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.

 

[deerhunt1988]

Pass. Don't care about shooting a yearling buck, which he appears to be by his long legged look. For my area, hed actually have longer than average beams for yearling bucks so id be hoping he made it.

Now if it was a 3 year old buck and I still had all 3 of my buck tags open, id send it.

 

[Mr. October]

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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Especially since there isn't any science around the whole "cull buck" or management buck thing to begin with. It is a bunch of hokum preached by "deer managers" trying to produce the next Jordan buck. But in PA spikes are only legal for kids and old guys. We have very inconsistent rules here.

 

[cmwhitmoyer]

Especially since there isn't any science around the whole "cull buck" or management buck thing to begin with. It is a bunch of hokum preached by "deer managers" trying to produce the next Jordan buck. But in PA spikes are only legal for kids and old guys. We have very inconsistent rules here.

Seniors in PA must still abide by antler restrictions. Junior hunters get a pass so we have a better chance at retaining them as hunters.

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[Mountain_Life]

Not a spike, but here's a mature forky we had on a property last year. After we shot him, a beautiful 10 showed up and took over his side of the property.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

Not a spike, but here's a mature forky we had on a property last year. After we shot him, a beautiful 10 showed up and took over his side of the property.

He looks delicious!

 

[Mr. October]

Seniors in PA must still abide by antler restrictions. Junior hunters get a pass so we have a better chance at retaining them as hunters.

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You are correct. We are coming up on the early kid/senior rifle hunt and mixed up my rules.

 

[FLS]

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

View attachment 949858

That’s a Florida 11 point.

 

[FLS]

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.
View attachment 949711

If you want to shoot him and he’s legal, shoot him. No need to make excuses.

 

[The_Squatting_Coon]

If you want to shoot him and he’s legal, shoot him. No need to make excuses.

This is true, imo the term “cull buck” is something people use when they’re looking for an excuse to justify shooting a small buck. If it makes you happy, shoot him. Killing a spike isn’t the end of the world, it’s just a deer.