Passion like yours is admirable.

The way I see it... a hunter doesn't have to be gestapo when it comes to QDM. If he/she lets smaller deer pass... hey... that's QDM. If they plant in the offseason... that's another form of QDM. If they shoot a doe before a buck... it's QDM and believe me... it all helps.

Personally, I can't tell the difference between a 4 1/2 yr old deer and an 8 1/2 yr old deer just by looking at them from shooting distances... so I guess I am guilty in that respect. I hunt a lot of suburban area here in Pittsburgh... so I am willing to bet that a 4 1/2 yr old buck can easily make 130. Regardless, I've passed on 9 bucks this year... and 8 or 9 last year and just as many the year before that weren't shooter bucks because like you, Buck Magnet, I won't shoot a buck under 130-ish... unless it is a cull deer.

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I ALWAYS harvest at least one doe [sometimes two] before I take a buck... I plant in the off season... and I place salt blocks... I clearcut, open existing/new travel routes... and then some. So yes... I suppose I am into the QDM thing.

My point is... just because someone doesn't hunt by the same standards as you or me... that fact doesn't make them wrong.. or what's the word I am looking for...? It doesn't make them hypocrites. It just means they aren't into the QDM thing as far as we are.

I see your point... but only partial aspects of QDM will become mandatory... Other aspects of QDM will only be implemented on a personal level [aside from what the state already implements]. It's kinda hard to comdemn another hunter even when they are minimally contributing to QDM.

When I think about it... it's still 100% more effort than the hunter who does absolutely nothing for the herd... besides b!tch at those of us who do.

-DT

Edited by - PA DropTine on 02/26/2002 12:48:09