Cull or pass?

[ethanbillingsley]

Ok gents. Shoot or pass? We’ve got a running debate between a few of my buddies whether this is a cull or not? Also would love to see some other whitetail spikes if ya got em.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Depends on what state/where. In MO on my land, not legal. WI, he's going down. Looks to be a pretty healthy sized deer.

 

[JimIsland]

In my neck of the woods that's a cull buck all day. A cow horn with a body that big is going to the processor.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Where I hunt, that deer would be venison an hour after he breathed his last. I’d shoot him just on general principle as a decent sized meat buck.

 

[cmwhitmoyer]

I never understood the idea of culling a spike. Maybe if you hunting land is perfect and you know for certain that there are no food deficiencies. But just because a deer is a spike the first year doesn't mean given proper nutrition for a few years that he can't turn into a nice buck. But then again I don't understand the need for every buck to score 180 before someone can shoot it. We don't check the does genes before letting her get bred. Half the DNA is coming from her.

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[dr.mooseknuckles]

Yeah, I'd pass. He may turn into something better, he may not.
I've listened to numerous deer biologists say that you will not change the genetics on your property by culling, unless you're a mega ranch in Texas.

As stated above by cmwhitmoyer, the does give half of the genetics. If they're in poor nutrition during gestation, recent studies suggest that their buck fawns will be behind the 8-ball for antler production.

Shoot him if he makes you feel happy, but I'd be looking to shoot his momma, aunties and girl cousins to get the extra mouths off the landscape. Should help with overall herd health and result in better nutritional status for the does during gestation.

 

[Pescetism]

Pass.

Not a legal buck here and there are plenty of does to fill the freezer.

 

[Dexter Grayson]

Definitely not a cull.

 

[LostArra]

Yeah, I'd pass. He may turn into something better, he may not.
I've listened to numerous deer biologists say that you will not change the genetics on your property by culling, unless you're a mega ranch in Texas.

And it's not just a mega ranch but a wholesale slaughter of young bucks on a mega ranch not a couple of forkies.

My hunting buddies joke about "culling" which is really just shooting something less than you were hoping for.
I would say it's a universal practice for whatever reason, usually freezer filling. All valid reasons if legal.
When I hunt with selfbows that I make I'm usually sending an arrow at the first non-fawn or doe with spotted fawn under 20 yards but my first reaction to the OP photo is pass.

 

[Rich M]

Here is a tall spike we have. Small deer. Probably a late born buck on his first set. No need to shoot this one.

 

[UKwildcatfan]

Pass. Don't know what he'll turn into, but he won't be a spike in another year.