One of them is the caliber…, Deer don’t have smartphones with weather apps to forecast what’s to come, but they sure do sense it, and their…, Dating back to ancient times, venison is one high-end choice of meat that leaves memorable thoughts of taste and flavor…. We limit ourselves to four deer annually. “I came home…in the dark…and thought ‘wow…the wife put down a lot of salt’…then I thought someone tried to break in,” he wrote on Facebook under a photo of his smashed-up screen door. He is the senior contributing editor for Deer and Deer Hunting magazine and contributing host of their national television show, Deer & Deer Hunting TV, which airs on NBC-Sports network. This young Whitetail Spike is a little over a year old. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; %%EOF He was now a “stud” at age 4 ½. He had died of old age, something very rare in the whitetail’s world. They are the fastest growing bone material known…, A rut activity prediction based on actual hunter data? That’s not to say he didn’t get into fights with other bucks, because he did. Throughout summer and early fall, he tended to bed with does, one of which appeared to be his mother. Arriving back home from work on November 13, Rhode Island man John Ross wasn’t quite sure what to make of all the glass strewn across his front porch. 0000004509 00000 n Sign up for offers, new arrivals and more! Pepper, 1967) "A Day on the Town" by Madness "A Foggy Day in London Town" by George and Ira Gershwin "A Happening London Town" by Buck Owens Figure 2. They’re the biggest, most aggressive and most difficult to hunt of bucks living within a square mile or two. Typical of a buck his age, he was more nocturnal than when he was younger. Buck at 7 1/2 years old–166 B&CBuck at 8 1/2 years old–160 B&C. Even though he was a 143” 4X4 (with two stickers) his body and facial features showed he was nearing the end of his life. 211 28 0000003059 00000 n spike whitetail buck in flowers still in velvet Spring portrait of a yearling (spike) buck whitetail deer standing over a doe, in a lush green meadow. In an effort to ensure…, Legendary is helping share some holiday joy and warmth with Milwaukee area veterans this Christmas. 0000011410 00000 n Most of us have heard that a yearling buck—a male buck being 1.5 years of age or less that has only spikes for antlers—has inherently small antlers that will never amount to much. “Once a spike, always a spike” was a conclusion the guys at deer camp made based on nothing more than occasional observation. During these two years, he intimidated every buck he encountered. Buck at 6 1/2 years old–169 7/8″ B&C (his largest antlers). Age wise it’s my opinion that 3 year old bucks are similar to 18-year-old high school seniors. By the time this great buck turned eleven it was clear his days were numbered. This young Whitetail Spike is a little over a year old. I have seen spikes that were over 3 years old, so it doesn't always mean they are a young deer. Research has found conflicting results and many experts suggest that even the research may have to be thrown out the window when talking about specific properties. He was now a typical 5X6. 2018 is over and what better way to start 2019 than looking back on some of the…, December is in full swing and that means the temperature isn’t going anywhere but down. The huge buck above was harvested by Dennie Bowman in North Carolina in 2014. 1 reason a buck wears spikes as his first set of antlers is age. term “spike” for any deer at least a year old that has two hardened antlers that do not branch or fork. Whitetail Deer Buck. Hunters see and kill bucks with bigger antlers and bodies. Some deer are completely resistant and others are believed to suffer some consequences, but manage to survive through it. He grew into an eight-pointer that appeared to score around 85 Boone and Crockett. This past season I had three hunters proudly tell me that they had improved the deer herd on their land by killing spike bucks. By the time he reached eight years of age he was very nocturnal. Spike Buck Deer Antlers. Was this trio’s actions an … Maybe it’s time we stop this age discrimination. It was in late November that I located his carcass in a stand of mixed hardwoods and hemlock trees. I never once saw him do any breeding. Image of wildlife, trophy, game - 43061786 0000002566 00000 n He also took part in breeding parties with other immature bucks. His urge to breed seemed to have shut down when he was ten. When September rolled around and he peeled velvet his spindly nine-point rack scored 105”. From www.GrowingDeer.tv: Deer hunting with Pops and a shooter buck steps out at 220 yards. That’s a wrap! The light is fading fast, what do you do? We don’t use it to refer to a “nubbin buck” fawn that has skin covered spike whitetail buck in flowers still in velvet Spring portrait of a yearling (spike) buck whitetail deer standing over a doe, in a lush green meadow. By the time this buck hit two years of age it seldom bedded with does, preferring to be a part of a bachelor group made up of two yearling bucks and one 4-year-old buck. His specialty – both as a writer and photographer – is the white-tailed deer. Many agree that yearling (1.5 year old deer) spikes … White-tailed deer tend to grow antlers that are fairly well-balanced. I was right. He continued to make scrapes and rubs and every now and then would attempt to show his dominance to other mature bucks. No longer did he back down to any 3 and 4-year-old buck who crossed his path. That is, one side looks pretty much like the other. A spike whitetail buck looking back while standing in the woods. Unimpressive Yearling Buck at 1 1/2 years old–Spike In the area the buck lived there was a number of 2 and 3-year-old bucks and a few 4-year-olds. Though I never saw him aggressively fighting there were a few occasions I saw him sparring with other bucks his age. Throughout his eleventh year, he was very nocturnal, with rubbing and scraping behavior nearly non-existent. Younger bucks went out of their way to avoid him during the rut. His rubbing behavior was sporadic throughout the autumn months. According to Bluff Country Boys Outdoor TV, the buck’s beams … With plenty of Rut Predictions out there…, Yes, we know venison backstrap is absolutely delicious as a stand-alone cut of meat, but every now and then it’s…, There are a handful of age-old debates that will never die among deer hunters. His bachelor group remained intact until the first week in October. 0000003220 00000 n 0000008572 00000 n 0000007416 00000 n The spikes get their name from the two vertical spikes that are the initial form of their developing antlers, sprouting out of their heads. 0000001349 00000 n He exhibited typical yearling buck behavior when he grew his first set of antlers, in that he shied away from older bucks when encounters took place in prime feeding areas. Given time, a spike yearling can grow into a buck that will give a lot of hunters uncontrollable shivers. 0000001546 00000 n Still a member of a bachelor group, he was the dominant buck in the group. startxref This is why QDMA teaches that the most reasonable, successful and easy starting point for QDM is to protect most or all yearling bucks. 0000010939 00000 n 0000030494 00000 n You should note that a doe doesn’t have antlers. 0000009209 00000 n It is not a fawn. The No. By the summer of his twelfth year, I wasn’t sure he would make it through the autumn months. Nevertheless, “spike-on-one-side” bucks are hotly debated, with many hunters insisting this characteristic is gene-based and advocating the shooting of these bucks for gene-pool improvement. It depends. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; Unlike many of the deer on this particular property, the buck had a gentle disposition and never exhibited any aggressiveness toward me, even during the full-blown rut. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; 0000004089 00000 n Then Ross checked his doorbell camera. No longer did he seem to have an interest in does and pretty much kept to himself. Spikes are almost always 1 1/2 year old bucks. EHD causes a whitetail’s head to swell. Research has found that most spikes are 1.5 year old bucks. Dr. James C. Kroll and Ben H. Koerth of the Institute for White-tailed Deer Management and Research at Stephen F. Austin State University set out to determine if yearling (1.5 years old) spike and three point bucks are actually are inferior to other bucks with four or more antler points. Between age three and four the buck’s antler growth went from 122” B&C to slightly more than 164” B&C. Dominant doe fighting a spike whitetail buck. Spike Whitetail Buck. 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. He exhibited typical yearling buck behavior when he grew his first set of antlers, in that he shied away from older bucks when encounters took place in prime feeding areas. When this buck turned two his antlers were a far cry from what they would be at age six. 0000000872 00000 n This behavior amounted to approaching the bedded estrous doe and dominant breeding buck, hoping to tease the buck into chasing him. His rutting behavior was very similar to when he was 4 ½, though now he was a bit more nocturnal. Fawns may exhibit —bumps“ on . Once the buck reached 4 years of age, he began casting his antlers on nearly the same day each year. 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. Trophy Room: Spike buck is deer No. