Another refugee from QDMA....I'm out. I sent Brian this letter. No response:
Brian,
By way of introduction I am Rusty Baker from Pineville ,La. I have been a member of QDMA since its earliest days and have actively raised thousands of dollars for your organization by auctioning deer hunts on my property. Years back I was active with our local chapter which had some of the most successful fund raising banquets in QDMA history. I am writing to tell you that I will no longer continue my membership with QDMA.
There are several reasons why. The most recent is the decision to discontinue the forums feature on your website. There is an old saying : It’s not what you do but how you do it that matters. While in my opinion it is a questionable business decision far more important is how poorly it is being handled. Minimal notice, no explanations, destroying years of effort from people who passionately contributed their time and experience believing in the QDMA cause, and a rather cavalier attitude about it all has created tremendous ill will. Very poor execution from a professional organization. Not something I choose to be a part of.
The forum was my last interest in QDMA. My dissatisfaction began years earlier. I had hoped that QDMA would be the voice for all factions of the wonderful world of deer. That QDMA would be the leader in bringing all aspects of the deer community together thru unbiased education and leadership. Instead I perceive the results to be divisive, polarizing, and incomplete. The opportunity has been there and squandered by choosing sides, alienating factions, segregating, and not supporting the totality of the whitetail world.
I’ll give a couple of examples. It is my appreciation that QDMA has been fully opposed to the deer breeding industry. I am not a deer breeder and in fact don’t find it interesting. However QDMA has awarded it’s very highest honors on one of the pioneers of the deer breeding industry and in fact frequently quotes knowledge gained from his work. That is Dr. Harry Jacobson formerly of Ms. State and now a private consultant. This is an appropriate acknowledgement to one of the best researchers in the business and a wonderful man I hold in the highest regard. By any definition Dr. Jacobson ran one of the most well known breeding operations ever and in fact seeded many start up breeding operations with deer from the colleges pens as well as provided quality guidance. Much valuable research spawned from his work. The QDMA position seems contradictory here and while you had a wonderful opportunity to educate, and create understanding about what deer pens are , what they aren’t and how much good has come from them the decision was made otherwise. As a result there is much misunderstanding, strong emotional biases and polarization with very weak science as a backdrop for justification of your position.
Another example is game fences. QDMA has done nothing to educate the public about what game fences are, what they are not, the risks involved, as well as the opportunities. A wasted opportunity curious considering you association with Al Brothers. The first game fence I ever saw in the 70’s was on property managed by Al Brothers in Tx. in fact I would consider him to be one of the earliest U.S. pioneers understanding the value of game fencing. Game fencing is very polarizing in the hunting community yet QDMA has done nothing to address it through education. Odd since your highest Awards carry the name of Al Brothers…a man I have great respect for. Another wasted opportunity allowing dissension in our community.
I could go on but I see no value to furthering the rant. I am disappointed. I had such high hopes but frankly I think QDMA has not only fallen far short of its noble mission but now is doing as much harm to the image as good.
Sincerely
