Can I Sell Shed Antlers?

This question has been asked multiple times over the years with tidbits of new information added.

January 4, 2018

Question: Can I sell these deer antlers legally? I picked them up at a storage auction. (Dave F.)

Answer: Generally, the sale of any wild bird or mammal or the parts thereof is prohibited by law pursuant to Fish and Game Code (FGC), section 3039, which says, with some exceptions, that it is unlawful to sell or purchase a bird or mammal found in the wild in California. However, one of those exceptions is for shed antlers, which are antlers that have naturally fallen from the animal. In addition to shed antlers, antlers that have been taken from domestically reared animals and manufactured into products or handicraft items (or cut into blocks or units which are to be manufactured into handicraft items) may be bought or sold at any time per FGC, section 3039(c).

The intent of the law is to prevent the sale of antlers from wild California deer. This means it is unlawful to sell antlers cut off a wild deer from California — even a deer lawfully harvested by a hunter. It is also unlawful to buy or sell deer taxidermy mounts with a minor exception in FGC, section 3087 and CCR Title 14, section 695(d).

The antlers in the photo appear to have an abscission line from where the antler formerly attached to the pedicle. The pedicle is the part of a deer skull where an antler attaches. The abscission line on the antler has a rough feeling at the detachment point which is evidence the antler fell off naturally and one of the characteristics a wildlife officer will look for when conducting an investigation. Because these antlers fell off naturally, they are exempt per FGC, section 3039(c) and are legal to buy or sell.

What is the exemption for selling taxidermy mounts?

What is the exemption for selling taxidermy mounts?

A taxidermist can sell your mount that he did for you to someone else if you don't pay.

What is the exemption for selling taxidermy mounts?

A taxidermist can sell your mount that he did for you to someone else if you don't pay.

Thanks.  So if I start doing taxidermy shoulder mounts for practice I can’t sell them to recoup the cost of materials? Gotta love California...

What is the exemption for selling taxidermy mounts?

A taxidermist can sell your mount that he did for you to someone else if you don't pay.

Thanks.  So if I start doing taxidermy shoulder mounts for practice I can’t sell them to recoup the cost of materials? Gotta love California...

If the deer's head fell of naturally...

What is the exemption for selling taxidermy mounts?

A taxidermist can sell your mount that he did for you to someone else if you don't pay.

Thanks.  So if I start doing taxidermy shoulder mounts for practice I can’t sell them to recoup the cost of materials? Gotta love California...

If the deer's head fell of naturally...

Say that it was a deer that died of causes... natural or unnatural... but wasn’t hunted... is that ok? I don’t see where they differentiate that here.

Example. Someone hits a deer and brings me its antlers and hide... I then mount it and sell it only for the cost of the form and supplies etc.