I guess I would like my two cents into this thread...

Like someone said...it really depends on how you were raised and who you hunt with. There isn' t anyway I can get my dad to change his ways, because he is pure and simply a " meat hunter" and is " old school" . He likes to see deer in pure numbers. Not the quality of deer, but quantity. Not that there really is anything wrong it that, but... I used to shoot anything that walked by me until I really got into the sport and started reading tons of material on it. Now this isn' t meant to offend anyone and anyone has their own right to shoot what they want, but this is the reason why I don' t. It' s called QDM. The word itself to many people means one thing and only one thing.....big bucks and that' s all this guy cares about. Well in a way yes, but in many ways no. QDM is understanding the herd in your area, what the doe-buck ratio is, how many deer can the land afford to hold(vegetation speaking) and the over-all health of the herd. I have seen it work 1st hand on a piece of property I hunt. Over the past 3 years, we have probably taken out 15-20 doe and letting the little ones(spikes, forks, basket 6' s and 8' s..all 1 1/2 year old to 2 1/2) go. The hunting(in my eyes) has gotten to be awesome. Sure we see a little less doe, but the probability that your going to see a " good" buck is much, much better. Getting the doe-buck ratio closer to 1-1 or 2-1 makes for a more intense rut, bigger bucks, the deer you see will stay on the land longer because the vegetation will be able support them and the more mature bucks will be doing the majority of the breeding. Which will result in a healthier, stronger herd.

I have heard..." Well if I let that little one walk, someone down the road will shoot it. Why should I let him walk?" To me, that sounds like we/me have a little educating to do with our fellow hunters.

I guess that' s how I look at it, but I also believe that a youth hunter that is new to the woods, older gentlman/women or people that need to shoot whatever because their family needs it....is a totally different story. I am lucky enough I guess to not need vension although I love it, to have to be able to shoot anything. Sorry about the long post. Good luck to everyone this hunting season.