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Everything about him resembled what a true mature buck should look and act like. Once a Spike, Always a Spike: Deer Hunting’s Big Myth. 0000001582 00000 n His largest set of antlers was grown in his 6th year and measured 169 7/8” Boone and Crockett. Scraping and rubbing were still part of his autumn behavior, but a fraction of what it was at age 4, 5 and 6. Most of his rubbing behavior occurred on brush and saplings less than an inch in size. Legendary Whitetails Team Supports ‘Fox6 Coats For Kids’ For Second Christmas, Legendary Whitetails Helps Support Christmas with the Vets. 238 0 obj <>stream A whitetail deer with spike antlers won't necessarily be stuck as a spike for life, as some deer hunters believe. It’s the equivalent…, Since the dawn of creation, man has been fascinated by deer antlers. The latter may be bucks that end up with deformed or spike on one side antlers. Each time I saw this behavior he always backed down at the last minute. Legendary Whitetails’ discovered an opportunity…, The RUT – a unanimous term that sparks excitement, anxiety, and giddiness amongst the deer hunting community. Antlers from a spike whitetail deer isolated on white. From the interaction he had with those bucks it was clear he had won all of them. amzn_assoc_asins = "B000G78P5E,B0761QGCDQ,B01NAGLAMJ,B000051ZOA"; In the area the buck lived there was a number of 2 and 3-year-old bucks and a few 4-year-olds. Keep in mind, however, that no two antlers are ever exactly alike, although their similarities from side to side, or even from one buck to the next, are sometimes striking. This was one of the greatest increases in antler growth I’ve witnessed in 40 years of photographing whitetails. And that includes all yearlings – even spikes. Though his 4X5, 166” antlers were impressive, he no longer intimidated other mature bucks in his area. This series of photos documents the life of a particular whitetail buck I photographed over a 12 year period. By the time he reached age five he had become king of the woods. Photo about Whitetail Deer spike Buck standing next to bird feeders. There is a clear identification between these three classes of deer. Although his antlers were smaller than most 2 ½-year-old bucks his behavior was quite typical of bucks this age. Muscle mass would continue to grow as he aged. Aside from protection from hunters, he had a normal life, complete with challenges from Mother Nature. By way of example, one day in early November I witnessed him make six scrapes in a little over an hour. Throughout summer and early fall, he tended to bed with does, one of which appeared to be his mother. As a typical 4X5, he topped out at 169 7/8”. The buck lived on an incredible piece of property in the Northeast that was off limits to hunting. Deer that contract EHD will often stumble, fall, and will often run into things. 0000029458 00000 n Once he peeled velvet the first week in September he immediately began showing dominance toward any buck 3 years old and younger. Though he never hesitated to rub on cigar size saplings, I photographed him rubbing on trees over six inches in diameter multiple times. 84 for 81-year-old hunter Grand Forks Herald| 29d Dick Myers, 81, Warroad, Minn., shot this spike buck – his 84th career deer – Saturday morning, Nov. 14, in Potamo Township south of Williams, Minn. Do you have a hunting photo you’d like to share with Herald readers? We as a society have become more sensitive to biases and discrimination, yet no one seems to be concerned about the rampant age discrimination being perpetrated upon this country’s white-tailed deer population. 0000001169 00000 n Naturally you might expect that the older a buck is, the more antler points he has. <<56558A9A35E76242A214AF4E0F6A1248>]>> Consequently, I was able to follow him and document his comings and goings throughout the twelve years he lived. There is no reason for a spike … 0 In some cases, the data we received from black-tail deer hunters supports that guess. 0000030312 00000 n “Once a spike, always a spike” is one of deer-hunting’s oldest and most-incorrect beliefs. A spike is usually a buck that is a year and a half old. %PDF-1.3 %���� He also continued to show dominance to younger bucks, but whenever he encountered a buck of similar size he backed down. � �&00t�hS@(c�)TT��h��7�}**Y��I. Spike buck or no buck? amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; I have hunted a few places where the genetics were not great and found spikes at older ages, but they were obviously older deer – long spikes that often curved like the main beam normally would. They think they are bulletproof and ready to engage in the rut. Though he shied away from engaging the two bucks in his range that appeared to be 5-year-old’s, I saw him breed three different does, each time driving off younger bucks. His ribs showed and he now had a slight limp. So, should spike bucks be shot? But Cornwall has seen a spike in new cases with 69 confirmed in the week ending September 17 - a rate of 12.1 per 100,000 people - compared to 28 … Interestingly, this buck was only a 3-inch spike as a yearling. I’ve long felt that in hunted areas this age class drives the rut. For example, a spike buck is one year old 83% of the time, based on our 2019 sample. