The Antler Man, Jim Phillips

[Sytes]

Three Forks, MT. He passed away in 2023. Not heard of him until a brief article popped on Montana Outdoor. A very brief, not sure if "article" would describe the little blurb.

https://www.montanaoutdoor.com/2024...he-legendary-life-of-jim-antler-man-phillips/

Sounds as though he's held a passion for supporting his community. Anyone know his background? Conservatioist? Whatnot?

A Meateater podcast I'll take a listen.

Photos: A Virtual Tour of Antler Man’s Collection

On this week’s episode of the podcast, we visited Jim “Antler Man” Phillips in Three Forks, Montana. Jim’s Horn House has over 16,000 antlers made up of whitetail, muley, elk, and more. We did our best to describe the collection—but this is certainly a visual experience. Here are some of our...

www.themeateater.com

Here's a YouTube of his collection:

 

[Straight Arrow]

I was invited to visit his huge collection and was entertained with the many stories which accompany each antler. His collection is undescribably impressive.

Likely HEM has been there too.

RIP Jim Phillips "Antler Man".

 

[antlerradar]

This is sad news. Best antler collection I have ever seen.

 

[Southern Elk]

I’ve listened to the Meateater podcast that he was on. Incredible dedication. I did not realize that he passed away. I wonder what will happen to the antlers?

 

[Gerald Martin]

This is sad news. Best antler collection I have ever seen.

Hi praise indeed given the state of awe and ecstasy I saw your antler collection produce in @sclancy27, @cgasner1, @Elky Welky and myself…

I wasn’t able to process what I saw at your place. If his was the best….

 

[mtmuley]

I was invited to visit his huge collection and was entertained with the many stories which accompany each antler. His collection is undescribably impressive.

Likely HEM has been there too.

RIP Jim Phillips "Antler Man".

Can it still be visited? mtmuley

 

[cgasner1]

Hi praise indeed given the state of awe and ecstasy I saw your antler collection produce in @sclancy27, @cgasner1, @Elky Welky and myself…

I wasn’t able to process what I saw at your place. If his was the best….

I’ve seen @antlerradar collection twice and was still mind blown I couldn’t imagine what this guy had

 

[Gerald Martin]

I’ve seen @antlerradar collection twice and was still mind blown I couldn’t imagine what this guy had

I think I am inspired to begin a modern day antler collection of Montana’s finest forkies.

 

[Straight Arrow]

Can it still be visited? mtmuley

'Not sure, but likely his family has retained the collection in the structure where he stored it. I am not familiar with his family, but 3=4ks is small and you could likely track someone down to inquire. It is worth the effort if you are in that area.

 

[Bambistew]

Thats the definition of horder...

I have a small pile of antlers I've kept, but I can't imagine being so attached to them, that I'd keep all of them.

 

[Lota lota]

Thats the definition of horder...

I have a small pile of antlers I've kept, but I can't imagine being so attached to them, that I'd keep all of them.

It's mind blowing how large his collection is. I have a pretty good pile but nothing like that. The only that confuses me is that they're all hard-whites? Nothing fresh or brown.

 

[antlerradar]

It's mind blowing how large his collection is. I have a pretty good pile but nothing like that. The only that confuses me is that they're all hard-whites? Nothing fresh or brown.

Jim kept many of them out side before he built the building the collection is in now.

 

[antlerradar]

Hi praise indeed given the state of awe and ecstasy I saw your antler collection produce in @sclancy27, @cgasner1, @Elky Welky and myself…

I wasn’t able to process what I saw at your place. If his was the best….

Jim packed everything our of the mountains, I quit doing that in 82 and only keep the big ones or freaky ones. The volume of antlers he has is mind blowing and my collection is not as good as his when it comes to big mule deer antlers.

 

[JustinsDad]

Cool how he stuck to the effort his whole life.

 

[cgasner1]

Jim packed everything our of the mountains, I quit doing that in 82 and only keep the big ones or freaky ones. The volume of antlers he has is mind blowing and my collection is not as good as his when it comes to big mule deer antlers.

I wonder how many people have picked up a horn that you left lay because it wasn’t big enough. Kinda sound like a fly fisherman practicing some catch and release.

 

[Straight Arrow]

Cool how he stuck to the effort his whole life.

For sure! He explained to me that it was his hobby, more like a passion. He hiked every spare time he had available, constantly searching. Of course, he had his special "honey holes" where he always discovered treasures. It was a real pleasure listening, learning, and looking at his many treasures.

 

[huntin24/7]

I think I am inspired to begin a modern day antler collection of Montana’s finest forkies.

I think you should incorporate this into your construction business. The new hipsters of Bozeman might spend big $ on the Martin forkie line of log cabins.

 

[Outlaw99]

This is sad news. Best antler collection I have ever seen.

That’s saying a lot! My mind still can’t wrap around the sheer volume, organization and stories that accompany all the antlers inside and outside of your place!

 

[antlerradar]

I wonder how many people have picked up a horn that you left lay because it wasn’t big enough. Kinda sound like a fly fisherman practicing some catch and release.

Most of them likely rotted away, More recently I ether pack them out or throw them into a juniper jungle so other people don't get any ideas that they might be in the right place.