Small spike buck10/2/2023 ![]() This, I recall, was one of the first comprehensive long-term whitetail deer genetics study ever done.Īs a result of that study, it was essentially decided whitetail bucks tended to develop spikes (only main beams and no other tines) because of nutrition and genetics with emphasis on the latter. The deer I helped procure came from central and southern Texas. Should I be giving them a year or two more?”Ī: Years ago when the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on the Kerr Wildlife Management Area started its “spike buck study” to determine what role genetics played in antler development, and I was one of the wildlife biologists who helped provide deer to initiate the project. Bucks do not necessarily breed true to their antler style, although some do!” I thought the rule was “Once a spike always as spike,” and have been culling any from the deer on my property because I want the larger antler genetics. But realize too, a smaller antlered buck bred to the ‘right’ doe could produce offspring with huge antlers. Genetic antler potential can only be attained with good daily nutrition and achieving maturity. Larry, last week you wrote “Genetics determines shape and size of antlers. DEC must develop additional methods for monitoring deer populations to manage effectively with ARs.Q. Deer management population indices were compromised by ARs.A majority of hunters in the pilot AR units prefer that the program continue.Hunter expectations for the pilot AR program were largely unmet.A majority of hunters reported being dissatisfied with (1) the number of antlered bucks compared to antlerless deer seen, (2) the number of older, larger-antlered bucks seen, (3) their opportunity to shoot larger-antlered bucks, and (4) the number of older bucks compared to the number of young bucks seen. More hunters reported being satisfied than dissatisfied with the level of protection afforded to young bucks and with the level of safety they felt in the pilot area. Similar increases in buck-hunting satisfaction were observed in the surrounding region as occurred within the pilot area. Satisfaction with buck-hunting was generally higher in the pilot AR units than the surrounding region. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |