When Do Bucks Shed Velvet?
In most parts of the country, the antler growth for whitetail deer is done for the year. Sometime between September 1 and 15 bucks will shed their velvet. The cue for antler hardening and velvet shedding is the change in photo-period caused by decreasing daylight and increasing darkness, which results in a significant increase in the bucks’ testosterone. Velvet shedding typically takes only a couple of hours, though it is not uncommon to see a deer walking around for day or two with bloody velvet tatters. One last thing you might not know: Bucks have been known to turn their heads and peel or even eat velvet that dangles off their new racks. Soon after shedding, the tree rubbing and [...]