Antler Basket Weaving Hints and Tips

TUESDAY ANTLER BASKET WEAVING TIPS OF THE DAY–Keeping with the antler basket weaving theme I’ve been with for a few posts now, we are going to focus Tuesday’s Tips on Antler Basket Weaving, what else?

Asian Warrior Antler Wall Basket-Sculpture by Cathryn Peters

Do you know how to tell the difference between a naturally shed antler and a harvested antler?

First of all, do you know that deer are from the Cervidae family and are mammals that include several types of deer, caribou, elk, reindeer and moose? And the antlers they sport fall off in the spring and then new antlers grow in their place?

Farewell--Antler Magazine Basket made by Cathryn Peters using a naturally shed red deer antler.

The antler basket picture below is an example of a “harvested” or cut-off whitetail deer antler used as the handle in one of my antler baskets.

When the hunters take the deer to provide meat for their families, one of the by-products of the kill is the antlers from the bucks or male deer.

See the butt end of the antler near the bumpy rosette? That’s where it’s been cut off the head, leaving a smooth, flat-cut surface.

And of course, it’s against the law to shoot a deer out of season and to kill deer just for the antlers, but you knew that already, right?

So, by closely examining the end of the antler at the base, you will now be able to tell whether it’s a “harvested deer antler” that’s been cut from the head, or the more difficult to find and more costly to buy, “naturally shed antler”.

Don’t be fooled when someone tries to tell you that the antler is naturally shed when the base has been cut and is smooth and flat.

Please be aware there are many dishonest people out there that will try to convince you otherwise, to make a buck (no pun on words intended).

A plastic tub of naturally shed and harvested antlers to use for antler basketmaking.

Leaving the bumpy, nubby base is the best way to be assured the antler has been collected or picked up from a deer or other member of the Cervidae family after its been naturally shed!

Have you ever found your own antler sheds, and if so, did you, by any chance train your dog to find them for you?

One of our black lab female puppies was pretty good at finding them for me and she wasn’t even trained!

How about you? I’m not asking you about your training, but rather what experiences you have had finding shed antlers.🤣