"Mass, coloration, length and number of tines, region of origin, symmetry, rodent damage, history, net and gross score, and overall uniqueness affect these chart values," Gary explains. "Mass and the historical aspect of a shed or matched set of shed antlers are the two most prominent features that add value to top-end antlers."

A shed from a Minnesota buck known as "Big Mo" (short for "Big Monster") is a good example of these two monetary enhancements. Big Mo's right-side shed was found in February 1991. Later on, Big Mo was harvested in November '91 by Minnesota resident Cliff Estlie. The massive rack netted 234 inches non-typical. Gary purchased the shed and eventually the mounted buck.

The mount's estimated value is $30,000 to $35,000. By most standards, this is $15,000 to $20,000 more than most 235-inch-net non-typical mounts would sell for. Here's the difference: Big Mo's 26-point non-typical rack grossed 260 5/8 inches, but carried over 26 inches in deductions. Though non-symmetry hurts net score, it greatly bolsters a rack's "Wow!" factor and, therefore, ultimate value.

The same is true for sheds. Big Mo's previous-year right-side shed has an estimated value of $15,000-plus. Its five typical tines score 107 inches. There is no bigger 5-point shed antler in the world! Having a buck's history documented in a magazine article has also proved to notably increase value. (See Big Mo's story in the September 1992 issue.)

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS THAT CREATE VALUE
Here's another example of shed value boosted by antler mass. This example explains why antler characteristics could greatly affect the values listed in the chart. A 5-point Texas shed scoring 80 inches with 16 inches of mass can have 50 percent less worth than a 5-point shed from Saskatchewan scoring 80 inches that carries 22 inches of mass (mass is the sum of the four "H" measurements on a B&C score sheet). This is true even when the beam lengths are equal. So what's the difference?

Although the Texas antler would have an average of 1 1/2 inches more in tine length on each point, the enhancement of 1 1/2 inches added to each of four mass measurements would be much more important, and therefore valuable, to a prospective buyer. The difference in weight alone could be almost 2 pounds. To put this into prospective, think about this: Which would you rather catch -- a 26-inch bass weighing 8 pounds or a 24-inch bass weighing 10 pounds?

A 4-point shed is more valuable than a 5-point scoring the same. If both score 75 inches and carry identical mass, the 4-point may be worth three times the value of the 5-point. Fewer 4-point sheds reach this category, causing this price huge value difference. The 4-point would also have more impressive tine length.

THIEVES AMONG US!
Gary Knepp has brokered whitetail sheds and racks for more than 35 years. He is one of the few collectors of whitetail mounts that Bass Pro or Cabela's has not completely bought out.

"Shed collecting," Gary says, "unlike collecting big whitetail mounts, is growing by leaps and bounds. It's something everybody can enjoy at their own level."

So what are the negative influences created by this boom in antler value? Regrettably, the worth and prestige of shed antlers has caused an epidemic of trespassing and antler thievery. I tested this growing dilemma by planting eight large mule deer sheds on my Illinois farm to see if they'd be stolen. They were weather-cracked and only worth about $5 each. I set them two at a time in a winter wheat field, 50 and 100 yards off a road. When both disappeared, I planted two more. It took less than two weeks to lose all eight. This was an experiment only, and I had no intention of prosecuting trespassers.

Ironically, not once did I observe these antlers being taken from the field. The thief (or thieves) likely grabbed them after sundown or at a time when my wife and I were absent from the farm. Talk about effective baiting for a game warden! I often wonder if the culprits knew the sheds were from mule deer!

Trespassing in most states is considered a misdemeanor and averages less than a $100 fine. This low-risk, high-reward crime tempts average Joes who may not trespass under any other circumstance. There is an easy solution to this problem. Place signs on your property that read: "Trespassers and Antler Hunters will be Prosecuted! This Property has Video Satellite Surveillance!" This may not stop the most hardened of antler thieves, but it will stop a high percentage of this growing problem. (For specialty signs, call Voss Signs at 1-800-473-0698).

It's a felony in most national parks to remove antlers. The penalties are legislated by the Lacy Act. Two decades ago, Yellowstone Park was being pillaged so badly by money-hungry antler thieves that park rangers started marking shed antlers with invisible ink. They later visited local antler buyers and black-lighted their recent purchases. They promptly tracked down the sellers of Yellowstone shed antlers and prosecuted them to the fullest. Thieves soon started carrying their own black-lights, which caused park rangers to change strategies and begin implanting radio chips in sheds. Thereafter, federal agents showed up on the doorsteps of the thieves before they could collect their illegal bounty.

A GROWING HOBBY
On the positive side, hunting for shed antlers is great fun and exercise during the off season. It is also a good way of finding out which bucks made it through the season and where they likely camped out near the end of bow season. It never ceases to amaze me how many huge sheds are found every year, yet the bucks carrying those antlers are never seen. This is without doubt one of the primary reasons that trophy whitetails are the most sought-after big game animals in the world.

(Author's Note: Antler broker Gary Knepp deals primarily in above-average sheds and matched pairs. He has a booth every year at the Harrisburg Sports Show in Pennsylvania. For more information on the show, call 800-732-2914. For quotes on large sheds, call Gary at 717-275-5272 or send a photo to: Gary Knepp, 2684 Little Buffalo Road, Newport, PA 17074.)

page: 1 | 2 | 3