Highland
Member
The property we are hunting has practiced QDMA for over 20 years. The membership turn over is low, we may go five years without a new member. Our main goal is not to harvest any bucks under the age of 3 1/2. This property is very unique in the fact that some 2 1/2 are in the 115 - 125 class. We are hunting in S.E. TN, and are harvesting some incredible deer for the area, and really any area. Over the last two years three 140 + have been harvested. Every year one or two 2 1/2 bucks are harvested, and in most cases, are truly tough calls in a hunting environment in the woods and a decsision is limited to 1- 5 seconds to shoot or not. However, there are a few members who seem to struggle each year with identifying 2 1/2 year olds. They are harvesting some good looking bucks, but are 2 1/2 by jaw bone aging. We as a club are trying to discourage this by talking about the deer and the potiential they have with these members, but so far have not been successful. We are not to the point of asking them to leave the club, but what kind of (punishment is not the word I am looking for, maybe penalty is better) penalty or consequences should we as a club try to envoke to better help ensure more of our 2 1/2 year olds are advancing to the older age class?