2nd Year for QDMA Conference in Chattanooga, beginning July 24
posted May 21, 2008
Drs. James Kroll, Mickey Hellickson, Steve Demarais and Karl V. Miller will be the brains on display in the popular “Think Tank” at the 2008 QDMA National Convention in Chattanooga, Tennessee, July 24. The four nationally known deer experts will discuss, debate and take questions on this year’s Think Tank focal point: Realistic expectations when managing for quality bucks.
Only the beginning of four days of learning and fun, the popular Think Tank kicks off QDMA’s National Convention, which is open to both members and non-members and includes dozens of speakers and deer experts plus banquets, auctions, and the Whitetail Expo, the only deer hunting show in the nation that is focused on Quality Deer Management.
“This format has been very popular at past National Conventions,” said QDMA Executive Director Brian Murphy. “The questions from attendees often lead the panelists into very lively discussions that really help hunters get down to the important take-home message for their management efforts.”
Dr. Steve Demarais of the Forest and Wildlife Research Center at Mississippi State University will lead the panel with research into how local habitat quality is related to buck antler quality, and how hunters can set realistic expectations based on habitat limitations.
Noted deer expert and researcher Dr. James Kroll of the Institute for White-tailed Deer Management and Research at Stephen F. Austin University in Texas will present recent data from his exhaustive study of buck antler development by age class and whether the practice of “culling” has any impact.
Dr. Mickey Hellickson, chief wildlife biologist at the King Ranch in Texas and an adjunct professor at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, will teach Think Tank attendees how to use trail-camera surveys to learn about buck age structure and pattern mature bucks for increased hunting success.
Dr. Karl V. Miller of the University of Georgia will wrap up the formal presentations with a comprehensive look at antler quality, age structure and culling in the context of average, real-world QDM programs.
“As usual, we’ve selected a timely, high-interest topic among deer hunters for the Think Tank panelists to dissect,” said Murphy. “For hunters hoping to manage a deer population to produce quality bucks, managing their own expectations to match what local habitats, soils and hunting conditions can realistically produce is a key to enjoyment of Quality Deer Management.”
The QDMA National Convention will take place at the Chattanooga Convention Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee, from Thursday, July 24 through Sunday, July 27. The Think Tank on Thursday afternoon is the first event open to all attendees, and both QDMA members and non-members are welcome. For more information about the many other events and educational opportunities at the Convention, visit www.QDMA.com.
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