I have been to seminars that were put on by the “Quality Deer Management Association” and let me say they are very informative and a great way to spend a couple of hours. They don’t cost anything and you get to meet others from around your area who are interested about the same thing you are.

By: Rick Kratzke

Here is another of QDMA’s great FREE seminars and this time it is being held at a sportsmen’s club. Speaking from experience these free seminars are something you do not want to miss. They are very informative and you get to meet a lot of other people that are interested in the same thing.

By: Rick Kratzke

All information provided by Ron Reeves of the Connecticut River Valley Branch of the QDMA:

This is a very interesting article that has some statistics that really show how the whitetail deer are doing. I really enjoy reading Mr. Adams articles because they are usually so informative. He really puts some time into what he does and it goes to show how well the Quality Deer Management Association is doing to protect and extend the future of the Whitetail Deer and it’s habitat.

By: Rick Kratzke

Kip Adams, QDMA Director of Education and Outreach, Northern Region

Interest in Quality Deer Management (QDM) has increased dramatically during the past decade and many states have implemented regulations to improve the health and quality of their deer herd(s) and habitat(s). Such regulations include buck harvest restrictions to reduce the harvest rate of yearlings and allow more bucks to reach older age classes, and increased antlerless opportunities designed to balance deer herds with the habitat.

In 2001 the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) produced a map showing the estimated deer density by county for the lower 48 states. The map also included deer herd and harvest information, the estimated number of deer-vehicle collisions and QDM trend information. The map contained data provided by state wildlife agencies from 1994 to 1999. The map has been extremely popular as it is a valuable reference to compare relative deer densities, harvest data and other herd statistics among states. Recently, QDMA updated the map with information obtained from state wildlife agencies. The new map contains information from 2001 to 2005 and noticeable changes have occurred since the initial map was produced. The data set is not complete as a few states didn’t provide data and some didn’t provide all of the requested information, but the submitted information provides for meaningful comparisons among states and between the 2001 map and the present.

With respect to antlerless harvest, 1999 was a landmark year since it marked the first time hunters in the U.S. harvested more antlerless deer than bucks. In 1999 hunters harvested approximately 6.2 million whitetails, with bucks accounting for slightly less than half. In 2005 hunters harvested approximately the same number of deer but bucks accounted for only 44% of the total. From 1999 to 2005 buck harvest as a percentage of total harvest declined while the antlerless harvest increased by about 10%.

More importantly, the percentage of yearlings in the buck harvest declined from an average of 51% in 1999 to 45% in 2005. During this same period the percentage of 2.5-year-olds increased from 28 to 32% and 3.5-year-olds or older increased from 19 to 23%. Some states made tremendous advances such as Pennsylvania dropping from 80 to 52% yearling bucks. Wisconsin dropped from 68 to 51% and Mississippi dropped from 50% to a nationwide low of 12% yearlings! Kudos to the Magnolia state! Arkansas followed a close second with 20% yearlings. Pennsylvania used to lead this undesirable category but is now around the national average with at least six other states harvesting a higher percentage of yearlings, including neighbors Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Ohio (data not provided by Delaware or West Virginia). Michigan, New Jersey and New York now tie for the national lead with 63% of their buck harvests being 1.5 years old.

Two states regressed in this statistic with South Carolina and New Hampshire both harvesting a higher percentage of yearlings in 2005 than in 1999. South Carolina increased from 48 to 55% and New Hampshire from 46 to 51% yearlings. In fairness to South Carolina, it was ahead of the curve in 1999 and is still doing well today especially considering that more than half of the state has a four-and-a-half-month season with no buck limit. Also, New Hampshire has already established a procedure to reduce their yearling harvest rate. In 2005 the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department published their 2006-2015 Big Game Management Plan and Objective 2-1 of that plan states, “Manage regional deer populations to ensure that yearling males don’t exceed 50% of the adult male population.” From 2004 to 2006 the percentage of yearling bucks had exceeded 50% of the buck harvest in one of the state’s wildlife management units (WMU). Therefore, the Department organized an ad-hoc deer advisory committee to determine the preferred strategies for reducing the yearling harvest rate in that WMU, and they implemented the chosen strategy in 2007. This component of their deer management plan is arguably one of the most progressive QDM procedures implemented by any state agency, and since its implementation the percentage of yearlings in the buck harvest has dropped to 24% in that WMU and 45% statewide.

