The truth is what game managers and biologists view as a balanced and healthy deer herd and what hunters see as an ideal number of deer are different.Ten years ago we had way to many deer an a buck doe ratio of 10,15 to 1 in many areas.Our 1/1/2 old deer averaged 90-100 #'s.We rarely killed any mature bucks.2/3's of them were killed as spikes or forkhorns.This out of balance situation came from shooting too few does and too many juvenile bucks.Alot of guys got used to seeing 6-8 deer every hunt.What hunter does'nt like to see deer every hunt?But the truth is our herd was in bad shape.First they increased the doe harvest but even though numbers came down some the ratio was still out of whack.MS then introduced a 4 point rule.Now 2/3's of the mature bucks live past their first year.The ratio has come down.while it is near impossible to get a 1 to 1 ratio in the wild we probably are closer to 3 to 4 to 1.Our herd is healthy and more balanced in age structure.We no longer see late born fawns,our 1/1/2 old deer weights have increased to about 125#.In MS the ENTIRE season is either sex on private property.Many predicted it would ruin our herd,wipe out the population.It has'nt happened.We work closely with state bioligists in a DMAP program.They survey our habitat and make recomendations on antlerless harvest.More states are going this route.LA is experimenting with a 6 point rule,PA is making changes.GA has counties with antler restrictions.Now up north were winter mortality is higher and firearms seasons are short,more deer die of natural causes and the short firearms seasons ensure more bucks live longer.The approach used by MS and other states is not necessary.I think RICHIE3 is right in saying that many states will regulate buck harvest to try and achieve some balance in the deer population.QDM is about producing a balanced healthy deer herd.The benefits are obvious.I for one have enjoyed the change.One of the reasons I enjoy bowhunting is that you can't shoot every deer you see.When a rifle hunter sees a deer at 75 yards the game is over.Bowhunting has enabled me to watch deer more before I shoot.I have learned more about deer behaviour and had some great experiences just watching deer in their enviroment.It has made me a better hunter.Passing on young deer has done the same.I don't automaticaly shoot every deer I see.Several times I have been rewarded with nice bucks by not pulling the trigger so soon.I kill just as many deer as did in the past,mostly does.But in the last few years my sons and I have killed some nice mature bucks,some "TROPHYS",some just nice mature deer.I think having a freezer full of deer meat and the chance to shoot a mature buck is having your cake and eating it too.

Billy

WHACKEM N STACKEM