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Feb 7th, 2025
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 Spike Bucks
#5538647
01/13/15 01:17 AM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,067
titan2232
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,067 |
Once a spike always a spike? I've seen two spikes on camera this year that look to be 3-4 inches in length and I've also seen a few 4 pointers that seem to be of the same age. Never seen an older spike on this E Texas property in 5 years so I'm assuming these are just young deer and will hopefully have potential one day. Any thoughts?
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: titan2232]
#5538697
01/13/15 01:41 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,954
txshntr
T-Rex Arms
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T-Rex Arms
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 35,954 |
Myth. Plenty of rumors and saying about spikes, but "once a spike, always a spike" is the most said and the most false.
Different thoughts concerning spikes. IMO, it doesn't hurt to take them, but without all other management practices firing on all cylinders, you aren't going to see a difference.
One line of thought on lower populated places is to let them live and hope for an exception. If you have a higher population, take them out to help with population control.
Not convinced they are always inferior, but playing the odds of percentages, they are lowest on the totem pole.
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: titan2232]
#5538800
01/13/15 02:12 AM
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 420
WesTexHunter75
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 420 |
I've read several articles about this. Seems like opinions are all over the place. I don't like to shoot them unless I know for sure they are older than 1 1/2. Could be they are a spike cause they were a late fawn also. We shot a 7 yo spike about 3 yrs ago. Had 14" spikes. Looked like a blackbuck at first glance in the trail cam photo.
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: titan2232]
#5538822
01/13/15 02:17 AM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 373
aggiehunter3
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 373 |
Last edited by aggiehunter3; 01/13/15 02:36 AM.
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: titan2232]
#5538841
01/13/15 02:23 AM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,798
Big_Ag
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,798 |
Most spikes are younger deer, typically 1.5. It has been shown that there is a higher propensity for spikes in overpopulated herds that exceed the carrying capacity of their range where poor nutitrition is a contributing factor. Late born buck fawns (there mother was bred late - second rut or to a 1st year doe) have a higher propensity to be spikes as well. Then there is just flat out bad genes. In any case, I'm of the belief that spikes are very likely to have nferior antlers their lifetime compared to the same age class bucks that were fork antlered at 1.5. If your herd is under the carrying capacity and buck to doe ratio is in line so that does don't go without being bred the first cycle, then spikes are likely genetically inferior and should not be protected in my opinion. If your herd is over the carrying capacity, then both spikes and does should be equally at the top of the hit list to reduce the number of mouths to feed. Yes. There are exceptions where spikes end up being nice trophies, but I'd take my chances on tne fork antlered youngster turning into tne better trophy.
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: Big_Ag]
#5539297
01/13/15 04:44 AM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 16,835
QuitShootinYoungBucks
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 16,835 |
Most spikes are younger deer, typically 1.5. It has been shown that there is a higher propensity for spikes in overpopulated herds that exceed the carrying capacity of their range where poor nutitrition is a contributing factor. Late born buck fawns (there mother was bred late - second rut or to a 1st year doe) have a higher propensity to be spikes as well. Then there is just flat out bad genes. In any case, I'm of the belief that spikes are very likely to have nferior antlers their lifetime compared to the same age class bucks that were fork antlered at 1.5. If your herd is under the carrying capacity and buck to doe ratio is in line so that does don't go without being bred the first cycle, then spikes are likely genetically inferior and should not be protected in my opinion. If your herd is over the carrying capacity, then both spikes and does should be equally at the top of the hit list to reduce the number of mouths to feed. Yes. There are exceptions where spikes end up being nice trophies, but I'd take my chances on tne fork antlered youngster turning into tne better trophy. Exactly the way I feel.
![[Linked Image]](http://www.katiecortese.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/texas-tech-logo-2-150x150.jpg) https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: aggiehunter3]
#5539508
01/13/15 12:42 PM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,067
titan2232
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,067 |
Very interesting. Identifying particular bucks from year to year is difficult for me, but I have a good shot with many more pictures than previous years.
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: titan2232]
#5539632
01/13/15 02:05 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 40,671
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 40,671 |
Very interesting. Identifying particular bucks from year to year is difficult for me, but I have a good shot with many more pictures than previous years. Unless they have a docked tail, scar, ear tag, etc. how do you know which fork horn/8pt etc. was a spike or fork horn or whatever from the year before? Maybe some that spend a crazy amount of time in the field could, but I don't think even your most dedicated hunters could tell the difference unless their feeder was in their back yard or they manage the ranch for a living and see the deer every day.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: aggiehunter3]
#5539633
01/13/15 02:06 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,138
Western
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,138 |
Great link, almost feel like I knew the buck after going through the commentary and photos 
If at first you dont succeed, then skydiving is not for you..
