Article in Buckmasters/ Spikes

[AlabamaSwamper]

I can't remember the exact reason for the article. Don't matter, I still saw something interesting. lol

They had the sheds of a buck from LA I think. 1.5-6.5y/o.

Nothing special really, he was a spike (6"or so) his 1.5 year. The next 5 went like this.

2- 8pt
3-8pt
4- Huge 6pt
5-8pt
6-8pt

YEs, the 4y/o year is what was interesting. He went from an 8pt his 3.5y/o antlers to a big 6pt and then back to an 8pt.

I'm guessing this deer was a pet and therefore got all the food he needed and well taken care of. I'm thinking it was a captive deer at MSU.

I wonder how many times wild bucks do this. How many will actually lose points at 3.5 or 4.5, be shot for "cull" bucks when they weren't actually "genetically" inferior.

 

[BSK]

All the time. We still know little about the driving forces in antler growth. Bucks in research pens and enclosures display all sorts of trends over their lifespans.

 

[TAS]

That's interesting.. I have two big 6 points this year that look 3.5 to 4.5 but they are not cull bucks IMO. They are mature shooters here. I think one of them was an 8 last year and was wondering if he is older than I think but maybe he's not....

 

[turkeyhunter]

I have saw similar studies in magazines, and on t.v. And just like you said, all the spikes in each study turned out to be fine deer. I would love to kill a 3.5 year old deer, even if it was a six point. It amazes me the amount of pure myths hunters that i know believe. Sit around at a checking station or talk to people who shoot spikes, or hunters who will not take a doe and you will hear all kinds of crap. I have noting against a hunter shooting what he wants, as long as he does not make up excuses about it. When a hunter starts trying to explain why they shot a deer, they more than likely should have let it go.

 

[BSK]

I have nothing against a hunter shooting what he wants, as long as he does not make up excuses about it. When a hunter starts trying to explain why they shot a deer, they more than likely should have let it go.

You said a mouthful there turkeyhunter.