I followed these two bucks into the woods and down to a small stream thinking that they were large does. Getting a bit closer I noticed that both had distinct pedicels. Pedicels are knobby, skin-covered nubs protruding from atop the buck's skull, between the ears. Pedicels are permanent structures and are the point at which the antlers break off and regenerate.
This was taken Saturday while on an outing with Dick Vance, http://www.pbase.com/richardr. Dick is an exceptional photographer and be sure to see his wildlife in Cades Cove gallery. It is one of the very best on PBase.