3 Questions

[QDMAMAN]

For as long as I've been posting on this forum I have yet to see these questions posted. I have, however, gotten some impressions of some guys feelings.
I am looking for sincere honest answers that will assist me in my approach to those that I encounter that are avid deer hunters but new to QDM, know nothing of QDM, or have a strong opinion (good or bad) of QDM.

1. What does QDM mean to you?

2. How did you develope your opinion of QDM?

3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources?

THE RULES ARE YOU CAN ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BUT YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO COMMENT ON OTHER POSTER'S ANSWERS.

I'll answer later in the thread as not to influence anyones answer.
Lets keep it civil.

Big T

[Munsterlndr]

Let me answer questions #1 & #3, first. QDM to me means actively participating in helping to improve the deer herd and the environment, to create a quality hunting situation. It means engaging instead of just being a consumer. For me, it's turned deer hunting into a year round pursuit instead of just a couple of weeks in the fall. I actively practice it and would regardless of my level of means.

Now to question #2. My first exposure to QDM was when antler restrictions were imposed in the DMU that I hunted in. (DMU 045). These MAR's were mistakenly named QDM restrictions. Not being the kind of person that likes more rules and regulations shoved down my throat, my first take on QDM was a negative one. My impression was that these were restrictions that were being pushed by guys that were ABA (all about antlers.) I have always been and always will be primarily a meat hunter. I love venison and don't care whether it's a doe or a buck. Antlers are pretty but other than to hang on the wall they don't mean a whole lot to me. With this negative initial impression of QDM I then stumbled upon MS. After voicing my opinion a few times about MAR's I caught a lot of flack from some hard core QDM advocates who were strongly pushing mandatory antler restrictions in the UP. Many of you remember the "deer war debates" that raged on MS for a couple of years. All this did was further my view that QDM was kind of a scam and was really just a cover for trophy hunting.

Then kind of a funny thing happened. During one of the more heated debates, I got into a conversation with a guy who used to frequent MS. He agreed with a couple of the comments that I had made and he engaged me in a non-confrontational manner that kind of opened my eyes. He answered some biological questions that I had and he clearly knew what he was talking about. He also impressed me by taking a practical approach and indicated that QDM was not a rigid "one size fits all" approach but that you could pick and choose and decide which parts of the philosophy would work best for your situation. This was a refreshing change from the debates that I had seen with some of the pro-QDM guys, who embrace the philosophy with an "all or nothing" evangelical zeal, that is kind of scary. After that exchange I decided to delve a little deeper into some of the science behind QDM and focused on that instead of some of the more superficial claims that some of the proponents were making about QDM producing trophy deer.

In case you have not figured it out yet, the member who impressed me in that one thread was BSK, who is Bryan Kinkel. It is a real shame that Bryan no longer frequents this forum. I spent a lot of time reading the QDMA forum that he moderates on Tennessee deer talk. This led me to investigating further and I searched out a lot of the research that is available, done by noted authors such as Dr. James Kroll, Dr. Grant Woods and others of that stature. After I had a better understanding of some of the biology that goes on within the deer herd and the impact that it has on the socio-biological health of the herd, I constructed a much different view of QDM. I decided to join QDMA and get access to some of the materials that I had seen referenced in many on-line discussions. Then I started putting theory into practice. Bought a tractor & some implements, started improving my property with food plots, selected cutting and some plantings. Started passing on smaller bucks, both because of the MAR's but also because I realized the positive impact on the herd that an advanced age structure can have. In the three years that I've been actively managing my property with QDM principles, I've seen an increase in the body weight of harvested deer, a more balanced sex ratio and an advanced age structure. Part of that is due to the MAR's but a large part of it is also due to practicing QDM.

I'm still not a huge fan of MAR's although I think they do have an impact. I'd rather people embrace the core philosophy and practice individual restraint. I'm also not blind to the fact that a lot of pro-QDM guys are primarily interested in the antlers. But I also have come to believe that a growing number of QDM advocates are more interested in responsibly managing the deer herd as a public resource. If big antlers are the vehicle that rope some guys in and they then buy into the core philosophy, then I guess that is all right with me. Since I was initially one of the biggest critics out there I can understand why the attitude of some QDMer's is a turn off and that is unfortunate. But hopefully, if people look past the initial rhetoric and look at the fundamental basis of QDM they will have their eyes opened and come to recognize that it is a positive force which will help preserve our hunting opportunities in the years to come.

[beer and nuts]

1. QDM is part of the membership of belonging to QDMA..when one passes on a small buck or kills a doe etc.. its called deer management. QDM should always be part/assocaited with the QDMA national orgainization, its their motto and philosophy and its one way of managing deer....period.

2. Opinion is based on reading, common sense, experience.

3. I suppose to some that can read bwteen the lines, most people practice parts of the qdm philosphy...but most just practice a mixture of multiple deer management philosophies.

[NoWake]

1. What does QDM mean to you?
Initially I conisdered it as a way of managing a herd developed by/for Trophy hunting ranches, then evolving into a way wealthy hunters who purchased hunting land, get to play farmer on the off season weekends. An association was formed and now it has become a big business.
While my opinion is not much different now, I do however see the benefits that many QDM practices do have to the overall health of a deer heard. But I don't believe it is as crucial in all areas as some would like people to believe.


2. How did you develope your opinion of QDM?
Mostly reading.



3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources?

I have started to a degree and will probably do more as resources increase. Not because the herd where I hunt is starviong, but because I want to see / shoot more big bucks. I shoot does and I hunt for many reasons, but one of them is definitely for a chance at shooting a big buck.

[November Sunrise]

I’m just going to tackle question #2.

Interestingly enough, a very large portion of what I thought about QDM was initially tied in to what I thought about some of the people who were QDM practitioners and who posted on this forum.

When I first heard of QDM it was in the late 90’s when I watched a video made by Tom Indrebo who is an outfitter in Buffalo County Wisconsin. I remember thinking that it would be neat to hunt in an area where people passed up young bucks, but beyond that never gave it much thought.

