CARNDUFF, Sask. – A few months ago farmers in the southeastern corner of Saskatchewan were trying to get rid of the burgeoning deer population.
Now, many might be wishing they had more because deer antlers have become a new hot commodity.
Naturally shed deer antlers are selling between $20-$32 per kilogram.
“They are sold to the United States, then they are shipped to Korea. Once there, they are ground up and mixed with ginseng for medicine,” said Kevin Bahnman, of Loreburn, Sask., who is buying antlers.
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“Others are used for crafts. If there is a pair and they are a good size they get mounted on a deer head and are sold as a trophy. The antlers are also used for making lamps, and in some of the large hotels you’ll see them used in chandeliers,” said Bahnman.
On exhibit at the local art museum in Moose Jaw are deer antler carvings by local artist Byron Crabb.
Keith Stanhope, of Punnichy, Sask., also uses deer antlers in his work.
“I use them for arts and crafts. We make jewelry, earring trees and different things with them,” said Stanhope. The deer antlers he is looking for have to be in perfect condition, and can’t be bleached by the sun.
“Deer antlers could be considered Sask-atchewan’s ivory,” said Blaine Wells, who farms near Carievale. Wells had 200 deer feeding at his stacks last winter and they shed the antlers in and around his yard.
“I contacted some farmers that had deer problems during the winter. Most of them had burned or taken their antlers to the municipal landfill. They need to be aware that there is a market for them,” said Bahnman.
