Smaller bucks=future giant?

Years past i've always had 4-5 different 130-160 inch bucks on camera, but this year my camera has two shooters and about 10 smaller scrub bucks (spikes-four and six pointers) but they look like 2.5 year old deer. In NY we do not have antler restrictions. Whats anyones opinion bad genes take them off the property or is there still potential for them to get big? Any input would be great. Happy hunting!
-Jake

 

Let them grow. If you have bigger bucks you would prefer to shoot I would focus on them and give the young bucks some time. That's just my own opinion, but do what you will be happy with.

 

Bucks north on 150 are rare in the best states, extremely rare in NY. They need 2 main ingredients age and nutrition. Age encompasses hunter harvest, winterkill, predators, ect. Nutrition covers soil, climate, herd health, ect. You will not know a buck's potential till 3.5yo.
It is also impossible to genetically improve the antler growth potential on a wild herd thru "culling".

Definition of "culling"- The means by which a hunter justifies dumping an immature buck yet still believes He is a trophy hunter.

 

I would not shoot a small deer if your goal is a big deer.

 

Yea I would let the smaller bucks pass

 

Dead deer DON'T Grow

 

I almost always pass on the smaller deer, I was just curious on their potential. Now as for my father and uncle, they hunt for meat and could care less if its a spike or a monster ten point

 

Idk where you hunt but I don't have 6 different bucks 130-160" range. I hunt in the antler restriction part of NY and I usually get a couple shooter on camera. Pass on those guys since you have such a good area they should grow up to be good bucks.

 

This year the biggest buck i have on camera is maybe high 130's, but we usually have a bunch of giants, no non-typicals though just big 8's and tens. Just a lot of 2.5 year old scrubs. Hopefully next year they start showing some potential

 

I agree but you forgot genetics.

A 1 year old can be a giant with the right genetics.

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Define giant? We have 1.5yo's that are 10's but they would score 45. No 1.5yo outside of a high fence will score more then 60. Aging teeth is another component of management.

 

There are some pretty large deer being raised on farms that are giants(150"+ ) at 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 years old because they breed the best of the best.

I realize that's behind a fence where they control all the variables but it does show how important genetics are. I'm sure they even feed supplements.

Not all deer are going to reach 200", regardless of how old they are allowed to live or the nutrition they receive. That does help but without the genetics, its not going to happen.

http://www.piercewhitetail.com/sires.html


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Got to leave some seed, When the rut comes there is always bucks from far away show up and some of yours will travel away from your place so unless you have a high fence. relax and enjoy the woods and kill the deer that is your trophy not someone else idea of a big or monster buck it's just not the same from state to state.

 

Amazing what a 1 1/2 year old can become with the right genetics and supplements.

Again, I agree about age and letting even the spikes walk. They may very well become great deer with enough age. Especially In a free range environment where culling just isn't going to have an affect on the wild population.

They claim these are yearlings

http://www.piercewhitetail.com/trophy-whitetail-deer-photos.html






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Man if those are yearlings id love to have those genes on my property! But that was more so my question about genetics, is from the stand how can you tell if these deer have the potential to get big? Then when breeding comes into play if they are bad gentic deer i'd prefer they didn't pollute the herd! haha. To me I hunt for meat, and a nice buck is just a plus, but I will wait the season out in high hopes. Just being in the woods makes me a happy hunter

 

Spend some time reading the seamen forums for these kennels. These are the product of $5,000 vial of goo and they have repeated problems with 5 legs, 3 ears, ect. Hopped up on steroids, mineral, ect. These are petri dish freaks.

 

Good looking cattle.

 

I understand that but the fact that genetics is a major factor can't be denied.

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Sure are

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Genetics is a factor (1 of 3), but it is the one factor we have 0 control over.