Mighty antlers attract much interest

As antler weights continue to rise in NZ , there was no disappointing the 50 competitors that attended the 2009 National Velvet and Trophy Antler Competition. The competition was held on Wednesday at Ascot Park and attracted the industry's best, with some good velvet and hard antler weights reports The Southland Times. Organiser Peter Allan said velvet weights had doubled in each deer age-group since the 1990s and that was reflected in competition. It was former organiser David Stevens who drew much attention on the night, winning the 5-year-old red section with antlers weighing in at 12.3kg. "The heaviest ever, I believe," Mr Stevens said. Ranfurly farmers John and Mary Falconer's set also placed well in the competition, taking second spot in the open section at 13.68kg. Bill and Jill Oliver, of Christchurch, won the open section with a set weight of 14.60kg.