I started archery hunting in 1999. At the time we lived in the Milwaukee suburbs. In 2001 I started to pass up young bucks during archery season in Wisconsin, simply because I didn’t want my season to end quickly, and by that time I had made enough progress as an archer that it was no longer difficult to get opportunities at yearling bucks.

I joined Michigan-Sportsman.com in December 2002 (my previous screen name was JK Hillsdale). Most of my inititial impressions of QDM were formed by what I read on this forum. In ’03 & ’04 this place sometimes resembled a war zone. At that time there were some self appointed “QDM representatives” who were lacking in tact and delivery style. There were also some abrasive “QDM opponents”. From this forum I began to develop somewhat of an understanding of QDM, but was often turned off by some of the aforementioned “representatives”.

It was during those years that my hunting practices were also changing. From 2001-2004 my basic practice was to be selective on which bucks I shot during archery and firearm season, and then to change my standards once muzzleloader/late archery season. 2004 was the first year that I decided to begin shooting does. For most of my life I had been a dyed in the wool “doe protector”, but by 2004 I had read enough QDM related info online and in print that I began to buy into the need to take does. Not to mention the fact that every morning I hunted in Calhoun or Jackson County I would have to hit the brakes a time or two on my morning drive in order to avoid hitting deer – it was pretty obvious that shooting does made sense in those areas.

I went to a hunting show in the winter of ’05 and when I saw the QDMA booth I went over to the booth with the intent of joining up, but I was very turned off by the demeanor of both of the guys who were working the booth at that time, so I decided to take a pass. A few months went by and I heard about the article in Quality Whitetails about the Eaton County co-op. That was the impetus I needed to finally join the QDMA, as I was very interested in reading that article.

Later that summer I met QDMAMAN at a habitat day in Eaton County and heard him speak about their co-op. That was the point that lit my spark and where my interest in QDM really kicked in.

Now, after a few more years of learning, my opinion of QDM is based on solid knowledge rather than partial information and assumptions. I’m proud to be a QDMA member.

I’ve also developed what I hope is a more mature approach regarding how I think of other QDM practitioners that I don’t fully see eye to eye with. I still don’t have a warm fuzzy feeling about every QDM member that I know, but I’ve come to realize that it’s not necessary for members to see every issue the same way. We can have differences but still be on the same team. In retrospect this is kind of an obvious point, but one that I initially lacked the maturity to understand and accept. One event that really helped me in this regard is that there is a QDMA member who I had developed a strong dislike for over time, and then a couple of years ago we actually met in person and had a really enjoyable visit. Much to my surprise I actually liked him, and I think the feeling was mutual. I only talked to that guy just that one time, and haven't crossed paths with him since, but that visit was really helpful in correcting my thinking. Turns out that oftentimes even those guys who you might sometimes think are a jerk often turn out to be good guys when you have a chance to meet and get to know them a little bit. And for those of you who’ve met me and still believe that I’m a jerk, remember that QDMAMAN said that no replies could be made on this thread :lol:.

[skipper34]

1) QDM to me means private land. Period. QDM cannot be accomplished on public land. Not unless there are MAR's in place. I also think that the underlying root of QDM is all about trophy bucks. "Let em' go to let em' grow" says it all.
2) My opinion was formed from reading this forum.
3) Yes, if I had the means of practicing QDM I would in a heartbeat. But since I do not own or have access to private land, oh well. Most, not all, of my deer hunting takes place on public land in zones 1 and 2. I have hunting access to a couple of small private parcels near my home and near Cheboygan. The landowners have no interest in deer management.

[deathfromabove]

Hard to follow that NS......... but I will take #2

I was a closet Qdmer until I went to a local Co-op meeting and heard QDMAMAN speak to a rowdy bunch of rednecks.....

Every word spoke had meaning and experience behind it..

I watched the hunters and land owners around me believe that THEY could change thier deer hunting future.....

I went in with questions and came out with confidence in what we could accomplish together....

NS nailed it.......

[Chuck]

1. What does QDM mean to you? I think in some ways its the start of the end of hunting as we know it and knew it. Becouse of the philosophy of QDM (after all its all about big bucks for trophies, be honest) access to private land is harder to get unless you have green backs or can buy it. It has hurt small game hunters becouse people dont want hunters ruining there deer hunting. It pits hunters against each other (remember all the threads that used to get totaly out of hand in the whitetail forum before this one was made??). It seems more like farming deer and raising them than what hunting is all about to me. The future I see for deer hunting is you will have to have lots of money to hunt. There will be serfs and lords again. The NAtive Americans new what hunting was all about and they new what freedom was about. Then we came and brought our ideals of stifiling restriction. As a kid I could hunt anywhere for almost anything and tresspassing was hardly talked about. Then the big buck craze came about with more deer numbers and now no one can hunt any where unless you buy it or lease it. I see it all over where I grew up.


2. How did you develope your opinion of QDM? From reading about it on allot of different web sites and talking to people who do it on there property. I see the arrogence of some QDMers who put down hunters who post pics of small bucks they shot, I see it in there posts that they think they are better and I hear it in there voice when I have talked to them about hunting. Not all are like this so this so Im not pointing fingers at anyone in particular, you know who you are since your face is red now ;).

3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources? If I had the money to buy 4-600 acres or more of woods and swamp. I would hunt it and shoot lots of does (if there were lots of does)and only large bucks for my self. If my family or friends hunted they would be allowed to shoot what ever is legal until they developed the experience to hunt the more challenging mature bucks. I would try to do more natureal things to improve the land for deer and other wild life. CRP grass, clear cutting for thickets and maybe lease some land for farmers to plant corn. I would never shoot a deer over a green food plot. Whats the point? I would raise cows if thats what hunting was to me. Theres more meat and it would be cheaper in the long run.

[Michihunter]

1. What does QDM mean to you?

QDM is the title of a management technique employed by some to enhance the size of deer. In my opinion the use of the word "Quality" is a guise for "Trophy Antler".

2. How did you develope your opinion of QDM?

My opinion was developed over time primarily by this forum and secondly by research. I will say that the majority of my attitudes either for or against are a result of the posts on this forum. I would also add that I doubt I could ever involve myself with a group that allows some of the members to act the way they do here. Not a big fan of zealots.

3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources?

I doubt I would call what I do QDM due to the fact that if I had the resources, I would be honest enough to say that I was managing for antler growth and nothing else. I believe this is true of most that call themselves QDM. Yet for whatever reason, they seem to perceive that as something that would reflect negatively on them. I truly believe that the main negative attitude towards QDM is based on this perception of deceit.

[koz bow]

It means more about wildlife management to me than it does shooting big bucks. However, big bucks are a desirable outcome of practicing QDM. On small parcels of land (I own 100 acres) wildlife management (not just QDM) is more about what you do to the land for the deer and other wildlife and less about what deer you shoot. If you can get your neighbors on board, then the story changes a bit and rules need to be established, but allow flexibility to keep the fun in hunting.

My opinion was formed after going through the different phases of being a hunter. A shooter, limit out guy, into methods. Now, I think I have moved well into the trophy stage while being fully engaged in the sportman stage. Now that I am in these stages, I am undestanding how the QDM philosophy is a better approach to gaining satisfaction with hunting. More importantly, I now get my satisfaction 365 days a year by worrying everyday about what the deer in my area are doing, where they are, what they are eating and what I can do to help them survive.

I gained my opinion by talking to others who have been involved in QDM and have found the entire experience enlightening. I read, I learn, I ask questions and I teach what I can to those that are interested in learning. I wish I had the opportunity to practice QDM earlier in my life, but I do plan on raising my children under the QDM philosophy, but not forcing it upon them.

I was not raised under a QDM philosophy. Shoot little bucks, and do not shoot does. To put it in perspective, I have shot well over 25 bucks in my 25 years of hunting and until 4 years ago, never shot a doe!

Now is my chance to make up for my behavior at unbalancing the herd. I am an infant at this, but am someday going to be a strong, balanced example of what good QDM means.

[Shop Rat]

1. What does qdm mean to me? It means having deer numbers within the carrying capacity of the area and having deer of all age groups in the herd, this causes a more natural setting. Example, when there are too many bucks of the same age, they fight much more causing them to be too stressed going into the winter.

2. How did I develop my opinion of qdm? My opinion of qdm was way before I even heard of qdm. I would hunt alot in the winter in zone 2 and I would see so many deer starved that I wrote letters to the dnr asking for antlerless tags because they were so hard to get back then. On the hunters surveys I would always say my opinion that there were way too many does. Then came the T.B. issue, I wonder why it spread so quickly?

3. Would I practice qdm if I had the resources? I would practice qdm even if I only had 10 acres. One of my neighbors is the nemesis of qdm, shoot bucks only, I still try to bring the deer numbers down, I look at browse lines, I look for starved deer in February and March, I take note of how much fat is on each doe and we shoot about 6 does a year on my place.

[swoosh]

1. What does QDM mean to you?
Ability to give me more chance at a mature deer. I also get to work on our land year around. I enjoy making my hunting better and shooting better bucks because of the work I have done.

2. How did you develope your opinion of QDM?
I stop listing to most hunters in my area(Not Vern), at first I was against it because of who I hunted with. Once I figured out they had no idea what they were talking about I did some research. I wanted to be around some of the best hunters and managers with great character. QDMA has those people. I have met some wonderful people and learned a lot. Open mind is a wonderful thing and you can learn a lot.

[Nick Adams]

1. What does QDM mean to you?

I think it means a lot of things to a lot of different people. I think it was intended to be that way.

I would like to think of it as the quality management of deer as a public natural resource within the context of quality management of a wide array natural resources. My experience, both in and out of this forum, leads me to believe that to most practitioners it means management of quality hunting experiences rather than management of deer.


2. How did you develope your opinion of QDM?

I first ran into it (Mid 90's) while doing timber management work for a family hunting property (rich family, ~10,000 acres) in North Central Wisconsin. They commissioned a deer management study of their property by a Wildlife Professor from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point. I read a copy of that report. It congratulated them on being practitioners of QDM. It pointed out that there wasn't much they could do to effectively manage deer on a property this small without putting up a fence but, if they wanted to exert a positive influence on the quality of the local deer herd and improve the quality of their hunting they should a) stop year round supplemental feeding (too many deer), b) shoot does at a ratio of around 9 does to 1 buck (too many deer), c) increase hunting pressure/put more hunters on the property (too many deer), d) pass on smaller bucks. I thought these were all reasonable recommendations. The whole report went over like a fart in church. The family decided to compromise. The supplemental feeding and the food plots would continue. Father and sons would still kill only bucks and any buck they damn well pleased. All others (corporate or family hunting guests) would be required to shoot only does, if they didn't like it they could find somewhere else to hunt.

A few years later a couple of downstate hunters bought small, private parcels (camps, 40 acres or less) in a large block of fairly remote, UP timberland. I had been hunting this area for a few years as a guest of some local camps that had been hunting in the area for many decades. Both of the downstate groups where QDM advocates.

QDM Owner A)
Immediately posted his 30 acres. Met with the local camp owners and explained his QDM philosophy. He asked that the locals stop hunting any of the corporate CFA lands within 1 mile of his 30 acre parcel. He asked that they stop shooting any small bucks because it was his intent to shoot a bruiser in the area sometime in the near future. He paid some local kids to haul corn in to bait stands in the vicinity of his parcel when he wasn't around. During the first hunting season he was incensed that none of the local camps followed any of his suggestions. He berated a young teen from one of the local camps for shooting a 6 point that he was "saving to shoot as an 8 point next year". He really got pissed over other people hunting within his 1 mile radius zone and shooting deer that he was feeding. He took the ignition keys out of several ATVs that he found parked on CFA land in his 'zone'. The next year he tried marking his territory by felling trees on CFA land across all roads leading into his zone. It never even slowed down the locals, who by this time considered riling him up to be good sport. 8 or 9 years later He still owns the 30 acres. He has not hunted the area in the last 4 years. The parcel is for sale.

QDM Owner B)
A father and son who originally bought a 40 acre parcel and later bought another adjacent 80. Boundaries on these parcels are unmarked and have never been posted. They hunt on these parcels some but spend most of their time on the surrounding CFA lands. They hunt over bait. They don't have any food plots. They spend a lot of time up hunting, both bow and rifle seasons. They are happy to talk about their QDM philosophy but don't tend to bring it up unless asked. They have never asked anyone else to change the way they hunt. They do have an uneasy relationship with some of the local camps, but generally over access issues rather than QDM issues. They only shoot 6 points or larger during bow season and only 8 points or larger during rifle season. They have taken some nice deer over the years. I have a lot of respect for these guys.


3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources?

I am practicing QDM now.

I have learned many things from the QDM discussions on this forum, one of the most important of which is that habitat is the key to achieving landowner deer management objectives. I used to think that in order to manage deer numbers I had to shoot more antlerless deer and convince others to shoot them too. My participation here made me understand the futility of recreational hunting as a solution, at least in the context of hundreds of thousands of acres. I love the Leaky Bucket deer management analogy. It works both ways.

-na

[fairfax1]

1. What does QDM mean to you?
It has been fun. Met neighbors I've never met before. Found commanalities to discuss that we probably would never have before.
Sure, the QD gig has deer as its' core but for me, in this neighborhood, it has been more of a 'social glue' than anything else. A better deer herd has sorta been a by-product.

2. How did you develope your opinion of QDM? Intiutively it made sense. I ain't a rocket-scientist but I do read. Have for years. And what I've always read...in Aldo Leopold's writings, and Durward Allen's stuff.....all seem to jive with the tenets of what the QD folks were pitching. QD pitched a pitch that I was already swingin' at.

3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources? I do now. I have the resources.

I am dismayed by the detractors who think QD is 'antler farming'. Far from it. As I've posted several times before....if you shoot bucks, any buck, then you are a "trophy" hunter.....otherwise, just shoot a doe. The license is cheaper, and some say the eatin' is better. Anybody who shoots any buck...regardless of the size of it's antlers is "trophy" hunting.

Be it a 3" spike or a 'thurdy-pointer'....you shot it 'cause it has antlers and you have, to one degree or another, bought into the Michigan "buckism' phenomena...to wit, only real men shoot antlered deer, and 'real men' don't shoot does. Of course, it is nonesense...but some buy into stuff that bewilders others.

[Dking(MI)]

1. What does QDM mean to you?

QDM means to me that the quality of the deer herd is #1, notice their is no "B" in QDM for bucks. Its about deer, not entirely on bucks.

2. How did you develope your opinion of QDM?

I started practicing my version of qdm after about 2 years of hearing about it. I had not shot a buck until last year. I went 2 seasons buckless, because it was my personal choice to let the 1.5 bucks go. I still shot does every season.

3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources?

I do practice QDM to a degree. On one property everyone around me passes up 1.5 old bucks, and some 2.5. I have passed on the smaller bucks in that area for the last 3-4 years and have seen the rewards. On another section of land, it is the exact opposite. Everyone shoots 1.5 and rarely sees anything bigger. So instead of me passing on these bucks for another hunter to shoot 300-400 yards away, I will be filling my tag on them. When you have 1 person on 130 acre hardwoods, with 5 other hunters shooting 1.5 bucks, it does not work. It is better to go with the flow. I have tried talking to them for years. I cannot get the landowner, his son and grandson, and his friends to hold back on the 1.5 old bucks.
On the other hand, I shoot at least 2 does every year to help our deer herd, so you could say I try to practice QDM on each parcel.
The main thing is I just try to have FUN, and not worry about who shoots what. That will get ya down, so my #1 goal in hunting now is to just enjoy my time in the outdoors.

[wagoneer]

1. What does QDM mean to you?

To me it means largely what the QDMA says. I hope it is a way to break the 50-does-and-1-spike-buck-with-everyone-shootin'-at-him pattern I saw where I first started hunting. In practice, it is about my own restraint and habitat improvment projects.

2. How did you develope your opinion of QDM?

I started with a negative attitude to it based on my hunting partners, but after researching (reading here, QDMA info) I am full in favor of voluntary QDM.

3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources?

I do so I do.

[itchn2fish]

1. What does QDM mean to you? To me? Letting the big one's go and taking the lesser animals.

2. How did you develope your opinion of QDM? It has always been THE WAY practiced by people for thousands of years here in what is now the Americas. (Look at European customs and the way other cultures have a similar practice...Mother Nature too.)

3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources? Yes, & I do. But please, no mandatory, state-wide QDM or antler restictions, it should be a personal choice.

[traditional]

What does QDM mean to Me?

I really wish I knew what QDM is. If it was about carrying capacity, male to female ratio's, some but not all effort put into age structure, I would not be such a critic.

How did you develope your opinion of QDM?

Actually, I have almost joined the assoc. several times. A trip to this and other forums helps keep me from rubbing elbows with it's members. A couple comments lately have just about sealed the opinion I have of the organization. When I see people "wishing" a fellow hunter go to the happy hunting ground so his gene pool will no longer influence young hunters and it goes unchecked, I get off the boat. I have seen several comments from your executive director Brian Murphy that tell me what QDM is evolving into.


Would you practice QDM if you had the resourses?

If I had a 1000 acres I would try to bring the herd to carrying capacity with a balanced male to female ratio. I would probably protect the yearling male. But, there is no way I would associate what I was doing with QDM.

[OTIS]

1. What does QDM mean to you?
Selective harvest based on a desire to better the quality of the Hunt in the future.

2. How did you develop your opinion of QDM?
From many on this forum which put a nasty taste in my mouth due to the methods they were using in trying to convey it. Reading North Jeff’s post over the years started getting me to understand the message instead of always fighting the hardcore Nazi “QDMRS” trying to tell me what I should do.