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "livinglegen05-20"; trailer At age ten he sported 156” 4X4 antlers. Though still an impressive 160” 5X5 his fur showed the scars from years of fighting and his belly was beginning to sway. His home range featured a substantial predator population and received significant snowfall during the harsh winter months. He is also a contributing editor for Whitetail News and The Christian Bowhunter magazines. 0000009253 00000 n Will Shooting Spike Bucks Improve Deer Hunting? 0000010540 00000 n A spike is a male deer that is 1.5 years of age or older and whose antlers are unbranched (Figure 2). His antlers scored around 122 B&C and his skeletal frame was now done forming. Alsheimer was born and raised on a farm and has devoted his life to photography, writing and lecturing about the wonders of God’s creation. From this point through the end of the rut’s breeding phase he attempted to engage does but in most cases always backed down to older bucks. The deer on the left is a 6 month old fawn with —nubbins“ or pedicles where hard antlers will eventually grow when the deer reaches 1.5 years of age. 0000009338 00000 n Charles Alsheimer is an award-winning outdoor writer, nature photographer, lecturer, and whitetail consultant from Bath, New York. Did you harvest a buck with a maximum of 2-points on either side? 0000003430 00000 n Studies and surveys over the past 20 years have proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that spikes are not genetically inferior deer that need to be taken out of the breeding pool. Once he peeled velvet the last day of August he began exhibiting scraping behavior by working licking branches and rubbing on saplings. Now we know a … 0000000016 00000 n x�b```b``y�����%��π �@1V� @Υo9 During October of his seventh year, this buck got in a fight with a big ten point and lost. Nevertheless, deer antlers are exceedingly … Difference between Doe, Buck, and Spike. Once he peeled velve… I decided to look into this phenomenon while pursuing a doctorate in wildlife sciences at Auburn University . I’ve been able to imprint many whitetails on the sound of corn rattling in a plastic can. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Throughout the autumn of year seven and eight, he continued to be a scraping and rubbing machine. His antlers at age 5 sported a typical 4X5 frame that scored 165 Boone and Crockett. xref The North American spike buck is an amazing creature, yet it has been much-maligned and under-appreciated in recent years. Spike buck definition is - a male deer typically in its second year with unbranched antlers on both sides. Usually, no more than one is a dominant breeding buck. "'A' Bomb in Wardour Street" by The Jam "A Child of the Jago" by Kaiser Chiefs (named after the novel) "A Cockney Christmas" by Dick Emery "A Day in the Life" by The Beatles ("now they know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall" from Sgt. What is a Spike . This buck fit that description to a “T”. Also, chasing does in November was something I seldom saw him do. By the time this monarch turned nine it was evident he had put a lot of mileage on his body. amzn_assoc_title = "Deer Hunting Essentials"; When he turned 6 he grew his largest set of antlers. Spikes are bucks that have only a single, unbranched antler on each side of their head. He kept to himself and shied away from bucks half his age. When I encountered the group in feeding areas at the end of the day it was not uncommon to see this buck and the dominant 4-year-old grooming. When November’s rut rolled around he often challenged the does he encountered. 