Quality Deer Management Original by Jerry Taylor Based on presentation by John Seginak Modified by Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Office September 2005

What Is Quality Deer Management? Locals heard about it in Texas, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

How Has QDM Been Successful Locally? It can work anywhere. Only the expectations should differ between areas.

Why Did We Start A QDM Program? We believed it was the best, most sound deer management for the entire herd and the habitat. More than producing big, old bucks, it also means healthier does and fawns.

Why Did We Start A QDM Program? This program also benefits other species like quail and songbirds.

QDM is a philosophy that should be embraced form the beginning, not something you grow into. If only, as a youngster, I would have know the benefits of QDM!

3 Reasons Most People Argue Against QDM 1. My kids, wife, etc. should be able to shoot anything they want to for their first buck. 1 ½ year old buck is, next to fawns, the most gullible deer in the woods. Old does are much more of a challenge.

3 Reasons Most People Argue Against QDM! 2. If I do not shoot it, somebody else will. Is greed a good reason to kill an animal?

3 Reasons Most People Argue Against QDM! 3. QDM means more deer!! No, less deer. That’s why farmers, insurance companies, non-hunting drivers, and hunters who understand QDM are in favor of it.

We met a guy that said he did not like shooting does. We have to in our club and make it a fun meat contest!!!

Our Club! Started with 7 people in 1989 on 2500 acres. Only 500 acres is huntable woods. The rest is in cow pastures and hay fields. I was the oldest at 35. All the others were 13 to 15. I’m proud of them.

Our Club in 1989! We would see 10 to 20 deer a day hunting, only 2 or 3 of these would be antlered 1 ½ year old bucks. We rarely saw a 2 ½ year old buck. We saw lots of spikes.

Our Club In 1989! The average weight of a yearling buck was 100 lbs. 3 ½ year old does weighed an average of 95 lbs.

Our Club in 1989! Poor Rut! Whether & Moon. So many does that the bucks don’t have to look for them.

Our Club Now! Other people see our success and @ 5000 acres around us is QDM now. Usually harvest 4 to 5 mature mature bucks a year and 60 to 70 does.

Our Club Now! Close to a 1 to 1 sex ratio. Actually see as many antlered bucks as antlerless deer. We see very few spikes. Some of our yearlings have 8 pts. And 10 – 12 inch spread racks.

Our Club Now! Some of our yearlings have 8 pts. And 10 – 12 inch spread racks. 3 ½ + year old bucks weigh 190 – 220 pounds. 3 ½ year old does weigh 125 – 130 lbs.

Our Club Now! No matter the weather, moon phase, we have a concise 2 week rut in middle November. We plant food plots.

Summer Food Plots! Wet Sites: Aeschynomene Clover, Pear. Dry Sites: Iron Clay Peas, Alyce Clover.

Fall Food Plots! Wheat, rye, oats, red clover, ladino clover, crimson clover.

Recommendations! Harvest does as early as possible. Why? So you won’t shoot buttonheads and spikes. Poachers! Hammer them.

What Should You Expect From QDM? Healthier, bigger deer Improved habitat Old mature bucks.

What Is A Quality Buck? Folks in our neighborhood think a quality buck is a 3 ½ yr. Old, 200 + pounder, with at least a 16 – 17 inch inside spread.

What Is A Quality Buck? Down in Brunswick, Ga. It might be a 3 ½ yr. Old, weighing 150 lb. Buck with 8 points and a 14 – 15 inch spread.

What Should You Expect From QDM? It will allow you to grow a mature buck with the best rack possible for the area, and a healthier doe herd!

What Should You Expect From QDM? You are not going to grow a 20 inch, 190 class, 300 + pounder here. That’s Canada or Illinois. Don’t get hung up on scores. Enjoy the woods and nature.

Recommended Club Rules! Stands 200 Yards apart. Antler Restrictions. 8 pt. Rule is terrible where we live. Spread is a good rule. You shoot it you mount it.

Recommended Club Rules! We try to harvest older does. (Study) Best to harvest does during bow season when there is a marked size difference.

Recommended Club Rules! Data – Keep records on every deer harvested with the age, weight, and rack size on bucks. Why? I get asked how do I know how many does? The data lets you know when you’re taking enough does.

Recommended Club Rules! When we started 60% of the does were 3 ½ or older and it should be less than 20%. Weights – fat or no fat.

Success does not occur overnight. It takes commitment!! It took 3 to 4 years to see a difference, after 6 years we saw a marked difference. Better # of older bucks. Change in behavior. Dictatorship!!!!

Deer Lures & Scents!

Wind and Smell!

Camouflage!