Natural Resource Commission - May 12, 1999 Meeting

• Option 1 - Hunters permitted to take an antlered deer with four (4) or more antler points, one or more inches in length on one side.

• Option 2 (Marc Yenkel proposal) - Hunters permitted to take an antlered deer with three (3) or more antler points, one or more inches in length on one side.

• Option 3 - Hunters permitted to take an antlered deer with two (2) or more antler points, one or more inches in length on one side, for years 1 and 2 of the program, followed by a three (3) point minimum requirement for years 3, 4 & 5, if supported by results of a hunter survey.

• Option 4 - Hunters permitted to take an antlered deer with two (2) or more antler points, one or more inches in length on one side.

• I believe that implementation of this initiative on an experimental basis in DMU 107 will enhance hunter experiences, while giving them an opportunity to gain a better understanding and appreciation of deer management.

• Hunters will have an opportunity to actually experience QDM, and to make more careful decisions when it comes to harvesting deer (as opposed to quickly shooting at any deer, which oftentimes is the current practice).

• Hunter safety should improve, as hunters are required to take their time and make a more careful decision prior to pulling the trigger on a gun or releasing an arrow.

• Options 1 and 2 will improve the area deer herd biologically by restricting the buck harvest (DNR estimate of 85% and 50%, respectively) of the 1½ year old age class. Options 3 and 4 will give us the foundation to improve the area deer herd biologically by further restricting the 1½ year old buck harvest, sometime in the future, based on hunter survey results supporting a higher standard (preferably within two or three years).

Boyd Wiltse, Secretary Mid-Michigan Branch QDMA

10365 Winding Valley Rd

Brighton, MI 48116