Outdoors Blog Forum

QDM

Dear Dave & Readers:

As I suspect everything worthwhile takes time and patience. And implementing a QDM program is no different from any other cultural change to traditions or thinking. As a former Regional Director for Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) my perpective is one of appriciation, as well as one with frustration generated from our Michigan DNR. Within my capacity as a Regional Director I served on the Wildllife Recreation Conservation Commiitee in Lansing with DNR Staff & State Representatives concerning QDM proposals. Certainly during my tenure I was exposed to attitudes and certain protocols that prevented wildlife education and land stewardship programs. The DNRs positions regarding wildlife Education is one of "we are not in the business of educating hunters" In other words, its up to the general public. With that said, many hunters believe our state agency has worked hard to protect buck age classes - decisions affecting hunting licensing for implementing a restrictied second buck license was not intended to protect bucks with any certainty of increasing buck age classes. To my surprize, the intended second restricted buck license was merely implemented to provide opportunities for those hunters who had not harvested a yearling buck yet. In fact, the DNRs harvest reports indicating a very high yearling buck harvest percentage drove their decision making by highthening their image by expanding a deer herd that met the desires of the masses or the hunting public. From their prepective lowering the negative feedback recieved from deer hunters season after season means renewed licensing sales. As a result, we have a Michigan deer herd that pretty much meets the demands of the hunting public, but - WAY TO MANY DEER THAN THE HABITAT CAN SUSTAIN.

In 2001 Dr James Kroll; better known as Dr Deer from Autin Texas came to Michigan to put on a seminar at the Ubly Fox Hunters Club in Ubly Michigan relating to expanding deer herds, hunter education, nutrition, genetics, and the importance of buck age structure. Many of the DNR's top staff attended the seminar - but I really dont think they listened very well. Dr. Kroll insisted Michigan Deer Management was at a deer management crossroads. In fact, Dr. Kroll had predicted what would happen to Michigans habitat and potential diseases if left alone many years before it came to furition. Traditional Deer Management (TDM) was prudent for restoration years regarding reestablishing deer herds across their range. However, the long term management stategys have far to many negative impacts than the positive. In my oppinion, its antiquated thinking for todays expanded deer herds. Well, lets just say Michigans own deer researcher John Ozoga has not been able to shift the bureaucracy and thinking of managing our states bogeying deer herd. So whats the answer, seek the knowledge from those who are willing to share it. That's the beauty of becoming a Member of the QDMA. Bill Moritz from the Michigan DNR told me during the heigth of recieveing numberous QDM proposals across the state of Michigan that "QDMA would end up being just another wildlife organization with a flashy magazine collecting dues from its members"

I beg to differ on that, State Agencies complain that deer hunters are spoiled - but who spoiled them. They sit back and criticize TV programing and the shift in hunters attitudes,but remain unwilling to implement stategys that have the best interest of the habitat and the whitetail deer. Having such an organization come down the pike at this time of our lives will reshape deer management as we know it. Those state agencys that are still waiting for QDMA and QDM to fail will lose even more confidence of the hunting public. Is it their pride. Can pride be a weakness - I think so. In any case, dont wait for your state agency to provide you with a quality program - JOIN the QDMA and start enjoying the deeper attributes of real conservation and land stewardhip. Leave a footprint in your hunter area that you will be pround of long after your gone.

May the Magic of the Whtietail Forever Enrich Your life.

Perry Silvio Russo