Four Points On a Side Recommended For Talbot County QDM Regulations

WRD’s Game Management Section made the recommendation of 4 points on a side for the countywide quality deer management restrictions for Talbot County.

WRD Biologist Scott McDonald looked at data from more than 300 deer supplied by Talbot County hunters. Based on the data, a 15-inch outside spread restriction, would have protected too high a percentage of the 2 1/2-year-old bucks, and the state opted for the 4-points-on-a-side restriction.

“The idea behind the restriction is to protect most of the yearling bucks,” said Scott. “A club within the county can still impose more restrictive regulations if they want.”

An upward adjustment of doe days will also become part of the new management program in Talbot, he added.

With the Board of Natural Resources approval, Talbot County will become the fifth Georgia county with countywide QDM regulations. Dooly and Macon counties operate under a minimum 15-inch outside spread restriction; Meriwether and Harris counties have a 4-points-on-a-side rule.

Elbert County has become the most recent applicant for consideration of county-wide QDM by providing a letter of intent to WRD. Counties wishing to be considered for the 2000-2001 hunting season must provide a letter of intent to WRD signed by specific county officials by July 1.

The Elbert County QDM effort is being led by David Moody of Sportsman’s Supply in Elberton.

This buck would not be legal under the proposed county-wide QDM regulations for Talbot County, and that’s exactly the idea behind the new restrictions: to protect most of the yearling backs and allow them to grow into the 2 1/2-year-old class.