I have read a lot of articles throughout the years and have happened upon this topic a number of times. Is the saying, "once a spike always a spike," true? I have heard it go both ways from various magazines. Some say yes some say no and some even think it all depends. What are some personal opinions on the topic?
There are no personal opinions that matter. It is called science. Spike bucks are not inferior deer. Button bucks are not inferior deer. Culling deer is fiction and the statement is used by hunters with lowered expectations who need to compensate. Please do post your sources who explain spike bucks as inferior. We would like to vist their websites and educate.
Once a spike, not always a spike. It is absolutely false that a spike will always be a spike. Some spikes have been observed growing very respectable racks. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
I know a couple years back this was a hot topic and scientist had thought it to be true. I have never seen a mature buck with spikes. I was just wondering if anyone has seen this with their own eyes.
This will shed some light http://www.americanhunter.org/mobile/blog.php?id=21281&cid=56 Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
So...take a spike if you want, because it will grow much slower than a fork-horn and not reach the size at maturity as a fork-horn, however it's offspring could be a fork-horn or a spike, so the genetic factor is really not an issue since it's a coin toss? That's what I gathered.
Actually, a spike is more likely to sire a spike. Spikes will most likely not reach the same potential as their racked counterparts. But, unless you have complete control over the herd, culling isn't going to have an affect in a wild setting. This does not mean a spike will not become a respectable trophy given enough age and nutrition. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
tfox - What you are preaching is simply not true. The artice you posted is out of date. I am posting an article that explains it well. You have to look at the topic and research the sources as well. Deer | Shooting Spike Bucks | 2
It's said that a spiked buck is more likely to produce a spiked offspring but only slightly more likely. They didn't even put a percentage on it, which makes me think that it's nearly immeasurable. That's not really conclusive to me.
Good read tfox. For the record, i did pass up on a chance to shoot a spike last weekend because I would like to see him get bigger. Since i do hunt public land, it is a bit disheartening to think that "Joe Blow" hunter is for sure going to take him the second they see him though.
I'll agree with this, just pointed out what the article was saying. The study may or may not be out of date. There will always be varying results from scientific test. The test are only as accurate as the data presented . Both studies show that spikes have the potential to produce nice antlers. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
What am "I" preaching? Just showed a scientific research and pointed out what IT was saying. I didn't preach anything Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
Spikes can & will grow just as big as their fork horned brethren. If shooting a spike makes you happy, go for it! If that happiness is rooted in the assumption that you are "helping" the herd by culling an "inferior" buck... you are mistaken.
"Spikes will most likely not reach the same potential as their racked counterparts." - This is incorrect.
I have not either. Just thought pointing it out would help with perspective. "All bucks start out small."
I might have been to rigid on this topic TFOX, trying to get my point across. Sorry if I came across in a bad way. There is a lot of info out there and I think some of it is with pen raised deer and alot is outdated.
A quote from that last article is very interesting. - "Because these studies were conducted on penned animals, the effects of social pressure could not be measured," Dr. Kroll says. "And social pressure has been shown in other deer species to have a significant impact on antler growth." So...penned deer have a different growth rate then free range? I was about to regret making this thread, but it looks like there is some information that i had not come across before.
