Antler Growth in Missouri Whitetail Deer

For mid-May in places like Missouri or Kansas, that’s generally true for many white-tailed deer bucks.

Right now:

• Most bucks have already started growing antlers.
• Brow tines are often the first noticeable points to appear.
• Antlers are still in early velvet growth and can look like:
  • small spikes
  • forked “Y” shapes
  • little brow bumps forming near the base

Older, healthier bucks usually develop earlier and faster than younger bucks.

By:

• June: more defined tine growth
• July–August: major antler development
• September: near full size before hardening