WHAT Is Quality Deer Management?

[Badger]

Ok, I am a slow learner. Will someone tell me what QDM is so I can see if my state is on target. Please, no long links to here and gone, but just a ONE Paragraph definition of QDM and THEN post a few states where it HAS OCCURED.

I began hunting in 1958 and have seen many changes here in PA. When and WHERE did QDM kick in or fail? IS QDM viable? If so, who says so? How will we KNOW QDM IS in effect; WHAT does it look like? Please tell me what QDM looks like, if it be?

Badger

[venado]

The following is directly from the QDMA:



Quality Deer Management (QDM) is a management philosophy/practice that unites landowners, hunters, and managers in a common goal of producing biologically and socially balanced deer herds within existing environmental, social, and legal constraints. This approach typically involves the protection of young bucks (yearlings and some 2.5 year-olds) combined with an adequate harvest of female deer to maintain a healthy population in balance with existing habitat conditions and landowner desires. This level of deer management involves the production of quality deer (bucks, does, and fawns), quality habitat, quality hunting experiences, and, most importantly, quality hunters.

[Altjaeger]

In answer to the question of states where this has occured I might say none that I know of. A fairly new concept that began on private lands it's implementation at state level are fairly new. Besides Pennylvania, Texas has begun to attempt it in the last few years as well.

It is more of a goal with methods refined along the way with various states enjoying differing levels of success. Lower numbers with more mature, larger, healthier deer is what I am hearing in Pennsylvania and seeing in the National Forest I hunt. That indicates both a more balanced herd in age distribution and an increased food supply the deer are using to their health and benefit.

[venado]

In answer to the question of states where this has occured I might say none that I know of.


Altjaeger, I think that is an accurate statement today and always will be. Pure QDM by the rules stated by QDMA is more of a private and personal effort and lends itself to private property where hunters themselves must be the responsible individuals. It seems to me unlikely that any state could implement a complete QDM plan because of the resistance of those hunters that do not wish to be patient for the results or are not concerned about biodiversity and habitat issues; they simply want to kill "their" deer. We see QDM carried to extremes in some parts of TX and we see what just a small component implemented in PA can yield by the comments of the perpetual complainers. As anyone that has experience in managing deer and habitat knows, it is "hunter management" that has to preceed and be coincident with QDM.

[venado]

Badger, did you get the response that you needed and wanted? Do you recognize the segments of QDM that have been applied to PA?:confused:

[Laturkeyhtr]

For the record, the first QDM program I ever heard of at the state level was in Dooley County Georgia. The last time I heard anything, there were at least 4-5 other counties that had joined it.

Initially it was a trial program that had to be reaffirmed by the 2/3's majority of the hunters. When it came up for renewal, it passed easily.

Currently I think there is also a tri parish area in Louisiana that has a QDM program. I haven't heard anything about it since I haven't been to any QDMA functions in LA lately.

Badger, I think the concept of QDM has indeed succeeded! If so, it wouldn't have over 50,000 members and still growing. Many hunters are learning that the concept is a very viable alternative to what has been done in the past.

If you recall, I had a hunter from PA come on this site (or should I say the old site) and share with us what he had done on relatively small acreage and the success he had. But If I recall, you didn't respond.

[Bob S]

IS QDM viable? If so, who says so? How will we KNOW QDM IS in effect; WHAT does it look like? Please tell me what QDM looks like, if it be?For any non-QDMA members on this site who would like to know more about QDM and QDMA, I have a few gift memberships available. A one year QDMA membership will get you 6 issues of Quality Whitetails magazine. This is a great way to see what others are doing around the country to improve their land and their deer.

If you are currently not a QDMA member and would like a free one year membership, send me your name and mailing address in a Private Message(PM).

[Bob S]

So far I have two takers, I have 4 gift memberships remaining. The next 4 PMs get them.

[Bob S]

The gift memberships have all been taken. The information will go out in the mail to QDMA tomorrow.

[Laturkeyhtr]

Bob, thanks for the offer, I just hope that some of the naysayers took you up so maybe they can read at their convenience and learn something.

[venado]

This was/is Badger's thread even though he hasn't come back to comment on replies. Would it be safe to assume that his questions were strictly rhetorical in nature and that he wasn't interested in learning something about QDM? Only he can answer that question or is "critical thinking" absent?:eek:

[Altjaeger]

I guess life got to busy for Hellrazor to answer questions he left dangling. Seems to happen a lot to USP supporters.

[hellrazor]

Yeah us USP supporters actually have jobs. We can't sit online endlessly educating the people wanking off while worrying about a state they don't know squat about.

Maybe I will amuse you with a reply after the middle of july. I have 3 large projects coming due plus 25 formal reviews for all of the staff in my department that has to be done by June 5th.