RE: Spike and Genetics
Not necessarily.Although genetics plays a vital role in determining antler characteristics,the antlers are still soft and malleable when in velvet.Therefore,injury while in velvet could have made one antler shorter.The old axiom of "a spike will stay a spike" has been disproven,however,a relatively small fraction of bucks do remain spikes.If the buck you are talking about has massive spikes and the physical characteristics of an older buck,I would say he is genetically inferior.