Is there anything wrong with using old antlers to make a set of rattling antlers? My Dad has a pretty old set from a nice 8 pointer that he doesn't want anymore. I was thinking about cutting them off the skull and making a set. They are 25 plus years old. Does time dry them out to the point that they wouldn't sound realistic to deer? Thanks!
I couldn't imagine they would sound any less real than plastic or rattle bags. Only one way to find out
They will work just fine. I used a 20 year old set of antlers up in Alberta, and rattled in 2 different bucks with them.
They dry out after time but still sound the same. If you wanted to add some weight back to them, you can Leave them submerged in a bucket of water for a while. It may add some density back to the antler. But I doubt you will hear much difference.
ive seen videos where guys claim that old sheds are no good cause too dry and brittle. i guess this could hold some truth, but the other day my rattle bag got wet and it didnt sound like it should. was kinda muffled. a buck still came charging in to it. Thay are half out of their minds anyway. Do decoys really look real? no. One of our neigh ors said last year a big buck was ripping their Christmas reindeer decoration apart. One of the inflatable kind! haha. Id say the only bad set is the set you forget at home or in the truck.
