QDMA Press Release
New Release Date: May 7, 2003
QDMA CELEBRATES 15th ANNIVERSARY
October 2003 will mark the 15th Anniversary of the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA), a national non-profit wildlife conservation organization headquartered in Watkinsville, Georgia. The QDMA’s mission is to promote sustainable, high-quality, white-tailed deer populations, wildlife habitats, and ethical hunting experiences through education, research, and management in partnership with hunters, landowners, natural resource professionals, and the public.
The QDMA was founded in 1988 by wildlife biologist Joe Hamilton with the intent to promote the Quality Deer Management (QDM) philosophy in a 14-county area in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. From these humble beginnings as the South Carolina Quality Deer Management Association, the QDMA has rapidly grown into the most respected and influential whitetail organization in the nation.
The QDMA currently has 25,000 members in 48 states and several foreign countries with membership expected to top 30,000 by the end of 2003. Within the QDMA’s membership ranks are more than 800 of the nation’s leading wildlife biologists, researchers, and managers. These professionals enable the QDMA to remain at the forefront of whitetail research and management and provide this information to its members for improved on-the-ground management.
The QDMA is among the most active educational conservation organizations in the nation, conducting over 100 deer management seminars and workshops annually. The QDMA also is an active financial supporter of deer research and management projects to further our knowledge of North America’s most popular big game animal.
Perhaps the QDMA’s greatest achievement has been its impact on management. Since the QDMA was founded, over 10 million acres of public and private lands throughout North America have been placed under QDM guidelines.
Due to the QDMA’s professional support, commitment to education, and history of achievements, in 2001 it was awarded with the prestigious Group Achievement Award from The Wildlife Society, the parent body of more than 10,000 wildlife professionals. The QDMA is the only white-tailed deer organization ever honored with this award in over 40 years since it was established.
For more information on the QDMA’s 15th Anniversary contact us by telephone at 800-209-DEER (3337).
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