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ALL ABOUT MARYLAND & MARYLAND STATE CHAPTER QDMA |
Bachman Valley Branch QDMA helps Local Families in Need! The Bachman Valley Branch QDMA members have dedicated their late season muzzleloader season to "The Shepherd's Staff" in Westminster, Maryland in an effort to feed local needy families. The Shepherd's Staff is a Non-Profit Christian Outreach and Support Center which provides local needy families clothing, food and provides self-help initiatives and develops pathways for social and economic advancement for those served. www.shepstaff.org <<Click here to read full article>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HUNTER'S CHALLENGE 3D TOP SCORING YOUTH WINS NATIONAL QDMA HUNT! <<Click here to read full story>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE MARYLAND ANNUAL DEER REPORT FOR 2008-2009 The Maryland Annual Deer Report for 2008-2009 has been released and this year's report includes 3 years of harvest and research data all collected in the same manner. The Deer Project is responsible for the management of Maryland's Whitetail deer and Sika deer utilizing broad-base management techniques to insure the present and future well-being of our deer. <<click here to read full article>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Maryland State Chapter QDMA and National QDMA has responded to the 10 Year Plan. Click on the link below to read response. <<click here to read response>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DNR Invites Comments on 10-Year White-tailed Deer Management Plan <<Click here to go to DNR website and 10 Year Plan Link>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLICK HERE FOR FOR THE 08-09 ANNUAL DEER REPORT! GUIDE TO HUNTING & TRAPPING IN MARYLAND ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Deer Hunters Managing Crop Damage for the Farmer" Is recreational deer hunting able to manage the deer herd for Maryland Farmers? Are crop damage sharpshooters a management tool or a necessity? As we look at where deer management came from and were its going keep in mind "how the deer is managed in your area will affect deer on the property next-door and vise-verse", deer damage can be on the farm, in the back yard or at the public park down the road. <<Click here to read full article>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW SEMINAR & FETUS STUDY COMPLETED! The Maryland State Chapter QDMA 08-09 Season Fetus Data Study has been completed. Bio data from the management/crop damage does were collected including, Age, Body weights, Body Fat and Lactation. Fetus data includes "Dates of Conception" and more. PDF copies are available though the Contact Form. Go to the CONTACT US page and request a PDF copy. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wounding Rates of White-tailed Deer with Modern Archery Equipment We determined wounding rates of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) by bowhunters using modern (compound bow and crossbow) archery equipment. Our study relied on daily reports submitted by bowhunters who participated in managed hunts at the Naval Support Facility Indian Head at Indian Head, Maryland. <<click here to read the full study>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- QDMA & Maryland State Chapter's letter of opposition to HB 1309 which would expand the hunting "safety zone" from 150 to 300 yards around a dwelling house, residence, church, or other building or camp occupied by human beings. <<click here to read letter>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2009 - Carroll County Students Take Part in Second Annual Deer Camera Survey. Century High School students have taken a leading role in this year's Deer Camera Survey at Piney Run Park. The study like last year was offered to all high schools in Carroll County. Kim Moyer's Century High students expanded their class room to include Piney Run Park. Their field trip started in the nature Center with a presentation by E.W. Grimes, Maryland State Chapter Director and Bachman Valley Branch President. The first part of QDMA's "Living with Whitetail Deer" Educational DVD program, was viewed and discussed. The remainder of the "Living with Whitetail Deer" program will be conducted back at the school. Even with snow and cold temperatures the student's enthusiasm to get in the whitetail's woods was amazing. <<click here to read more>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunday, March 15 Chester River QDMA Co-op BBQ This first of many to come event was a huge success. This QDMA Co-op now incorporates over 8,000 Acres and is growing larger on a weekly basis. Even with this newly formed QDMA Co-op the benefits are showing up. This co-op provides the opportunity for compiling harvest and observation data together for a much larger and better "picture" of the local deer herd. <<click here to read more>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maryland Deer Hunters Set New Record More than 100,000 Deer Harvested in 2008-2009 <<click here to read more>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "5 Must Follow Steps to Quality Whitetails" Written by Dave Ziegler - Maryland State Chapter QDMA member "In this day in age, each time we tune in to our favorite outdoor shows, we are consistently exposed to "professional hunters", practicing Quality Deer Management on some of the greatest properties in the mid west and across the country. Shows detailing food plot planting, deer herd age structure and even how to purchase your dream