Antler Market Still Going Strong

Antler Market Still Going Strong MISCELLANEOUS EQUIPMENT Miscellaneous Joel Elavsky has been buying and selling antlers long enough to see many market swings When he started in the 1990’s there was plenty of demand from lighting and log home décor manufacturers These days the majority of antlers end up as dog chew toys “Most of them are shed antlers ” he emphasizes “A lot of people pick up sheds It’s a wonderful renewable resource ” Savvy pickers in places such as Canada and Alaska can earn as much as $5 000 in the spring especially where there are elk and moose Prices vary but run about $11 to $14/lb for elk and $10 to $11/lb for quality deer antlers Elavsky notes that the internet has made the business more competitive with multiple antler buyers in many regions Still the Akeley Minn antler buyer is plenty busy “I network on the phone with dealers and pickers and do some traveling ” he says “When I have a load lined up I hit the road ” Spring is the busiest time but he and his wife are busy year-round buying and cleaning antlers “We go through thousands of pounds a year ” he says He uses a bandsaw to cut some of the antlers up for knife handles ballpoint pens and dog chew toys Parts of the antlers – tips buttons – are sorted for specific buyers He sells some craft-grade antlers used for making jackalopes lighting and cabinet handles There is also some demand from taxidermists and overseas for medicinal uses “One of the things I enjoy the most is the amazing characters in amazing places I’ve met I really enjoy that ” he says Elavsky welcomes calls or emails from anyone interested in buying or selling antlers Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Joel and Judith Elavsky Akeley Minn ph 218 652-4868; antler@arvig net

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