I hear all this talk about QDM. Thats fine, but shouldnt we say QAM? Reason I say that is because I have yet to see any discretion when it comes to taking doe. How many people pass on young doe? If not, why?

Probably because most people don't normally look at doe's as trophys to put on the wall.

Doe's fill my freezer every year...a buck will make my wall about every 3-5 years.

I never shoot mature doe's before the rut either since they often come into heat earlier than the younger ones.

Sorry I dont get what you are saying.QDM cover's all deer.Letting them age and keeping the numbers correct for your area(buck to doe).Younger doe should be taken if you have to many doe. You should let the older doe walk.Plus they taste better

Interesting.

That's a good question, I guess it goes back to everyone wanting to take a big racked buck. But for me it also has to do with my Buckoe ratio, and keeping tabs on it. Plus, those little ones taste so darn good.

Also, it has been shown through QDM that if you only take older does you are screwing up that age class as well. Just as it is not good for the herd to have only 1.5 year old bucks, it's also not good to only have 1.5 year old does. You need balance in the age structure for both sexes.

Of course - Does carry 1/2 the Genes.

I remember a really neat study once - where the "manager" wanted to change the makeup of the genetics in his local deer herd (lots of small weight deer) - and the plan called for taking as MANY does - especially older ones, as possible.

Since - most of the bucks on ANY property come from somewhere else (80% of all bucks relocate from 5-50 miles from point of birth) - they were bringing in "new genes" form elsewhere. Basically the theory was that a "young herd" was a dynamic one. Eventually body weights increased and a more traditional management plan was put forth.

Generally in QDM - you would want to harvest does of all age classes - and maintain a herd with all age classes represented. You may have to take MANY does - possibly 2 does for every buck taken - until the age structure of the herd for both bucks & does come in line.

At least that is my understanding of it.

well wat i try to do is let them little ones walk. but them GIANT does i also let go i no a big ol doe like that has had a few little ones and knows more aabout were to take care of tehm keeping tehm safe n she can keep up w/ there feeding. i also let little ones go because it's somethin about me i always think a animal DOG DEER ANY ANIMAL should always get to experiance havin a young one. i feel shootin a regualr sized doe is the best way to go