Michigan QDM
 

Anyone else think the whole state should adopt a 6 or bigger rule? Works great in the 6 counties or so in Mich. that have it already. Or at least a no spike law. Nicerwhen you know for a fact theres bucks around and dont have to worry about neighbors or state landers shooting a fork or spike.

Not to mention all the does.

Lets get the ball rolling.

RE: Michigan QDM
 

I'm ALL for it here!! Shoot some more does too!

Let em go and let em grow!

clattin

RE: Michigan QDM
 

This issue is a two edge sword,
I don't live or hunt in a QDM,but there is one near me,that my brother and dad live in.
In the area near me it does not seem to be working very well at all.
I myself have no problem with young hunter's or those young to hunting.
harvesting a younger buck.
To seethe excitement ofyoungster that has harvested a spike or fork,
That is a trophy in their mind.
What are they trying to do in the QDM (produce trophy animals).
I feel it's up to the hunter themselves to decide to let them go and let them grow,When they feel it.
Myself,Ionly shoot more mature animals,I do harvest doe's for meat.
My children by their own choice decide when they pass by the younger buck's.
Usually after a couple year's of hunting they decide,But it is their choice.
I don't want to start a argument,Just stating both side's.
I do agree some hunter's don't get it But myself I like to make my own choice.

RE: Michigan QDM
 

I see where your coming from, I also practise my own QDM on my property. We set it at 6 or bigger. The problem lies on the outskirts of my 160 acres, which is state land. All the time planting food plots and trying to "better the herd"is destroyed by state landers who shoot whatever crosses there path, including countless spikes and 4 points which could have been good bucks in a year or 2.

RE: Michigan QDM
 

Michigan QDM? I thought I saw this phrase in a catalog of oxymorons?! I am a Yooper and would LOVE to see some sort of QDM go into effect. Last yaer there was refferendum being signed and then it went to a vote for a QDM proposal, but I feel that the group doing the circulation really dropped the ball. The proposal was poorly announced so voter turnout was poor, but it did nearly pass. One of my best friends in a QDM zone in central Dickinson county and they have seen incredible results from a 3 or more on a side rule. On our property we only take mature deer, but those are few and far between since there are not very many people on the same plan. I would be all in favor of a QDM proposal restricting points, or AT LEAST a no spike law. Even just that would help out. I had heard that UP Whitetails is going to get another plan going so hopefully they get the word spread far and wide to those who will be in favor. The problem with these deals is that the groups have to be careful in a sense not too alert too many people that are against the proposal and this is the tricky part. Of course, another problem is our stellar DNR sitting in Lansing with their collective thumb up their a**. Anyway, season opens in 5 days so its not going to happen this year, but if we can get the ball rolling on here that is definetely a start. Good luck to all you fellow Michiganders!

RE: Michigan QDM
 

Exactly, I hunted up near Trenery in the UP about 3 weeks ago. The county is QDM 6 or bigger, and man what a difference! Hunted private land surrounded by state and we saw about 6 different bucks in 2 days. 4 forks, 3 eighters and a nice maybe 10. Hell of alot better than what i was used to in the UP (spikes and fawns.lol). Anyone who hears anything about proposals on QDM make sure to post on here!

RE: Michigan QDM
 

Way to go Diller! Trenery area hasn't been none for much quality in the past. Hopefully the DNR will take notice of that. What is your take on deer registration just out of curiousity? I would like to see some sort of registration initiative besides the voluntary one currently in place. I think that if the state really wants to take management seriously, we need to have a registration procedure to get a more accurate count of total harvest, and to also get a much better idea of the composition of the harvest. And yes, anyone who hears about any kind of QDM, put it up on here! Good luck in the coming weeks!

RE: Michigan QDM
 

What do you mean not represented well? I have to agree by the way. It was not put to a vote! Thay sent out a survey to land owners (many not Yoopers making the decision) and about half hunters, and that is how it was decided not to implement QDM. I guess you could say it was a "vote" but it was not a good representitive of the UP hunters who it will effect. If you were from Atlanta, GA and owned a piece of property up here and were a member of PETA, you could have been sent a servey and "vote" on the issue. Was total BS the way it was done.

