers because of accessibility. While greater than 90% of the attendees at those public scoping meetings requested TPWD to propose an antler-restriction regulation, our biologists noticed that there were some who did not understand the potential regulation proposal, nor the purpose for such a harvest strategy. But serious shed hunting will help you learn more about the animals you hunt in the fall. While working for Thigpen Livestock, Jeff sorted cattle and shaped up loads to be sent to customers. Following graduation from University of Tennessee with a bachelor's degree in Animal Science, David managed several purebred Angus operations. Standing corn that was not cut for some reason is a sure-fire spot to scare up a few sheds. If hunters take advantage of the extra Each set is going to attract different people depending on the sets characteristics. Look for gentle slopes that face south or west Most years, big mule deer are going to drop their antlers during the last couple weeks of January. Look in a wooded area that was recently grazed by a herd of cattle. Copyright 2022 Kerrville Antler Buyers - All Rights Reserved. Other studies of captive deer show that bucks usually shed both antlers within three days of each other. Prices vary among antler buyers, but Grade A bone is currently fetching $16-$20 a pound. 2022 GOHUNT, LLC. He bought and paid for them by the pound also. He attended Texas A&M University where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science and Masters of Agriculture Degree in Feedlot Management. is as follows: We do not buy antlers that In the South, a longer rut means a prolonged breeding window. Are Your Harvest Data Valid Since You Are Not Including the Deer that Were Transported Directly to the Locker Plants in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, etc.? Other areas do not have a population that can withstand more liberal doe harvest. But in those same areas, only 5% of His dad was an order buyer for Thigpen Livestock, so he was exposed to the business at the early age of 9. Having said that, common sense supports these hard data. If your mind says bear left, go left. ANTLER: Deer, Elk, Moose (all grades needed) HIDES: Deer and Elk hidesfreshfolded skin to skin frozen or salted CATS; dry/grease (frozen flat with visible belly); Carcass Cats (if frozen visible belly) BEAVER: either dry or skinned, frozen flat folded skin to skin BADGERS: Whole frozen preferred..try not to damage skull Through his time at the sale barn he started buying stocker calves for a number of local farmers around the area. Gary continues to use this company to provide local farmers and producers with quality calves from sale barns across Southeast Oklahoma and Northeast Texas, which are then marketed back through Crossroads Cattle Co. Jeff Lacina Mobile: 281-615-7001 Cover lots of ground in a slow, methodical manner and youll find twice as many sheds as you might have in the past. Good elk antlers are big, and you can spot them from a distance. Deer antler sets scoring over 180" can usually be sold for a decent amount. . No representation is made as to the possible value of this investment or type of use, and prospective buyers are urged to consult with their tax and legal advisors before making a final determination. He dug through the leaves and uncovered a 5-point shed that scored 75 inches. Having carried the "high-grading" discussion this far, we must be very clear with one important pointThis antler-restriction regulation is NOT a trophy-buck management strategy. they say a portion of them will be protected under this strategy, which is The Kerr Wildlife Management Area has been conducting such research since 1974, and they make their data available to all. Leslie and his family currently reside in Dripping Springs, TX. With so many more "quality" bucks available for harvest, and only 1 buck tag available, few hunters chose to use their only buck tag on a spike. As you walk, look, think and get a feel for the lay of the land, says Kirsch, who is one of the most accomplished shed hunters I know. We also do not buy shoulder mounts. Deer have been turning up in mythology for millennia, so channel Christmas magic with this set of two sculptural, For example, small breeds may do well with Nylabones, while larger breeds might need something a little tougher, like an, The walls of his studio are decorated with articles about his acclaim as a field trials judge, photos from his hunting trips, taxidermied birds and, In another miraculous event captured on video, a moose in Alaska went viral last month after its, Wright expects fawn survival to be less than 15 percent in the western Rolling Plains with below average, The second legal buck must have at least one unbranched, Post the Definition of antler to Facebook, Share the Definition of antler on Twitter. As the snow line recedes up the mountain, theyll go with it. If a bull group youve been watching dwindles in size, thats a good thing: You now know where the antlers are. I want everyone I buy from to feel like they were treated fairly! Some sets are unique in their own way which can add value or spark interest in a buyer based on the size, color, or uniqueness. The deer might be close, or hanging out a couple miles away. Across deer and elk country, almost all bucks and bulls will have dropped their antlers by mid- to late-March. Additionally, you can find some research results within the following web pages: It would be irresponsible of TPWD to propose regulations based on opinions and speculation. Most older bucks shed antlers earlier than younger bucks do. Given the fact that many of our biologists and technicians are responsible for 3-5 counties each (if they're lucky), we simply do not have the manpower to extend this education effort in many more counties than those indicated above. Skull plate with antlers attached and cleaned of all soft tissue Finished taxidermy products The skinned or unskinned head of a susceptible species may be transported to a taxidermist, provided all brain material, soft tissue, spinal column and any unused portions of the head are disposed of in a landfill in Texas permitted by TCEQ. During his time at Texas A&M Trent spent a summer as an intern with Crossroads Cattle Co and Thigpen Livestock. But before you run and post a picture of it on Facebook or Instagram, keep in mind that in most states you need a salvage permit or at least permission from a conservation officer before you can possess any buck with skull and antlers attached. As can be seen in the chart below, the proportion of bucks <3.5 years old in the harvest dropped from 79% (prior to the experimental regulation) to 29% during the 2004-05 hunting season. If your dog likes to retrieve anything, a ball or training dummy or whatever, thats the game. Gary Hill was born and raised in Southeastern Oklahoma with a family deeply rooted in the livestock industry. E-Newsletter Archive. I cant tell you how many sheds Ive found that I walked right by days and weeks before, he says. Buy or sell an illegally taken deer, and you could face prosecution for a Federal Lacey Act violation (illegally transporting wild game over state lines).