QDMA History


The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) is a national nonprofit wildlife conservation organization and the leading advocate of the QDM philosophy. The QDMA's mission is to promote 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.

Originally founded in 1988 as a state-based organization in South Carolina, widespread interest from other states and several foreign countries resulted in the expansion to a national organization in 1990. In 1998, the QDMA moved its headquarters to northeast Georgia and today is among the fastest growing conservation organizations in the nation with more than 40,000 members in all 50 states and several foreign countries.

Among the QDMA's current members are nearly 800 of the nation's leading deer management professionals. Their collective knowledge enables the QDMA and its members to remain at the forefront of deer biology, research, and management. The QDMA also has a network of more than 70 Branches (organized groups of volunteer members) in more than 20 states with many others forming. QDMA Branches actively promote the philosophy of QDM and the mission of the QDMA in their areas and hold educational and social events to unite like-minded sportsmen in this common goal.