In my experience and from what I have read, this statement is not true. Nearly every spike whitetail in my neck of the woods (Texas) is a yearling. However, research does show that if you take 10 bucks that UNDER GOOD NUTRITION are spikes as yearlings and 10 bucks that had a branch antlers as yearlings, the spike group as a whole that are yearlings will never have as good of antlers when they get older. Therefore, if you are trying to increase the quality of bucks on your hunting area, at the expense of buck numbers, you should shoot spikes, especially in years when nutrition is very good.

The research does show that some spikes will eventually be good bucks and some branch antler yearlings won' t amount to much. But the AVERAGE buck that is a forky at 1-1/2 years will be a better buck later on.

Bottom line is that if you shoot every spike you see you will probably increase the genetics of the herd faster, but you won' t have many older bucks for a few years. I take a middle of the road approach. I have a quota of spikes that is 1/2 the number of " trophy" bucks allowed on my property. Also, NEVER shoot a yearling that has a forked antler.