With respect to 2.5-year-olds, Maryland doubled their percentage in the harvest from 23% in 1999 to 46% in 2005. Nebraska increased from 29 to 56% and Indiana increased from 25 to 35%. Pennsylvania only separates their buck harvest into yearlings and 2.5 years and older, and the Keystone state improved from 20 to 48% bucks that were at least 2.5 years old. In actual numbers, these percentages represent an increase from nearly 39,000 to 58,000 bucks.

With respect to bucks 3.5 years old and older, Mississippi leads the nation with 60% of their buck harvest reaching this age category. This percentage has tripled in Mississippi since 1999. Texas is second with 49% and Arkansas is third with 38%. Other notables include Rhode Island with 37%, North Carolina with 28%, and Wisconsin jumped to 20% 3.5 years old or older (double their percentage in 1999).

Overall, Texas leads the nation in buck harvest by harvesting nearly 250,000 bucks and fortunately only 28% of them are yearlings. Michigan is second with nearly 220,000 bucks but unfortunately 63% of them are yearlings. Alabama and Wisconsin are next with approximately 183,000 bucks. Only 51% of bucks harvested in Wisconsin’s are yearlings and age-class data wasn’t provided by Alabama. Given Alabama’s unlimited buck harvest regulations and season length in 2005, it is likely the percentage of yearlings was quite high. However, in 2007 the state took action and restricted the buck bag limit to three (one of which must have at least four points on one antler) per year in an effort to reduce their yearling harvest rate.

Antlerless deer harvests are more difficult to compare across states and years as some states are aggressively reducing populations while others are seeking to stabilize herds. From 1999 to 2005, one of the most notable statistics was the increase in antlerless harvest in the Midwest. Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Ohio and Missouri increased their antlerless harvests by an average of 78% from nearly 400,000 to over 710,000. Illinois and Iowa lead this list with 153 and 114% antlerless harvest increases, respectively. Overall Wisconsin leads the nation in this category by harvesting approximately 274,000 antlerless deer. Alabama is second with about 256,000 and Pennsylvania is third with 234,000. Pennsylvania’s antlerless harvest is 27% higher than in 1999 but 38% lower than in 2003 when the state was aggressively reducing the deer herd.

One final comparison is to view each state’s total deer harvest. In 2005, about 2/3 (65%) of the states shot as many or more antlerless deer than bucks, while 1/3 (35%) shot more bucks. Delaware topped the list with antlerless deer comprising 70% of their harvest. Georgia, Iowa, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Tennessee ranged from 66 to 69%, and Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin ranged from 60 to 65% antlerless deer. States such as Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont shoot fewer than 50% antlerless deer. This is not surprising in northern New England where lower deer densities combined with severe winter weather allow for successful deer management programs with reduced antlerless harvests. However, states with productive deer herds like Michigan, Nebraska and North Carolina should likely have harvests comprising more than 50% antlerless deer rather than the 40 to 47% they averaged in 2005.

A decade ago QDM was still in its infancy but its positive impacts on deer herds and habitats were becoming evident. Today, the QDM philosophy is not only growing in acceptance among hunters, but also shaping the future of deer hunting and management throughout North America. State wildlife agencies are urging sportsmen to play their role in balancing deer populations by harvesting female deer and hunters are increasingly answering the call. Many states also are responding to the increasing support by hunters for more restrictive buck harvest guidelines. Still more hunters are voluntarily restricting buck harvests on their properties beyond what is required by law. In our ever-changing world at least one thing is clear; today’s hunters are far more knowledgeable about whitetails, their role in management, and their preference for QDM. Aldo Leopold would be very proud.

The map and data referenced in this article will be available later this summer by contacting the QDMA at 800-209-3337 or www.QDMA.com

Kip’s Korner is written by Kip Adams, a certified wildlife biologist and Director of Education and Outreach for the Northern Region for the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA). The QDMA is a non-profit wildlife conservation organization dedicated to promoting sustainable, high-quality, white-tailed deer populations, wildlife habitats and ethical hunting experiences through education, research, and management in partnership with hunters, landowners, natural resource professionals, and the public. The QDMA can be reached at 1-800-209-DEER or www.QDMA.com.

Here are two hunters that started a petition for antler restriction down in Alabama. This is just another form of “QDM” that is a fast growing part of what we as hunters and outdoorsman I think might like to see in the future for whitetail deer and deer hunting in general. Please read and leave a comment about what you think.

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Hunters who want change in county interested in ‘both sides’

Two area hunters are seeking signatures on a petition to urge the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to implement an antler restriction in Madison County of 4-points or better on one side for all bucks killed during the hunting season.

Scott Canterberry and Trey Mann of Huntsville distributed the petitions Friday to Wiley Outdoor Sports, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Gander Mountain, Custom Archery Center, C.T. Garvin Feed and Seed, Madison County Co-Op and the Redstone Arsenal Outdoor Rec Center.

Current state regulations allow three bucks per hunter for the season. Two may be a “hunter’s choice” of buck with antlers above the hairline, but the third must have at least 4 points of 1-inch or longer on one side of its antlers to be legal.

Barbour County is the only other one of Alabama’s 67 counties with a more restrictive antler regulation than the state regulation, which was asked for by hunters.

Canterberry and Mann have brainstormed about the idea of antler restrictions in the county for several months. Canterberry declined to comment extensively when reached Saturday.

“Right now, we’d like to let the petition speak for itself,” he said. “We want to let the hunters come out and make their decision.”

Conservation Department biologist Bill Gray, one of the department’s whitetail deer specialists, could not be reached Saturday for comment.

Canterberry’s and Mann’s petition asks for an antler restriction of at least 4 points 1-inch or longer on one side in the county. It also says, “This applies to all hunters except those less than 16 years of age or disabled. The petition will be used to address the Conservation Advisory Board, with whom contact has already been established.”

Under the heading “Goals,” it reads, “Encourage hunters to harvest does instead of immature bucks” and “Increase overall herd health and balance.”

Those are among the main ones already identified by the Conservation Advisory Board and the Conservation Department as part of the 3-buck limit.

After roughly 40 years of a liberal buck-a-day allowance, the limit and antler restriction for one of the bucks was met with a mixture of emotions inside the Conservation Department and from the public.

Board member Dr. Warren Strickland of Owens Cross Roads said he had been contacted by Canterberry and encouraged him to pursue the petition if he believed strongly enough in his and Mann’s idea. He said they needed to get “400 to 500 signatures” to present to the advisory board at its May 17 meeting in Eufaula.

“If he’s going to push the agenda, which I feel is a good thing, if he could get support then I think it’s a very viable option to have a more restricted buck limit than what the state presently provides,” Strickland said. “I’m definitely in support of it if that’s what the hunters of Madison County want.”

By ALAN CLEMONS - The Huntsville Times

More and more I believe that this non-profit organization should be supported for all their efforts and I for one are proud to be a member.

Quality Deer Management Association

For Immediate Release

QDMA Reaches 50,000 Members and Counting BOGART, GA. – David Wambold of Mascoutah, Illinois, thought his $30 would cover the standard one-year membership in the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA). But when he joined through the QDMA Web site on March 31, he pushed the nonprofit conservation organization to 50,000 active members and earned himself a complimentary Life Membership in the process. “I was looking for help with food plots and habitat improvement, and a friend suggested I join QDMA. He loaned me a couple of his Quality Whitetails magazines, and I also saw the QDMA television show, and I was extremely impressed,” said David, a retired aquatic biologist, whose family jointly owns a 100-acre hunting property. “I never win anything, so it was a complete surprise when I learned I had won a Life Membership. From what I’ve seen of QDMA’s materials and message, this is a fantastic prize.” “David’s story is a perfect example for explaining QDMA’s continued growth,” said executive director Brian Murphy. “It is a reflection of the growing interest in deer management, habitat improvement, and land and wildlife conservation. Many deer hunters like David are managing land, especially small tracts, to create quality deer habitat and better deer hunting. QDMA has the information, expertise and support to help them achieve these goals.” With 50,000 active members in all 50 states, Canada and several foreign countries, QDMA is now one of the fastest growing conservation organizations in North America. The milestone in membership was reached just six months short of QDMA’s 20th Anniversary this October, but the majority of QDMA’s growth has occurred in the last decade. When Murphy took the reins of the organization in 1997, QDMA had just 3,000 members, and Murphy was QDMA’s only employee. By 2000, QDMA reached 10,000 members, and momentum was beginning to build. Eight years later, QDMA has 50,000 members and more than 30 full- and part-time employees. Murphy first operated QDMA out of a spare bedroom in his Georgia home; the organization is now headquartered on a 23-acre site just outside Athens, Georgia, that was donated to the organization in 2004. “Our growth is also made possible by an expanding network of volunteers and QDMA Branches across North America,” said Murphy. “We’ve grown from just over 30 active Branches to 175 Branches in the last four years alone. These volunteers are critical to continued membership growth and achieving the association’s educational mission.” QDMA’s growth has allowed the organization to diversify its outreach efforts. QDMA’s message of sound deer management and wildlife stewardship is now conveyed through a multimedia effort that includes Quality Whitetails magazine, Quality Whitetails TV on the Outdoor Channel, publications like the landmark book Quality Food Plots, the QDMA Web site, and QDMA’s Deer Steward certification courses. Additional outreach initiatives under the umbrella of the REACH program include funding for whitetail research, advocacy of sound deer management in public policy, and QDMA’s Mentored Hunting Program for hunter recruitment and retention. “Number 50,000 is just the tip of the iceberg,” said Craig Dougherty, chairman of QDMA’s Board of Directors. “QDMA is all about better deer and better deer hunting, and there are about 10 million deer hunters who have not discovered us yet. When they do, we will see an increase in wildlife conservation activity of historic proportions, with white-tailed deer being the big winners.” Visit us today at www.qdma.com

