I think QDM gives hunters an "alternative" method of herd control....with bigger racked bucks being a side-effect.
I agree but it's not a side-effect...it's the objective.
The pop. control (non-QDM) don't care about herd dynamics. They care about carrying capacity.
Yes that's true,but it's still a healthy herd.....may not be as many bucks assome would like but still healthy.
If my buck/doe ratio was near healthy levels.....and pop. control was my goal.....you are 100% correct. I shouldn't be choosy. I have to get the most bang for my buck, though (no pun intended). Let's just say I shoot the first 15 deer that offer me shots.....in a scenario of PURE herd reduction. I shoot 10 does and 5 bucks (of varying ages). I have taken out (for next year's numbers) 5 deer that will definitely not be in the herd (bucks) and the potential for 20+ for next year's herd count (does). If I use the same scenario....but shoot 15 does......well....you do the math. In other words....targeting does is MY best friend in my quest. Seeing larger racked bucks will be a welcomed side-effect.
If the numbers were reallyhigh then I would target does only asyou know by shooting does you are reducing the reproducing aspect not just the single deer. Seeing larger racked bucks is not a side effect of shooting does, it's a side effect of NOT shooting bucks. If that's what you want to do hey more power to ya, I've passed on many bucks through out the years but not because I wanted him to grow bigger, but because he wasn't what I wanted to shoot on that particular day.
As long as the deer herds don't get too over populated (or we don't kill them all off)they will survive and flourish on their ownperiod.There is
no need tomanage the bucksin order to improve or increase the amount of mature big antlered deer. Not unless you want to make it easier to shoot them.