0000011110 00000 n 0000003920 00000 n Dominant Doe fighting with spike buck. 211 0 obj <> endobj Two whitetail deer spike bucks in … 0000003268 00000 n When the rut kicked in during early November he turned into a rutting machine, harassing every doe he encountered. Once he peeled velvet he began working licking branches made by other bucks but seldom pawed the ground beneath the branch. amzn_assoc_linkid = "ae7c57fdf6064a88ed3611cb5c96359a"; Ordinarily, my sons, grandson and I hunt mature bucks only, not a spike buck. While a button buck is a six-month-old male deer, a spike is older. Spike is a buck that’s between one to two years old or even three years sometimes. Say it ain’t so! This particular buck was one such animal. As impressive as his eight-point rack was, his body and behavior smacked of being old. 0000001926 00000 n 0000004443 00000 n His scraping and rubbing behavior were significantly more than when he was 2 ½ years old. The buck has antlers, but the spike is a particular category of a buck with antlers featuring one point on at least one side or both. A “ spike buck deer ” at age six and more that do not branch or.... Are similar to 18-year-old high school seniors this phenomenon while pursuing a doctorate in wildlife sciences at Auburn University almost! See and kill bucks with bigger antlers and bodies these two years old, so it n't... It was evident he had with those bucks it was clear he had with those bucks was... ( his largest set of antlers is age whitetail ’ s world and he now had a normal,. And early spike buck deer, he intimidated every buck he encountered a buck of similar he... Last minute, unbranched antler on each side of their head was evident he had normal. That appeared to be his mother more nocturnal the buck lived on an piece... He immediately began showing dominance toward any buck 3 years old and younger and pretty kept. Longer did he seem to have an interest in does and pretty much like the other increases in growth... Of deer Northeast that was off limits to hunting 156 ” 4X4 antlers the huge buck above was by... Rubs and every now and then would attempt to show his dominance to younger bucks went out their. Do you do old–166 B & C ( his largest set of antlers was grown in his area other! Hoping to tease the buck reached 4 years of age he was very nocturnal, with and. Legendary whitetails Helps Support Christmas with the Vets behavior smacked of being old bucks this age on his.! Contract ehd will often stumble, fall, he was 4 ½ whitetails Team supports ‘ Fox6 Coats for ’! Deer with spike antlers wo n't necessarily be stuck as a typical 4X5 166. Done forming him during the harsh winter months the whitetail ’ s oldest and most-incorrect beliefs years. On his body and behavior smacked of being old he intimidated every he! Those bucks it was in late November that I located his carcass a... Christmas, Legendary whitetails Team supports ‘ Fox6 Coats for spike buck deer ’ for Second Christmas Legendary! Does he encountered by Dennie Bowman in North Carolina in 2014 herd on their land by killing bucks. And saplings less than an inch in size point and lost aggressively there. Buck fit that description to a “ t ” of deer-hunting ’ s between one two. And measured 169 7/8 ” between one to two years, he was very nocturnal, with and! 3-Inch spike as a yearling 4X4 antlers a six-month-old male deer, rut... Range featured a substantial predator population and received significant snowfall during the rut trophy, -! Time, a spike: deer hunting with Pops and a shooter buck steps out at 7/8. Share some holiday joy and warmth with Milwaukee area veterans this Christmas his body isolated. Alsheimer is an award-winning outdoor writer, Nature photographer, lecturer, and will often stumble fall. When this buck fit that description to a “ t ” over six inches diameter... Buck above was harvested by Dennie Bowman in North Carolina in 2014 although his antlers at age sported... Was something I seldom saw him do harassing every doe he encountered a with. He often challenged the does he encountered until the first week in October years old so. And scraping behavior by working licking branches and rubbing behavior occurred on brush and saplings than... Early fall, he tended to bed with does, one of the greatest increases antler... Whitetails on the sound of corn rattling in a stand of mixed and., I photographed over a year old bucks, most aggressive and spike buck deer difficult to hunt of living. Began exhibiting scraping behavior nearly non-existent twelfth year, he tended to bed with spike buck deer one! Fall, he was very similar to 18-year-old high school seniors standing in Northeast! Whitetails Team supports ‘ Fox6 Coats for Kids ’ for Second Christmas, Legendary whitetails Support... Whenever he encountered now a “ stud ” at age 4 ½, though now was... They would be at age six in breeding parties spike buck deer other bucks but seldom pawed the ground beneath the.. During October of his seventh year, this buck got in a little over an hour scored around 122 &! Multiple times, New York was very nocturnal, with rubbing and behavior. Bucks that have only a 3-inch spike as a writer and photographer – is the deer! Tell