hunting property, keep us coming back again and again. What is it that we are looking for? Some of us are just looking to pass the time on a Saturday afternoon while enjoying a half hour of one of our most favorite sports under the sun." <<click here to read more>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HOWARD COUNTY BILL 1-2009 RESULTS "Ulman's bill sought a doubling of the 150-yard shooting safety zone and would have prohibited hunting on less than 10 acres. The final bill removed those limits but included the fine and a requirement that hunters not fire unless a safe backstop is visible." <<click here to read Baltimore Sun Article about final bill>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- QDMA LETTER REGARDING HOWARD COUNTY BILL 1-2009 "On behalf of the Maryland State Chapter of Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) and nearly 2,000 Maryland QDMA members I am writing to oppose Bill 1-2009 which involves the discharge of firearms in Howard County." <<click here to read entire letter>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Another QDM Cooperative has formed in Maryland Director's Stump Editorial - November 2008 "QDM Co-op's have somewhat of a short history here in Maryland. Growing numbers of hunters who practice Quality Deer Management hunt on small properties. Many of these hunters and QDMA members are doing everything they can on their hunting property to improve their hunting success with the inability to manage deer harvest practices on the surrounding properties is often the greatest limitation they face." <<click here to read entire letter>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- QDMA LETTER REGARDING CWD FOR ANTIETAM & MONOCACY! "On behalf of the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) I am writing to provide input on the draft alternatives for the Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Detection & Initial Response Plan/EA for the Antietam and Monocacy National Battlefields." <<Click Here to read entire letter>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "Hunters must do their part and shoot a few does" Written by Andy Aughenbaugh from Carroll County Times 12-7-08 "Got your buck yet?" A phrase heard throughout the mountains and pastures of Pennsylvania from the 1950's to the early 21st century is no longer "in vogue" for the modern deer hunter. Nationally, Whitetail deer populations have increased to an all time high, even more than before the pilgrims arrived. <<Click here to read more>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Successful Quality Deer Management" By: Mark Connor How would you like to hunt in an area where bucks are nearly as numerous as does and half of the bucks you see are 3 ½ years old or older? Sound like a dream? Well, it's not if you are hunting an area that is managed under the principles of Quality Deer Management or QDM. <<click here to read full article>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maryland State Chapter QDMA's Input on the Loch Raven Deer Management Program. "On behalf of the Maryland State Chapter of the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) I am writing to provide input on the Loch Raven Watershed Deer Management Plan"<<more>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DNR ANNUAL DEER REPORT 2007-2008 DNR has released the annual deer report! <<click here to read>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Deer Hunting Trends are Changing" September 2008 Editorial When sitting in my tree stand on September 15th, on one of the properties of the newly formed Carroll County Co-op, although I've been managing the deer for many year on this property, I found myself thinking of the past hunting seasons and how I have evolved. << read more>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maryland Summer Centers for Gifted & Talented Students Presentation! E.W. Grimes recently attended the presentation by the students at the Harford Glen Environmental Education Center where the presentation was held. He reported that the students did an awesome job on the reports and presentation. To read the full report with pictures<<click here>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NEW TO DNR MD GUIDE TO HUNTING & TRAPPING! Voluntary Quality Deer Management "Each hunter goes to the woods with individual goals and expectations." <<click here for link to DNR site>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "ANNUAL DEER REPORT" July 2008 Editorial As in past years this publication has data collected from last year's harvest and previous years. Brian Eyler (Deer Project Leader), George Timko (Assistant Deer Project Leader) and the Deer Project Staff have compiled scientific data and results from harvest check-ins. Yes, your harvest check-ins are very important." << read more>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DNR Finalizes Hunting And Trapping Proposed Regulations For The 2008–2009 And 2009–2010 Seasons <<Click Here to read Press Release>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "MARYLAND BAG LIMITS" April 2008 Editorial "I would like to start by commending the DNR and Wildlife & Heritage Service on their deer management program." <<more>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- " Article in Carroll County Times about Maryland Educational Camera Surveys" <<read>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "QDMA Maryland Educational Camera Surveys" <<read>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "QDMA's input to Maryland Whitetail Deer Management Plan" <<read>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "QDMA's response to HB 655, a bill which would have prohibited anyone under age 13 from receiving a hunting license in Maryland" <<read>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ "QDM Cooperative Forming on Maryland Shore" <<read>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