3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources?
Sure I would, I have passed many young bucks in the past (thru the 90’s before I ever heard of QDM) I just don’t tell others how they should hunt. I have hunted public land all my life and that doesn’t mean you can’t set your own standards wherever you hunt. To each his own.

[Trophy Specialist]

1. What does QDM mean to you?

It means to manage the deer herd through hunter harvest and habitat manipulation to maintain a herd within the carrying capacity of the land with near even sex ratios and a balanced age structure.

2. How did you develop your opinion of QDM?

I first got exposed to QDM while hunting out-of-state on intensely managed private lands. I saw hunting there that was beyond my wildest dreams. I didn’t start practicing QDM in Michigan until the Superior Deer Management Association was formed to implement mandatory antler restrictions in the central U.P. I saw first hand how the hunting in the QDM areas blossomed and how the deer herd responded with much more balanced sex and age ratios. I also saw first hand how the buck to doe ratios collapsed after the experimental five year antler restriction was removed. I still practice QDM on my properties in the U.P. but it is now strictly voluntary and in my opinion, voluntary is fine, but not nearly as effective as mandatory at achieving widespread QDM goals.

3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources?

I will likely always practice QDM even though I know full well that just about every buck I pass up in some of the areas I hunt will get shot by another hunter later in the season. Throughout my hunting career, I’ve always shot about and equal number of bucks and does and will certainly keep that up.

[sagittarius]

1. What does QDM mean to you? Being able to see mature bucks. A deer population such that the native plant species can support, and variety of plant species can increase back to normal levels.

2. How did you develope your opinion of QDM? Study, experience over time, looking beyond just the deer.

3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources? Everyone "does" have the resources, private land is not required.

[Sib]

1. What does QDM mean to you?

A conservation philosophy that tries to balance the local deer herd based on healthy herd dynamics (sex ratio balance and healthy age classifications) and the carrying capacity of the land, which means the QDM solutions for one piece of land maybe entirely different than another piece of land. Imo, QDM is a philosphy that tries to restore a natural balance in an unnatural world and not about stacking hunting odds in your favor.

2. How did you develope your opinion of QDM?

In the early 90s I became ambivalent to our hunting opportunities, so I actively worked to change our 300 acre camp into a healthier herd, with better age distribution. I didn't know what I was proposing was titled QDM, I just wanted less does and better buck age. In 1996 after better than 4 years I was able to get the camp to give a favorable vote for MAR, our doe harvest was always higher than most camps and wasn't really an issue. Part of selling the MAR was assuring that meat hunters would still be able to fill their freezer with antlerless deer.

Upon learning of the QDM organization my opinion was somewhat negative because I believe many were using it as a veil for their trophy pursuits. Most of the ideas I was seeing were based on buck culture and not herd dynamics and I still think there are many that try and use QDM as a way to create a trophy environment. If you go back a couple years, and I know Big T does, you will remember we had some lively debates over the years. :lol: After time and reading here and many other places I got a better understanding of what QDM was really about and learned I was QDM and that some of the most vocal advocates were giving a black eye to the organization, because of their approach to non-QDM hunters. I simply had to remind myself to seperate the idea and the personalities, the idea has merit regardless of those personalities.

I also have a hard time telling others what to do and how they should do things, it simply isn't my place and I had to learn to overcome my prejudice of the organization, because of how a few represent it. The idea is bigger than those that have other agendas. So it was a matter of personal growth, looking beyond the misquided proponents and getting to the meat of the matter.

3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources?

We do QDM, but perhaps different than most. Goals are the same, but we don't do the food plot thing, as we have plenty of available food sources. We take a balance of does and 2.5 yr old and up bucks. We also enjoy diverse wildlife and would sacrifice hunting opportunities in order to enjoy and maintain a healthy habitat for a number of other species. My work with DU has opened my eyes up to the bigger picture and my strong belief in conservation will always have me looking not just at hunting opportunities, but also creating a place where wildlife can call home, that's my idea of good neigbors. :D

[jdawg240]

1. harvesting more doe's and getting a proper balance in our deer herd. Growing larger bucks.

2. Tv, web sites, magazine articles, freinds, PERSONAL EXPERINCE.


3. Yes, we do to a point. Mainly with a more aggresive Doe harvest.Ten years ago the farm I hunt on was over run with anterless deer. No doe's were ever shot. We then started to harvest more doe's and in return some of our small bucks made it through another year. At first we werent concerned with big bucks. After a couple years a light bulb went off and we relized by harvesting a few doe's in place of small bucks we had a few nice two year old bucks running around. Something we rarley saw in the past. The last two years we really put the screws down on killing small year and a half old bucks(unless on video from a tree). This year we counted 6 mature bucks on the farm throughout the summer and up to now. We still shoot a couple small bucks on video every year and sometimes one of us will wack a dandy one and a half year old by mistake. But we dont loose any sleep over it.

[Liv4Trappin]

#1. I believe QDM is about balancing the herd back to a more natural state,
which is on a 1:1 ratio from birth. It's about passing on young bucks to promote an older age class of bucks for healthier fawns in the following spring. It's about taking care of the habitat we have and making it better in areas that need it.

#2. I was mostly introduced to QDM from watching videos. Seeing hunters
from other states taking mature deer, seeing a balanced ratio of bucks and does, and seeing the habitat that they've created just for the sole purpose of the deer herd. It was a loud wake-up call for me to see this and how our state is lacking.

#3. I have been practicing QDM for many years now. I first began about 5 yrs. ago on my uncle's property up in Mecosta County. We would see nothing but does all season and maybe one or two 1.5yr. olds come gun season. I quickly turned things around by limiting the number of bucks taken and increasing the doe harvest tremendously. After about 3 yrs. of solid doe harvest, we not only started seeing bigger bucks, but we were seeing more bucks than does. Needless to say, noboby complained after that. I have since lost that property to the passing of my uncle, but now practice QDM on a 150 acre farm here in Kent County. My buddy and I have passed up every 1.5 yr. old buck for the last 3 yrs. (except for the 1 my wife took, her 1st. deer). With the passing of 1.5's and taking a good number of mature does, we are seeing some the best deer sign ever. Many 2.5's and one dandy 3.5 this year have been spotted. Our next step is to contact the neighboring properties for some common participation.

