Does an Easy Winter Mean Smaller Antlers?
Whitetails’ antler growth is driven by photoperiod and regulated by hormones. In general, antlers begin growing in spring, grow through late summer, shed velvet around early September, fall off in winter, and start growing again a couple of months later. Most bucks cast their antlers in January to February, and start new ones in March to April. Some bucks drop their antlers early (https://www.qdma.com/causes-early-antler-casting/) as a result of poor nutrition or an injury,