[Asian Archer]

Hey to all out there who feel strongly about the QDM issues. From my little experience, I have observed many who talk about managing our deer herd and have multiple "good" ideas in order to get this accomplished these are all excellent ideas. However, I have yet to see a well organized group of individuals who are willing and open to getting together and making this happen in our state. Myself included... I'm not saying that I would necessarily be the one to lead this group although our issues and solutions to obtain a better and a higher quality deer herd will go untouched and unimplemented if no one is willing to start and finish this battle to give us a deer herd we have always dreamed of. Who is willing? Who will stand up for our goals and dreams here?? When are we going to do something??? and HOW? Any takers out there??
AA

 

[Jeff Sturgis]

QDM groups are the only groups in the entire state that have been successful lobbying the DNR/NRC for deer management changes. Currently there are numerous QDM backed initiative before the state, including an initiative for the entire Upper Peninsula.

The QDMA is also the only group in MI that has quarterly meetings with the DNR to discuess various management strategies.

The QDMA comes with a huge national backing of management philosopy and has been extremely successful at maintaining a professional diologue with MI wildlife professionals, based on 30 years of proven deer management methods and scientific research.

Because of the QDMA's leadership,state and national reputation, and organizational skills, it has been instrumental in the promotion of change in MI. Without the Mid MI branch of the QDMA, and it's message, MI woulds still be in the dark ages of deer management.

 

[Luv2hunteup]

I have yet to see a well organized group of individuals who are willing and open to getting together and making this happen in our state

Right now QDMA is the voice that is being heard.

Besides that group of dedicated sportsman, there is an ever growing list of private properties that are practicing what QDMA preaches. Each acre of quality habitat helps Michigan's deer herd as a whole.

 

[Swamp Ghost]

MI would still be in the dark ages of deer management.

We are out? LOL!

 

[Bob S]

quote:
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I have yet to see a well organized group of individuals who are willing and open to getting together and making this happen in our state
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We`re right here, care to join us?

QDMA Membership

 

[Whit1]

AA,
Take a look at the following site. It is from the Quality Deer Management website and it lists the names and locations of the various Michigan branches.

http://www.qdma.com/branches/branch_list.asp?state=Michigan

 

[Pinefarm]

Why not join Michigan United Deer Hunters? It's a new group and they just signed up another 7000 members in the last couple weeks.
http://www.mudh.com/

 

[Trophy Specialist]

The United Sportsmen's Alliance was a group formed specifically to fight the QDM proposal in the Thumb. They were highly successful in their mission to derail the Thumb QDM initiative. What bothers me the most about the United Sportsmen's Alliance is that there sole agenda was based on beating back other sportsmen's efforts to better the deer herd, which doesn't sound very united to me: And by the way, since they deemed QDM to be such an "evil empire," where were their own deer management ideas and initiatives? I didn't see them, which didn't surprise me.

 

[Jeff Sturgis]

TS,

You bring up a very substantial point in dealing with deer management, as well as building an effective relationship with professional wildlife officials......"where were their own deer management ideas and initiatives? I didn't see them, which didn't surprise me."

That is serious problem reflective of the majority of sportsmens groups that are started today.....there is little support or documentation for their own opinions, there are no scientifically proven management strategies as their cornerstone or mission statement, and their entire focus is on a theory that a loud voice, with many numbers, can implement change. Some groups are great for parties and quarterly dinners, and that can be a very fun thing to be a part of, but to be a respected and viable voice in deer management, you simply are going to have to have the research and professional experience to back it up, and most don't.

 

[bwiltse]

Numbers and support mean little when you charge nothing for a membership.

 

[Pinefarm]

Ironically, many people, including myself, won't join an organization that charges a fee to make my voice heard. I know too many people who've been in leadership positions of groups that took very nice dinners and lunches and expensed members dues for "meetings". Once my money leaves my pocket, it usually gets wasted. IMHO.

 

[Jeff Sturgis]

Bob,

The only problem is that most of the "free" organizations that advertise getting your voice herd....do only just that-get your voice herd. They don't necessarily get anything done though, and don't because they are just that..a voice, and do not have a scientifically researched foundation of proven management principles, or the establishment of professional diolouge with a legislative voice to back it up. Not that they don't have good intentions, just that there isn't much they can do with those good intentions.

