QDM

[bwlacy]

Re: QDM

Well we have been doing it for 5 years now. The 2 farms I hunt have about 2900 acres combined, but the lands are not connected. We have an 80 here 200 there, so its hard to get the neighbors to go along. We have shot lots and lots of does been letting bucks under 3.5 years old go.

Now the results of this over 5 years. Very dissapointing!!! All that has changed is that I see alot less deer. With less does around I see less bucks. Our bucks havent gotten any bigger, the neighbors still shoot what ever they want during rifle season and we aren't getting any bucks. Last year it was getting so bad I didn't even want to hunt. I was sick of sitting there watching deer I couldn't shoot and I wasn't enjoying it. This year I said heck with this, I remember when I was younger and couldn't wait to shoot any buck and I had alot more fun. So I shot the first legal buck with my bow. Still shot a few does and had a much more enjoyable season.

I read some study from Texas that said you need something like 10,000 acres of continuous land to really have an effect on the buck population. Most 1.5 year old bucks pick up and move the next year trying to find a new home range. So why let all these bucks go if they are going to be 3 miles away the next year? I think next year we are going to lift the restrictions off the farms and just have fun hunting. If you see something you want to shoot and you have a legal tag then I have no problem with it. I had more fun when I used to see 30 to 40 deer a day instead of 5 to 10.

[LETMGROW]

Re: QDM

I am really surprised someone else has not suggested this. Last Dec. we had a small group get together to see if there was any intrest in forming a QDMA branch. Turns out there was. We scheduled a seminar at a local restaurant and our small group grew to over 200. Our speaker was Kip Adams from QDMA national. This gentleman knows deer and and is well informed on any topic concerning deer. He is a trained wildlife biologist. His presentation was excellent and held the intrest of everyone there. After the meeting Kip stayed around and answered any and all questions anyone had. We formed a formal branch and had meetings and seminars on a monthly basis thereafter. Our attendance has been good and have had very positive input from many who were skeptics at the start. I would suggest this approach to any one interested in QDM. Invite all your neighbors. No. you will not change everybody's thinking but it is a good start. Also it is great fun to mingle with others who love to hunt . It is also a great opportunity to share ideas about subgects like land management and food plots. We have had several speakers come in to our meetings and talk about food plots. Got some really good information. One of the best things is the QDMA dosent try to sell you anything. Want to become a member.they will sign you up. The Qdma sends out a magazine about four times a year called "Quality Whitetails" this is perhaps one of the best magazines out there concerning deer and land issues. Well written and great photography. the magazine is well worth the small cost of membership. I would suggest you visit the QDMA website and join up. Look into forming a branch and enjoy your passions year around.

[Thayer]

Re: QDM

Actually it is five magazines per year and they are trying to increase that to 6 or 7. We started the first branch to have a banquet in Missouri...It went well and there is talk of about 5 more branches being started here in MO.

[LETMGROW]

Re: QDM

Hey Thayer. Sorry about that. You're correct 5 is the number. Do you agree with me about the quality of the magazine? Good luck on creating more branches!

Can't express the fun we have had and the info we have shared within our branch.

[Thayer]

Re: QDM

You can't beat the magazine for quality of articles and the information that is in each and every mag...you will want to catalog these puppies!