YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK — According to Yellowstone National Park (YNP), bull elk are beginning to lose their antlers.
“This is a natural and painless process that occurs every year,” YNP writes on its Facebook.
YNP confirms that early spring is the typical time when bull elk, as well as bull moose, see their heavy racks fall off and new growth begin. Antler growth is triggered in spring by a combination of a decrease in testosterone levels and lengthening daylight, the YNP website states. Blood flowing in the skin deposits calcium that makes the antler.
Initially, elk antlers have a thick, fuzzy coating of skin commonly referred to as “velvet,” which elk usually scrape off around early August when additional hormonal changes signal the end of antler growth.
YNP reminds all visitors that taking antlers, in addition to artifacts, rocks, plants and any other object, from the Park is prohibited. Read more about the Yellowstone Pledge here.
In 2024, a new regulation was passed for shed hunting in Wyoming, where only Wyoming residents will be allowed to collect shed antlers between May 1 (opening day) and May 7. Collection opens to everyone else on May 8.
