Is a spike deer always a spike deer?
Few yearling bucks with spike antlers are genetically programmed to remain spike bucks at maturity. But if we shoot them as spikes, yes, they will never have more than spike antlers. If hunters would let them go, plenty of them can grow into handsome trophies once they overcome a slow start.
What makes a spike buck?
The most common cause of spikes is poor nutrition. When spikes represent more than 25 percent of yearling bucks, it usually indicates too many deer are present for the available resources. Their fawns get a later start in life and have less time to develop as yearling bucks than fawns from mature does.
Is it OK to shoot a spike buck?
If you have an encouraging amount of rainfall, shooting spikes could be beneficial. The high rainfall creates a domino effect of good habitat and nutrition, which will lead to buck growth and less population attrition. Poor habitat and/or nutrition is going to lead to poor antler growth and more spikes.
Will a spike ever be a big buck?
-Therefore, the bigger the yearling, the bigger its ultimate potential. -Given enough time, spikes will grow branched antlers, and after 4.5 years spikes can become decent bucks, but they will never be as big as a branch antlered yearlings if all else is equal.
Are spikes bad genetics?
Spike bucks indicate poor genetics. It could also indicate a skewed sex ratio with does being bred later, resulting in late-born fawns that are bred late the following year. These fawns can be spike bucks as yearlings but can develop very nice antlers if allowed to age and have proper nutrition.
How do you tell if a deer is a spike?
We use the term “spike” for any deer at least a year old that has two hardened antlers that do not branch or fork. We don’t use it to refer to a “nubbin buck” fawn that has skin covered knobs or bumps on its head.
Are spike bucks inferior?
Spike bucks indicate poor genetics. Spike bucks are typically viewed as genetically inferior in trophy management. When there is a high percentage of spikes in a deer herd, it usually indicates other issues besides genetics.
Is a spike whitetail always a spike?
“The ‘once a spike, always a spike’ maxim should be dead, but unfortunately it’s not,” said Lindsay Thomas of the Quality Deer Management Association. “A lot of people believe that a spike will have a spike rack throughout its life, but the research says that’s simply not true.
Are spike bucks bad genetics?
Spike bucks indicate poor genetics. Generally, the deer herd is above carrying capacity and the animals are not getting the proper nutrition. It could also indicate a skewed sex ratio with does being bred later, resulting in late-born fawns that are bred late the following year.
Do spike deer have bad genes?
What is culling buck?
By proper definition, a cull is a buck that is to be considered inadequate or inferior. Cull bucks must be considered when a rancher or hunter is trying to determine which bucks to cull to improve the quality of the herd. Deer antlers are very easily inherited between generations.
Are cull bucks real?
Cull bucks are bucks that are deemed genetically inferior in antler quality to other bucks in the area. With that said, a cull buck on one property may not be a cull buck on another property based on measurable or non-measurable attributes.
Why do whitetail deer have antlers?
The main purpose of antlers is to attract female deer for mating. During mating season, when the antlers are growing, the male deer displays his antlers to a female deer and uses them to become the dominant male.
When do whitetail deer lose their antlers in the south?
Deer that inhabit the hot Southern States have to wait until the beginning of March to lose their antlers. In these areas, the antler shedding season can run from early March to mid-April. However, in areas with large deer populations, the deer tend to shed their antlers earlier and in most cases in mid-December.
What is a spike deer?
Spike Buck Deer 1 definition. A “spike buck deer” is a buck with no antler having more than one point. All other deer are antlerless deer.