JACKSON, Wyo. — The community converged on Town Square on Saturday, May 18 for the 57th annual Elkfest and Boy Scout Elk Antler Auction.
The event is the largest auction of elk antlers in the world, attracting visitors and bidders from all over. An all-volunteer staff, including troop leaders, parents and nonprofit Jackson Hole Friends of Scouting, organized a day to celebrate nature, outdoor skills, hunting and ecological education and awareness.
The first Boy Scout Elk Antler Auction was held in 1968. This year, more than 100 scouts gathered approximately 8,170 pounds of antlers at the National Elk Refuge in preparation for the auction. All antlers sold are naturally shed on the National Elk Refuge. Last year, 9,696 pounds of antlers were sold, according to the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce.
Antler poundage was down 1,526 from last year due to a dryer winter season resulting in less bull elk spending time on the refuge. With later snow storms arriving in the valley, approximately 12,000 to 15,000 fewer bull elk resided on the refuge, according to Elk Fest Chairman Paul Vogelheim.
The local Scout troops gather elk antlers that are dropped in the spring, and the collected bounty is auctioned off to benefit the elk refuge and Scouting programs for boys and girls in Teton County and surrounding counties.
Vogelheim told Buckrail that this was an exceptional year, because two young female Eagle Scouts attended Elk Fest for the first time.
“The Scouts have been a traditionally male organization,” Vogelheim said. “Now young ladies can compete with boys for the the Eagle Scout rank for life.”
An Eagle Scout is the highest rank a Scout can achieve, after earning required merit badges and needed outdoor wilderness experience.
According to Elkfest, 25% of the auction proceeds are directed to Scouting, with the remaining balance directed to the National Elk Refuge. The refuge uses the funding to support habitat enhancement projects, weed management and paying seasonal employees associated with the irrigation program. Over the past decade, the auction has brought in an average of $137,325 a year. This year the event raised $218,421.
This past weekend’s sunny skies allowed residents and visitors to take time to peruse the selection of antlers, moose paddles, horns, bison skulls and bighorn sheep skulls. The gathered antlers, horns and skulls are considered a prized commodity and can be used as decoration, in artwork applications and as safe dog chews.
Vogelheim explained that winter kill on the refuge this past winter was unusual, in that a larger number of elk carcasses, 12 in total, allowed Scouts to collect elk heads. The skulls were beetle-cleaned with the two antlers still attached, which is known as an “oriental mounting.” The largest skull and antler mount went for $3,000.
The highest-earning pair of bull elk antlers was a large eight-point by seven-point rack, which awarded a bid of $3,200.
