REPORT ON THE 2^nd YEAR 2000 FOR THE DMU 107 QDM DEMONSTRATION

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

Repeated notices and articles published in the five local newspapers and major statewide sports publications explaining the QDM demonstration rules and goals.
Over 5000 flyers distributed in DMU 107 and surrounding area explaining the QDM demonstration rules and goals.
Held a well-attended QDM educational seminar at Jay’s Sporting on September 16, 2000. The program consisted of speakers, like Dr. Steve Schmidt, MDNR Chief Veterinarian; Mr. Doug Reeves, MDNR Wildlife Division Bay City; District Supervisor and Trophy Deer Hunter Tony LaPratt.

DATA COLLECTION PROGRAM

Collected over 200 deer heads in Clare, Western Gladwin, and Southern Roscommon counties for TB testing.
Collected biological data including age, sex, antler size, and lactation of does on 200+ deer.

HUNTER AND LANDOWNER FEEDBACK PROGRAM

Maintained contact throughout the year with pro and con DMU 107 people to hear their views.
Held town meeting on February 3, 2001 at Jay’s Sporting for feedback with over 80 people present. This meeting was advertised in five local newspapers.

There was a survey taken at this event and counted by DNR Supervisor Doug Reeves, Bay City District. Mr. Mark Yenkel organized a very positive town meeting. Mr. John Wolfe, Clare School District Representative, served as facilitator. Everyone had an opportunity to speak and No one was against the concept of QDM. The question on the survey concerning the DMU 107 QDM five-year demonstration showed 94% support. Last years town meeting held on February 6 2000 showed 90% support.

DNR LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM

There were 25 citations issued in Clare County for all violations during the 2000 deer seasons and 25 citations issued in 1999.
There were 9 warnings issued in DMU 107 in 2000 for violating the new three points on one side minimum buck rule and 6 warnings issued in 1999.
No citations issued for violating the new DMU 107-buck rule in 1999 or 2000.
There were 50 citations issued in Clare County for all violations during the 1998 deer seasons.
There were 150 citations issued yearly in Clare County as an average through the years 1993-1996.
Law enforcement division should be commended for fair approach to the new experience of DMU 107.
Low number of violations in DMU 107 mirrors the experience of other QDM demonstrations.

RESULTS OF COLLECTING DMU 107 BIOLOGICAL DATA

See Data Chart Below

2ND Year DMU 107 Harvest Data

DMU 107 QDM (5) YEAR DEMONSTRATION BIOLOGICAL HARVEST DATA MINIMUM BUCK STANDARD 3 POINTS ON ONE SIDE DATA FROM GLADWIN & HARRISON FIELD OFFICES AND STATE HIGHWAY CHECK STATIONS
	ANTLERLESS DEER
	FAWNS								ADULT DOES												TOTAL ANTLER -LESS
YEAR	MALE FAWNS		% OF TOTAL		DOE FAWNS		TOTAL FAWNS		AGE 1 1/2		AGE 2 1/2		AGE 3 1/2		AGE 4 1/2+		AVERAGE AGE		TOTAL DOES
1996	17		22		13		30		16		16		8		8		3.5		48		78
1997	25		18		21		46		27		26		10		27		2.85		90		136
1998	18		19		7		25		17		13		20		22		3.26		72		97
BASE DATA 3 YR. AVG.	20		19		14		34		20		18		13		19		3.12		70		104
1999	22		10		31		53		43		42		34		41		3.18		160		213
2000	23		11		32		55		35		50		32		30		3.01		147		202
2001
2002
2003