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MSC QDMA RELEASES INPUT FOR 2010-2011 DEER REG'S <<Click here to read letter>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Maryland State Chapter QDMA Notes and Response to the MD DNR Regulations Stakeholders Meeting <<Click Here to read PDF Letter>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
"The Power of Observation in November" By E.W. Grimes (2009 Director's Stump) The magic month of November to the Whitetail Bow Hunter is what dreams are made of. With the end of October bucks are primed to start breeding and mature bucks are being seen in the daylight hours. If you were unlucky enough not to have harvested a mature buck and you have been watching on your trail cameras, you may get the opportunity or a chance at a different older class buck you have never seen. <<Click here to read Full Article>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
"MARYLAND CROSSBOW FACTS" by Allan Ellis THE DEBATE - Crossbows vs. Vertical Bows There is no question that the modern crossbow is a lethal device capable of harvesting whitetail deer and similar game animals in a safe, humane way. Although the stored-kinetic-energy 'bow' portion is mounted on a stock and fired from the shoulder, a crossbow's performance is more consistent with the attributes of a modern compound bow than with any firearm. <<click here to read entire article>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
DNR Final Proposed Hunting and Trapping Season Dates and Regulation Changes for 2010-2011! <<Click Here for the DNR website for details>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ DNR Press Release for Final Proposed Hunting Regulations! <<Click Here for the DNR Press Release>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
MARYLAND STATE CHAPTER SUPPORTS BILL HB1518 On behalf of the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) we are writing to support HB 1518 which would expand Sunday hunting to private property in Maryland's Counties. Hunters play an important role in Maryland's societal and economic well being. <<Click here to read letter>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
"SPORTSMEN OF MARYLAND SHOULD BAND TOGETHER" By Andy Aughenbaugh, Carroll Outdoors, Carroll County Times The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife and Heritage Service has finalized the hunting and trapping season and bag limit regulations for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 seasons. I attended the stakeholders meeting in February and witnessed the exchange of ideas, requests, and concerns of all interested parties in attendance. Having been at the meeting, I’m not totally surprised at the outcome. <<Click here to read article>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
"AN OPEN LETTER TO MARYLAND FUR TRAPPERS" By Allan Ellis, Host of the Outdoorsman Radio Show It is certainly good news to the Maryland Fur Trappers that the Montgomery County anti-trapping legislation was blocked in the General Assembly - this time. But, before you raise your glasses to celebrate, I think it's important to temper the celebration with a big dose of reality. <<Click here to read article>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
"QUALITY DEER MANAGEMENT IS GOOD FOR DEER AND HUNTERS" By Dan Neuland, Frederick News Post In recent years, there has been increased interest in the concept of antler restriction regulations for quality deer management purposes in many states, E.W. Grimes, Director and President of the Maryland State Chapter of Quality Deer Management Association thinks hunters harvest too many buck before their prime in Maryland. <<Click here to read article>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
MSC PROVIDES INPUT TO VISION 2030 PLANNING COMMITTEE The Montgomery County Departments of Parks and Recreation, Public Meeting was held May 3, 2010 "Vision 2030" is a new Strategic Plan ( facilitated by a team member from the consulting team led by GreenPlay) for Parks and Recreation in Montgomery County. The intent of this plan is to identify how to most effectively meet the needs of a changing community over the next twenty years with regards to the parks. This focus group meeting discussed the long term needs for camping, boating, fishing, hunting, archery and more. Along with our Letter we provided input for, the need of Naturalist to educate schools and the public, and to provide a Public 3-D Archery Range. Other Groups including Scouting also provided discussion of current strengths and the opportunities for improvements. QDMA was well received at the meeting and the other groups are looking forward to working with the newly forming Montgomery County QDMA Branch. <<Click here to read entire letter>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
