GobblerBuster618 Posted October 6, 2005 Report Share Posted October 6, 2005 I have always heard that a deer with just spikes has bad genetics and should be taken out of the gene pool. Is that true? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathews4life Posted October 6, 2005 Report Share Posted October 6, 2005 Re: Question about spikes i wouldn't think that every spike had bad genetics. I'm pretty sure that there are some spikes that turn into really good deer. its just really hard to say. i know there have been many studies that have been done w/ varyin results...jmo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrWiggely Posted October 6, 2005 Report Share Posted October 6, 2005 Re: Question about spikes Nope! A spike this year may have been an early fawn with good genetics, or a very late fawn last year. I would say you have to wait at least until the 2 1/2 year range to be definate about the genetics. The deers available food sources has alot to do with antler production also. If a deer has a good source of food with proper nutrional value, the deer may develope their antlers faster than a deer with improper nutrition. Wigs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stinger-Hunter Posted October 6, 2005 Report Share Posted October 6, 2005 Re: Question about spikes Wigs is right. I seen alot of articles that disproved this theory that they are deer with bad genetics. Usually late fawn or lack of nutrition Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted October 6, 2005 Report Share Posted October 6, 2005 Re: Question about spikes Nope, we see most of the spikes around here are young yearlings or early born fawns from this year. If a deer is older than 1 1/2 and they still have spikes, than they probably do have bad genetics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Bubbles Posted October 6, 2005 Report Share Posted October 6, 2005 Re: Question about spikes i dont know, but I saw a spike on opening day, in velvet with spots still on it, so i tihnk that is a good sign Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted October 6, 2005 Report Share Posted October 6, 2005 Re: Question about spikes Wiggs hit the nail square! Ranger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lostiniowa Posted October 6, 2005 Report Share Posted October 6, 2005 Re: Question about spikes wigg is knowlegable! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted October 6, 2005 Report Share Posted October 6, 2005 Re: Question about spikes I agree with wiggs but on those questionable bucks you might need to let them reach 3 1/2 before you can get an indication of their potential. A study about antler growth was done at Mississippi State University some years back. One of their bucks that was a spike at 1 1/2 years of age grew a B&C class rack by age 5 1/2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texan_Til_I_Die Posted October 6, 2005 Report Share Posted October 6, 2005 Re: Question about spikes There are of course individual exceptions like the one Rhino mentioned, but when measured as a group, 1.5 year olds that are spikes are not nearly as likely to grow to B&C standards as are bucks with at least forked antlers at 1.5. If you've got plenty of deer, or if you're interested in intensively managing the deer, your herd will benefit from removing spikes, especially any that are over 1.5 years old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted October 6, 2005 Report Share Posted October 6, 2005 Re: Question about spikes If you ask most Texans--they will say shoot 'em. There was a great article in D&DH that followed the life of several spikes. They did lag behind a bit compared to the 1.5 year old forkhorns and bigger but between 4.5 and 5.5 they caught up. I don't shoot spike--I really think (just my opinion) that there is more to a spike than just genetics--like others have stated the buck could have been born to a very young fawn that didn't have the best milk production, maybe a late born fawn, or even enviromental stress such as poor quality habitat. todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest La_Biologist Posted October 6, 2005 Report Share Posted October 6, 2005 Re: Question about spikes The main thing you have to look at when dealing with spikes are their age. If it is a young deer you can't tell if it is genetically inferior due to several possibilities. If you can estimate that it is an older deer, and the previous year wasn't stressful such as a drought or lack of nutrition he may not have what it takes to become large antlered. There are plenty of studies where a deer can be a spike when its 1 1/2 and be a really nice buck a few years later. Remember genetics is just one part of antler development Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
6sixpoint_nobrows Posted October 6, 2005 Report Share Posted October 6, 2005 Re: Question about spikes you never ever know, maybe that he just wasnt gettting enough nutriotn that year for a better rack, i wouldnt worry about it unless he is 2 years old or older Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nut Posted October 7, 2005 Report Share Posted October 7, 2005 Re: Question about spikes Spikes and button bucks are good eating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoyt03 Posted October 7, 2005 Report Share Posted October 7, 2005 Re: Question about spikes sometimes its tough to know your shooting a button as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasDeerHunter Posted October 7, 2005 Report Share Posted October 7, 2005 Re: Question about spikes First year spikes are not at all uncommon and in no way does that mean that they are inferior. By age 2.5 they should be producing some calcium on their head and most likely if they are spikes after the age of 1.5 then you are best served to get them out of the gene pool. With good nutrion, you should be able to get a good idea of what a buck will do at age 2.5 and 3.5. Typically their main frame is determined by 2.5 if they have ample nutrition. There are always exceptions to this, but for the most part it is a good indicator. My recomendation would be to harvest any bucks that are 3.5 and have not developed more than 6 points. Very seldom do inferior bucks do any breeding. Most all breeding is done by dominant mature bucks. On occasion a little guy might get lucky, but you should not worry to much about them spoiling your herd. Give them 3.5 years and then decide whether or not to harvest them. Good Luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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