In 2008, an elk known as the Spider Bull made headlines for his massive spread of antlers that began circulating online. Officially scored by Boone & Crockett Club at 499 gross and 478 net inches, this non-typical male set a world record for wild American elk free-ranging in the wild.
Hunting
Shed antlers hold tremendous value, especially those from one deer. For maximum value and appeal, their condition should be excellent without weathering or any visible gnaw marks.
Shed hunting takes patience; finding an acceptable shed may take weeks of searching. Hunters typically grid their search areas to cover more ground quickly. ATVs are helpful in this regard as they allow hunters to rapidly traverse fields.
As you search, be sure to cover every inch of a field. Don’t overlook tops of ridges or any hayfields that could harbor antlers; sheds may also be present in pastures where livestock are grazing during winter.
Once sheds have been located, they are generally valued between US$10 and 50 each; matching sets from one deer are highly sought after and can sell for well over US$100.
Many hunts for shed antlers take place during spring. This can offer several advantages, including warmer temperatures and greater chances of discovering them; but it also poses potential drawbacks, such as others finding your antlers first; rodents in many areas gnaw them down to nubs within minutes; and spring vegetation growth could obliterate any trace.
When first discovered on public land in Utah in 2008, an elk nicknamed the Spider Bull made headlines among hunters and wildlife enthusiasts alike. His unique rack of antlers resembling spider legs earned it the moniker; their massive spread set an unprecedented world record score of 499 gross points!
The Spider Bull serves as a reminder that while evolution is essential, sometimes it’s good to embrace your caveman roots and shed antler hunting as a fun way of honoring past experiences – you never know – maybe the next Spider Bull awaits!
The Hunt
Even if you haven’t seen The Hunt yet, which was pulled from its September 2019 release date due to mass shootings in Dayton and El Paso respectively, its plot may be familiar: wealthy liberals kidnap and kill right-wing Americans for sport in a satirical attempt at depicting our current political climate – it hits home on a remarkable level!
Crystal May Creesy (Betty Gilpin of GLOW), is a Mississippi car-rental clerk who finds herself one of the “hunted.” Soon thereafter, she joins other unfortunate victims including Fox News fans, big game hunters, and high-income hypocrites like Athena (Hilary Swank). General Zaroff leads The Hunt as his main antagonist who seeks thrills by killing selected members he calls his “prey.”
As is often the case in these movies about people hunting other humans, The Hunt is great fun but also somewhat disappointing considering its potential to poke both sides of America’s political divide without resorting to anger or hatred. One particularly effective moment comes when photo of hunted include people carrying guns next to an American flag while posing with poached rhinoceroses or marching with torches that look suspiciously similar to white nationalist torches – an effective moment in The Hunt!
It is an example of how easy it can be for movies to become bogged down in their own relevance, even when their filmmakers intend otherwise. While Gilpin and director Craig Zobel clearly enjoy showing their skills at violence in The Hunt, its potential impact might have been increased had its creators been more willing to explore its own satirical content more thoroughly.