When the US shut the border to Canadian Beef, there were other less known closures as well. At first they banned wild meat, capes, horns and antlers that US hunters shot in Canadian guided hunts. This hurt the guiding industry pretty hard. They lifted the ban on wild meat, capes and such but for some reason shed antlers are still restricted. Has nothing to do with BSE, as this is a bovine disease and there is no scientific link to wild animals.
I have sold quite a bit in the past to one ol' timer antler buyer that comes through town a couple times a year. He told me he hasn't been able to buy the last few years because there is no way for him to sell to his American clients. He was up this way in March because the border was to reopen to Canadian Beef in March. I sold him a bunch of antlers and the border never did open.
He pays pretty damn cheap, and I know I've been hosed by him in the past, but he's easy cause he comes here and he pays cash. The most he ever gave me for one moose shed was $275. He told me if I had of had the match he would have paid me $700. It was a monster, I mean MONSTER shed. Wish I had of taken some pics of it. Never even thought too.
Shed values are based on size and quality. A big brown matched set will fetch far more than a big white matched set. Smaller sheds can be worth very little. So, no, it wasn't a super high dollar day. Several sheds were old, chewed and even green. I still pack them home if they aren't too junky.
Here are some better pics of some of the sheds I found this weekend. The big matched set is very unique with the folds. I'm told this only happens to old bulls.
I have never mounted a moose befor and I have a freind that might be able to get me a cape that will work with those sheds?
I mean "gift" them. Call me up, I'll hit the road for pickup 
