I think Danny shares my concern that removing too many of the mature does in a given area may seriously disrupt natural social groups that benefit the entire deer population, both male and female. I also believe that targeting only the best of the bucks has detrimental effects.
If you take time to think about it, those younger bucks that are left to fill the places of the mature bucks targeted in qdm this season become the main targets at the beginning of the next season. If they are killed before or during the mating period, the result is younger bucks being left with the task of mating. That would occur year after year if only mature bucks are targeted for killing. Natural predation does not target only the fittest members of a species, male or female.
49er
I agree to a large portion, I always argued at the club that we should let some of all age class bucks be killed each year. That set off a firestorm of exactly which 2.5 yr old buck to kill, trying to appease some in the club with protect all young bucks rationale. If you recall I had some major discussions with BSK at that time. Trying to find the BEST possible CULL Buck to put on the hit list.
We finally did away with fines on Button Bucks, guess what happened, we killed absolutely Zero BB's the next year.
Does are almost impossible to age in the field, some very experienced people might get it right most of the time in a good year. Always heard the grey on the nose deal, we aged many with gray at 2.5 yr old, not hard to age that class. Some young ones weighed more than average while some old does weighed less than average while being in really good condition considering.
About the does without fawns, I've seen 4 does come in like clockwork for 2 weeks without fawns. It was apparent they were of age to have fawns. Well finally the 7 fawns showed up with their moms.
I was just as upset during the 2 weeks cause at the time I was arguing pretty hard with my friend, a biologist that yote's take their toll on fawns.
at the time it was not accepted as factual.
I will agree that too many have become ravenous about how far to go with QDM, not fully understanding all aspects of it. Never forget an older fellow downing a kid that killed a 2.5 yr old 8 point with about a 15" spread, the kid was damn happy and his father was even more excited. This fellow kept talking about how that one should have been let go to grow.
The 3 buck limit is the answer to anyones goals as to managing their property. If you need to kill more bucks, take a kid or 2, there's the answer.
