I’m sure you’re thinking “here we go”.

Well in most public forums just the mention of QDMA (Quality Deer Management Association) will get a few people’s blood pressure rising! Before I go any further I am here to say that I support QDMA, but with that being said, it’s more of a personal choice than anything. Ok now back on topic. 

It was just a few short years ago that friend of mine had mentioned that I should consider passing on small bucks and focus more on does. At that time in my hunting life I thought this man was CRAZY!! My whole view was that there was no way I was passing up a close bow shot on any buck. I mean what if I never get another chance?? That was until one year I decided to try it and let my 1st buck walk – trust me it was the hardest thing I have ever done hunting.  The funny thing is, the more bucks I passed on,  the more bucks I started to see!

I also started to see how bucks behaved naturally in the wild. And it was because - the minute I had a shot at a buck before – he was on the ground! Now I’m not going to go into a big QDM speech, but I think given the right hunting education a lot more people are starting to lean towards the QDMA way of thinking.  Well, not all of them.  I was just talking to a buddy of mine tonight and he said that his Dad still is “old school” and won’t shoot does! Now I understand hunting is a personal choice, but here in southern Michigan we have to shoot does!! Now I will say that I did make a mistake and shot a small buck last year(thought it was bigger!), but I will never apologize or defend why I shoot any legal deer!

That being said, as I get older, I notice that I get a little more into the management side of hunting, and that in no way is trying to be an “elitist”. It’s just me growing as a sportsman.  There are many days I wish I was 19 again, getting pumped about a 6 point I just shot, or the little spike I just bagged. But all in all its all hunting no matter what you shoot. 

Whether or not you support QDMA, make sure you get on-line or read a book and educate yourself as to why you don’t. They can be a little crazy on their food plot stuff(just ask Art), but I will have to say that all the people – so far -that I have spoken with in the organization are great people!

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