Creek is up again but...

Couldn’t cross the creek after the rain so sat at the cabin with my FIL helping with some work, we took a break and sat out front and I saw a spike coming in at the creek and was able to get my gun out of the truck and put a good shot on him at 60 yards. We have been seeing several spikes this year which he was not one of them and decided to take one so it couldn’t have come at a better time, we probably won’t be able to cross the creek until tomorrow afternoon so it feels good to finally get something on the ground.

I shot a spike last weekend that I thought might have been too young until I watched a four-point this evening and realized he was no bigger than the spike. I’m starting to believe what many biologists have been trying to tell us, that if a young buck is old enough to grow spikes, he’s old enough to grow forked antlers. That is, if he has good genetics.

If he has extended hardened antlers he is 1 1/2 probably. I am not convinced you can tell the future of a spike no more than you can tell the future of a 4 point. It has been proven by many deer raising ranchers that a spike is not necessarily an inferior buck. I don't like to take any buck until four years old, although, I can be convinced to take a great rack though lol. I most likely would take a four year old buck with no brow tines. Remember one thing, you cannot remove the genes from the herd very easy as the does give most of the genes to the fawns. I would rather take a spike sometimes when I can't find a mature buck so that a three year old would be four next year. So, I buy into taking spikes sometimes just to try to get the average buck age into maturity. I also might take a buck just because I need meat...lol. So Texas Dan ...you can't go wrong by taking any buck you like...as long as it is legal. Congrats on your spike..it will eat good.

The “button to booner” article is interesting. Follows the life of a deer from a 1 year old spike to a 6 year old 170” deer. It’s my belief that a spike has potential. Maybe not always, but sometimes

A seasoned hunter can tell the difference between an older spike, or one that is the same size as some of the fork horns that are of the same age group.
The late in the year spikes are going to be much smaller in body size, and have very small spikes or nubbins, and I would always give them a pass if I were looking to take a spike.
You never know what their potential is, but it's a roll of the dice, and knowing what to look for.
Congrats on your success, and it will eat good!

What biologists are saying that??