What is your experince with implementing a QDMA progam - North Carolina Hunting And Fishing Forums

Tom · 02-08-2010, 10:05 PM

I'd like to here about your experiences with getting your club onboard with a Quality Deer Management Program. NOT Trophy management. How did you get all the members to support it? Even the skeptics who think biologists, privately or publicly employed, all work for the insurance industry. We have 4500+ contiguous acres in Moore county and have the perfect oppourtunity to implement a management program. Right now we (20 members hunt deer) are only allowed 1 buck on the "managed" side of property. NO DOES at all. I think we are headed down the wrong road if "quality" is what we are after. (15" inside spread is only requirement for taking a buck))

Justin · 02-08-2010, 10:49 PM

idk Tom but Id just about give my first born for a lease in Moore County. Not sure if they made it to the magazines, but back in the early 2000's saw two 170 class bucks from somewhere in the county, consecutive years. Somebody was doing something right. Supposedly killed really close to each other.

Sorry know it doesnt have to do with QDMA, nor can I help, but I just keep seeing those 170 class deer in the back of those trucks when I think of Moore County.

Brunsco · 02-09-2010, 08:24 AM

Tom although I have never belonged to a club I have owned land surrounded by neighbors who were dead against QDM. It was a long road to hoe and slowly but surely we managed to get most on board with what we were doing. I would say that you have made a huge step already with the 15" rule although educating the club on age would be a better benefit in the long run. Its not uncommon to see a 2.5 yr old that wide but just imagine what he may be at 3.5 or 4 years. We started with an 8 point or bigger rule and then switched to 3.5 year old or older rule. The biggest hurdle that you will need to clear with your club though will be to KILL DOES...this is a must in any QDM program. You need to balance your ratio...this is where bringing in a Bioligist can help you determine your goals in how many does you should kill each year. If the club memebers will only get on board with one thing this is the most important...

I was lucky enough to be a good friend and nieghbor of Neil Dougherty...Neil is a QDM guru and is one of the leaders in the habitat industry. Neil suggested that we get all the neighbors together for a open discussion one night to just educate all the surrounding land owners on what we were doing and to answer questions or put to rest any myths. Neil had also asked Charlie Alshiemer to join us who was one of the Pioneers of QDM. The night went well and by the time it was over 75% were on board. My suggestion would be to try and get someone to speak to the club with experience to answer questions or correct any misinformation that may have been received. You could try one of the local QDMA chapters or find info on line of people who will speak to your group as a whole. Neil is a great motivator/speaker and does consult...you can find him at www.northcountrywhitetails.com along with information that may help your club.

I have rambled long enough and I hope some of this helps...remember

1) Shoot does
2) Age...let em grow
3) Nutrition...food plots if possible

perry07 · 02-09-2010, 08:24 AM

It may be tough t get them on board first but after a while when They start seeing larger bucks and more deer. They should be ok.

Greg · 02-09-2010, 09:22 AM

Hunter management is the hardest part of any QDM program, IMHO.

If you shoot equal numbers of does and bucks, your sex ratio will not be a problem. The reason it may be now is because some hunters just want that BUCK. It doesn't matter if he's a 4" spike. No matter how badly your sex ratio may be skewed, if you shoot equal numbers of does and bucks, nature WILL correct it, because they are born at a very nearly equal ratio. It probably would take NO more than 3 years to fix.

boomer · 02-09-2010, 09:28 AM

The no does just seems wrong. I think if that were to be the policy then it will never work. Herd balance. I would think that no bucks until after the rut, does only until then,allow the best bucks to breed and then after the rut bucks only, protect the bred does would be a better policy. In a few years the best bucks will be the breeders.

Franklin1 · 02-09-2010, 10:27 AM

Best thing I ever did on our leases was REQUIRE 2 does before your ONE buck was shot. Didnt matter when but$500 fine if you dont take those does first. The buck min was 8 pt AND outside the ears, no exceptions $500 fine. NO hunting on feeding or bedding areas, only the paths between. The basic rule was if you take a buck we had damn well better see it on your wall next year or dont bother shooting it. This process takes about 2-3 years and then look out. The outside the ears/8pt min will no longer be a problem AT ALL.

You will probaly lose 1/2 the members if these rules are implemented. If you need a member that will prescribe to these rules and all QDMA aspects, please PM me.

I Hunt · 02-09-2010, 10:32 AM

Franklin, sounds like you have hunted with some good deer managers

perry07 · 02-09-2010, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boomer

The no does just seems wrong. I think if that were to be the policy then it will never work. Herd balance. I would think that no bucks until after the rut, does only until then,allow the best bucks to breed and then after the rut bucks only, protect the bred does would be a better policy. In a few years the best bucks will be the breeders.

I didnt see that at first that doesnt seem right at all.

perry07 · 02-09-2010, 10:50 AM

I know some places that have been shooting six points or better for a while now for about 6-7 years and the past 2 years they have killed some nice bucks.

