For a lot of hunters, antlers and horns are one in the same. The terms are often used interchangeably. Let’s be honest, we’ve all likely been guilty of calling the bone on a deer’s head, horns.
“Look at the horns on that deer’s head!”
But there is a difference in antlers and horns. In fact, the differences are many. In the video below, Brian Murphy of HuntStand talks through the differences in antlers and horns
Antlers vs. Horns
- Antlers grow from the tip, horns grow from the base
- Antlers are comprised of true bone, horns are made of compressed hair
- Antlers are grown and shed each year, horns are permanent
- Deer antlers peak around 5-7 years, horns are largest at time of death
- Damaged antlers can be “fixed” the following year, horn damage is permanent
It’s to a deer’s advantage for its antlers to be shed and replaced each year. That way, any damaged antlers can essentially be repaired with fresh antlers the following year.
When a horned animal experiences damage to its horn, the result can be detrimental to its social status with the herd and could diminish its chances of attracting a mate.
What about you? How do you refer to the bone on a deer’s head? Antlers or horns? Comment below, and let us know.
