To broaden your perspective, try consulting a true wilflife professional such as Dr. James Kroll or Larry Weishum. I have never met Weishum, but I started out in college as a forestry major and took a class from Kroll in 1988. I am sure he still offices at the SFASU School of Forestry and can probably be reached there.

I will offer my perspective that I use on my place in east Texas. I will not shoot a spike under 2.5 years period!