lost horn I will explain it a little. Spike bucks isn't all the product of bad genes. Very few result from bad genes. They result from the following. When your buck to doe ratio is out of whack such as in PA. You will see more young spikes because the does get bred later then they should. The result is later births which effects antler growth. Because that deer is eating to catch up on its body weight instead of antler growth. The button buck which was born in the spring instead of late summer will mantain a healthy body weight for winter. When spring arrives his nutrition will be going into his antlers because his body weight is healthy. To prove this why do 97% of 4.5 year old bucks score 140 P&Y. Genetics and nutrition are factors but most of it comes from age. ONCE A SPIKE BUCK ALWAYS A SPIKE BUCK isnt true.