RE: spikes
 

I tell all the guys on our hunting lease or any other hunter for that matter if its legal and you paid the price for Hunting Lisc and/or private lease - Go for it - BUT - don't ever complain for lack of decent bucks in your area.

BTW - the mentality that if YOU don't shoot it "Someone else will" is an old timers "theory" at best!

Do what's Legal and floats your boat - but - please don't come back here as some do and complain later.

Other wise let em walk and grow.

RE: spikes
 

i'd take one with no hesitation, antlers look cool but u cant eat them

RE: spikes
 

Why don't all you guys try shooting does istead of all these spikes. Almost evey spike is a yearling deer, so let them live a little bit. You'll get more meat off of a mature doe anyway and it will help your herd.

RE: spikes
 

In this part of the state antlerless deer can not be hunted except with a bow. With a bow you can take any deer you choose. A buck will not stop the deer herd from growing like taking does would. I would and did take a spike bow hunting. He was about the size of an average doe here. I have passed does up with the bow. Now my tag is filled for the year and I do not mind that, as I hunt for meat. I am now taking my son out rifle hunting and I am hoping to bring in a nice big one for him to shoot. If so it will be his first deer. Over the years when our deer numbers were up I have shot 3 deer dressing out over the 200lb mark. These bigger deer make it through the winter months better then the younger ones. Coyotes kill alot of deer here and the bigger are stronger and has the best chance of making it.

RE: spikes
 

My first deer was a spike and my dad said it was "the perfect first buck" because it gave me something to look forward to. At the time I didn't agree but 15 years later I now do. So for kids I think it's a great idea.

I think it depends on if you're a meat hunter or a horns hunter. Most of the people I know and hunt with are meat hunters, thus there aren't many big bucks where I hunt but most don't care.Like somenone said, it's fine eihter way but if you shoot them you can't complain about not having big bucks in your area.

RE: spikes
 

They get a free pass from me during firearms season, but I will take them with the bow...and I will never complain a lick :D

This years spike...

RE: spikes
 

i know spikes can turn into good deer, i had a spike on my trail cam than it turned into a big 4and now its 3.5 years old and is an awsome looking 8

RE: spikes
 

I shoot does for meat and bucks for meat as well as the wall, I have let a number of spikes go as well as smaller 6 and 8 pointers, with rack restictions we have set shooting a nice buck is alwyas possible, itsjust an oppinion question and everyone does things their own way,

RE: spikes
 

I let small bucks walk. There were over 27 deer per square mile killed in my county last year. So there are plenty of deer for me to fill my freezer without killing a youngster.

RE: spikes
 

I understand how people want to fill their freezers, but why do it with tiny bucks that have not been given a chance to grow. For young people who are just starting, of course, shoot whatever you want. they need experience. but for older people who have a little experience, why not let them go for a couple of years. after that you'll have quite a few mature bucks you can harvest so the younger ones have a chance to grow instead of killing the spikes and basket racks every year.