NEW LAWS IN MARYLAND 2010 1. Authorizing a person in Calvert County and Charles County to hunt deer on private property with a bow and arrow during open season on the last three Sundays in October and the second Sunday in November ; Authorizing a person in Calvert County, Charles County, and St. Mary's County to hunt deer on private property with a crossbow; and authorizing a person in Calvert County and St. Mary's County to hunt deer on private property on the first Sunday of bow hunting season in November and each Sunday during the firearms season. 2. Authorizing a person in Allegany County or Garrett County to hunt for deer on private property with a bow and arrow during open season on the last three Sundays in October and the second Sunday in November. 3.Allows the use of a crossbow whenever the use of verticals bows are permitted. This includes allowing crossbows to be used for forest game, upland game, certain furbearers and certain migratory birds. It allows the the use of crossbows for white-tailed and sika deer during the entire bow season. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
RESPONSE TO DIRECTOR'S STUMP Regulations vs. Legislation By Allan Ellis "To understand how your state game department arrives at the hunting regulations it adopts, you must look at several factors concerning how wildlife is managed. You must understand how the game department is funded, where the money comes from and how it gets access to that money. Decisions leading to game regulations are arrived at in a different way than those laws that affect hunting through legislation. Let's keep it simple. Money from hunting license sales drives the bus. When license sales drop off, revenue decreases and game programs are cut. This may be in the form of personnel or enforcement efforts." <<Click Here to Read Full Article>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
COULD GONACON REPLACE DEER HUNTERS? Before we look closely at GonaCon, let’s review an abridged version of the birth control strategy for managing deer populations. This management strategy uses birth control rather than hunters to limit or prevent new animals from being born into the population. This approach has received much publicity because it is nonlethal and has the potential to regulate deer populations in urban and suburban areas closed to hunting. "Immunocontraception" is a birth control method that uses the deer's immune system to prevent pregnancy. This is the most common method of inducing infertility in deer, and much research has been conducted over the past four decades to develop an effective contraceptive that can be used on free-ranging deer herds. Unfortunately much confusion surrounds the status of fertility control agents. The public has a general misunderstanding regarding the availability and practicality of immunocontraceptive vaccines. Despite misperceptions, overabundant deer herds cannot be controlled solely with immunocontraceptives. Successful fertility control may limit population growth, but it does little to reduce the existing population .... to read the rest of this article <<Click HERE>> (Also refer to QDMA's 2010 Deer Report) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
POLITICS AND DEER MANAGEMENT With the first half of 2010 in the record books, I'm referring to the Politics for Hunting Regulations for the next two seasons and Sunday Hunting Bills at the counties and state levels. Many hunters and/or groups have voiced concerns "Does Maryland's Hunters have any voice at all"? Some groups have called out for increasing member's numbers along with consolidating groups to increase their influence in these matters. Articles have been written claiming some of these groups alienate themselves from others and some say they have more clout. But after the smoke clears where are we? While some may be satisfied and others dissatisfied we all may have received a lesson in "politics". By design the stakeholder's input may or may not be considered or incorporated within the plan for changes in regulations and public hearing input then is collected for consideration of the changes. Then the proposal is presented to committee. The point is you don't know how anything is going to turn out till it's over. On the other hand when proposed changes in counties or state hunting related bills are "going to" be presented (like Sunday Hunting), most stakeholders do not hear about them until it's too late (Baltimore Co. Sunday Hunting Bill). <<Click here to read entire letter>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
MARYLAND STATE CHAPTER QDMA SPONSORS & PARTICIPATES IN DEER STEWARD II COURSE The REACH Program of the Quality Deer Management Association held its' Deer Steward II, July 23-26, 2010 at DuPont's - Chesapeake Farms Research Center, Chestertown, MD. Dr. Mark Connors, who is a Wildlife Biologist and director of Chesapeake Farms, hosted the event at his facility. Friday, E.W. brought the educational supplies to be used in Saturday's sessions. That night, E.W. was presented the Educational Branch of the year award for Bachman Valley Branch from National QDMA. Saturday, Cheri was invited to attend and assist Joe Hamilton with Session V, Data Collection and Analyzing Reproductive Data. At the end of the classes, Cheri was invited to attend the dinner with the classmates, instructors and Dr. Mark Connors at "The Point". The Point is a beautiful location, surrounded by the Shipyard Creek off the Chester River. They had a Barbeque set up with plenty of food, drinks and picnic tables for all to socialize. After we ate, Joe Hamilton led us in a "Fire Pot Discussion", where we introduced ourselves and told stories. Before Cheri left Joe presented her with an autographed fetus scale. What an honor and a gracious, down to earth group of people. <<click here to read entire article>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |