How to Sell Your Own Deer Antlers

Selling some of your extra deer antlers is a quick and easy way to turn those unused items into extra cash. Whether you are a deer hunter or shed finder, there comes a point in time when you’ll find yourself in possession of more antlers than you know what to do with. Instead of storing them in your attic or garage where they continue to take up more and more space as the years go on, you should consider selling some of your collection. Doing so is a win-win situation that puts money in your pocket by helping others get their hands on authentic deer antlers.

Red Deer Antlers

You might be surprised to learn that there’s even a market in place for deer antlers. After all, these aren’t your typical everyday products found on the shelves at your local hunting and sporting goods stores. The truth is, however, that there’s a huge market for all types of deer antlers, and selling some of your extras is a simple way to put some extra cash in your pocket. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, keep reading and I’ll explain how to successfully accomplish this.

Why People Buy Antlers…

People seek to buy antlers for a number of reasons; hunters may want them to make their own deer callers with them (also known as antler rattlers), dog owners use them as healthy treats for their canines, while others may use them to craft furniture and other various items with. Deer antlers are perfect for such projects due to their durability, strength and unique appearance. Some of the most popular items made using antlers include the following:

  • Chandeliers
  • Lamps
  • Table centerpieces
  • Clocks
  • Knives
  • Handles

Where To Sell Your Deer Antlers

Most collectors never go about selling any of their deer antlers simply because they don’t know where to do so. Since the market for these items is relatively slim, you must choose the correct platform to connect with buyers. With the reach of the internet, though, finding people who want to buy your antlers is no longer a difficult task.

Without a doubt, eBay is the single most effective place for selling deer antlers. It’s safe, secure, and best of all you can set the minimum price you’re willing to sell your antlers for. If you haven’t sold anything on eBay before, it’s quite simple – you register for a seller’s account, open up a Paypal account and create your listing. Next place your antlers up for auction by creating a title, description and price for the auction. I recommend viewing other sellers’ auctions to see what the going price for antlers like yours is. This will at least give you an idea of what you can reasonably expect to sell them for.

Another effective way of selling your antlers is to post an ad for them on Craigslist. The advantage of using this technique is that you’re likely to find a local buyer, which means you don’t have to deal or pay for shipping them. Another advantage to using Craigslist is that it’s completely free to use, costing you absolutely nothing to place an ad online. You simply meet up with the buyer to exchange the antlers for money in person (use caution when making in-person transactions). However, the downside to using it is that your ad is likely to receive far fewer views, which can increase the difficulty of selling your antlers in rural areas.

By creating a website that lists your antlers for sale, you can essentially take out the middle-man and pocket all (or most) of the profits to yourself. For people with no previous experience in website creation, this might sound out of the question. The good news, however, is that building a website is easier than ever with free CMS platforms like WordPress. Remember, though, even after you create your website, you’ll need to drive traffic to it so customers will come and buy. Your reach and visibility will likely be lower than if you list your deer antlers on eBay or Craigslist.

Value of Antlers

Money For Antlers

If you intend on selling deer antlers, you’ll need to educate yourself on proper valuation and pricing. After doing a little bit of research on selling antlers, you’ll probably notice how some are worth a great deal more than others. For example, whitetail deer antlers are often sold for the lowest price simply because they’re so abundant and easy to come by. On the other hand, moose antlers can be quite expensive with an average price of several hundred dollars for a single rack (keep your eyes peeled for moose sheds).

The condition of your antlers will also affect their value. Fresh antlers, which seem to hold the most value, will be a darker color and more durable than old, sun-bleached antlers. Take the time to learn and familiarize yourself with the different factors that affect deer antlers’ value. Only then can you rest assured knowing that you are getting the best deal for your specimens.

Where To Find Deer Antlers

Even if you’re not a deer hunter, you can still get your hands on some antlers in the wild. Male deer shed their antlers once a year (usually in late winter to early spring) for the purpose of growing new, larger antlers. Hunting for these shed antlers has become a popular activity with people doing it for both recreational and commercial purposes. Some people even have trained dogs to help them find sheds.

You’re going to have the best luck finding deer antlers between late winter and spring, as this is the time when bucks shed their antlers. If you go too late in the year, you run the risk of letting other animals find and eat the antlers first. Squirrels, mice and foxes love the taste of antlers and will seek them out for their nutritional value.

The best areas to look for antlers are in thickly wooded areas where deer bed and hide. Try to find and follow any game trails you come across, scanning everything from the ground to eye level for deer sheds. When they are being chased by a predator such as wolf, deer will run through the thick woods where their antlers may get stuck in the dense branches. It’s a common assumption that sheds can only be found on the ground, but you’ll quickly realize this isn’t the case once you start searching for them.

Important!

Important: Read This Before You Start Selling!

Something many people are unaware of is that there are often specific state laws governing the acquisition, possession, and sale of deer antlers. For example, some states may allow you to take and sell any antlers you find only if they were naturally shed and not attached to the skull. Others may only allow you to sell mounted antlers or ones crafted into something else such as a chandelier. Give your local Game and Fish office a call to ask them about the current laws and regulations about the taking and selling of deer antlers (see our links page for state-by-state listings).

Even if you’re only selling a few deer antlers here and there, you should still treat it as a business. This means keeping records of revenue, sales, important dates and expenses. In addition, you may also need to apply for a sales license depending on your respective state’s laws.

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