02-08-2010, 10:05 PM	#1
Tom Spike Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 36	What is your experince with implementing a QDMA progam I'd like to here about your experiences with getting your club onboard with a Quality Deer Management Program. NOT Trophy management. How did you get all the members to support it? Even the skeptics who think biologists, privately or publicly employed, all work for the insurance industry. We have 4500+ contiguous acres in Moore county and have the perfect oppourtunity to implement a management program. Right now we (20 members hunt deer) are only allowed 1 buck on the "managed" side of property. NO DOES at all. I think we are headed down the wrong road if "quality" is what we are after. (15" inside spread is only requirement for taking a buck))

02-09-2010, 08:24 AM	#4
perry07 Twelve Pointer Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bladen County Posts: 2,813	It may be tough t get them on board first but after a while when They start seeing larger bucks and more deer. They should be ok. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. A hunter is more than a predator, a hunter is a provider…a caretaker…a leader. I will never make excuses for who I am… It’s the way I was born… I’m a hunter… A BONE COLLECTOR

02-09-2010, 09:22 AM	#5
Greg Twelve Pointer Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Piedmonts Posts: 4,427	Hunter management is the hardest part of any QDM program, IMHO. If you shoot equal numbers of does and bucks, your sex ratio will not be a problem. The reason it may be now is because some hunters just want that BUCK. It doesn't matter if he's a 4" spike. No matter how badly your sex ratio may be skewed, if you shoot equal numbers of does and bucks, nature WILL correct it, because they are born at a very nearly equal ratio. It probably would take NO more than 3 years to fix. __________________ Dying isn't so bad. The real tragedy is that most people never really live. Proverbs 26:4 Just because you've always done it that way doesn't mean it's not incredibly stupid. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Last edited by Greg; 02-09-2010 at 09:29 AM.

02-09-2010, 10:50 AM	#10
perry07 Twelve Pointer Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Bladen County Posts: 2,813	I know some places that have been shooting six points or better for a while now for about 6-7 years and the past 2 years they have killed some nice bucks. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. A hunter is more than a predator, a hunter is a provider…a caretaker…a leader. I will never make excuses for who I am… It’s the way I was born… I’m a hunter… A BONE COLLECTOR

02-08-2010, 10:49 PM	#2
Justin Four Pointer Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 334	idk Tom but Id just about give my first born for a lease in Moore County. Not sure if they made it to the magazines, but back in the early 2000's saw two 170 class bucks from somewhere in the county, consecutive years. Somebody was doing something right. Supposedly killed really close to each other. Sorry know it doesnt have to do with QDMA, nor can I help, but I just keep seeing those 170 class deer in the back of those trucks when I think of Moore County.

02-09-2010, 08:24 AM	#3
Brunsco Four Pointer Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Winnabow Posts: 448	Tom although I have never belonged to a club I have owned land surrounded by neighbors who were dead against QDM. It was a long road to hoe and slowly but surely we managed to get most on board with what we were doing. I would say that you have made a huge step already with the 15" rule although educating the club on age would be a better benefit in the long run. Its not uncommon to see a 2.5 yr old that wide but just imagine what he may be at 3.5 or 4 years. We started with an 8 point or bigger rule and then switched to 3.5 year old or older rule. The biggest hurdle that you will need to clear with your club though will be to KILL DOES...this is a must in any QDM program. You need to balance your ratio...this is where bringing in a Bioligist can help you determine your goals in how many does you should kill each year. If the club memebers will only get on board with one thing this is the most important... I was lucky enough to be a good friend and nieghbor of Neil Dougherty...Neil is a QDM guru and is one of the leaders in the habitat industry. Neil suggested that we get all the neighbors together for a open discussion one night to just educate all the surrounding land owners on what we were doing and to answer questions or put to rest any myths. Neil had also asked Charlie Alshiemer to join us who was one of the Pioneers of QDM. The night went well and by the time it was over 75% were on board. My suggestion would be to try and get someone to speak to the club with experience to answer questions or correct any misinformation that may have been received. You could try one of the local QDMA chapters or find info on line of people who will speak to your group as a whole. Neil is a great motivator/speaker and does consult...you can find him at www.northcountrywhitetails.com along with information that may help your club. I have rambled long enough and I hope some of this helps...remember 1) Shoot does 2) Age...let em grow 3) Nutrition...food plots if possible

02-09-2010, 09:28 AM	#6
boomer Six Pointer Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 773	The no does just seems wrong. I think if that were to be the policy then it will never work. Herd balance. I would think that no bucks until after the rut, does only until then,allow the best bucks to breed and then after the rut bucks only, protect the bred does would be a better policy. In a few years the best bucks will be the breeders.

02-09-2010, 10:27 AM	#7
Franklin1 Button Buck Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ramseur Posts: 14	Best thing I ever did on our leases was REQUIRE 2 does before your ONE buck was shot. Didnt matter when but$500 fine if you dont take those does first. The buck min was 8 pt AND outside the ears, no exceptions $500 fine. NO hunting on feeding or bedding areas, only the paths between. The basic rule was if you take a buck we had damn well better see it on your wall next year or dont bother shooting it. This process takes about 2-3 years and then look out. The outside the ears/8pt min will no longer be a problem AT ALL. You will probaly lose 1/2 the members if these rules are implemented. If you need a member that will prescribe to these rules and all QDMA aspects, please PM me.

02-09-2010, 10:32 AM	#8
I Hunt Twelve Pointer Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: SC Lowcountry Posts: 3,631	Franklin, sounds like you have hunted with some good deer managers