Spike Bucks
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 9
Spike Bucks
Hello everyone,
I would like to hear your opinions on something. I went to Northern Minnesota this year for deer hunting. We shot a couple of nice Bucks. We passed on four different spikes. We visited a camp down the road from us and told them about the spikes. The general response was " Kill those spikes, once a spike always a spike. They are genetic defects". I have heard this before but never really believed it. My question is do any of you know the answer to this? Is a spike always a spike? If this is the case you would think you would see more large spikes running around. Any responses would be appreciated. Thanks in advance,
Marty
I would like to hear your opinions on something. I went to Northern Minnesota this year for deer hunting. We shot a couple of nice Bucks. We passed on four different spikes. We visited a camp down the road from us and told them about the spikes. The general response was " Kill those spikes, once a spike always a spike. They are genetic defects". I have heard this before but never really believed it. My question is do any of you know the answer to this? Is a spike always a spike? If this is the case you would think you would see more large spikes running around. Any responses would be appreciated. Thanks in advance,
Marty
#4
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 638
RE: Spike Bucks
My question is do any of you know the answer to this? Is a spike always a spike?
No, a spike is not always a spike. Deer that are spikes their first year will generally always get bigger in the following years. But most bucks that are spikes their first year will always be "behind" other bucks of the same age. A 1 1/2 year old spike will never produce a set of horns as big as a buck who was a 4,6, or 8 pointer his first year.
There are alot of ranches in this area that have a "kill on site" policy towards spike bucks. But these are very well managed ranches and most of the time a spike buck is a rare sight. However I dont recommend people killing 1 1/2 year old spikes, unless you have a very strict management program. IMO the only spikes that should be shot are the ones who appear to be older then 1 1/2.