I think it is erroneous to make statements about how spike bucks will grow in comparison with other bucks or deer. The reason is that with AR, more does are shot, so there is more forage for the remaining deer, so that "spike" probably wouldn't be a spike, he'd be a 6 or 8 because he would have received better nutrition. They have done studies that suggest MOST spikes are that way due to overpopulation and consequent lack of nutrition, not due to genetic inferiority.

Making statements about spikes ASSUMES they will be a spike regardless of deer numbers and nutrition, which is flawed rationale...


I also just read an article in D&DH that stated that button buck mortality during doe season is not as large as people think, and the policy of shooting does is a GOOD overall policy for the health of the herd and having bigger bucks...