The North American Shed Hunters Club was founded in 1991 by Jeff LeBaron and a dedicated group of 12 volunteer Board of Directors for the primary purpose of recognizing shed antlers from the many big game species found in North America. The NASHC is an all volunteer organization and the official national organization which documents and records big game shed antlers for all of history in its records book, Shed Antler Records of North American Big Game. All sales obtained through membership sales, record book sales, record book entries etc., go back into the organization. There are no paid staff and the entire club is operated through volunteerism. The club was purchased in 2001 by Tom and Mark Miller of Lyndon Station, WI.
Shed antler hunting is the safest non-consumptive hunting sport anywhere in the world which is also natural, renewable and recyclable each season. It will bring the next generation of young men and women closer to the realization that they, too, will be able to enjoy our nation’s natural and renewable resources into their adult years. A sport that they will be able to pass onto their future generations. The NASHC pioneered the concept of establishing a record keeping system for big game shed antlers and with it came the recognition they so deserved. Each entry officially recognized and entered into the records book program receives a framable certificate.
Peak time periods for “picking shed antlers” stretches from early January in northern latitude states, into April and May in southern latitude states. Specific times antlers drop will depend on conditions such as weather, snow depth in northern regions, altitude, food and cover. Ranchers and antler pickers in Canada and in the mountain states of the United States pick up sheds by the wagon-full as witnessed in Jackson, Wyoming where boy scouts and community come together to pick up elk sheds on the National Elk Refuge. These are then auctioned off to raise money for the refuge and community projects. Progressive programs, such as this, build a strong foundation for the future of big game management and future hunters while finding acceptable re-cycling programs today for big game animal by products.
The NASHC’s first edition records book published in 1994 and the second edition published in 1998 chronicle the immense time spent hunting for shed antlers. Not only is shed antler hunting fun, but it can be very rewarding to those who read maps and learn where big game harbor during the winter months. Both record books list a state-by-state and Canadian provincial directory of big game agencies and the statutes or laws that pertain to the gathering, collecting, trading, transporting, crafting and possession of big game shed antlers which is updated each time a new records book is published. This is a must read for anyone interested in shed antlers or who may travel from one state or province to another. The first records book listed 544 trophy sheds while the second book lists 2,163 by species and category. You will also find a Top Ten category easy reference section for each big game species recognized by the NASHC and articles written by nationally recognized NASHC Wildlife Biologists and members from all over North America.
The NASHC also pioneered the official recognition of Game Farm or “High Fenced” big game antlered animals in a new section completely dedicated for “non-wild”, big game. Due to the rapid growth of antler picking, big game ranching has expanded as well in recent years and with it the need to recognize those animals which achieve superior antler growth. So, in 1999, a new section for Exotic Big Game animals on game farms, in zoos and high fenced operations will now have an opportunity to be recognized in their own category. They too need recognition and the NASHC is the first to make it happen. At the back of the records book you will find a blank order form, score sheets for all the species the NASHC recognizes and a complete list of names and phone numbers of official NASHC measurers in a state-by-state format.