Boy Scout antler auction raises $90,469 in Jackson

The 45th annual Boy Scout Elk Antler Auction in Jackson has raised nearly $90,500, most of which will benefit the National Elk Refuge. The refuge says 7,398 pounds of antlers were auctioned off on Saturday. The amount was slightly below the 10-year average but bidders paid an average of nearly $3 a pound more than the decade average. The number of antlers collected at the refuge this year was lower because of the relatively mild winter and lower snow totals. Refuge manager Steve Kallin says many bull elk still had their antlers when they migrated off the refuge in the spring. Eighty percent of the proceeds will go to the refuge, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The rest goes to the Jackson District Boy Scouts to cover their national dues.