I have a friend of mine who I have hunted with for years. He is, for the most part, very respectable when it comes to hunting and ethics. However, we had a "disagreement" about the upcoming season. He informed me that he was going to shoot the "first thing that walks by him". I was OK with that until he said that he would shoot a spike BEFORE he shot a doe. When I asked him why he said that the spike did not had a chance at antler growth, and that it was best to take it out of the herd. I did not agree with this, and he told me that I was not going to change his mind. IMO, the best way to control the herd is to harvest does. There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking a doe. As a mater of fact, I try to take at least 1-2 does per year. Does anyone have any information on the genetics of spikes and if they have the capabiltiy to grow "respectable" racks in the future? My gut is that they can. I want to go back to my buddy and show him some proof, so maybe he will change his mind. I will be pretty pi$$ed off if he shots a spike. Am I wrong for being this way???[&:][&:]

Whether that spike would have developed a good rack later or not is irrelevant , it's his choice if he wants to shoot it because it's legal for him to do so unless your state has antler restrictions .

Would you like it if he insisted that you shoot nothing but does until their numbers were sufficiently reduced ? That's about the same thing you're asking of him . Let him make his own choices .

Your question has been debated many times. I have read articles that support both sides of the argument. Too many factors I guess to determine what the potential of a spike is

I wouldn't get too worked up about it. Hunting for me is to do what makes me happy and satisfied. I have passed on spikes and I have also taken spikes. Let him hunt how he wants and you hunt how you want, but most of all...........continue to hunt together.

A spike can become a booming buck, depending on why its a spike at the time. Last years late season spike can be a B and C some day. As for your friend, if he is eating it and not wasting it, its hisprerogative. Now if he shoots an older deer that is still a spike, then yea it needs culling. That is if he is trying to manage genetics.

One thing I forgot to mention......it was HIS idea to let the bucks grow!!! I do not have a problem with his hunting ethics. He is a great shot, and knows a lot about hunting. My problem is he may be taking deer that have a lot of potential. Also, we both agreed (last year) to let the smaller bucks develop. He has a family of 5 to feed, and they eat all of the meat that he gets from his deer. Again, I think that is great. I just would rather see him take does in place of the spikes. That's all. I enjoy hunting with him, and I don't think this will effect me hunting with him or not. I guess if it comes down to it, I will just shut my mouth and let it happen!!![:@][:@]

Given a chance to grow a spike could be a P&Y within 3 years....your friends reasoning is mistake by years of misinformation but it is his choice to shoot a spike if he wishes.

I would just try and educate him some more. Yes, a spike CAN become a much better deer. The majority of spikes are late born deer, rather than inferior deer. Deer & Deer Hunting did a series on it a while back that was good. Of course there is still no way to know what it will amount to. Bottom line is, it won't amount to anything but a spike if he shoots it.

Isn't Ohio a 1 buck state? He would want to waste his tag on a spike, and be done? I say if he wants todo that, let him. You hold out and shoot the big one He'll come around eventually.

Ditto

i wouldnt shoot the spike(i cant anyway). Usually I have the same philosophy.. Whatever walks by is dead.. I like the meat in the freezer

WV/Hunter-
Actually, my friend lives in SE Indiana. I have hunted with him for 12 years. I live in SW Ohio and SE Indiana is only 25 minutes away. To answer your question.....Ohio AND Indiana are 1 buck states. If he shoots a spike he will have one of his kids check it in for him. I don't agree with this either, but it doesn't matter. I guess this could question his ethics huh??? I only purchase an archery license (the NR price for IN. is $120.75 PER season!!) So I try and wait on a buck, but if it comes to it, I will take a doe, which I did last year. He will not listen to me, nor do I think he will care about the research in D&DH. I think I will hunt more in OH this year anyway, but I still plan on hunting in IN. I am sure he has his reasons(meat for the family, thinning the herd...), but it still is hard to accept!!!