Hunter Management

Hunter management is a critical, yet often difficult aspect of QDM. Within most hunting groups, support for QDM varies. It is difficult to achieve the objectives of QDM unless all hunters are fully committed. Education is the key. Hunters must fully understand the benefits and costs of QDM before they become active participants.

Active participation in a QDM program requires hunters to learn about deer ecology and behavior, and become participants in management. They must be able to distinguish fawns, does, yearling bucks, intermediate-aged bucks (2.5 and 3.5 years old), and mature bucks (4.5 years and older). Making these distinctions requires knowledge of body size, shape, behavior, and other features related to sex and age. Again, education is the key to success.

Knowledge leads to increased respect for the quarry, and often a greater focus on the experience rather than the number or size of animals harvested. Conversations with other hunters become focused on what is observed and left rather than what is taken. Landowners and clubs can become better neighbors as they unite to have areas large enough for QDM. In brief, QDM fosters a sense of pride in the deer herd and nature as a whole.