QDMA Founded in 1988, the QDMA is a national nonprofit wildlife conservation organization with 48,000 members in all 50 states and several foreign countries. Membership in the QDMA is open to anyone interested in better deer and better deer hunting, and committed to ethical hunting, sound deer management and the preservation of the deer-hunting heritage. To learn more about the QDMA and why it is the future of deer hunting, call (800) 209-DEER [(800) 209-3337] or visit www.QDMA.com.

ElkRiver Branch ready to host inaugural banquet in 2 weeks

Rusty Ferguson has had a love affair with deer hunting for more than 40 years.

“I’m a fanatic about deer hunting,” he said. “There’s not much of anything other than God and family that I’d put before deer hunting.”

Ferguson’s perspective changed a year ago when he became a grandfather.

“My grandson was born on April 17 last year and I got to thinking that the way deer hunting is going now, if we don’t do something to preserve our hunting heritage we’re not going to have anything for them to hunt in the future,” he said. “I went to the Lincoln County Courthouse and got a plot map, and then went to all my neighbors to see if they wanted to start a cooperative.”

With that, he hoped, they could work together with common ideas and goals about hunting and management. They met, had a cookout and discussed their ideas. Ferguson then contacted the Quality Deer Management Association in Georgia for more information.

“They suggested I should meet the regional representative, Tom Goodhue, and he said we should form a branch before anything else,” he said. “So we elected officers and got that rolling. Since then, we have more than 26 members in Madison, Limestone, Lincoln and Giles counties and I’m getting calls from all over.”

The Elk River Branch will hold its first fundraising conservation banquet April 25 at the Jaycees Building here off of Airport Road. The evening will include a catered dinner and other activities.

QDMA founder Joe Hamilton designated the national grassroots groups as branches, instead of chapters, after discussions with a friend of his from New Zealand. The branch, Hamilton says, is part of an overall “tree” and has more of a familial feeling.

The Elk River Branch is the first in north Alabama and one of only a few in the state and Tennessee. Ferguson \incorporated two counties in each state to help broaden the membership base.

“We want to involve everyone,” he said. “There are a few people who tried to start a branch around here but they didn’t have a very good response. Some of our members live in Alabama but own land in Tennessee. I’m going to do my best to make this work.”

Ferguson plans to have a youth day and food plot seminar later this summer. QDMA’s national convention is in Chattanooga in July, featuring several days of seminars and events, which may help boost local membership.

Another FREE Seminar to be put on by the “Connecticut River Valley Branch of the QDMA”. I attended the first one last month and it was very informative and I plan on attending this one as well.

The Connecticut River Valley Branch invites you to attend a FREE educational seminar on “Assessing & Managing Deer Habitat on Small Acreage Properties” and “More on Food Plots - What, How & When to Plant.” All hunters, landowners and anyone interested in Quality Deer Management (QDM) are invited to attend this FREE seminar. QDMA, New England/Canada Regional Director Matt Ross will discuss both topics in depth as well as answer any questions attendees may have.

The event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14th. at the Cabela’s in East Hartford. The seminar will be held in the 2nd floor conference room and is open to the public. Doors open at 6:15p.m. and the seminar will run from 7-8:30p.m.

As with the seminar in March, we are expecting an excellent turnout and seating will be limited. Please RSVP by email or phone to Ron Reaves by April 30 to confirm a seat.

 

QDM is in action again and an open invitation for the public to attend. I think this is a very good idea to get the public involved so they can really see what goes into deer and habitat management.

Gladwin County Record

GLADWIN COUNTY — The public is welcome to attend a deer/habitat management seminar, “Deer and Deer Hunting – Looking into the Future”, April 12 at the Gladwin High School, 1400 N. Spring St. Doors open at 11:15 a.m.

Topics and speakers include:

• 12 p.m. – “Hunter Perspectives of QDM”, Leon Hank, president, QDMA State Chapter.

• 1 p.m. – “Concepts of Deer Management & Future Changes”, Brent Rudolph, research biologist, Michigan DNR.

• 2 p.m. – Break - Open Discussion.

• 2:30 p.m. – “Answers to More Effective Food Plots & Site Layouts”, Ed Spinazzola, director QDMA National Office; author, Wildlife Food Plot Books and Articles.

• 3:30 p.m. – “Managing Forest for Profit & Wildlife”, Gerald Lambert, professional, specializing in Forest/Wildlife Management and Timber Sale Taxation Issues.

• 4:30 p.m. – Question and Answer Period, Hank, Rudolph, Spinazzola and Lambert.

A dinner/social will immediately follow the seminar. A buffet dinner will be served along with a cash bar. Food and beverages are available for purchase from the Gladwin Athletic Booster Club. Food plot vendors will be on site.

This event is sponsored by the Mid Michigan Branch of the QDMA representing Clare, Gladwin, Isabella and Midland counties.

The next general membership meeting is June 28, 2008 at Jay’s Sporting Goods/Outback room in Clare at noon. The 7th annual fundraiser banquet is Sept. 13, 2008 at the Doherty Hotel in Clare. There will be a great dinner, live and silent auctions, raffles, games and much more.

To RSVP or for more info, call Richard King 989-426-9181, Frank Myers 989-386-9194 or Phil Andres 248-360-8221.

This is one past time I look forward to every year and although I am not usually as successful as some I still enjoy doing very much. Here is some tips that might be helpful to you in your pursuit of those magical pieces of bone.

SHED HUNTING SECRETS By Brian Murphy

Recently, the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) interviewed many of its members who are avid shed antler hunters and collectors. The information, part of an article in the February 2006 issue of QDMA’s Quality Whitetails, included these useful tips for locating sheds:

• Use infrared-triggered trail cameras to monitor antler shedding. Begin hunting sheds as soon as most or all bucks in the photos have dropped their antlers (timing will vary geographically). Rodents will immediately begin gnawing shed antlers, so don’t postpone your search until warmer weather.

• Concentrate your search in these areas: 1) winter food sources, especially cool-season food plots (searchers rate these as the top location for producing sheds); 2) bedding areas or winter cover; 3) along trails and in bottlenecks linking the first two areas; and 4) near water sources if water sources are limited on your hunting land.

• Focus especially on areas along travel routes where deer must jump, like fence, ditch or creek crossings, as antlers are often jarred loose at these locations. Places where brush is especially dense along trails are also productive, and sheds may even be found hanging above ground level.

• Most shed hunters believe it is okay to enter bedding areas and sanctuaries to hunt for sheds in the off-season, but they recommend limiting your intrusion to one thorough search each year.

• Ovals in snow or in bedding cover where deer bed down are productive because of the increased chance of finding a matched set or spotting very small shed antlers.

• Walk slowly and take the time to scan downrange but also very close to your feet. While some sheds will be obvious, most are spotted within one or two strides of your path. If you are distracted by rubs or other deer sign, slow down and remember to keep your eyes on the ground.

Brian Murphy is a Certified Wildlife Biologist and Executive Director of the Quality Deer Management Association. This column originally appeared in Bowhunting World magazine. Visit www.QDMA.com and www.bowhuntingworld.com for more information.

Huntsville TimesQDMA convention set in Chattanooga again

The Quality Deer Management Association will hold its annual national convention July 24-27 at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

The event features exhibits, seminars from noted wildlife biologists, taxidermy exhibits, live entertainment, youth and ladies activities, auctions and more.

For more information, visit www.qdma.org.