Why practice QDM? There are many benefits for hunters in a Quality Deer Management program. When a deer population is socially balanced, with roughly equal numbers of bucks and does, and with all ages of bucks represented, hunters witness the full range of social behaviors. “Bachelor groups” of bucks can be observed in summer. Rubs and scrapes are more common in the woods. Hunters witness more buck fights, see more bucks chasing does, and more often hear vocalizations like grunting. Calling techniques like rattling are more productive. Overall, the rut is more apparent and intense, leading to a more enjoyable hunting experience and higher hunting success. Because these hunters see more bucks of all ages, they become skilled at understanding deer behavior and at judging deer age and antler quality in the field. Other benefits include dramatically increased success at finding shed antlers, which also leads to greater knowledge of travel corridors, bedding areas and feeding habits. Working with habitat and planting food plots increases a hunter’s connection to the earth, to wildlife and the outdoors, and many QDM practitioners report happily that hunting becomes a year-round pursuit instead of being limited to hunting season. Some hunters have said that finding a fawn hiding safely in early successional growth established specifically for fawning cover, or capturing a trail-camera photo of a mature buck using a newly designated “sanctuary,” was as rewarding as their most successful hunt. There are also benefits from hunting healthier deer, including heavier body weights. Of course, there is also the benefit of having a better chance of seeing and harvesting a mature buck, because more are present. Given good nutrition and other benefits that are part of a socially balanced deer population, bucks can express their full antler potential in each year of their life. In today’s North American hunting culture, antlers are the most common and easily visible symbol of hunting achievement, but in a QDM program, many other rewards and benefits are equally cherished.
Posted on: Thu, 21 Aug 2014 03:08:22 +0000
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