An antler is a bony structure that grows from the head of deer, elk, moose, and similar animals. Unlike horns (which are permanent and hollow), antlers are solid bone that grow fresh each year and then fall off. A male deer might grow antlers in spring and summer, use them during fall to compete with other males, then shed them in winter, only to grow a completely new set the next year.

Antlers branch out like the limbs of a tree, and the number of points or tines can increase as the animal gets older and healthier. A young buck might have simple spikes, while a mature one could sport a rack with a dozen points. The growth is remarkably fast: some moose antlers can grow an inch per day during peak season.

People have used shed antlers for thousands of years, carving them into tools, buttons, knife handles, and decorative objects. Today, people still search forests in late winter for shed antlers, which can be valuable for crafts or simply interesting to collect.