QDM for Kids Hunt the Garden in Eden
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Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 Time: 10:38 PM
EDEN, N.C. -- Cape Fear River Branch Quality Deer Management Asssociation's hunter heritage program participants "QDM for Kids" and their mentors were treated to a 3-day hunt of a lifetime at Willow Oaks Plantation, Rockingham County North Carolina beginning December 10th. This hunt was the culmination of a year-long program during which kids participated in hands-on activities addressing each cornerstone of quality deer management (QDM). Managed by QDMA’s 2009 Volunteer of the Year, Brian Padgett, kids met many times over the course of the year to learn the soft skills of hunting under the guidance of experienced mentors. Through this experience QDM for Kids (www.capefear-qdma.org) connected with the outdoors, developed safe gun handling skills, and began to appreciate the science behind quality deer management. Parents, several of whom were also new to the hunting sports, participated actively.
Arthur Dick, QDMA Deer Steward III has been managing Willow Oaks Plantation (www.willowoaksplantation.com) for the past 8.5 years following a quality wildlife management plan. His hard work, along with that of manager Tommy Kirby, is really paying off. Kids witnessed first hand the difference that can be made through QDM. Not only has Arthur and his staff been able to reduce densities on this unique 1,800-acre property located on the Dan River, they have achieved a near 1:1 buck to doe ratio and great age structure. Seven youth teams observed 132 whitetails over the course of 8 hours in the field, nearly half of them bucks, and 7 that observers classified as quality bucks. Offering a diverse mix of early successional habitats through hardwood forests, early and old growth pine plantation, agricultural and fallow field management this hunt offered a new experience at every turn. Cape Fear President Guy Gardner and his wife Judy watched bucks sparring for nearly an hour while one youth hunter was most impressed by the abundant turkey. Another observed more than 30 deer, ranging from fawn to quality bucks in one field over the course of one hunt. Every group witnessed the difference that a nearly balanced sex ratio and a complete age structure can make in the behavior of a white-tailed deer herd.
These kids worked hard throughout the year for the privilege to participate in this hunt, and the benefit of this experience showed, observed Arthur Dick. One afternoon was spent at the Willow Oaks range ensuring that guns were properly sighted up to 200 yards, making a big difference in the kids’ confidence. Kids also actively participated in data collection, before and after harvest. In support of Willow Oaks Plantation’s management plan, 11 doe were harvested (8 by QDM Kids) without a single button buck taken. The oldest doe harvested was a 6.5 year-old weighing in at 117 pounds and a 4.5 year-old 127 pounder. The most significant stat: a 124-pound 2.5 year-old doe.
First class cabin accommodations, made even more special by the mouthwatering wild game meals prepared by chef Danny Martin topped off this event. Located just outside of Eden, NC, the 2009 QDM for Kids hunt at Willow Oaks Plantation was truly a taste of paradise, inspiring all who attended to support and learn more about the QDM philosophy.
About the Author
Contact:
Guy and Judy Gardner
email: ncqdma@yahoo.com
web: www.capefear-qdma.org
phone: 919-552-9449
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