In the last decade a trend has been sweeping the South.  More and more people are becoming interested in quality deer management (QDM).  They want the opportunity to observe and harvest mature white-tailed deer.  QDM entails managing the entire herd to produce healthy bucks and does in accordance with existing habitat conditions.  This involves exercising restraint in harvesting young bucks and active participation in harvesting antlerless deer (particularly adult does).  Hunters practicing QDM become managers by allowing yearling bucks to survive to maturity, harvesting adequate numbers of does, and keeping detailed records on deer harvested and observed. Three components are vital for a successful QDM program: age, nutrition and genetics.

 Age

Age is usually the most important factor in producing quality deer.  In many areas, more than 80 percent of bucks harvested annually are yearlings.  How can you expect the bucks on your area to grow large when they are only 1½?  As one writer put it, “There is no such thing as a big spike, and a dead one won’t grow!”  A common response by hunters regarding QDM is:  “If I let a small buck walk by, someone else will shoot it.”  That may be true, especially if the area you hunt is relatively small (<1000 acres) or linear in shape.  Cooperation is the key.  If the property you hunt is relatively small, talk to your neighbors and encourage them to form a QDM cooperative with adjoining properties.  Many landowners have reported that when they began harvesting larger deer, QDM became contagious and adjoining landowners wanted to know how they could get in on the action!  The old adage, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained” certainly applies here.  For every movement away from tradition, there has to be a leader and for your area that may be you.                                           

 Nutrition

Habitat management is an essential part of a successful QDM program and the best way to ensure that your herd receives optimum nutrition.  The most common method used to improve nutrition is the establishment of food plots.  However, to provide any real nutritional benefit to a deer herd, typically two to three percent of a management area must be planted in warm- and cool-season food plots properly distributed across the property.  This strategy helps prevent overgrazing and provides nutrition to the herd on a year-round basis, especially during stress periods (i.e., late summer and late winter).  Other ways to increase available forage include timber stand improvement and natural vegetation fertilization.  Practices such as thinning, burning and using selective herbicides are excellent ways to improve the quantity and quality of vegetation utilized by deer throughout the year.

Providing adequate nutrition to your deer herd also requires maintaining the population in balance with its habitat.  Some people believe the doe is sacred and should be spared from harvest.  This mentality was prevalent when deer numbers were low and populations were being restocked.  Harvesting antlerless deer in areas where populations are established is not detrimental—it is necessary!  Today, hunting is the primary means of keeping populations in check and establishing social balance within herds. 

Concern often is expressed that harvesting does will reduce the number of bucks in an area.  This is primarily a function of habitat quality and deer density.  Depending on the relationship of the population with the carrying capacity, an “optimum sustained yield” can be achieved.  Healthy adult does normally produce two fawns per year.  A doe in poor physical condition will have only one fawn, if she gives birth to any at all.  When the population is reduced on areas where the carrying capacity has been reached, more nutritious forage is available; thus most does are able to carry two fawns.  Since fawns are born at approximately a 1:1 sex ratio, more bucks may be born each year.  This can result in more bucks to hunt on your property. 

Deer density affects the number of bucks on a property in other ways as well.   As the number of female deer with established home ranges on a property increases, the number of areas open for bucks to establish home ranges decreases.  In other words, with too many does, there is no room left for bucks.  Displaced bucks typically set up home ranges on nearby areas with lower deer densities—perhaps on your neighbor’s property!

Genetics

Genetic traits are determined by both sexes, not just the bucks.  Factors influencing genetic quality are complex.  Studies have shown that most yearling bucks with small antlers are able to produce quality antlers at maturity, and these “inferior” bucks are the result of overpopulation rather than genetics.  When yearling bucks comprise the majority of the harvest, the buck age structure is  most vigorous bucks as nature intended.

Putting it all together

A key goal of QDM is to establish and maintain the sex ratio as close to 1:1 as possible. This mimics a population limited by natural predation and results in a greater percentage of does being bred during their first estrous or breeding cycle, which can bring about a shortened, more intensive rut.In many areas traditional hunting practices (i.e., buck-only or a limited doe harvest) have resulted in deer populations heavily skewed in favor of females.In such populations, many does are not bred during their first estrous cycle which results in a prolonged breeding season and, consequently, a prolonged fawning season.These late-born fawns are handicapped by poor quality nutrition during late summer and a shorter period for growth before winter.

