Stricter hunting rules eyed in 4 nearby counties.

Buoyed by the success in establishing a quality deer management program in Leelanau County, a group of deer hunters is seeking to establish rules to protect young bucks across northwest Michigan

An organization calling itself Northwest Michigan Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) is seeking to bring stricter buck hunting rules beyond Leelanau to the counties of Benzie, Grand Traverse, Antrim and Kalkaska.

The contact person for the fledgling organization is Ryan Ratajczak. He may be reached at 231-590-7287, ryan@northwoodstrailcameras.com, or through the mail at 18824 Lakewood Circle, Lake Ann, MI 49650.

The Leelanau QDM program has just completed its fifth season. Surveys were mailed to landowners and hunters last month. Some two-thirds of both groups, whose surveys will be tallied separately, must approve the program for the state Natural Resources Commission (NRC) to grant an extension.

Surveys would need to be conducted in counties outside of Leelanau to expand the program. The continuance or removal of QDM in Leelanau would not be affected by the outcounty surveys.

According to the QDMA’s application packet, the management program encourages sportsmen to establish a healthy deer herd with balanced adult sex ratios, including a larger number of mature bucks. It also “educates sportsmen about creating good nutrition resources and quality habitat,” and “encourages them to practice sound game management by harvesting does and letting smaller bucks grow.” Other benefits include providing additional nutritional resources and greater ground cover that help birds and other small animals, the group said.

The NRC is expected to decide the future of the Leelanau QDM program at its March meeting.