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Our Story: Retired Fisheries Scientist Turned Antler Dealer
Howdy Folks, I'm Kris Bodine, owner of The Antler Store. Thank you for your interest and support for our business! I hope you enjoy reading about this crazy journey.
My late father is directly responsible for everything! He introduced me to the great outdoors at a very young age; so young that thorn bushes really frightened me! Little did I know, but those experiences would affect me forever! I turned those experiences into a career as a Fisheries Research Biologist. I specialized in catfish management, authoring over 20 scientific manuscripts, including the only study in the world that scientifically validates hand fishing as a sustainable fishing method for catfish.
Despite the success as a fisheries scientist, something big was missing. WE DID NOT HAVE A PLACE TO HUNT! More importantly, I did not have a place to take my kids hunting so that I could pass on the same passion for the outdoors as my Dad did for me. I absolutely could not afford to buy property while working as a scientist, but I refused to give up. The solution was to take matters into my own hand! I worked tirelessly selling antlers on the side, working long nights and weekends. My goal was to raise enough money selling antlers just so that I could afford the down payment on a piece of hunting ground. After many years of hustling, we were finally able to buy 25 acres! We achieved our goal, but now there was a new problem...
As it turns out, the antler business is awesome! Even more awesome than being a fisheries scientist. During this decade-long journey, I realized that in our country you really can do anything you set your mind to! I no longer could resist the forces pushing me to become a full-time entrepreneur. In 2022, I decided to take the leap and leave one dream job to pursue another. After 10 years and over half a million pounds of antler later, The Antler Store was born! And after all these years I cannot thank my Dad enough for introducing me to the outdoors. Thanks, Dad. I love and miss you! Folks, take every opportunity to take your kids hunting and fishing. Its the gift that keeps giving!
