I believe there is a boarder-line obsession between certain people and the antlers of deer. It doesn’t matter the species of deer–White-tailed or Mule. Just as long as the deer has antlers. And it’s not the deer but rather the antlers on the deer. I don’t think this is a bad thing. Just a fact of human nature.

To that end, let’s take a brief look at antlers. And I do mean antlers. Not horns. Anyone who knows me is no doubt laughing right about now at this statement. I am constantly correcting my friends and acquaintances when they refer to “horns” on deer. I realize that to some people, antlers and horns may appear similar but they are very, very different. Let’s start with horns.

Horns are usually permanent structures that emanate from the heads of certain mammals such as cattle, sheep, goats and antelopes. They have a bony core or center which is covered by lots of long and fibrous stringy material (keratinous) which is similar to your finger nails. All of these fibrous strands are bound together to make up the durable horn that you see on the animals head. In many species both the male and female have horns. Also, horns are usually not branched but they do twist and turn dramatically.

Usually horns are permanent and grow longer and wider with age. Big Horn Sheep have a good example of horns. As the male sheep grows its horns become thicker and longer curling around the sides of its head. When fully developed the horns will form a full curl or circle. You can even judge the age of the Big Horns by the number of rings on the horns. I might also argue that horns are used for defense and sparing with other males more than antlers.

Antlers not only grow differently they serve to function differently. Antlers are a pair of hard bony growths usually elongated and often multi-branched. Antlers are composed completely of bone unlike the horn which only has a bony center. In most species of deer, but not all, only the males have antlers, unlike horns. Male deer use their antlers to impress females and to also intimidate other males. Antlers are also used for sparring with other males. However when it comes to protecting itself, deer usually use their hooves to deliver a knock out blow with one of their powerful kicks.

Another major difference between the two is the fact that antlers are deciduous, falling off each year and then grown again. Antlers are never a good gage of the animal’s age but are a good indication of the owners health and nutrition.

Staring in January and lasting through March, male deer drop their antlers. As the levels of testosterone in the males body drops the antlers fall off. Antlers are usually shed one at a time usually within a 24 hour period. Some deer drop both antlers at the same time. I’ve only seen it once but they don’t appear to knock their antlers against a stationary object like a tree but rather vigorously shake their head back and forth as if they had an itch they couldn’t scratch. During this process antler breaks free and goes flying.

There is always a small amount of blood at the stump of the newly dropped antler. The blood dries quickly and within a day or two, a new growth of velvet closes over the stump and a new antler starts to form. The levels of testosterone increase and the antlers start to grow. Of course it takes months for the new antlers to grow and develop. During development, it’s important the male deer doesn’t damage the growing antlers and they never use them to fight or spar until the velvet is shed at the end of summer.

Of course there is always an exception to the rules in the natural world. After all, there are no absolutes in nature. The Pronghorn, which is sometimes incorrectly called antelope, has a horn that is replaced each year. So this is a critter that has a hybrid horn/antler. It grows just like a horn but is shed each year just like an antler. This goes to show you that just when you think you know something about nature, there is always more to know. Until next time

Stan Tekiela is an author / naturalist and wildlife photographer who travels the US to study and photograph wildlife. He can be contacted at his web page at www.naturesmart.com.