One of the areas I hunt inbetween the Gwinn and Palmer area that is in QDM (5 year test area in the fifth year I believe) and really have not seen the big improvement yet. With that being said, I would still like to see a version of QDM, butfor herd health, not antler size, meaning taking more does!!!!The antlers will come on there own. I would like to see it with stipulations for younger and/or inexperienced hunters to take what they want, doe, spike, fork, tirdy pointer, whatever, to get them involved. Thanks for letting me rant! It is just my humble opinion.

RE: Michigan QDM
 

Once agian I have to agree with you on that. Not once has the state ever asked me how many deer I shot that year or what they were! How in the hell do they get these bull**** figures about the number of deer taken? Many many hunters buy tags and never even shoot a deer, so it cant be that. I know they have some percentage of this and that dived by that multiplied by bull****. QDM works, thats all there is too it/ also forces people to take more does. The does must be leveled everywhere. I shot 5 does last year, and all that meats ussually gone by July.

Bownutty, I also have to agree with you about the voting. It's all a cluster F**k. Younger hunters may need a incentive of some kind, but that will take some thought on how to regulate that. My grandpa took a spike last year but hes pushing 90 and its good to see him shoot something. And dont even get me started on PETA. argh!

I think we all need a poker table and a couple 30 packs and we can figure out all the states problems.

RE: Michigan QDM
 

I'm kinda on the same page with Diller. The pro's are obviously there but the Michigan DNR is pretty horrible overall. We have never been checked or asked about our deer or anything. I believe 80% of the bucks in the UP never reach maturity because Michigan hunters kill anytthing that pops out and it is very aggrivating. If QDm was instated in Michigan, it would cause a horrible lapse in the # of deer taken in the near future but within 3-5 years, the herds will be as good as ever with many more mature deer. But then we get the argument of places that already have very low deer herds. How can we prove upon them if the goal is to kill more does but there already isnt enough to go around.

But I do agree, QDM should DEFINITELY be instated but then again, another point one could bring up would be for younger hunters (like myself, 16) and then the elderly people who's condition is not getting better. In a way, QDM kinda takes away from the family feeling of hunting. Sure taking does is just as fine but having to wait until your 25 to take your 1st buck sounds a little harsh. I think it depends a lot on the hunters and their families. In the example I am usuing. Say a 45 year old male and his 12 year old son go hunting and a spike walks by. Of course the father is going to tell the kid to shoot because your 1st deer is a trophyt no matter what. But with QDM, the father cant say "Go ahead and take him, son" but instead "Sorry son, QDM says we gotta shoot at least an 8 pointer." How demoralizing would that be to a 12 year old? "I'm sorry but you cant shoot this buck in front of you which you have a clear shot at for your 1st deer." That stinks. Thats where the experienced hunters should explain these things to younger hunters.

My dad explained to me a few years back before I became a serious hunter that I can;t go around shooting everything I see. I know that I'm not suppose to shoot 3 spikes in 1 year and expect to see monster's every year. I also know that I can't pass up every doe just because I want a buck really bad. The land we hunt is not hunted by the owner or anyone else so we basically manage it. Just last year, my dad saw a big 8 but never got a shot at it. In that piece of land (last years readings) there is 1 big mature guy (8), 2 young bucks (8 and 6), 3-4 forks, and there was 2 spikes. Only one was taken, while about 10 does were taken. Hopefully, that mature guy will end up on my wall in a few weeks. ;) And hopefully those 2 young bucks got a little bigger.

I know that QDM doesnt work overnight, but gosh darn-it, it works. For better deer herds and more mature deer, QDM needs to be instated. The 1st few years WILL be rough, it is very obvious, but the MI DNR really needs to step up.

RE: Michigan QDM
 

I disagree with the 45 year old telling the 12 year old to shoot the spike. When I was 14 my father took me out rifle hunting, a fork came in at first light and my father told me to make the decision on taking him. He said "OK son here comes a nice 4 point, do you wanna take him or let him grow up to be a nice buck next year?" I wanted to take him, butI did'nt. I let the 4 point go and decided to shoot a doe for my first deer. It was tough but I did it, and it taught me alot about being a good hunter and practising QDM has made me a better hunter. That 12 year old would learn patience and good ethics on practising QDM.

