Lets just talk about what I'm trying to accomplish. My goal is to manage the herd, here.....1) because we have too many deer and 2) because I want to see more "quality" BUCKS.

The only problem I have with this is the perception that it's ALL about the management of the numbers. Sure...that's a part of it (or they'd just call it "Deer Management"). Less deer competing for the same amount of food over a particular resource..... = more "quality" deer.....more "healthy" deer.

But if I saidI didn't think there was a greater chance of shooting a 130" deer in my future (and this tidbit comprising a BIG part of why I choose to go down this path)...I'd be lying.

I can honestly tell you, though....I'd still practice herd management.....if they told me the bucks here weren't going to get any bigger. I hate to see the thin ones running around.

When a4.5 yr oldhalf-rackbuck gets a pass......and a 3.5 yr old 120" deer gets taken.......I think we all see right through the QDMA ruse. When ANY juvenile buck (less than 3.5 yrs) gets "culled".....well....I just question the thought process (if, indeed, QDMA is your goal).

Wanna test a QDMA'er......put a 130" 2.5 yr old in fornt of him.....and a 120" 4.5 yr old. Watcha think's gonna happen? Good test, huh? I'm going to have to watch this myself, this year. I've got a dandy little 2.5 yr old that honestly....I might have trouble passing on.....and a 3.5 yr old that had a half-rack, last year. My biologist says that me taking a buck off the property I hunt won't hurt a thing. I AM trying to thin the herd....and it is another mouth contending for food. I need to look within, deep.

I agree with Greg.

to the guys who practice QDMA to the letter......kudos. I applaud your efforts.

As a < 3rd season deer hunter, though.....I have to be honest. If I see a deer larger than last year's (rack size)......I'm probably going to take him. If he's a 2.5yr old.....I can live with that. What I CAN'T do.....is continue to do that.....and still talk about the deer size (bucks) in my woods. I'm aware of that. Maybe he IS 3.5 this yr?? I'm not that good at aging them on the hoof.....but he had all the signs of a dandy 1.5 yr old, last yr. I honestly hope I don't have to make the decision. I'd like to see him (as I did, last year)....and have him skirt me. He'll likely go 100" or so, this season.