WILDLIFE WATCHING -- The whitetail deer antler shed season has begun, according to Montana outdoor photographer Jaime Johnson.

Deer, moose and elk will be dropping their antlers one at a time through February to make room on their heads for next season's crop of what I understand is the fastest-growing tissue among mammals.

Velvet sprouts will be evident in May and the new antlers will be in full velvet bloom in August before the blood flow dries up and they start hardening.

The big bulls and bucks then will rub off the velvet and polish the antlers as they rake brush and saplings in preparation for the rut.