Elk Antler Growth ElkAntler. The increasing daylight in the early months of the year stimulates the release of hormones from the elk brain and anterior pituitary which cause the testes to produce the male sex hormone, testosterone. Testosterone stimulates the new growth of antlers, which begins in March or April for mature bulls and in May for younger bulls.
Antlers are bony outgrowths.
They develop from and are cemented to two protuberances called pedicles on top of the skull. While antlers are growing they are soft and uncalcified and so are referred to as velvet . The growing velvet antlers are supplied with oxygen and nutrients by a network of blood vessels. Growth and hardening of the antlers is completed in late July or August. In August, increased production of testosterone cuts off the blood supply to the antlers.