i'm in a hunting camp that has a lot of spikes. Now is there a genetic problem with the spikes will they ever get bigger. This year we have killed 5 spikes and all of them were old. what is the problem could anyone tell me.

Spikes will invarably turn into 6 and 8 pointers the second year. Those 6 and 8 pointers will get bigger the 3d year. But, not if you shoot them the first year.

I would have to disagree with the statement that they will invariably turn into 6 - 8 points. In a perfect world maybe, but as stated, the ones they killed were older. Some will get to be decent size, but in my experience when we have had spikes, we have never had big bucks. Sure, some may buck the trend and turn out good, but usually, ONLY when there is the right balance of good nutrition and the right number of deer. How many places have this? Not very many. I would rather kill all the spikes and let the 4 points (at a year and a half) walk. That way you have the genetics that will make a good buck regardless of the food sources and populations. Just my 2 cents. This plan has worked for us.

I agree with the other posts Spikes will turn into something better. Only if they can get enough of the right foods, Which is hard for them to do in some places. If you have to many you could try thining them out alittle. Good luck.

I killed a big bodied Spike Buck in 2000.
It was a yearling. 18 month old... with 6" spikes.
It was good eating, and I had two little caper Knives made with the Antler's. <img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>

I shot a big buck this season that had curved spikes (cow-horned spikes) that measured just over 11-inches long. Upon checking his teeth, the buck turned out to be about 3 years old. His tarsel glands were a deep brown/black.

I culled him out to strengthen the genetics of the herd.

Heaven is best viewed from a deer stand at sunrise in the forest

Favorite Sticker: Vegetarian is Indian for Lousy Hunter

We've hunted the same area for 3 generations. It is the most God-awfull deer country. Wretched, steril sand country. There are oak trees that are 6&quot;-8&quot; in diameter that are 50 yr's old. In the winter, the deer eat the white pines. Crows, flying across this area, pack their lunch. We've killed spikes and forks every year. But, not a single one of them, ever, was more than 18 mon. old. They had to turn into something.