In mid August, the velvet on this bull looks dark, dry and dead. He is about to shed it. As expected, it happens right on schedule, same as it has ever been, at least here locally in the vicinity of Canyon Village and slopes leading to Hayden Valley. The tines—the tips of the antlers—are no longer rounded. The pointed tips under the velvet indicate that the calcification of the antlers is complete. Underneath the dried velvet the antlers are hard, soon be ready for jousts of coming elk rut.