RE: whitetail "spikes"
I would have to disagree with the statement that they will invariably turn into 6 - 8 points. In a perfect world maybe, but as stated, the ones they killed were older. Some will get to be decent size, but in my experience when we have had spikes, we have never had big bucks. Sure, some may buck the trend and turn out good, but usually, ONLY when there is the right balance of good nutrition and the right number of deer. How many places have this? Not very many. I would rather kill all the spikes and let the 4 points (at a year and a half) walk. That way you have the genetics that will make a good buck regardless of the food sources and populations. Just my 2 cents. This plan has worked for us.