Redwing
Well-Known Member
His horns are about 6 to 7 inches tall, fairly straight, no indication of forks. Will this guy ever amount to anything? or should we take him out of the gene pool?
So we have this Spike at the Cabin
- Thread starter Redwing
- Start date
bigasports
Well-Known Member
I have always been told that "spikes" will usually get better growth with age. The old tale of once a spike always a spike is just that a tale. Now if it is a mature deer & it's still a spike, then I would maybe take it out.
I feel inclined to let BSK or someone with better credentials answer this, but I'll give it a shot.
From what I understand, it is not known whether or not genetics for antlers are passed down on the paternal side or the maternal side. But it is likely that his antlers may grow next year. The buck "culling" philosophy doesn't hold much water.
(How'd I do, guys?)
From what I understand, it is not known whether or not genetics for antlers are passed down on the paternal side or the maternal side. But it is likely that his antlers may grow next year. The buck "culling" philosophy doesn't hold much water.
(How'd I do, guys?)
in the dog house
Well-Known Member
IMO its all about age. If he is 3.5 hes got to go asap. Don't know how good you are at aging deer. Maybe get a pic and people here can help you determine how old he is.
BlountArrow
Well-Known Member
Redwing said:
He might and he might not. If he was 3-1/2+ years of age then you would have some basis to say he is about as good as he'll ever be. This "once a spike always a spike" B.S. has been debunked many times with documented cases. Most likely, for me since I've never personally seen an old spike, he gets a free pass to live.
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
In all probability, he will become an outstanding trophy buck should he survive to maturity.
MOST Tennessee spikes are simply "born late" as fawns, and/or suffer from a poor food supply during their first year, but do not suffer from poor genetics. MOST will "grow" into large antlered bucks by maturity, although may continue to be "below average" at 2 1/2 and 3 1/2. That said, even a "below average" 3 1/2 may be larger antlered than an "average" antlered 2 1/2.
I'd just enjoy watching him and hope to see what he becomes.
MOST Tennessee spikes are simply "born late" as fawns, and/or suffer from a poor food supply during their first year, but do not suffer from poor genetics. MOST will "grow" into large antlered bucks by maturity, although may continue to be "below average" at 2 1/2 and 3 1/2. That said, even a "below average" 3 1/2 may be larger antlered than an "average" antlered 2 1/2.
I'd just enjoy watching him and hope to see what he becomes.
just a late fawn
Unless you are managing a high fence operation or extremely large acreages, doing anything thinking you are altering genetics is like peeing in the wind.
If you want to shoot the spike, have at it. But, don't think you are doing anything with genetics in the process.
If you want to shoot the spike, have at it. But, don't think you are doing anything with genetics in the process.
catman529
Well-Known Member
Taking him out of the gene pool really won't affect the gene pool anyway. If it did, it still wouldn't make a difference... A yearling spike will most likely grow more points next year. A mature spike has already bred many does so what would the point be.
TheLBLman
Well-Known Member
Might a better question be, [size]"What should we leave in the gene pool?"[/size]Redwing said:
Am asking this in the context of so often hearing a hunter talk about "removing a buck from the gene pool" (often making little difference period) then "removing from the gene pool" an above average antlered 8-pt yearling buck or an above averaged antlered 2 1/2-yr-old buck (at the same time "passing" on average and below averaged antlered yearling & 2 1/2-yr-olds).
Redwing
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the input, will let him pass and incourage others to do the same and see what happens.
dogmatik
Well-Known Member
Would you let a 140 class 3 1/2 year old walk so to NOT remove him from the gene pool??
If you shoot the spike you will never know what he could become, however if you want to shoot, shoot.
If you shoot the spike you will never know what he could become, however if you want to shoot, shoot.
BSK
Well-Known Member
BluegrassDan said:
Exceptionally well!
BSK
Well-Known Member
in the dog house! said:
I disagree with this. Even if the buck is 3 1/2, why would he need to be removed? He's doing no harm. He isn't going to father a bunch of spike-for-life bucks. Even if he is 3 1/2, the fact he is a spike may have absolutely nothing to do with his genetic antler growth potential.
TheRealSpurhunter
Well-Known Member
The only reason to pass him is to not burn a buck tag.
I agree with SCN, if your not on a HUGE property or a high fence operation, its all semantics talking about taking out genetically inferior deer. I have uttered the words to justify taking a small buck to some people, just so I dont have to argue why i shot it.
Every deer I choose to take is a trophy, I mount them right next to some nice veggies and a tater.
I agree with SCN, if your not on a HUGE property or a high fence operation, its all semantics talking about taking out genetically inferior deer. I have uttered the words to justify taking a small buck to some people, just so I dont have to argue why i shot it.
Every deer I choose to take is a trophy, I mount them right next to some nice veggies and a tater.
