Does a spike count as a buck tag?

Does a spike count as a buck tag?

According to the DNR regulations, and I called to check, any buck that has a forked antler must be tagged with a “Buck Tag” or statewide tag. If it’s a spike or button buck you can apply a antler-less tag on it.

What classifies a deer as a spike?

We use the term “spike” for any deer at least a year old that has two hardened antlers that do not branch or fork. We don’t use it to refer to a “nubbin buck” fawn that has skin covered knobs or bumps on its head. White-tailed deer have their first set of hardened antlers when they are yearlings.

Is a white tail spike always a spike?

“A lot of people believe that a spike will have a spike rack throughout its life, but the research says that’s simply not true. The truth is that in every local deer herd, there are bucks of the same age with average and above and below average antlers.”

Are spike bucks inferior?

Spike bucks are typically viewed as genetically inferior in trophy management. When there is a high percentage of spikes in a deer herd, it usually indicates other issues besides genetics. Generally, the deer herd is above carrying capacity and the animals are not getting the proper nutrition.

Should you kill spike bucks?

To Shoot Or Not To Shoot A Spike The answer is yes, and no. The truth of the matter is that there are times when the harvest of spikes is beneficial to a deer herd, and times when it is damaging. Each tract of land has its own management needs and determining factors of when and why to harvest spike bucks.

Is it legal to kill a spike in Texas?

In other words, any buck having main beams with an outside spread smaller than 20 inches is NOT legal to harvest. Additionally, any buck with at least one unbranched antler (e.g., spike) is NOT legal to harvest, unless the outside spread of the main beams is 20 inches or more in width.

Will a spike buck always be a spike buck?

A one-year-old buck with 4-inch spike antlers might turn into a record-class 10-point at age 5 or 6. Few yearling bucks with spike antlers are genetically programmed to remain spike bucks at maturity. But if we shoot them as spikes, yes, they will never have more than spike antlers.

Do all counties in Texas have antler restrictions?

AUSTIN, Texas – Deer hunters in all or parts of more than 60 counties will need to size up the rack before making a shot as new buck antler restrictions take effect in many eastern and central Texas counties with the start of archery season Sept. 30.

Why do whitetail deer have a spike on one side?

A relatively common antler abnormality observed in members of the deer family, whitetails included, is referred to as spike-on-one-side. Many believe that bucks with a spike antler on one side, but a normal branched antler on the other, possess inferior genetics for antler growth.

Is it a good idea to shoot a spike deer?

If a land manager wants more mature bucks or has a low buck to doe ratio, then shooting any buck may be a bad idea. Trying to kill every spike in some years may remove a whole age class or cohort of deer off a property. It may be better to cull bucks in later years when you can see another set of antlers and gather additional “data.”

How old does a spike deer have to be?

First, let’s define the terms. We use the term “spike” for any deer at least a year old that has two hardened antlers that do not branch or fork. We don’t use it to refer to a “nubbin buck” fawn that has skin covered knobs or bumps on its head.

How old do spike bucks have to be to be shot?

One of the longest, on-going debates continues to be the shooting and/or culling of spike bucks. Spikes are bucks that have only a single, unbranched antler on each side of their head. Research has found that most spikes are 1.5 year old bucks. So, should spike bucks be shot? It depends.