	ADULT BUCKS
YEAR	AGE 1 1/2	PTS 2-3		PTS 4-5	PTS 6-7	PTS 8+		PTS AVG.		% OF TOTAL		AGE 2 1/2		PTS 2-6	PTS 7-8	PTS 9+		PTS AVG.	% OF TOTAL
1996	77	31		23	15	4		4.28		79		18		5	11	2		7.41	18
1997	124	43		32	22	16		4.65		78		24		8	12	4		7.08	15
1998	106	30		26	35	10		4.98		78		21		6	10	4		7.4	15
BASE DATA 3 YR. AVG.	102	35		27	24	10		4.67		78		21		7	11	3		7.28	16
1999	138	5		49	52	29		5.85		68		47		12	24	9		7.45	23
2000	79	4		26	34	15		5.97		47		53		9	32	12		7.71	32
2001
2002
2003

	ADULT BUCKS																					DOE TO BUCK HARVEST RATIO
YEAR	AGE 3 1/2	PTS 2-8		PTS 9-10	PTS 11+	PTS AVG.		% OF TOTAL			AGE 4 1/2+	PTS 2-8		PTS 9-10	PTS 11+	PTS AVG.		% OF TOTAL		TOTAL BUCKS
1996	3	3		-	-	7.33		3			-	-		-	-	-		-		98		1:2.0
1997	10	5		4	-	7.78		6			2	1		-	-	8		1		160		1:1.8
1998	9	6		3	-	7.50		7			1	-		1	-	9		1		137		1:1.9
BASE DATA 3 YR. AVG.	7	5		4	-	7.60		5			1	1		-	-	8.33		1		131		1:1.9
1999	15	10		4	1 (17 PT)	8.87		7.5			3	1		1	1	9.33		1.5		203		1:1.3
2000	31	23		5	3	7.93		18			5	1		3	1	9.1		3		168		1:1.1
2001
2002
2003

NOTE:	AVERAGE NUMBER OF POINTS FOR THE 1 1/2 YEAR OLD BUCKS IN A QDM PROGRAM SHOWS A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE. THIS IS PRIMARILY DUE TO THE PROTECTION OF BUCKS FOUR POINTS AND UNDER. THE DMU 107 MINIMUM BUCK STANDARD OF 3 POINTS ON ONE SIDE PROTECTS APPROX. 50% OF THE 1 1/2 YEAR OLD BUCKS. THIS IS CONSIDERED A MINIMUM QDM PROGRAM AND THE RESULTS WILL SHOW IT. [THIS STANDARD SHOULD CREATE AN ADULT BUCK TO DOE RATIO OF 1:2 IF COMBINED WITH AN ADULT DOE TO BUCK HARVEST RATIO OF 1:1.4. (THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE FAWNS ),MAINTAINED AT LESS THAN 70% CARRYING CAPACITY AND THE AVERAGE AGE OF THE HARVESTED DOE BEING 2.5 TO 4.5 WITH THE LOWER AGE PREFERRED].

	IT IS THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE MID MICHIGAN BRANCH, QUALITY DEER MANAGEMENT ASSOC. THAT THE MINIMUM BUCK STANDARD FOR DMU 107 BE VOLUNTARILY UPGRADED TO 4 POINTS ON ONE SIDE MINIMUM FOR THE FIRST AND SECOND BUCK TAKEN. THIS WILL PROTECT 85% OF THE YEARLING BUCKS, AND PRODUCE BETTER RESULTS SOONER. THIS STANDARD SHOULD CREATE AN ADULT BUCK TO DOE RATIO OF 1:1.5 IF COMBINED WITH AN ADULT DOE TO BUCK HARVEST RATIO OF 1:1.1.
	A GOOD QDM PROGRAM MUST BE ASSOCIATED WITH HABITAT MAINTAINED FOR HIGH QUALITY FORAGE YEAR ROUND, AND WITH THE DEER POPULATION BEING NO MORE THAN 70% OF THE MAXIMUM CARRYING CAPACITY. USING POINTS AS A HARVEST STANDARD IN GOOD AREAS SUCH AS DMU 107 DOES NOT PROTECT THE BEST OF THE 1 1/2 YEAR OLDS. A BETTER METHOD WOULD BE TO USE ANTLER SPREAD OF 15", OR MAIN BEAM LENGTH OF 15".

Last Updated on 3/21/01
By Boyd Wiltse