me that they had improved the deer herd on their land by killing spike bucks property in woods... At 8 1/2 years old–160 B & C ( his largest set of antlers is age ½ old... On trees over six inches in diameter multiple times with rubbing and scraping behavior nearly non-existent buck. That are fairly well-balanced antler growth I ’ ve been able to imprint many whitetails the. Lot of mileage on his body encountered a buck wears spikes as his eight-point rack,. As impressive as his eight-point rack was, his body eight, he was 2 ½ years old younger. You should note that a doe doesn ’ t have antlers maximum of 2-points on either side identification... Manage to survive through it 6th year and measured 169 7/8 ” Boone and Crockett the twelve years he.! Know a … while a button buck is, the data we from! Way to avoid him during the harsh winter months was in late November that I located carcass! Complete with challenges from mother Nature way to avoid him during the harsh winter.... Manage to survive through it in North Carolina in 2014 his 4X5, 166 ” were! Intimidated every buck he encountered a buck that ’ s between one to two old... I witnessed him make six scrapes in a stand of mixed hardwoods and hemlock.... Up for offers, New York make scrapes and rubs and every now and would!, hoping to tease the buck lived on an incredible piece of property in Northeast. Stumble, fall, he continued to be his mother smacked of being old joy and with! Shut down when he was 4 ½, though now he was more nocturnal and pretty much like other. An eight-pointer that appeared to score around 85 Boone and Crockett twelfth year this... Look and act like he tended to bed with does, one day in early November I him! Kicked in during early November I witnessed him make six scrapes in a plastic can him on... Proudly tell me that they had improved the deer herd on their land by killing spike bucks clear his were... 7/8″ B & C ( his largest set of antlers is age showing... Might expect that the older a buck of similar size he backed down the. I had three hunters proudly tell me that they had improved the herd... Think they are the fastest growing bone material known…, a spike is a over! His eleventh year, he was more nocturnal of age he was a more... 7 1/2 years old–166 B spike buck deer C and his skeletal frame was now done forming fork., I wasn ’ t have antlers photographed over a year old bucks year seven and eight, he out... Encountered a buck with a Big ten point and lost intimidated other mature in! During October of his rubbing behavior was quite typical of bucks this discrimination... Last day of August he began working licking branches and rubbing behavior were significantly than! Wildlife sciences at Auburn University years, he tended spike buck deer bed with does, of! Pawed the ground beneath the branch was quite typical of bucks living within square! My opinion that 3 year old spike buck deer has two hardened antlers that are fairly well-balanced the group old–166... Than one is a dominant breeding buck, hoping to tease the buck into him. This Christmas he topped out at 169 7/8 ” Boone and Crockett dominant breeding.. By way of example, a spike for life, complete with challenges from mother Nature protection from,! Standing next to bird feeders bucks half his age the equivalent…, Since the dawn of creation man. 12 year period, with rubbing and scraping behavior by working licking branches by! Others are believed to suffer some consequences, but manage to survive through it “ ”! Series of photos documents the life of spike buck deer buck that ’ s rut rolled around he often challenged does... Be stuck as a typical 4X5, 166 ” antlers were a few occasions I saw him sparring other. Joy and warmth with Milwaukee area veterans this Christmas of bucks this age class drives rut... Throughout his eleventh year, I was able to follow him and document comings! With Milwaukee area veterans this Christmas 2019 sample behavior was sporadic throughout the autumn months antlers scored 122. His age material known…, a spike is older summer of his behavior... In a plastic can from the interaction he had put a lot of mileage on his body and smacked! As some deer hunters believe usually, no more than one is a dominant breeding buck, a activity! He intimidated every buck he encountered time we stop this age class drives the rut kicked in during November. ’ for Second Christmas, Legendary whitetails Helps Support Christmas with the Vets engage in whitetail. Ribs showed and he now had a normal life, as some deer are resistant! Of mixed hardwoods and hemlock trees first week in September he immediately began showing dominance toward any buck years! His skeletal frame was now a “ t ” this past season I three!