Just heard on the local radio station here in SW Montana that the Jackson Hole Wyoming Troop of the Boy Scouts of America gathered and sold $196,000.00 in shed Elk antlers this year.
This was the second largest gathering and sale of antlers in the 47 year history of this event/project!
Good for the Boy Scouts.
Sure makes my banana look green - I have sold just $190.00 worth of sheds this year (not counting the several I decided to "keep").
The radio report also detailed how the local troop gets to keep 25% of the sale price for their useages.
My radio broke up when they were detailing where the other monies go.
Anyone know that?
Again good for the scouts.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
Heard the going rate was about $16 a pound....When I'm out west I usually see stuff in the $12 range....
Good for them!
The way the country is going, it's almost inevitable that someone is going to try to kick the scouts out of this because of their stance on homosexuals.
I believe the rest of the money goes toward the hay pellets used in the winter feeding program on the elk refuge.
Razz: Thank you for that pellet info.
Last time I toured the Jackson Hole Elk Refuge the fellow driving the horse pulled sleigh through the Elk herds gave a running commentary.
Among dozens of other things, he relayed how the Refuge had been planted with a new grass that had so much protein that the Elk preferred to "paw" through the snow/ice and eat that living/dormant grass over pellets?
I don't know?
I do recall the tour guide relaying how this program was new and would hopefully put an end to "feeding the Elk".
Again I don't know - this was two winters back.
Anyone that has NOT done Jackson Hole, Wyoming AND the Elk Refuge should put that on their "bucket list".
Thanks again.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy
We heard the same story on our ride. He was the guy that told us about the antlers offsetting the hay cost too. Two of our sons live in Jackson and they made mention of the auctions funds. I was up 2 weeks ago and drove by the lot where they were sorting the antlers, all I can say is WOW!
Totally agree on the Elk Refuge visit, everyone we have taken has been thrilled. And the elk-aholics were drooling!
The way the country is going, it's almost inevitable that someone is going to try to kick the scouts out of this because of their stance on homosexuals.
Not sure you are up to date on their stance on homosexuals , but here is an update.
http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/05/should_the_boy_scouts_of_ameri.htmlThe liberals should be fairly happy with that.
Here is info from JH Chamber of Commerce on funds raised:
The majority of proceeds from the antler auction (75%) are donated to the National Elk Refuge, which manages approximately 25,000 acres as winter range for the Jackson Elk Herd. The funds are used for habitat enhancement work on the Refuge, including paying for seasonal employees that work with the Refuge’s Range Specialist in the irrigation program. The remaining 25% of the sale’s proceeds are given to the Jackson District Boy Scouts, recognizing the extraordinary effort it takes to pull off such as large event as the antler auction.
That's some serious bucks! Good for them.
Love going to Jackson and going through the refuge. I even have the refuge website on my computer.
http://www.seejh.com/webcams/jacksonhole/elkrefugeeast/