If QDM was installed, say 6 or bigger, there would have to be a senior citizen slot and a under 16 slot alsoI think. For those 2 catagories just make it a no spike law? Regardless Im with you on the QDM needs to be instated.

I leave in 3 hours for 2 weeks of gun season and the only thing weighing on my mind is the state land that surrounds my 160. Every year they sit around us and shoot every dam spike and 4 point they see. Pisses me off. We practise 6 or bigger and it better be a hugh 6 if you take it. Whats it matter when I pass up a smaller 6 and it walks onto state land 200 yards away and gets blasted. Same goes for the spikes and forks. These statelanders just wanna shoot something. I work hard all year to better the herd with food plots and selective deer management. For what?! Im starting to think its 100 agianst 1 in the fight agianst these statelanders around my property. I try to raise quality bucks and they try to destroy it! We need, Hell I need QDM instated.

RE: Michigan QDM
 

Its so nice to talk to some people that actually understand the benefits of QDM. I kinda disagree with the young kids thing though. Why not teach that kid from day 1 of his/her hunting carreer to practice QDM and herd management. Also, after a couple years of QDM, the young kids will have good opportunities for nice bucks so shooting that fork or spike won't even be an issue. I completely agree that state land is a huge problem with the harvest. The area that we used to hunt was covered in people surrounding our land and every buck that left the perimiter was shot so big bucks were very seldom seen. Now, we have a pretty good setup with lots of land, but the a**hole on the other end of us has decided to be a real pr*ick this year. We are separated by 800 acres and he has decided to post two of his guys about 100 yard from our property line. He is also a trespasser so I think we are going to put up a camera and try to catch him in the act. He guards his property like its the alamo, but coming onto someone elses property is perfectly fine, and he's stupid about it too, driving his 4-wheeler in the mud and leaving tracks. This guy isn't at all interested in doing any kind of management but between the state land, that only we have access to, and the 700 acres between us, that's 1500 acres of prime forest so I know that we could get some real pigs on it, but that's not going to happen without mandates from the DNR and stiff penalties for breaking the laws. Michigan needs to get with the times and see what other states are doing, PA is a great example. Alot of guys are bitching about it, but they are also seeing bigger bodies and racks than ever. I wonder what it will take to get it done in MI? Good luck on the opener gentlemen, lots of snow coming up by me! I can't wait!!! Hopefully there will be pics to post soon.

RE: Michigan QDM
 

I hunt the Iron River area in the UP... my family has hunted the same area for the last 50 years... used to be that all 8 to 10 people could shoot a 6 or bigger years ago *late 80's or so"... we have neighbors with a 160 next to us... elevated blinds, big bait piles.. if it's brown it's down... they hunt all of bow, gun, muzzle loader, late seasons, etc... rotate family and friends in and out... so in the last 10 years since they bought the place hunting has gone down hill in a bad way... lot of does, no bucks... small fawn crops... skittish deer cause 4 wheelers and stinky hunters are all over the place and have them spooked by the 2nd week in september for gods sake... we only have a 20 but we boarder about 25 sq miles of CFA land... it's been pretty quiet since there are no more deer here and fred trost isn't touting it as being the big buck mecca... the last 4 years i've hunted i've seen literally 3 spikes, one 3 pt and a decent bruiser i couldn't get a shot at... i keep walking further from camp looking for that hole... btw we practice QDM.. 6 or larger.. someday it'll pay off...and it has to be a good 6 at that... since i am from the southern lower it's not worth shooting small deer when you can shoot a yearling here that rivals a 3 year old up there... i prefer doe if i can from the UP vs small bucks... but i am in DMU 36 and i was a day late getting to buy my private land permit... so i guess we'll have to hunt hard this year, pray to the good lord to let ole mossy horns gray ghost come out of the swamp for me and enjoy the time spent in the woods... i am outta here saturday for 2nd week...

RE: Michigan QDM
 

I agree with all of you. It is nice talking to people with the same feelings as you. This spike/fork/young buck crap is unbelievable. QDM is needed, plain and simp