For many hunters, the antlers are the most recognizable reminder of a successful red stag hunt. Yet hidden within the stag’s upper jaw lies another remarkable trophy, one with a history stretching back far beyond modern hunting traditions.
Red stags possess a pair of small canine teeth commonly known as ivories. Elk, their close relatives in North America, carry the same distinctive feature. These teeth are an evolutionary remnant of the prominent tusks carried by ancient deer species thousands of years ago. While the antlers evolved and grew into the impressive display we recognize today, the tusks gradually diminished, leaving behind the small ivory teeth still found in modern red stags.
For more than 20,000 years, people have prized these ivories for their beauty and connection to hunting success. Across various cultures, deer ivories became symbols of wealth, status, and achievement, sometimes even serving as a form of currency or trade. Their value extended well beyond decoration, carrying significance that connected people to both the animals they hunted.
Today, stag ivories continue to hold a special place within hunting traditions around the world. Many hunters choose to have their ivories crafted into rings, pendants, earrings, bracelets, belt buckles, or other custom pieces of jewelry. Unlike antlers displayed on a wall, ivory jewelry can be carried and worn every day, serving as a constant reminder of a memorable hunt and the experiences that came with it.
There is something particularly meaningful about transforming a natural part of the animal into a lasting keepsake. More than simply commemorating a harvest, ivory jewelry reflects a deep respect for the wildlife we pursue and the traditions that surround hunting. It represents an appreciation for nature’s beauty, a connection to centuries of hunting heritage, and the memories created in wild places.
At Glen Dene Hunting and Fishing, many clients choose to keep their stag ivories as one of the most personal souvenirs from their New Zealand adventure. Whether set into a custom piece of jewelry or carefully stored alongside photographs and memories from the trip, they provide a unique way to remember a hunt of a lifetime. A red stag’s antlers may draw the eye from across the room, but often it is these small ivories that carry the most personal connection.
Written by Bre Lewis