A buck in velvet

This is the first antlered buck I've seen this summer. A buck with velvet antlers refers to a male deer whose antlers are still covered in a soft, velvety layer. This velvet is a living tissue rich in blood vessels, nerves, and nutrients, which supports the rapid growth of the antlers during the summer months. The velvet typically begins to shed in late August through September as testosterone levels rise, causing the blood supply to the antlers to decrease and the velvet to die and peel off