Object Type: Folder
In Folder: RG 2019-30 Wildlife Division Reports, 1937-2017
A survey was completed to determine whether hunters and landowners supported proposed mandatory QDM regulations in losco County (Deer Management Units [DMU] 035 and 135). A key element of the proposed mandatory regulations was changing the definition of a buck to a deer with three or more points on one antler. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) supports the voluntary implementation of QDM practices on private land in Michigan. However, mandatory regulations should be imposed in a DMU only when it can be shown that a clear majority (66%) of hunters and landowners support implementation. Questionnaires were sent to a random sample of landowners and hunters; 73% of the landowners and 78% of hunters returned their questionnaire. About 59% of landowners owning land in losco County, and 57% of people hunting deer in losco County supported implementing mandatory QDM regulations. Support from both landowners and hunters was insufficient to recommend implementation of mandatory QDM regulations.
