Duckmastor2,

With all due respect your way off base with the idea Delaware deer herd is under seige by DNREC.

DNREC was basically put on notice by legislative branch to act. You are correct in saying this is partially political. Thank your lucky stars F&W was given the opportunity to put together a plan of attack that is a Win Win deal for all. BTW it is not the yuppies south of C&D canal that are doing all the cryin and boo hooin - It's the urbanites in New Castle.

F&W does have solid data with respect to the deer herd in all countys. F&W has secured data from field research,hiring bioligists, up to and including counting deer at night by helicopter. The heard in some areas of DE is upwards of 100 per sq mile - thats crazy!! They are destroying native forests by over browsing,not to mention crop damage,auto collision etc...

The buck to doe ratio is way out of wack. Many Delaware hunters have known this for years. Hunters have all but refused to take does. Instead they shoot yearling bucks,button,spikes,anything that walks. The DOE/FEMALE herd needs to be thinned and let the yearling bucks walk!! In just 2-3 years no matter where you hunt you/we will see more 2-3-4 yr old bucks. That's a no brainer in my book.

About 3 years ago F&W had a big meeting in Dover about this same problem and how implementing Quality Deer Management(QDM) practices would not only bring the buck/doe ratio to within a given areas carrying capacity but also increase the number of quality bucks(2-3-4 yr old). Speakers ranged from Delaware F&W biologists, Chesapeake farms in Kent county Md (the old Remington farms), and Quality Deer Managment Association (a nat'l association with branches thruout U.S). The most educational seminar I've ever attended. These guys knew what they were talking about.
QDMA is here to stay and has been very successful in many other states with same problems.

I promptly joined QDMA ($25 YR) Best money I've spent.

About 3 weeks ago there were 2 meetings in Delaware put on by Delaware F&W. I attended the Leipsic meeting. More bioligists spoke inc one who was hired by F&W to compile data on deer herd,numbers,ratios,damage etc etc.. The regional director (a bioligist) for QDMA was there along with Delware branch of QDMA. Again these men know whats going on with deer heard and skewed ratios.

Bottom line is Delaware hunters need to listen up,be objective,stop watchin and readin all this hunting crap on TV and print. We need to manage OUR Delaware hunting resource.


The Delaware branch of QDMA; Call E.J. Chalabala, V.P. & Membership Chairman. He's out of Lewis;302-228-8954. Chip West is the Pesident. This will be time and money well spent.


Having said all that - May we all have a Knock Down Deer Season.