What is Quality Deer Management?
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.
A successful QDM program requires an increased knowledge of
deer biology and active participation in management. This
level of involvement extends the role of the hunter from
mere consumer to manager. The progression from education to
understanding, and finally, to respect; bestows an ethical
obligation upon the hunter to practice sound deer
management. Consequently, to an increasing number of
landowners and hunters, QDM is a desirable alternative to
traditional management, which allows the harvest of any
legal buck and few, if any, does.
QDM guidelines are formulated according to
property-specific objectives, goals, and limitations.
Participating hunters enjoy both the tangible and
intangible benefits of this approach. Pleasure can be
derived from each hunting experience, regardless if a shot
is fired. What is important is the chance to harvest a
quality buck - an opportunity lacking in many areas under
traditional management. When a quality buck is taken on a
QDM area, the pride can be shared by all property hunters
because it was they who produced it by allowing it to reach
the older age classes which are necessary for large bodies
and antlers.
**information above came from the QDMA website @ http://www.qdma.com/qdm/
