Been a while since I posted, too!

As to what the knobs are, tough to say without seeing a pic. I certainly wouldn't
say it's normal. Possibly the start of small 'crab claws'? I've seen bucks in June
and the first half of July with what your describing, but that was much earlier
in the 'growing season'.

I believe for most bucks antler growth is just about finished. I've taken pics of
bucks peeling the last week of August, though the majority will carry velvet
into Semptenber.

...by the way, this is coming from southern Iowa/northern Missouri