![]() ![]() When asked in seminars, by hunting groups and/or land managers, “Are spikes always going to be spikes?” my standard answer was and continues to be, “If spike bucks are killed as spikes I can assure you they’ll never develop a bigger set of antlers!” But when I was able to do some of my own research on various ranches I managed throughout Texas using various harvest and nutrition regimens, I started questioning “all spikes are bad.” As a result of personal research, I came to a conclusion the primary reason yearling bucks developed spike antlers is because of a lack of proper nutrition. ![]() Spike bucks Weishuhn tagged and were able to follow for several years, all in time produced “acceptable” to big racks, provided they got adequate nutrition.įor a few years, I supported and encouraged the taking of all spikes if you were into a serious quality deer management program. Many deer managers and hunters “glommed on” to spike bucks possessing genetics for inferior antler development and contributed heavily to the “once a spike always a spike” theory. This, I recall, was one of the first comprehensive long-term whitetail deer genetics study ever done.Īs a result of that study, it was essentially decided whitetail bucks tended to develop spikes (only main beams and no other tines) because of nutrition and genetics with emphasis on the latter. The deer I helped procure came from central and southern Texas. Should I be giving them a year or two more?”Ī: Years ago when the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on the Kerr Wildlife Management Area started its “spike buck study” to determine what role genetics played in antler development, and I was one of the wildlife biologists who helped provide deer to initiate the project. Bucks do not necessarily breed true to their antler style, although some do!” I thought the rule was “Once a spike always as spike,” and have been culling any from the deer on my property because I want the larger antler genetics. But realize too, a smaller antlered buck bred to the ‘right’ doe could produce offspring with huge antlers. Genetic antler potential can only be attained with good daily nutrition and achieving maturity. Larry, last week you wrote “Genetics determines shape and size of antlers.
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