Spikes....do you kill them or let them walk?
#11
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Hamilton Square NJ USA
Posts: 557
RE: Spikes....do you kill them or let them walk?
If the larger spikes have the same body size, weight, etc, as the smaller spikes, they are 1.5yr old as well. I doubt anywhere in the country has so many 2.5 or older spikes as to be a problem. I hunt the pine barrens in NJ where a 4.5 yr old buck may ony weight 110lbs dressed, and even there I've never shot a spike older than 1.5, and that's an area of terrible genetics, and hardly any food. I would guess your aging technique is flawed. Even biologists trained to age deer have as low as a 50% success rate with older deer.
You should let all those spikes walk, almost every one of them would be a wallhanger for 99% of hunters at 4.5 or 5.5. Most are just the offspring of does that were born in the spring, and then were bred during the second or third rut in Dec or Jan. Just a late fawn, who had to spend the summer putting on body weight to survive the winter, rather than grow a nice yearling rack.
In captivity, spikes commonly grow to Boone and Crocket size.
It's impossble to tell anything about genetics in a wild deer population from a yearling's rack. That's the thinking of wildlife biologists, anyway
You should let all those spikes walk, almost every one of them would be a wallhanger for 99% of hunters at 4.5 or 5.5. Most are just the offspring of does that were born in the spring, and then were bred during the second or third rut in Dec or Jan. Just a late fawn, who had to spend the summer putting on body weight to survive the winter, rather than grow a nice yearling rack.
In captivity, spikes commonly grow to Boone and Crocket size.
It's impossble to tell anything about genetics in a wild deer population from a yearling's rack. That's the thinking of wildlife biologists, anyway
#12
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Harford Co. Maryland
Posts: 1,574
RE: Spikes....do you kill them or let them walk?
And it has been documented time and time again, that spike bucks are oftentimes a result of late-born fawns, which is caused by an overpopulation of does since many does aren't bred during the main rut. This really has nothing to do with bad genes. Give the spikes a year and you shouldn't be able to tell this deer from a first year 6 point once it reaches 2 1/2 years of age.
#14
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: East Yapank NY USA
Posts: 3,457
RE: Spikes....do you kill them or let them walk?
I agree with the above about your aging abilities
The woods I hunt have many 1.5 yr old spikes - I have, only on a few rare ocassionsin in 20 yrs seen a spike over 1.5 - and they where big and thick.
I will also add that most mature bucks in the same area will grow some impressive head gear. I am sure many of the spikes I have let walk have become super deer.
My advise is to rethink what you are doing - shoot more doe - get your buck to doe ratio better - and let all young bucks walk
The woods I hunt have many 1.5 yr old spikes - I have, only on a few rare ocassionsin in 20 yrs seen a spike over 1.5 - and they where big and thick.
I will also add that most mature bucks in the same area will grow some impressive head gear. I am sure many of the spikes I have let walk have become super deer.
My advise is to rethink what you are doing - shoot more doe - get your buck to doe ratio better - and let all young bucks walk
#15
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ponce de Leon Florida USA
Posts: 10,079
RE: Spikes....do you kill them or let them walk?
The vast majority of spike bucks are just yearlings, usually late born. Let the little fellers grow and you will have more trophy bucks in the future. All big bucks were once little bucks.
#16
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 10
RE: Spikes....do you kill them or let them walk?
Your big problem is protien put in some good food plots this is the major cause of spikes genentics play a role but not like protien does I never had qauilty bucks in my yard here is a picture of 3 i planted whitetail clover this last fall what a difference last year i had 7 bucks under pa's AR only one was legal this year 11 bucks all but 4 where legal
#17
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Fairport, NY
Posts: 52
RE: Spikes....do you kill them or let them walk?
Definately let'em walk. Unless you are sure that they are older bucks? If that's the case, then they need to be weeded out! Either that or you might better find a new spot to hunt, if you're looking for the big boys.
Bn'R
Bn'R
#19
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: stroudsburg pa USA
Posts: 434
RE: Spikes....do you kill them or let them walk?
I had a spike last season with a broken leg that I was going to kill if I could but never got a chance this season he is a 20" (outside) 4 point .. If he made it I would like to see him next season ..Bill