Quality Deer Management Association (QDM) is a management philosophy and practice that unites landowners, hunters, and managers in a common goal of producing biologically and socially balanced deer herds within existing environmental, social, and legal constraints. This typically involves the protection of young bucks (yearlings and some 2.5 year-olds) combined with a sufficient harvest of does to maintain a healthy population in balance with existing habitat conditions and landowner desires. This level of deer management involves the production of quality deer (bucks, does, and fawns), quality habitat, quality hunting experiences, and quality hunters.

A successful QDM program requires an increased knowledge of deer biology and active participation in management. This level of involvement extends the role of the hunter from mere consumer to manager. The progression from education to understanding and eventually to respect, bestows an ethical obligation upon the hunter to practice sound deer management. QDM is a desirable alternative to traditional management for an increasing number of landowners and hunters, which allows the harvest of any legal buck and a few, if any, does.

QDM guidelines are formulated according to property-specific objectives, goals, and limitations. Pleasure can be derived from each hunting experience, regardless if a shot is fired. What's important is the chance to harvest a quality buck - an opportunity lacking in many areas under traditional management. When a quality buck is taken on a QDM area, the pride can be shared by all property hunters because it was they who produced it by allowing it to reach the older age classes which are necessary for large bodies and antlers.

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