Q: Don't all spike bucks remain a spike for life?
A: No! Most all spike bucks are just first racks 1 ½ year old bucks. This is often caused by being born late or poor nutrition. A spike buck if allowed to mature to 3 ½ years old can have as nice a rack or even better than other 3 ½ year olds that started out as a fork, six or eight pointer. A buck that started out as a spike may be a trophy in year 3 ½ or 4 ½.
Q: Isn't it better to shoot only bucks to allow does to reproduce?
A: By harvesting an adequate number of does you can help balance the buck to doe ratio. You can reduce the number of does that get bred late and produce late fawns. This should be flexible and changed as needed. When the herd is high be more aggressive, after a hard winter back off on the doe harvest. This also can be beneficial to control deer population densities from getting too high. In many parts of the country populations are actually exceeding numbers that can be supported without health or nutrition deficiencies. Harvesting does also may help bucks to stay healthier as a better buck to doe ratio keeps bucks from getting excessively run down when attempting to service too many does.
Q: If I pass up a buck, won't the next guy down the road just shoot it and eliminate the possibility of quality bucks?
A: This scenario has happened way too many times over the years. QDM works best when using a neighborhood concept. If you help inform all those that hunt in your area how quickly bucks turn into trophies (2 to 4 years) and help them realize that the majority of the spikes, forks, six, and eight pointers taken are 1 ½ year olds and how they look when they get the second rack, most become just as interested and will support the QDM effort because they would like to hunt trophy deer just as much as you would.
Q: Isn't QDM only about shooting trophy bucks?
A: No. QDM is about many different issues looking at all aspects of the hunt. They include:
- Balancing the buck to doe ratio by harvesting adequate numbers of does, and allowing most bucks to reach their 3rd year, which would put most of them in the 130 to 150 class. These deer are considered trophies to QDM hunters, but are a long way from the Boone and Crockett standards of a trophy. But in just a few years there will be a higher number of Boone and Crocketts also with QDM. This also balances the herd within itself as well as with the environment.
- Proper nutrition to help develop a healthier herd by managing natural feed and/or food plot plantings.
- Controlling deer population densities to prevent problems/disease associated with over crowding.
- Education to help hunters identify age of deer during the hunt and/or aging of deer using the teeth – Record keeping by recording age, weight, and other data for a more informed hunting decision.
- Safe and ethical hunting, case in point – Pennsylvania initiated state wide QDM rules last year (2002), and while it’s still too soon to see the full effect of QDM they found last year to be the safest deer season on record! Coincidence? I don’t think so. QDM takes the hunter from being simply a customer to a deer manager.
Q: How long will it take to make a difference in the quality of the bucks available?
A: Some have noticed a difference the first year after they started QDM. In two to three years there can be a big difference as the number of 3½-year-olds begin to show up. At the same time you will still be seeing yearling and 2-year old bucks just for your viewing pleasure. Now try grunting, rattling, or a decoy!! You will love the results.
Q: Doesn't QDM just mean even more rules to hunt by?
A: While it's true that forming a QDM cooperative means more rules, these are rules that your group would put into place. This is legal, by raising the bar higher than the rulebook, and puts your neighborhood in control of the harvest in your area. These rules should be evaluated yearly, so changes can be made in a timely fashion.
Q: If we start doing QDM, does that mean the kids or old-timers won't be able to shoot a buck that doesn’t meet QDM standards?
A: The beauty of forming a QDM cooperative is you can set the rules where you want them. Making exceptions for kids or older hunters will only mildly affect the overall outcome, as compared to everyone taking young bucks. It seems the tradition now is to take bucks, any buck if you can. When hunters are informed and understand most of the bucks that are now taken are 1 ½ year olds and how nice they are at years 2 ½ through 6 ½ hunters of all ages become interested in participating in QDM.
Q: Is it true most hunters don't care if they have a chance at a decent buck, as they are content just taking any buck/deer?
A: You should answer that for yourself, but we have consistently found 90% or more of hunters would like to see more mature bucks. While QDM may not be for everyone, it certainly is for most hunters. With traditional management, a mature buck is considered a buck of a lifetime. With QDM, opportunities at a mature buck will happen every few years. Don't most people that fish have the "hankering" to latch onto that monster Walleye or Northern Pike some day? If it is true that most hunters don’t care about ever getting that trophy some day then why are all the millions of deer hunting and game magazines, products and gadgets sold, filled with photos of trophy bucks? If hunters don't care then they would likely be full of spikes, does and fork horn photos?
Q: How can I practice QDM with state land all around me?
A: Often on public land the same hunters return every year. Those hunters are likely to be just as interested in taking a decent buck some day also. By stopping and visiting with them to let them know your interest in QDM you likely can get cooperation from them also. If you know the people and can contact them before the hunting season starts you can let them know about the and ask them to check it out and see if you can get together with them in this effort. This initial contact is best done in writing so everyone gets the complete and accurate picture of QDM. We are more than happy to help you start a QDM area where you hunt. QDM as a group effort will benefit all hunters, landowners, non-landowners and non-resident hunters alike. Without QDM a quality hunt will not include the taking of a trophy buck for more than a select few.