Mike

[Slice]

1. What does QDM mean to you?
Managing the deer herd in your hunting area. Example, if I am seeing 10 Does to every Buck I should harvest Does. If I am seeing a lot of small Bucks and few Does, I should harvest a small Buck. The goal is to reach a better Buck to Doe ratio and keep the herd within the carrying capacity of the land.

2. How did you develope your opinion of QDM?
From the words Quality Deer Management, not Doe or Big Buck management. A healthy balanced herd.

3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources?
Yes

[Gramps]

1) What does QDM mean to you.
A better and healthyer Deer herd for the hole state including public lands.

2) How did you develope your opinion of QDM.
We developed our opinion by practicing QDM over the year's on our property and the property's around our's. It has paid off for us and our neighbors who practice along with us, all of our land's are posted with QDMA signs and we now have other hunters asking us about QDMA. Its a good start when they ask questions and see what kind of Deer we kill while using the QDM method.

3) Would you practice QDM if you had the resources.
As i said above we have practiced QDM for many years and it has paid off for us and our neighbors with great results.

[kritterkiller]

1. What does QDM mean to you?
I believe Quality DEER Mangement is about a healthier herd overall, and being more involved with habitat management. QDMA is a vast array of knowledge, and helpful tactics for our deer herd.

2. How did you develope your opinion of QDM?
Through reading and friends, my insane addiction to deer got me interested, and the rest is history...

3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources?
I have great pride in my practice of QDM and am very proud to be a member of QDMA

[BlockBUD]

What does QDM mean to you?

It is a trophy deer management system. It is about bigger racks and I will never believe it is anything but this.

How did you develop your attitude about QDM?

I was raised by my dad as a hunter who respects ALL deer and to see all bucks as worthy of shooting. In my hunting scenario (few deer and not much time) any buck that steps into my lane is a thrill.

Would you practice QDM if you had the resources?

Nope. I see it as "farming" bucks and have no interest it.

[yoopertoo]

1. What does QDM mean to you?

2. How did you develope your opinion of QDM?

3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources?


1) Healthy and near "normal" sex and age ratios in the deer herd. Along with an appropraiet size herd for the habitat.

2) This forum, books and magazines.

3) Yes.

[Nick Adams]

btt

-na

[jwoody]

Healthy deer more mature bucks a more balanced sex ratio. Some what misleading to some people because they don't understand they will see less, not more deer. Although this is good, it does not seem to jive with the past MI hunting style making it a hard sell. I think it will take hold here as my (I'm 26) generation seems to embrace it more than the older generation, although more and more of them seem to be coming around.

It's hard for any hunter who is serious not to have heard about QDM although as I said I don't think many truly understand the "ins and outs" myself included.

I'm all for it but with only 30acres am easily discourged when bucks I pass on get shot by the guy next door. That said I don't judge anyone who wants to kill deer as long as they do it leagaly and they are not button bucks. I think the in-fighting this QDM causes sometimes does more harm to us as hunters than I would like to see.

Good Thread QDM MAN

[traditional]

I'll answer later in the thread as not to influence anyones answer.

Big T

We are waiting.

[boehr]

1. What does QDM mean to you?I believe in the total concept of QDM, that concept being of the goals of the QDMA. This I learned when joining QDMA for a year. Those points being:
Safe and ethical hunting.
Adherence to wildlife and trespass laws.
Adequate harvests of adult does.
Restraint in harvesting young bucks.
Hunter involvement in education and management.
Cooperation with wildlife biologists and enforcement officers.
Education of hunters and non-hunters toward a better understanding of wildlife management.
Stewardship and appreciation of all wildlife.
Also a point by QDMA that QDM is not for everyone.
Unfortunately I quit being a member after a year because I didn't believe that the majority of QDMA members believed in all of the concepts and didn't want to be part of that belief.

2. How did you develope your opinion of QDM?
While being a member for a year and reading many of the posts my opinion of QDM did change. It changed because I didn't believe that QDMA really believed in what they were preaching. Everything, including posts from those on this site had a basic topic and that was bucks. What has been refered to by many as trophy buck management. I developed this opinion from a great majority of topics focusing on bucks, some on taking more does but very few focus on many of the other points described by QDMA and which I posted above.

3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources?Yes I do practice QDM but not what seems to be the important points of which also need to be practiced. I practice working with biologists and not knocking them, I practice safety, I practice taking a antlerless (female) deer, I practice ethical and obeyance of laws, I practice restraint in harvesting young bucks but not to say that I will not harvest one, I practice education and good stwardship to "ALL" wildlife and realize QDM isn't for everyone which is a good reason why it shouldn't be mandatory.

[brokentines]

1. What does QDM mean to you?
It means getting more involved in my hunting efforts on a year around basis. It means getting my hands dirty in the off season, (food plots, forestry, and such) It means trying to change the age structure of the bucks in my area to increase the challenge in harvesting one, (taking a 1 1/2 old buck is not a challenge anymore). As a hunter matures he looks for more ways to keep the fun in his sport.

My son killed a spike buck this year in the U.P. he is 12 and it was his first day ever deer hunting. That experience was incredible because HE shot it. It was awesome but would not have been near as exciting for me to have shot it. By the way you can see the hunt on YouTube, just do a search for "first day first buck"

At this point in my life YES I WANT TO SHOOT OLDER MORE MATURE BUCKS!!!
I have no problem if my neighbor does not wish to.
I know I am stating the obvious, but a mature buck is in a different class when it comes to harvesting him. He is a different animal and maybe one of the toughest to kill in North America.

