Let Em Go so they can Grow!

     Let Em Go so they can Grow!  This is a saying commonly heard while fishing but is now becoming more popular with the sport of hunting trophy whitetail bucks.  Ever since I was young I have been an avid outdoors hunter and fisherman.  Over the past few years I have become more interested with the Quality Deer Management system QDM.

(The video above is of the 8 point buck I passed up during opener rifle season)

     Currently one of the many successful QDM's in the area is Hillview Management.  The theory is simple, but without the interest of neighbors and the will to not shoot little bucks makes a successful QDM difficult to achieve.

     Here are a few rules I try to follow and encourage other hunters to do so as well.

1. Let the young bucks go.  Even if you think your neighboring hunter will shoot the deer anyways, let him go.  If you shoot the small buck and your neighbor shoots a small buck then there are two dead small bucks.  If you let the little one go, maybe your neighbor will shoot it or maybe the small buck will get away.  Either way, only one small buck at most is dead vs. two.
2. Let young hunters shoot whatever buck they want. Hunting for youngsters is suppose to be fun and exciting!  Don't pressure them into staying on the stand all day if they don't want to and let them shoot whatever deer they see.
3. Try to better your best buck.  This one is easy, try to not shoot bucks that are smaller then your biggest.  Once you get to a certain point, only bucks you are going to put on the wall should be harvested.  This may take a long time and there might be several years in between filling your buck tag, but stick with this and you will see an improvement on your buck population.
4. Shoot a doe or two for meat.  If your just looking for some meat, harvesting a doe can be a good way to help keep the deer population in check.  I might also add that back-straps are pretty good tasting as well!!!

 (Pictured above are the two 8 point bucks I passed on opening weekend)

(Pictured to the left is Cody Salo with his nice 10 point buck.  On the right is Jason Hotakainen with his Hotakainen Management buck!  Both bucks were shot on opening morning.)

Double Drop Tine Buck is Down!

    (Pictured above is Cody Gronvold with the Double Drop Tine Buck, more pictures to come!)

     Cody Gronvold sent bullets flying as he managed to take down the Double Drop Tine Buck that he videoed earlier this year Double Drop Tine Buck video can be found here.

1st Buck!!!

Congrats to Aaron Wilschewski (pictured above) who shot his first ever Whitetail Buck!