Not that "free" is bad, but where would our gun control rights be right now as we speak if it weren't for the paid membership of millions of NRA members?

Free or paid has never been a concern to me, but who an organization is, the credibility of the organization is, who their leaders are, the credentials their leaders have, how professional they conduct themselves, and what they actually get done, has always been extremely important.

Basically, I feel you generally get what you pay for in life.

 

[Letmgro]

Not only have a few new QDMA branches organized in this state, but also new QDM co-operatives as well.

QDM co-ops are catching on fast, so the word out in the woods must be that it's a good thing!

We're organized and within your reach, just look for us!

 

[Liver and Onions]

bwiltse,
It cost nothing to join the Democratic or Republican Party. I think those two groups have a lot of clout. They will ask for a donation quite often though.
The biggest problem I see with the MUDH is the 75% super majority that is needed on any issue before the organization decides to back the issue. IMO that makes it unlikely that organization will ever do anything because they will never get 75% of their members to agree on anything unless it is the color of the sky.
I did join MUDH...why not ? In the past I have stated my reasons for not joining QDM even though I'm in favor of AR's.

L & O

 

[Jeff Sturgis]

L&O,

What are your reasons for not joining the QDM? Maybe you have some misunderstandings about what the organization actually is.

 

[rzdrmh]

I agree - I favor QDM, but would not immediately disregard another management plan, if it had scientific reasoning behind it. The difficulty that i have with non-QDM hunters is that most often, a viable alternative is not offered.

BTW, my intention is not to slight non-QDM hunters, or any hunters for that matter. The hunters of today are a product of the policy and information that has been passed down over the past several decades. But, as with any endeavor, the way we pursued it yesterday may not be the best way today.

if we don't have a plan, then its not being managed, right? In my experience, anything that involves large numbers of people, without sound management, generally results in chaos.

 

[bwiltse]

NorthJeff quote "L&O,
"What are your reasons for not joining the QDM? Maybe you have some misunderstandings about what the organization actually is."

L&O, I have the same question as NorthJeff.

"rzdrmh quote
I agree - I favor QDM, but would not immediately disregard another management plan, if it had scientific reasoning behind it."

rzdrmh, not sure who you're directing your statement towards, but I would be extremely disappointed if a QDMA member would not seriously consider all management plans, and their impact on the resource. That's what QDMA is all about. Now if you're referring to groups, who do not have scientific reasoning behind them, that's another matter. Unfortunately, there seems to be way too much politics when it comes to deer (people) management, especially in our state.

 

[bogwalker]

Hey...how in the world did anyone ever kill or enjoy a hunt until they were managed?

 

[rzdrmh]

Quote - bwiltse - "rzdrmh, not sure who you're directing your statement towards, but I would be extremely disappointed if a QDMA member would not seriously consider all management plans, and their impact on the resource. That's what QDMA is all about. "

that's my point - i practice QDM, because I believe that it has the soundest facts backing it up. in a greater sense, i guess you could say that QDM is just that - quality deer management, and should evidence prove one of the basic principles wrong, then QDM as an organization would change to accommodate that. but that wasn't my point.
my point was that i'm always willing to listen to any hunter that has views different from the current QDMA principles. But most who do not support QDM, don't have a plan at all. That's what I find ironic.

bogwalker - it would take very little effort for most people to practice the basic principles of QDM. (maybe not food plots, etc, but protecting young bucks, and harvesting does, where appropriate, certainly) i want to keep having fun, and make sure my kids can have fun as well, so i'm willing to put up with a little "management". anyone can go out and kill something - anyone.

not trying to come down on anyone. its easy to say "how did anyone ever kill or enjoy a hunt". and i realize that you're kidding about the sometimes complex analysis of something that's supposed to be fun. but there's got to be some guiding principles. we can have fun AND be wary of our impact in the environment, right?

 

[johnhunter]

Originally posted by bogwalker
Hey...how in the world did anyone ever kill or enjoy a hunt until they were managed?

They did not.

Deer management began the moment that people first began to hunt them, and has persisted to this day.