Not disputing you at all but could you link the Mississippi study. I tend to want to come to my own conclusions because I have read far too many biased studies.

Went ahead and researched and read the study. Won't argue that high grading is harmful if your goal is increased antler inches. This might support your argument that culling could result in positive results.

Still stand behind the statement that there is no genetic change. In order to prove genetic change then we would need to study the next generation of bucks. Could not find a follow up study on subsequent generations.

By the time a buck is 3.5, you can pretty much tell how he's going to mature out. If he's not what you're managing for, kill him. It has absolutely nothing to do with genetics and everything to do with how many older age class bucks your property will hold. I don't want what I would consider a "cull" competing with other bucks for prime food sources, bedding areas and breeding rights. The smaller the property the more important it is to take out the "culls", as your resources and opportunities are very limited.

Generally most bucks that have a spike on one side had a pedicle injury. what you have to judge is what the other side of the rack looks like that was not affected. Can you fix genetics on free range deer, the answer is no. But you can improve the quality of deer. This type of deer you should treat as you would a deer in your mature/trophy class. When this buck reaches the age you want to consider mature deer, then rate him to bucks of the same age. I would say at lest 4 years of age. If at that time the one side is not what you consider a quality buck, then I would call him a cull or management deer. Let him grow, see what he becomes. If he does have a pedicle injury that will not affect his genetics and he may turn into one of your better bucks.