There are 7 other factors involved that determine a yearlings fisrt set of antlers besides genetics. Overall, contrary to past popular belief, spike bucks will often poduce quality racks given the time to age. Generally speaking, they will not show these imporvements til they are at least 3 years of age. Unfortunatly, for the most part, we kill most of our animals before they even have the chance to show their potential. This as with many other things has ben dispelled. As een in Texas where the buck to doe ratios are nearly perfect and the does are bred the first time arounf in their enclosures a spike might exemplify poor genetic capability but overall in wild populations this is not true. Visit the QDMA web site and you will find all the reason in the world to let those spikes walk. Lastly, Charlie Alsheimers largest buck in his enclosure was a late drop fawn and only had 3 inch spikes his first year. Now, that particuar animal, pushes B+C and has done so for manyyears. I am not saying that genitics do not play a part in an animals head gear growth potential. However, staticticallty the percentages are much smaller then previously thought that the "once a spike, always a spike" addage is even remotely close to being true. TGK