From our friend Mike Charowhas, The Antler Collector:
Around noon the other day I was driving in central Kansas and passed a truck on a 2-lane with an older couple in it. About 5 min later, I looked in my rear view and saw that same truck getting closer and fast. Hmm. Their headlights start flickering so I pulled over.
The truck pulled up alongside me and the Missus says, “Hey, we saw you go by. We have antlers. Do you live around here?”
They couldn’t miss The Antler Collector logo on my truck. I said, “Yes I live not too far away.”
She gave me their number said, “Please call us if you’re passing by.”
I said, “Okay great.” I proceeded on my way and got to thinking about it. I called them and left a message.
About 20 minutes later the husband called me back and said sorry we missed you, but we are home now. I asked where and by luck I was only 15 minutes away.
I headed over and they invited me in. We talked for 15 minutes and the man said, “I have something I don’t think you’ve ever seen.”
I said, “Well let’s take a look,” and we proceeded out to his workshop.
What I saw did amaze me. I never had seen anything like it, and I have seen a lot of antlers!
The gentleman had found the sheds—heavy, tall-tined upper 150s/160 class–10 years ago beside a pond on his property while out bird hunting. From my understanding, one of his neighbors that year had lost 1/4 mile of electric fence and never could figure out where the heck it gone. The mystery was solved when these sheds were found.
I was surprised the deer had survived, and even more amazed that he was able to shed his antlers and slip them off his face! Incredible.
After talking it over with the man, we worked out a deal and I was able to bring the unique sheds home.
James and Janice are quite the couple. They are both 80 years old and look amazing. After 58 years of marriage they are still going strong. The antlers are rare, but even rarer is the pleasure of meeting two great people so dedicated to one another. It was a pleasure today.–Mike
Thanks for another great story, Mike…felt like I was riding shotgun…What a pleasure to meet wonderful people on the journey of Life.