Antlers & Horns

Antlers and horns, often referred to interchangeably, are sported by North American species in the deer and cattle families, respectively.  Typically found only on males, except for caribou where both sexes grow antlers, there are distinct differences in growth and usage.

Antlers are found in the deer family, including white-tailed deer found across the continent, elk along the Pacific Coast and across the western U.S. – Canada border, caribou found in Alaska, mule deer located mainly in the western U.S., and moose found along the entire  U.S. – Canada border.  Horns are found on species in the bovine family including bison found in small herds across the grasslands west of the Mississippi River and sheep, goats and cattle found throughout the North American continent.

Caribou by Jacob W. Frank, Oct 2008; Elk by Scott Kinmartin, Jun 2009; Moose by Larry Lamsa, Aug 2021; Mule deer by Mark Moschell, Nov 2016; White-tailed deer by Jeff Bryant, Jan 2017

Antlers are shed at the conclusion of the breeding season each year, and a new pair is grown for the following year.  Antlers grow from the tip, growing faster and larger as adults get older.  Velvet, a layer of fine hair, covers the living bone and provides oxygen and nutrients to the developing antler.  As annual breeding activities begin in late autumn, individuals will rub off the velvet and stop the bone from growing.  After the breeding season ends in mid-winter, normal bone maintenance breaks down dead tissue at the base, and the antlers fall off.

Antlers are proudly displayed by males to attract mates and are a clear indicator of the bull’s health.  Elk are the largest deer species, and a set of antlers may grow an inch a day, contain seven to eight points with a four foot spread, and weigh up to 20 pounds each.  The largest elk bulls attract from five to thirty mates.  Antlers are also used in defense of the herd and for asserting dominance over other herd members, typically for mates or food.

Horns are living bone on the inside, covered by a sheath of keratin composed of specialized hair follicles.  Horns grow from the base where they meet the skull and grow continuously throughout the life of the animal.  They are often curved in shape and covered with ridges or fluting.

Horns are used to establish dominance within a herd, marking those males that control the actions of the herd.  They are used in defense of territory from individuals of other herds and as defensive weapons when interacting with predators.  Horns are also used to dig roots for food and strip bark for marking territory.

As you walk the forest paths, keep watch for white-tailed deer growing their antlers at this time of year, and observe the transition as velvet is removed in the coming few months.