QDM not only promotes a well-balanced, healthy deer herd, for many hunters it ensures a quality hunting experience.  The ability to hunt a deer herd with a well-balanced adult sex ratio and good numbers of mature bucks is an exciting and unique experience—one that is being realized by an increasing number of hunters and landowners.  However, QDM is not for everyone.  Some hunters are more interested in deer quantity than deer quality. But for those who desire an opportunity to become a deer manager and to hunt mature bucks, QDM should be considered.

 QDM at work: The Fairchild Creek Cooperative

Located in southwestern Mississippi, the Fairchild Creek Cooperative was initiated in 1992 by a dedicated group of local sportsmen.  After seeking assistance from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) and collecting deer harvest data for one year, the group contacted adjoining landowners and formed a cooperative.

After a couple of years, the data began to reveal some positive trends (Figures 1 and 2).  Herd health, reproduction and recruitment were excellent and older bucks began showing up in the harvest with increasing regularity.  Through commitment and hard work, the members of this cooperative attained their goal of creating a quality hunting experience.  Mature bucks are present now in huntable numbers, which makes it even easier for hunters to pass young bucks.   Big rubs and scrapes have become commonplace and hunters have noticed increased rutting activity.  Some courtship chases witnessed by hunters have involved as many as five bucks in pursuit of one doe.  As you might expect, each hunting season results in a large number of bucks being taken to the taxidermist.   Although this is not a paradise, deer hunting for the members of the Fairchild Creek Cooperative has truly become a quality hunting experience.

How did they make it happen?

Making a QDM program work does not happen overnight.  It requires diligence and determination.  In addition, it is essential to work with others successfully.  Suggesting a new idea to people who have deeply ingrained opinions can be frustrating and demands persistence and a considerate attitude toward those who do not share your opinion initially.

Two additional clubs joined the Fairchild Creek Cooperative during the 1993-94 hunting season, thus increasing their area for collecting harvest data to over 4,000 acres.  Prior to the 1994-95 season, neighboring landowners were invited to attend a meeting.  Since 1992 this dedicated group had gradually established friendships with neighboring property owners through repeated visits and discussions concerning QDM.  So by the time the meeting was held, a positive relationship had been established and meeting attendance was good.  To further encourage attendance, club members telephoned their neighbors after mailing invitations to make the invitation more personal.  During the meeting, landowners were informed that participation in the cooperative was voluntary; however, there were a few guidelines that member clubs must follow if they wished to participate.

It was explained that any club wishing to participate in the cooperative must follow a few basic rules.  Rule one was to collect deer harvest data under the DMAP program.  Rule two was to establish some type of club policy ensuring compliance with the data collection program.  Note that the only “rules” were to collect and submit data.

Once this was accomplished, each club was encouraged to adopt QDM guidelines which included: (1) shooting more does than bucks, and  (2) restricting buck harvest to those bucks that had at least one antler 15 inches long.  In this particular area, the 15-inch guideline would eliminate 90 percent of the yearling bucks from harvest.  Methods used in other areas to restrict harvest of young bucks include antler spread restrictions (e.g., 15 or 16-inch outside spread) and antler point restrictions (e.g., 6 or 8-point rule).

Next, a goal was established to maintain the percentage of yearling bucks in the harvest below 20 percent.  Buck fawns then were added to this category.  This was necessary to account for buck fawns mistakenly shot as does and to allow a few bucks to be taken by young or inexperienced hunters.  New hunters were allowed to harvest a “first buck” before being bound by the tighter restrictions.  However, many of these hunters chose not to shoot a small buck even when allowed to do so.

Following the meeting, more properties joined the cooperative, and during 1995 harvest data were collected on nearly 7,000 acres.  By 1996 the group had expanded to 9,000 acres.  Obviously, the Fairchild Creek Cooperative is a model for others to follow.  This QDM success story was accomplished by average hunters in an average situation.  If you desire the opportunity to observe and hunt mature white-tailed deer, give QDM a try.  A little cooperation can go a long way! 

For more information on QDM, or a free brochure, contact the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) at 1-800-209-DEER or visit their website at www.qdma.com.   The QDMA is a non-profit wildlife conservation organization dedicated to ethical hunting, sound deer management, and a sustainable future for white-tailed deer and white-tailed deer hunting.