We, my neighbors and I, have been practicing QDM on our properties for a few years and have seen the results. We are passing on all small eight pointers and smaller deer. The exception being a big-bodieddeer that looks to be older (2.5+)and having an inferior rack. We have not seen a buck that fits this description in the past five years.

I am in favor of AR's if they are done right. Meaning don't let eveyone kill all of the does like in PA. I'm in the Southwestern Mountains and we don't have the overpopulation of deer like the eastern part of the state. I do believe that allowing one buck of your choice and then placing an AR on subsequent deer would work better than nothing.

I do see a problem with AR's east of the Blue Ridge where dogs are used. Because, if a deer is being chased by a dog you are not going to have the opportunity to count anything! Therefore, the only way AR's could work is by not allowing the use of dogs, and I really don't think they will outlaw the use of dogs in eastern VA. So, that is just another point in the argument of AR's. Something to chew on!