"Don't trust everything you read on the Internet"- Abraham Lincoln
Dennis
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks]
#5539685
01/13/15 02:29 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,162
Satch
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,162 |
Most spikes are younger deer, typically 1.5. It has been shown that there is a higher propensity for spikes in overpopulated herds that exceed the carrying capacity of their range where poor nutitrition is a contributing factor. Late born buck fawns (there mother was bred late - second rut or to a 1st year doe) have a higher propensity to be spikes as well. Then there is just flat out bad genes. In any case, I'm of the belief that spikes are very likely to have nferior antlers their lifetime compared to the same age class bucks that were fork antlered at 1.5. If your herd is under the carrying capacity and buck to doe ratio is in line so that does don't go without being bred the first cycle, then spikes are likely genetically inferior and should not be protected in my opinion. If your herd is over the carrying capacity, then both spikes and does should be equally at the top of the hit list to reduce the number of mouths to feed. Yes. There are exceptions where spikes end up being nice trophies, but I'd take my chances on tne fork antlered youngster turning into tne better trophy. Exactly the way I feel. Yep
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: Western]
#5539737
01/13/15 02:50 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,131
postoak
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,131 |
Great link, almost feel like I knew the buck after going through the commentary and photos Yeah, I was saddened by his decline and death, which is a weird ambivalence for a guy who likes deer hunting as much as I do.
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: titan2232]
#5539752
01/13/15 02:54 PM
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 15,212
don k
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 15,212 |
I followed a spike through 4 years. An 8 point at 4 years. No larger or smaller than the average deer around here.
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: titan2232]
#5539770
01/13/15 03:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,185
hook_n_line
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,185 |
I've only ever seen 2 spikes on our place and this year to fill the freezer and save a better buck I took the spike. He tasted as good as any + I made the kids some cool whistles from the spikes. Now the better bucks at the feeder get a little more groceries too.
Sometimes it's hard being me! But somebody has to do it.
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: titan2232]
#5540122
01/13/15 05:11 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,610
Texas Dan
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,610 |
Don't overthink it. When a spike shows up that appears the same size and age of other deer you have seen in the area that carry one or more forked antlers, remove him.
Simply put, let the better ones walk and remove those that lag them. Common sense dictates that all the deer in a given area share the same food sources. The only thing they don't share is the same genetics. And you don't need a degree in Wildlife Biology to know that.
"When the debate is lost, insults become the tool of the loser."
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: titan2232]
#5540138
01/13/15 05:20 PM
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 57
Dadeo
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 57 |
I think it depends on were you are hunting.
If I only see one or two young spikes, I will give them a chance.
However I have hunted a ranch in south texas were if you saW a spike you took it out.
And after about five years we have zero spikes.
All 1 1/2 old have small eight point racks.
I have not even seen a six.
So I guess it works.
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: titan2232]
#5540189
01/13/15 05:44 PM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,067
titan2232
OP
THF Trophy Hunter
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OP
THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,067 |
It'll be interesting to see this bachelor group next season of the two young 4 points and spike. They were seen on a regular basis right before bow season and for past several weeks now. Seeing them in their groups may be my only way to identify them for the upcoming season.
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: titan2232]
#5540233
01/13/15 06:02 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,610
Texas Dan
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,610 |
It'll be interesting to see this bachelor group next season of the two young 4 points and spike. They were seen on a regular basis right before bow season and for past several weeks now. Seeing them in their groups may be my only way to identify them for the upcoming season. . Keep us posted. People like to call out those spikes which later became better deer. But what you seldom see is a comparison to what his better peers looked like later as well. Nearly all spikes will develop forked antlers given time. The point is how they will compare to their better peers.
"When the debate is lost, insults become the tool of the loser."
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: Texas Dan]
#5540240
01/13/15 06:06 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 63,110
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 63,110 |
Don't overthink it. When a spike shows up that appears the same size and age of other deer you have seen in the area that carry one or more forked antlers, remove him.
Simply put, let the better ones walk and remove those that lag them. Common sense dictates that all the deer in a given area share the same food sources. The only thing they don't share is the same genetics. And you don't need a degree in Wildlife Biology to know that. Wrong... Juvenile deer are like juvenile kids.. Good mothers put their kids a heads, but the runts will catch up in time Late born fawns are behind body structure wise, but catch up with age.
Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, b/c they know not victory nor defeat"- #26 TR
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#5540248
01/13/15 06:08 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,610
Texas Dan
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 22,610 |
Don't overthink it. When a spike shows up that appears the same size and age of other deer you have seen in the area that carry one or more forked antlers, remove him.
Simply put, let the better ones walk and remove those that lag them. Common sense dictates that all the deer in a given area share the same food sources. The only thing they don't share is the same genetics. And you don't need a degree in Wildlife Biology to know that. Wrong... Juvenile deer are like juvenile kids.. Good mothers put their kids a heads, but the runts will catch up in time Late born fawns are behind body structure wise, but catch up with age. That's like saying every girl will develop, well, you get the point. Ain't going to happen.
"When the debate is lost, insults become the tool of the loser."
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#5540253
01/13/15 06:12 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
Don't overthink it. When a spike shows up that appears the same size and age of other deer you have seen in the area that carry one or more forked antlers, remove him.
