Cardeer,

As of 1999 there were 21 states that had some type of QDM regulations implemented in their states, at various levels. The Dooly County expirement in GA started in 1992, with a 15" minimum spread and drastic population contol measures-it includes 5 counties. The initial approval rating was 66%, that climbed to an approval rating in the 80's within 2 years, and over 90% today.

The QDM map lists 21 states as of 1999. I don't have the map with me, but states that come to mind with some sort of QDM guidelines, are LA, IL, KY, GA, MD, AK, NJ, MI, and now PA. PA and MI were not part of the map.

MI has point restrictions varying from 2 to 3pts on a side. Approval ratings for MI have gone up each year for the different management zones.

The point with all of those states is that there is great hard data out there to support QDM, but none to dispute it. In fact, I just got off the phone with the Midwest Director of the QDMA, and he and I were talking about that we don't think that anywhere QDM has been implemented, the approval rating has gone down. I'm sure if you do some digging you will find lots of information, either from the state DNR's, or the QDM organization itself at www.qdma.com.

Protect yearling bucks, lower population to carrying capacity of land, improve sex ratios, and improve age structure-basic formula for improving the herd based on QDM. I just look at it as there is nothing else out there that is a proven system, so who are we to argue. If you look into it also makes sense.

Jeff...U.P. of Michigan.