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In the 90's I had about given up on
collecting elk antlers. There are to
many people out in the hills.
When the price per lbs. got so
high in the late 80's and early 90's,
everyone started combing the
mountains for elk antlers. I
always did it for the need to fulfill
a passion. Like I said in the
beginning, I did sell some antlers
in the late 80's and early 90's to
help put three daughters through
college but if I had to do it all over
again I would have done things
differently. You just can't replace
what you have sold I would be
close to 15,000 by now. No matter
how many more I find, I will
always be short those.
collecting elk antlers. There are to
many people out in the hills.
When the price per lbs. got so
high in the late 80's and early 90's,
everyone started combing the
mountains for elk antlers. I
always did it for the need to fulfill
a passion. Like I said in the
beginning, I did sell some antlers
in the late 80's and early 90's to
help put three daughters through
college but if I had to do it all over
again I would have done things
differently. You just can't replace
what you have sold I would be
close to 15,000 by now. No matter
how many more I find, I will
always be short those.
Over the years I have packed antlers out many
different ways. It's hard to believe but when I
first started collecting elk antlers, I would look
for a set and then rick the shed elk antlers
around the set. I would point the skull forward
and stand in the center. That gave me a grip on
each side for my hands. I could balance the
load by placing my grip up or down the length
of the main beam of the set. The area I used to
hike in would always have a number of winter
kills. Also, years ago, many hunters would
leave the antlers of an animal. I did this for a
number of years. It worked better than a back
pack, if you had a lot of
antlers. I might have a couple racks of these
coming out and would take one for a ways and
go back and get the next.
different ways. It's hard to believe but when I
first started collecting elk antlers, I would look
for a set and then rick the shed elk antlers
around the set. I would point the skull forward
and stand in the center. That gave me a grip on
each side for my hands. I could balance the
load by placing my grip up or down the length
of the main beam of the set. The area I used to
hike in would always have a number of winter
kills. Also, years ago, many hunters would
leave the antlers of an animal. I did this for a
number of years. It worked better than a back
pack, if you had a lot of
antlers. I might have a couple racks of these
coming out and would take one for a ways and
go back and get the next.
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Now days I look for deer horns. I start
on the river bottoms in late January.
Then in March and April I start
covering the foot hills. I know a few
ranchers that still let me on their
property. I'm very thankful that they
do. Most are old timers and they are
getting fewer. Now the price of elk
antlers are down to what it was in the
early 80"s but the price of deer
antlers has gone through the roof.
The three pictures on this page of me
packing out antlers is a day trip. I
haven't had a day like those in a long
time. Yet every year I manage to do
pretty well. I spent a 14 hour day and
picked up between 20 and 30 deer
sheds but I have also spent the same
number of hours and found 2 or 3.
on the river bottoms in late January.
Then in March and April I start
covering the foot hills. I know a few
ranchers that still let me on their
property. I'm very thankful that they
do. Most are old timers and they are
getting fewer. Now the price of elk
antlers are down to what it was in the
early 80"s but the price of deer
antlers has gone through the roof.
The three pictures on this page of me
packing out antlers is a day trip. I
haven't had a day like those in a long
time. Yet every year I manage to do
pretty well. I spent a 14 hour day and
picked up between 20 and 30 deer
sheds but I have also spent the same
number of hours and found 2 or 3.
This is a trip to the eastern part of our
state. I spent 6 days and hiked 12 to 14
hours a day and came home with 90 deer
sheds and 2 sets.
I keep a diary and have since the late 60's
and I write about my hiking trips. The
best day I ever had on deer horns was 87
sheds. The best day I ever had with elk
antlers was 39 in one day plus an elk set,
3 moose antlers and a couple of deer
antlers also packed them out 4 or 5 miles.
I don't use a pack frame any more. I carry
a couple of lengths of drape cord and
carry the antlers in my arms. Yes, that is a
buffalo skull, broken in the center.
state. I spent 6 days and hiked 12 to 14
hours a day and came home with 90 deer
sheds and 2 sets.
I keep a diary and have since the late 60's
and I write about my hiking trips. The
best day I ever had on deer horns was 87
sheds. The best day I ever had with elk
antlers was 39 in one day plus an elk set,
3 moose antlers and a couple of deer
antlers also packed them out 4 or 5 miles.
I don't use a pack frame any more. I carry
a couple of lengths of drape cord and
carry the antlers in my arms. Yes, that is a
buffalo skull, broken in the center.
History 2
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