Simply put, let the better ones walk and remove those that lag them. Common sense dictates that all the deer in a given area share the same food sources. The only thing they don't share is the same genetics. And you don't need a degree in Wildlife Biology to know that. Wrong... Juvenile deer are like juvenile kids.. Good mothers put their kids a heads, but the runts will catch up in time Late born fawns are behind body structure wise, but catch up with age.  Show me those 1000's of spikes turning to 170+ class bucks you have pictures of then. 
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people? ![[Linked Image]](http://neoswarm.com/images/Bug_Crawling.gif)
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#5540254
01/13/15 06:12 PM
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 16,835
QuitShootinYoungBucks
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 16,835 |
Don't overthink it. When a spike shows up that appears the same size and age of other deer you have seen in the area that carry one or more forked antlers, remove him.
Simply put, let the better ones walk and remove those that lag them. Common sense dictates that all the deer in a given area share the same food sources. The only thing they don't share is the same genetics. And you don't need a degree in Wildlife Biology to know that. Wrong... Juvenile deer are like juvenile kids.. Good mothers put their kids a heads, but the runts will catch up in time Late born fawns are behind body structure wise, but catch up with age. Reading is funduhmental.
https://web.archive.org/web/20170223065011/http:/www.rrdvegas.com/silencer-cleaning.html
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: Texas Dan]
#5540259
01/13/15 06:15 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 40,671
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 40,671 |
Don't overthink it. When a spike shows up that appears the same size and age of other deer you have seen in the area that carry one or more forked antlers, remove him.
Simply put, let the better ones walk and remove those that lag them. Common sense dictates that all the deer in a given area share the same food sources. The only thing they don't share is the same genetics. And you don't need a degree in Wildlife Biology to know that. Wrong... Juvenile deer are like juvenile kids.. Good mothers put their kids a heads, but the runts will catch up in time Late born fawns are behind body structure wise, but catch up with age. That's like saying every girl will develop, well, you get the point. Ain't going to happen. Dan that's like trying to guess which young ladys will develop, well, by looking at 2 year old kids... I think it actually hurts your case more than it helps.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: QuitShootinYoungBucks]
#5540260
01/13/15 06:15 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 63,110
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 63,110 |
Don't overthink it. When a spike shows up that appears the same size and age of other deer you have seen in the area that carry one or more forked antlers, remove him.
Simply put, let the better ones walk and remove those that lag them. Common sense dictates that all the deer in a given area share the same food sources. The only thing they don't share is the same genetics. And you don't need a degree in Wildlife Biology to know that. Wrong... Juvenile deer are like juvenile kids.. Good mothers put their kids a heads, but the runts will catch up in time Late born fawns are behind body structure wise, but catch up with age. Reading is funduhmental. So you can weight deer on the hoof? All 5'0 guys are the same frame? Again until a deer reaches structural maturity you have zero idea what head gear he will support. Keep shooting young bucks.....
Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, b/c they know not victory nor defeat"- #26 TR
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: Texas Dan]
#5540271
01/13/15 06:20 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 63,110
BOBO the Clown
kind of a big deal
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kind of a big deal
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 63,110 |
Don't overthink it. When a spike shows up that appears the same size and age of other deer you have seen in the area that carry one or more forked antlers, remove him.
Simply put, let the better ones walk and remove those that lag them. Common sense dictates that all the deer in a given area share the same food sources. The only thing they don't share is the same genetics. And you don't need a degree in Wildlife Biology to know that. Wrong... Juvenile deer are like juvenile kids.. Good mothers put their kids a heads, but the runts will catch up in time Late born fawns are behind body structure wise, but catch up with age. That's like saying every girl will develop, well, you get the point. Ain't going to happen. Did you actually read this? You're anology supports my case.
Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, b/c they know not victory nor defeat"- #26 TR
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Re: Spike Bucks
[Re: BOBO the Clown]
#5540274
01/13/15 06:20 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296
stxranchman
Obie Juan Kenobi
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Obie Juan Kenobi
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 60,296 |
Don't overthink it. When a spike shows up that appears the same size and age of other deer you have seen in the area that carry one or more forked antlers, remove him.
Simply put, let the better ones walk and remove those that lag them. Common sense dictates that all the deer in a given area share the same food sources. The only thing they don't share is the same genetics. And you don't need a degree in Wildlife Biology to know that. Wrong... Juvenile deer are like juvenile kids.. Good mothers put their kids a heads, but the runts will catch up in time Late born fawns are behind body structure wise, but catch up with age. Reading is funduhmental. So you can weight deer on the hoof? All 5'0 guys are the same frame? Again until a deer reaches structural maturity you have zero idea what head gear he will support. Keep shooting young bucks..... Trying to compare deer to people or livestock is about the same don't you think? Show me all those pics of those 1000's of spikes that turned into 170+ bucks?
Are idiots multiplying faster than normal people?
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