At this point in my life I get more satisfaction in letting a 1 1/2 old buck walk, hoping he makes it til next year, then I would killing him. I understand that many don't have the time to hunt and are thrilled at harvesting any buck, I fully support these people and I totally understand. But passing on young bucks just puts more bucks in the woods next year for that person who doesn't get out much to see. I think these people would be more excited in there limited time if they had just as good of a chance at seeing a buck as a doe when they get out.

I also have had a great time shooting does both on a block permit and in late season doe hunts. My good friend has been kind enough to invite me up to Deckerville to doe hunt and it has been great. I got my first muzzleloader deer last year that just happened to be a doe.

By bringing the herd into balance, (tightening up the buck/doe ratio, and keeping the deer at healthy environmental levels) The overall hunting experience will dramatically become way cooler! Bucks will rub more, scrape more, FIGHT more, chase more, act like whitetails are supposed to. I hunted on Drummond Island years ago when there were a ton of deer, for 4 years in a row I bow hunted and harvested a doe each year, I saw 1 spike in that duration. I never seen a rub, or scrape, or heard a grunt, the experience was lacking because of the out of whack buck/doe ratio. This is what QDM is fighting against.

Boy am I rambling on, sorry about question 2 and 3, I need to end.....

[ublyhunter]

If you got your first buck out of your sytem then shoot doe(S) and let the bucks grow. A 3.5 year old buck is a dandy!

[QDMAMAN]

1. What does QDM mean to you?
In short QDM has had a profound impact on my life, it's sort of become who I am and what I stand for. The material gains are easy to measure. Since practicing QDM I have been able to harvest a 150"+ buck (a lifetime goal) and I consistantly harvest multiple deer each year. The intangibles are the relationships that I have fostered with like minded people all over the state of Michigan, and the country for that matter, and hopefully helped them to realize some of their dreams.
QDM has taken me from a guy that lived for Oct. 1st and rued the coming of January, to someone who diligently manages for all wildlife on a year round basis. Becoming a steward is what QDM has created in me.

2. How did you develope your opinion of QDM?
It wasn't on this site. I was fairly entrenched in my QDM beliefs when I started frequenting this site, however, I have sharpened those beliefs and hopefully tempered the delivery of my message.
I became familiar with QDM and the QDMA through my good friend Perry Russo. I was anxiously searching for information that I could use to change the results I was getting in my local hunting area. I new the potential was there but I didn't know how to exploit it. Perry and the QDMA provided the resources that I was looking for and I immediately started to apply them. It is a work in progress and I look forward each year to making my, and everyone who's interested, experience with a QDM managed herd more enjoyable.


3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources?
I am not a man of substantial means. I have gone without some of the finer gadgets that alot of hunters enjoy so that I can maintain my property and secure a lease in my neighborhood co-op. If I had more resources I would simply do what I am doing now but on a grander scale and make available to more friends, old and new, the experience of hunting under a QDM managed herd. As it is now I am able to expose 1-2 new people each year to the experience on my measly little 19 acres and I'm proud to say that those folks embrace and apply the tennants of QDM to their hunting locals.

I could go on but I think you get the gist.
NA and traditional, sorry to keep you waiting.;):lol:

Big T

[Whit1]

Now that we've arrived what would you like to have done with this thread Tony?????

[QDMAMAN]

Now that we've arrived what would you like to have done with this thread Tony?????

Whit,
I'm impressed with the heartfelt responses and the civility that everyone has shown. I'd like to keep it open as long as folks feel a desire to respond.
Thanks!
Big T

[swampbuck]

1. What does QDM mean to you?I believe in the total concept of QDM, that concept being of the goals of the QDMA. This I learned when joining QDMA for a year. Those points being:
Safe and ethical hunting.
Adherence to wildlife and trespass laws.
Adequate harvests of adult does.
Restraint in harvesting young bucks.
Hunter involvement in education and management.
Cooperation with wildlife biologists and enforcement officers.
Education of hunters and non-hunters toward a better understanding of wildlife management.
Stewardship and appreciation of all wildlife.
Also a point by QDMA that QDM is not for everyone.
Unfortunately I quit being a member after a year because I didn't believe that the majority of QDMA members believed in all of the concepts and didn't want to be part of that belief.

2. How did you develope your opinion of QDM?
While being a member for a year and reading many of the posts my opinion of QDM did change. It changed because I didn't believe that QDMA really believed in what they were preaching. Everything, including posts from those on this site had a basic topic and that was bucks. What has been refered to by many as trophy buck management. I developed this opinion from a great majority of topics focusing on bucks, some on taking more does but very few focus on many of the other points described by QDMA and which I posted above.

3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources?Yes I do practice QDM but not what seems to be the important points of which also need to be practiced. I practice working with biologists and not knocking them, I practice safety, I practice taking a antlerless (female) deer, I practice ethical and obeyance of laws, I practice restraint in harvesting young bucks but not to say that I will not harvest one, I practice education and good stwardship to "ALL" wildlife and realize QDM isn't for everyone which is a good reason why it shouldn't be mandatory.

boehr,

lately I have noticed that your posts have included much more of your personal opinions and thoughts. Again that is a very good read.

I agree with this post and I couldnt have said it better myself.

[farmlegend]

1. What does QDM mean to you?
Doing the right thing. The right thing by the resource, the right thing by the ecosystem. Doing what I can do to achieve healthy deer densities, and a more natural sex ratio and buck age structure. Though I may never be completely successful in these endeavors, I want to do what I can to push things in that direction.

2. How did you develope your opinion of QDM?
By living it. One of the first things I discovered, once "living it", was how I no longer dreaded the end of deer season. I came to LOVE my January-March excursions to my farm, putting in a long hard day with the chainsaw, walking around in the snow, noting previously undiscovered buck sign, and planning strategies not only for next season's hunt, but for for the never-ending tweaks to my habitat plan. Much of the time I used to spend thinking about deer hunting, year-round, has been supplanted by thinking about what sort of things I'm doing with my land. In fact, my total hours spent hunting has declined over the last decade, but my overall enjoyment has increased.
I joined QDMA almost ten years ago, years before I even knew there was a Michigan branch. As my signature line shows, I'm a "joiner"; read an article somewhere about QDM and the QDMA, liked what I read, tracked down the organization and sent in a check.

