What is velvet antler?
Bull elk grow a new set of antlers each year in the Spring. When the antler starts to grow it is in a soft stage and covered by a soft, fuzzy outer layer. The feel and appearance are why it is called velvet antler. The antler, if left intact, will calcify to a very hard stage in a matter of months. We cut the antler (no animal is ever harmed in this process) when it is in the soft or velvet stage because that is when the nutrient content is the greatest. The cut antler is then freeze dried and sliced.
