Rutting Deer and Elk Bring Opportunities

The seasonal act of rutting deer and elk occurs from December through February and brings remarkable displays of male antlers from the healthiest of the older bucks. The size and complexity of the rack is determined by the size and weight of the animal.

The antler is an extension of the animal’s skull and is actually bone. The antler is the fastest growing tissue on earth, growing at about one inch every two days in a healthy specimen.

Shedding occurs quickly after the breeding season as the testosterone levels drop. The older males shed their antlers first and then younger males lose them later.

Early man valued the antlers as weapons and tools. Those of us who gather these sheds are called shed hunters, and covet the discovery of a 6 to 8 point antler. Though most of these sheds are discovered in pairs, often just single antlers are found.  It is always an exciting time when you are fortunate to stumble on just an antler. We also have fierce “competition” finding these sheds because many different animals enjoy gnawing on these “bones”.

I have used my antlers in the past to make buttons or have carved scenes in them for unique artistic displays. Some people sell antlers to be made into chandeliers or furniture.

Information obtained from Wikipedia.com