3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources?
Well, when I think of resources, what do I think of? Since practicing QDM, I've truly re-allocated how my resources are applied. I spend a lot less on gear and gadgetry than I used to; 2008 will mark the 10th consecutive year I've hunted with my same bow. Though I do nothing but bowhunt, I've purchased two shotguns with rifled barrels and scopes, which I sight-in every year, and these guns are used strictly by my hunting guests. Haven't bought a new broadhead in years (I re-sharpen all the old 2-blade heads indefinitely), yet I shelled out thousands this past year on a substantial wetland project and related culverts and drain work. Good heavens, I now spend $400-500 a year on...food plot fertilizer!

[john warren]

ok, but most here won't like it.
qdm to me is a method by which those that have lost site of what hunting is about can promote their agenda. somewhere its been decided quality equates with rack size. rack size is nothing more then one upmanship in my view. it says nothing about the quality of the hunt that has taken place.
as to my oppinion , it was developed along side my grandfather as we experianced nature together. enjoyed fine tender venison. and gave thanks for the hunt and time together.
i practice my version of qdm every time i enter the woods with respect, and appreciation for its blessings. every time i act a gentleman in the woods even when no one is looking. and when i let the biggest , strongest bucks survive to breed more good young animals for harvest.
i know thats not what hunting is about anymore for most. and mores the shame. For as long as I've been posting on this forum I have yet to see these questions posted. I have, however, gotten some impressions of some guys feelings.
I am looking for sincere honest answers that will assist me in my approach to those that I encounter that are avid deer hunters but new to QDM, know nothing of QDM, or have a strong opinion (good or bad) of QDM.

1. What does QDM mean to you?

2. How did you develope your opinion of QDM?

3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources?

THE RULES ARE YOU CAN ANSWER THE QUESTIONS BUT YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO COMMENT ON OTHER POSTER'S ANSWERS.

I'll answer later in the thread as not to influence anyones answer.
Lets keep it civil.

Big T

[QDMAMAN]

Any more? :)

[Nick Adams]

I'd like to see it stay on the first page for a year or so.

-na

[Ferg]

I'd like to see it stay on the first page for a year or so.

-na

We can do that, maybe not a year - but for a while -

:)

ferg....

[anderson3]

My perspective is from the great state of PA.

1. QDM to me is mostly what FarmLegend said. It seems like the right thing to do, and I feel good about that, and that in turn adds to my hunting experience. I also got interested because I want to set a good example of stewardship for my boys. QDM appeals to me more than all the trophy buck antler inch stuff. I also think it has broad appeal because of the biological aspects...appeals to many other biologists and the timber industry, for example. More to it than just antlers.
2. first exposure I had was an article in the PA Game News which had a population model showing how many more bucks (and older bucks) a parcel would have if yearlings were passed for several seasons. Then Gary Alt got my attention here in PA by proposing antler restrictions (designed to protect a high % of yearlings) and reducing the herd size relative to the habitat impact. I began passing on yearlings before antler restrictions were passed here. After that, I was impressed how many of the deer biologists I have followed over the years were QDMA members.
3. Most of quality deer management is really based on harvest decisions...passing on younger bucks and taking does as needed to balance the herd. So that doesn't cost much no matter where you hunt. We like chipping away at little habitat projects, but food plotting (for example) is a secondary part of QDM in my view.

[QDMAMAN]

While we're in the dead of winter I thought I'd bring this back to the top to see if anyone else would like to post.
Please remember, we're NOT here to comment on others answers to the 3 questions.
Thanks for all the honest answers thus far.

Big T

[Nimrod1]

1. What does QDM mean to you?

2. How did you develope your opinion of QDM?

3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources?



1) QDM to me is taking care of the habitat, and the deer herd. The habitat is managed to provide the optimum conditions for the wildlife. Need to provide for the critters needs, food, water, cover. The deer herd has to be managed to keep it at a level where they won't eat themselves out of house & home. I feel young bucks need to be allowed to mature. In the natural way of things, the strong survive & breed. By killing off all bucks at a young age, the process of natural selection for breeding is shortcut.

Off topic side note: I find the QDMA to be an educational tool that helps me figure out what I need/should do.

2) I've developed my varying attitudes from magazine articles, tv, discussions with friends, and the internet. This web site, or rather the posters on this site have had both positive & negative impacts on my opinions. I believe in QDM, but I have a hard time dealing with the hard core, chest thumping attitudes that their way is the only way. For this reason I have stayed clear of this Man. forum for probably the last year or so.

3) Yes. I believe everyone that buys a deer tag, "has the resources". I spent a lot of years hunting nothing but public ground. I also started on my "Better deer, better deer hunting" quest on public land. I have passed young bucks for a lot longer, than I've known what QDM is. I had some big, losing discussions in deer camp about the need to take some does, and let some young guys walk. No biologist here, but I could see there was a problem when 6 guys would see a total of 52 does/fawns on opening day, and not a single antler, then follow that up with a crawl back in the swamp on the second day to witness a 1.5 yr old fork horn mount a doe.

[Fur-minator]

1. What does QDM mean to you?

2. How did you develope your opinion of QDM?

3. Would you practice QDM if you had the resources?


1. To me it is the people I know who think we should shoot only 8 pts or more. It should be Quality herd management.
I keep hearing the terms better bucks and mature bucks which have nothing to do with Quality. The strongest bucks should be the ones to breed as nature intended not the one with a main frame 10.

2. People I know have talked alot about 8 pts or better for years but I have gotten to see several points of view from this forum and I thank you all.

3. I have always been selective in my hunting and let bucks walk every year. I can get more meat from 2 does than one mature buck. I still hope to get a 3 pt. some day.