Quality deer management (QDM) prioritizes the production of healthier deer herds by balancing adult sex ratios and age structures. Since the wildlife management strategy’s inception in the late 1960s, at least 24 states have adopted the various guidelines to improve the hunting experience without putting whitetail deer populations at risk. Review this guide to learn about a few of the benefits of this practice. 

What Are the Advantages of Quality Deer Management?

1. Increases Hunter Knowledge 

For any wildlife management program to be successful, those participating must learn more about the animal they’re hunting and preserving. Hunters who actively practice QDM have increased knowledge of deer biology and behavior.

This allows them to know when a buck has reached the right age and avoids premature harvesting, which could endanger the health of the region’s entire herd. It also prevents an overabundance of does or bucks, as this could also reduce the number of fawns produced. 

2. Maintains Wellbeing of Herd

This particular form of wildlife management primarily focuses on increasing or decreasing the deer population density based on the resources available in the given area. When deer have access to plenty of food, water, and shelter, the number of older bucks increases. This places less stress on the yearlings to participate in the mating season and allows young deer to mature in a healthier time frame. 

3. Makes Hunting More Enjoyable

Healthier deer increase the possibility of fully mature bucks being the most active during the rut. As they prefer to rub and scrape more than young bucks, they become more responsive to hunters’ calling techniques. This results in more sightings and more eventful and exciting hunting trips. 

If you own land with deer or other game animals, the consultants at Neeley Forestry Service of Camden, AR, will help you develop a wildlife management program to increase the financial gains and maintain the aesthetic value of the land. Since 1972, they have provided a range of wildlife and forestry management services to public and private landowners across Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana. They also assist with property acquisitions and appraisals, hunting leases, and forest certifications. For more information, call (870) 836-5981 or visit their website.