They are thieves. In Texas, we almost always just gut it and take it to the processor. I have had meat and hides stolen, but never antlers. I have heard of antlers stolen here. To have our antlers removed, we need to have a receipt with the meat before it is completel processed. Without that, it is a poached animal. I once had my meat stolen. I was 16. I went back with my dad and they forked over meat, gave me my money back, and gave me a free processing. I threw the coupon away. The processor I used to use sells the left over antlers at the end of the year for about $30 per set for rattling antlers. They sell the scrap, hides, and hoofs to the fertilizer company. It is in there best interest to keep as much as possible. Your arn't paying them per pound. Another processor lost my dad's first hog he ever shot. They made it up to him by giving him some rancid old pork chops.

Call the Game Warden.