sheds

Did you know that every shed antler you pick up has a grade, from Grade A Brown (best condition) to Grade C White (worst)? Should you ever want to sell some of your antlers, that condition/grade will largely determine its value.

This Colorado antler website sums up the antler grades well:

Grade A Brown: Antler in perfect condition with no fading and only very minor chips…no broken tines or chew marks…antler picked up within a few weeks or months of the buck dropping it.

Grade B Brown: Antler may have a broken tine, chips and chew marks, but still natural brown color with no fading.

Grade A White: (Pictured above.) Antler faded and weathered to white but still in perfect condition with only very minor chips and chew marks and no broken tines…may have hairline cracks but still smooth to the touch…antler may have been on the ground for only 3 or 4 months or up to 2 years.

Grade B White: Antler faded and weathered to white…may have broken tines, chips and chew marks, but still smooth to the touch.

Grade C White/Chalk: Antler has deep cracks, shows heavy weathering and is rough to the touch… an antler in this condition that has started to crumble has almost no value…a chalk antler has been lying on the ground for 3 years or more.

Coming tomorrow: How much are shed antlers worth?