RE: Do YOU REALLY practice Quality Deer Management????
Would culling 3.5 yr old basket racks be considered QDM? I was wondering, because it seems culling for a trait humans desire wouldn't seem to have anything to do with it. The deer will determine who breeds, and passes on genetics, right? And we can't judge the multitude of other traits that constitute a "superior" animal, right? It would seem that you should let all the bucks grow to a certain age, regardless of what their rack looks like, but everywhere I see QDM proclaimed, they reccomend shooting the inferior racked bucks. Seems to be what you're calling "trophy" management to me. Is this an accurate assessment?
This isn't a comment on AR's, I'm aware most hunters can't age deer on the hoof, and it's the only logical way to spare the younger deer. I'm in no way saying you should manage around the .0001% of bucks who stay spikes, or the few who have 10pts at 1.5yrs old, either.
Just wondering.