The Old Spike Myth...'Proofs in the Puddin'....

[massive horns]

For those out there that have heard or practiced shooting spikes because you wanted to thin out weak genetics, here's solid proof that might make you think twice the next time you drop the hammer or release that arrow..

In my area, as in most areas, bucks are hard to identify most often from year to year. In order to be able to solidify that its the same buck from year to year sometimes unique qualities are helpful.

In this case on my farm, we have a buck that we nicknamed "brokenose".
You'll see in the next pics of his facial features and how it looks like he ran into a wall going 100 mph and never slowed down.

The first pics were from last year when he was a 1.5 year old. However, we all kept an eye on him just to see what he would become with the availability of the natural browse we have available, combined with all the different food plots and numerous mineral licks.

This would be a buck to watch for many years, and see just what a spike can become if you let them grow...

As a 2.5 year old he is a 15 inch 9 point.

Most places that have pics of bucks from year to year are usually on high fence operations and or large tracts of un-pressured land. Not in this case...

Can't wait for next years pics....

1.5 year old

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v411/mhorns/ICAM0022.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v411/mhorns/ICAM0021.jpg

2.5 year old
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v411/mhorns/DSC08086.jpg

The one on the left.. look closely at his face as compared to the other deer..Not too mention antler growth and body structure.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v411/mhorns/DSC08088.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v411/mhorns/DSC08126.jpg

We've also noticed how he has always been a very aggressive buck even at his early age. One of my buddies witnessed him fighting a 6 point when he was a spike and ended up winning the fight although he lost one side and become a unicorn buck the rest of the year.

[notimlmit]

That's cool -- we've all heard the expression one must of been dropped on their head when born well guess his momma was standing when she had him -- your right though looks like he'll be a good deer the older he gets

[shot'm&hook'm]

I don't know what to say about him he is the uglyest thing I've ever seen but it looks like he will definatly be a trophy! I myself don't like to shoot spikes or buttons. I have told myself for years that if it aint atleast 8 it can wait!

[littleindian]

Great photo's Massive,
Spikes can be genitic, nutritional or due to being conceived during the later ruts. Most here in KY is due to the later. For those that want to cull spikes and small bucks, do it by rack & body size not just rack alone.

[Split_Ear]

Is this the same one you posted before or a different one??

[bowhunter08]

I always pass on buttons and spikes also. I Read an article several years a go where they researched this. Some of the spike's and button bucks turned out to be better bucks over the study that lasted three years i think.

[thunderchicken09]

Ive heard that an old buck will turn into a spike. My dad killed a spike one time and it was huge, i mean fat his spikes were like 5 inches.

[slickhead slayer]

Ive heard that an old buck will turn into a spike. .

Not true..........

[150PandY]

Not true..........

Well it is possible but usually they just go way down hill and have some twisty looking messed up rack.
If you go to the game farm they have the sheds from a deer from 1.5 to 13.5 years old. It gives you a good idea of what age can mean to rack size.

[12 pointer]

Well it is possible but usually they just go way down hill and have some twisty looking messed up rack.
If you go to the game farm they have the sheds from a deer from 1.5 to 13.5 years old. It gives you a good idea of what age can mean to rack size.

anyone have any way of getting pics of that. I would like to see that.

[bigpuddin43]

let every buck go till at least 3 1/2 if you want to see their potential. we have lots of spikes and 4 pointers as 1 1/2 yr olds but yet at 3 1/2 they are all good looking deer. let them go plus with a one buck limit its gonna be hard to make much dent in the genetics of our herd. let them get some age and they can all be good deer.

[150PandY]

anyone have any way of getting pics of that. I would like to see that.

I will try to get a picture of it this week and post it.

[Jughead]

interesting pics,.. thanks for posting

[huntindawoods]

That's a cool story I've always heard that if a deer is a spike it will always be a spike, I never really believed that, now after this story I know for sure now that that isn't true.

[B Hicks]

That third pic looks like an alpaca in a deer suit.

[randy grider]

adequate nutrition, and age is the big factors in rack size.

[DearDoctor]

In a study done in Texes they taged free range deer and found if given two years of growth the antler size was very similar for spikes and nonspikes.

[HalfBass]

Here is a picture of the 13 years of antler growth on a buck. This is the display from Frankfort. It is pretty dramatic how a buck will go down hill in the last few years of it's life. I imagine most bucks in Ky rarely make it to see 4 or 5 years old so we don't see this much in the wild. Click on the image to make it larger.

6843

[12 pointer]

Here is a picture of the 13 years of antler growth on a buck. This is the display from Frankfort. It is pretty dramatic how a buck will go down hill in the last few years of it's life. I imagine most bucks in Ky rarely make it to see 4 or 5 years old so we don't see this much in the wild. Click on the image to make it larger.

6843

thanks for the pic and to the ones that had intentions of getting it for me to see also.

[I_HUNT_ALL]

Here is a picture of the 13 years of antler growth on a buck. This is the display from Frankfort. It is pretty dramatic how a buck will go down hill in the last few years of it's life. I imagine most bucks in Ky rarely make it to see 4 or 5 years old so we don't see this much in the wild. Click on the image to make it larger.

6843


nice pic halfbass... thats interesting!!! id def. go for the 7 1/2 yearold rack:D

[quackrstackr]

From the looks of it, I've seen a lot of 13 year olds around here. :D

[moe40356]

If You Kill Small Bucks You Never Kill A Big Buck If You Kill Big Bucks You Never Kill A Buck Of A Life Time!