m
Recent Posts
Connect with:
Friday / March 29.
 
HomeAlaska IssuesFive Times as Many Antlers as Usual Auctioned at Fur Rendezvous

Five Times as Many Antlers as Usual Auctioned at Fur Rendezvous

m

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game held its annual “Hide and Horn” auction Sunday, selling off all the leftover animal products the state comes to possess while managing Alaska’s wildlife. The auction is not only a Fur Rondy tradition, but part of how the state manages its wildlife resources.

This year, an unprecedented number of caribou antlers went to bid, the result of a trafficking case stretching from Juneau to the Northwest Arctic community of Selawik.

Five Times as Many Antlers as Usual Auctioned at Fur Rendezvous

Just past the fairgrounds in downtown Anchorage, crowds of people strolled between dozens of bear hides, sheep capes, and bundles of caribou antlers duck-taped together, resembling thigh-high tumbleweeds.  On stage, helpers hoisted spindly, branch-like antlers high overhead while the auctioneer coaxed patrons towards $150 or $175 a set.

“I’m owner of Knight’s Taxidermy here in Anchorage, Alaska,” said Russell Knight, “and I’m down here to buy bear hides, horns and antlers, and anything else I can get.”

Richard Person is the head of the Southcentral Chapter of the Alaska Trappers Association, and explained the origins of Fur Rondy—short for ‘fur rendezvous.’ “Traditionally a rendezvous would be where the hunters and trappers would come together, drink a lot of whiskey, and sell their pelts.”

The Trappers Association has won the contract to put on the auction for the state the last few years, and Person believes it is one of the few ways the state is able to share some of its rarest resources with residents.

“It gives a chance for regular folks who don’t have an opportunity maybe to take one of these animals in a hunting situation to come and still participate and own a piece of Alaska…that is unique,” Person said.

This year’s auction is especially unique. The state had 3,000 pounds of caribou antlers for sale, about five times the usual.

Via alaskapublic.org

image credit Zachariah Hughes KSKA

 

Five Times as Many Antlers as Usual Auctioned at Fur Rendezvous

Share

No comments

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.