ORIGINAL: UPHunter89
Say a 45 year old male and his 12 year old son go hunting and a spike walks by. Of course the father is going to tell the kid to shoot because your 1st deer is a trophyt no matter what. But with QDM, the father cant say "Go ahead and take him, son" but instead "Sorry son, QDM says we gotta shoot at least an 8 pointer." How demoralizing would that be to a 12 year old? "I'm sorry but you cant shoot this buck in front of you which you have a clear shot at for your 1st deer." That stinks. Thats where the experienced hunters should explain these things to younger hunters.
I know that QDM doesnt work overnight, but gosh darn-it, it works. For better deer herds and more mature deer, QDM needs to be instated. The 1st few years WILL be rough, it is very obvious, but the MI DNR really needs to step up.
I disagree with the 45 year old telling the 12 year old to shoot the spike. When I was 14 my father took me out rifle hunting, a fork came in at first light and my father told me to make the decision on taking him. He said "OK son here comes a nice 4 point, do you wanna take him or let him grow up to be a nice buck next year?" I wanted to take him, butI did'nt. I let the 4 point go and decided to shoot a doe for my first deer. It was tough but I did it, and it taught me alot about being a good hunter and practising QDM has made me a better hunter. That 12 year old would learn patience and good ethics on practising QDM.
If QDM was installed, say 6 or bigger, there would have to be a senior citizen slot and a under 16 slot alsoI think. For those 2 catagories just make it a no spike law? Regardless Im with you on the QDM needs to be instated.
I leave in 3 hours for 2 weeks of gun season and the only thing weighing on my mind is the state land that surrounds my 160. Every year they sit around us and shoot every dam spike and 4 point they see. Pisses me off. We practise 6 or bigger and it better be a hugh 6 if you take it. Whats it matter when I pass up a smaller 6 and it walks onto state land 200 yards away and gets blasted. Same goes for the spikes and forks. These statelanders just wanna shoot something. I work hard all year to better the herd with food plots and selective deer management. For what?! Im starting to think its 100 agianst 1 in the fight agianst these statelanders around my property. I try to raise quality bucks and they try to destroy it! We need, Hell I need QDM instated.