Biology And Management Of White-tailed Deer In Alabama

ible with available resources. While doe harvest may taper off over
time, it is not a one-time proposition. QDM requires a sufficient doe
harvest on an annual basis. Unfortunately, in some areas of the state,
deer densities are so excessive the doe harvest required under QDM is
difficult to implement. In these cases, many attempts at QDM result in
frustration and an abandonment of the program.
Before attempting QDM, hunters and managers must realize
there is a cost associated with this type of management. Passing up
bucks logically results in fewer bucks harvested annually. This loss in
harvest opportunity can be offset with increased doe harvest opportunities.
Passing up bucks does not yield a 100 percent return. There is
no guarantee a young buck passed up today will result in a mature
buck harvested on some tomorrow. Natural mortality, dispersal, poaching,
and, in some cases, neighboring hunters work to lower returns on
this management approach. However, passing up young bucks will yield
more return than the heavy harvest of young bucks. Dead deer do
not grow—of this we are certain.
Another consideration is mature bucks produced under QDM
often become difficult to harvest. Hunters often have the perception
mature bucks are not present simply because they do not see them.
Ironically, many hunters who practice RDM imagine there are numbers
of mature bucks on their hunting lands when their harvest decisions
ensure there are none. When a QDM program is implemented, there
often is a time lag between initiating the program and observing significant
results. During this period, dissention may occur among those
participating in the program. Patience by all involved in QDM is necessary.
Many times, five years or more may be required before significant
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