Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the Tri-County Deer Management Association (TCDMA). The purpose of the TCDMA is to responsibly control white-tailed deer populations through bowhunting, and we base our hunting philosophy on the principles of Quality Deer Management (QDM). Our goal is our motto: “Conservation through Management.”
Bowhunting in suburban areas can be difficult and sensitive because of the close proximity of people and buildings. The TCDMA is modeled after similar, highly effective QDM programs throughout the country (International Bowhunting Organization – Urban Hunting). We make safety, ethical hunting, professionalism and excellent community relations our chief objectives. We also make every effort to serve the landowner and the community in ways other than herd reduction.
TCDMA members must abide by a strict set of rules formulated around the special needs of the TCDMA and project landowners. Because of these rules the TCDMA is not for everyone. If you decide to apply for membership, keep in mind that we are looking for “team players” and responsible individuals who are willing to put the goals of the TCDMA above their personal objectives. This is not to say that you must give up your goals, but to advise that there may be times when needs of the organization must come first. Fortunately, we have found that the great majority of our members have goals that mutually support the organization rather than conflict with it. We want this to remain so, which is why we do our best to select only the best candidates for membership.
We strive to give the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), landowners and the public at large a positive impression of bowhunting, bowhunters and the TCDMA. For this reason, we require all members to be graduates of the International Bowhunter Education Program. Completion of this course ensures that bowhunters know and understand the importance of bowhunting safety, ethics and community relations.
All TCDMA members are encouraged to become members of the National Chapter of the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA). QDMA members receive the QDMA magazine Quality Whitetail as part of their membership benefits. Quality Whitetail exists to educate, provoke thought, and encourage others to participate in QDM and to offer a forum to learn about the QDM concept. The implementation of QDM principles extends our role from mere consumers to that of managers of the deer resource.
Briefly, QDM is the harvesting of over-abundant doe deer combined with restraint in harvesting immature antlered bucks and button bucks. This practice has a proven positive effect on the overall health of the deer herd by reducing the doe numbers and bringing the buck-to-doe ratio into a more natural state. The overall reduction in the number of breeding does and an increase in the ratio and age of mature bucks results in the optimum state of balance for a deer herd. This is the QDM goal.
The TCDMA is managed by a president and an executive committee consisting of five members. Although input is solicited from the general membership whenever possible in order to maintain camaraderie and membership involvement in decision making, the executive committee has the authority to make policy and decisions affecting the TCDMA without seeking input from the general membership. The executive committee can make decisions regarding new members, acquiring or dropping program properties, expenditure of funds, assignment of members to specific projects, setting of membership quotas, and any other issues pertaining to TCDMA operations, administration or management. In essence the TCDMA is managed more like a business than a club.
Project property owners expect and are due a minimum level of commitment from TCDMA. Each member is encouraged to hunt at least forty (40) hours per hunting season on TCDMA project properties. This is actual time spent in a treestand. If a member is unable to provide that level of service during a calendar year, his relationship with the TCDMA will be reviewed by the executive committee.
Failure to comply with the TCDMA rules or state game laws will result in an executive committee review of the offender’s membership privilege. Decisions of the executive committee are final with no appeal process.
In addition to hunting, TCDMA members are expected to:
- Collect trash and litter from project properties.
- Collect biological data from harvested deer to evaluate health of the herd.
- Donate venison to the needy through food banks, churches, and other methods.
- Post property boundaries on project properties.
- Attend a mandatory annual membership meeting and an annual picnic.
- Participate in work parties at designated project properties.
As part of this package you will find a list of eligibility requirements to become a member of the TCDMA. You will also find a list of the general rules for TCDMA members, and an ethics pledge. Give considerable thought to whether you can abide by these rules and ethical standards. If you accept them and meet the membership requirements, please apply.
If after reviewing this information you are not interested in joining the TCDMA, we thank you for your initial interest and invite you to apply in the future should you decide the rules and restrictions are acceptable to you. We know the TCDMA is too structured for some very honest and ethical hunters and harbor no hard feelings toward anyone who decides against applying.
If you apply, your application will be reviewed by the executive committee. If you are found to be initially eligible your references may be contacted and you may be invited to attend TCDMA non-hunting activities. You will be asked to demonstrate your proficiency with bow and arrow if you do not have proof of passing the hunting skills test at Aberdeen Proving Ground.
After the above process, if you are accepted for membership your name will be placed on a waiting list until a property position becomes available. As positions become available the top names on the waiting list are contacted to determine if they are still interested in joining. If interested, their membership dues must be paid and the appropriate paperwork must be completed (including vehicle identification and personal indemnification act) before their TCDMA identification is issued and they are assigned to deer management projects.
Please keep in mind that we make no promises as to hunting opportunities or hunting success. If you are accepted and assigned to a project, your opportunities may be limited to whatever agreement is in effect with that particular landowner or the availability of deer management permits for that property. Obviously, although we try to ensure that TCDMA hunters have proven bowhunting skills, we have learned that skill levels vary even among successful hunters. The two most important ingredients to your success, no matter what property you are assigned to, are your overall bowhunting skills and “putting in the time” in treestands. No TCDMA project property is a “zoo” where deer blithely roam. All deer are wild and live in their natural environment. They are difficult to hunt, especially with a bow and arrow. The challenge of hunting them with these primitive weapons is a primary source of satisfaction for the majority of our members.
You should understand that the executive committee may determine that a property is receiving too little or too much hunting pressure. Action may be necessary to reassign hunters from one project to another during the season in order to meet changing needs. Also, there is a process established to ensure fairness should an opening occur on a project property and more than one member wishes to switch from his assigned project to the one with the opening. This system is based on seniority and will be explained in detail should you be invited for an interview with the executive committee.
The TCDMA is a fine organization. Our goals are honorable and our methods are ethical. We want to provide high quality hunting opportunities for all members while serving the DNR, landowners and the community in deer management efforts. We recognize that we have rules some hunters may find too restrictive. However, for those who have found them acceptable and are a willing part of our team, the TCDMA is a very rewarding, exciting and challenging organization. The friendship and camaraderie, the common bond of bowhunting, and members’ willingness to help others all contribute to experiences that make the TCDMA an excellent organization for the dedicated bowhunter.
When returning your application, please enclose photocopies
of: your most recent state hunting
license and hunter safety card; your International Bowhunter Education Program
card or state Bowhunter education course certificate; your Driver’s License;
and your vehicle registration. Also
enclose pictures of five big game animals (or photocopies of the pictures) you
have harvested with a bow and arrow. If
you do not have pictures, your signed affidavit attesting that you have
harvested five big game animals is acceptable.
Please note that what you submit with your application becomes the
property of the TCDMA and may not be returned.
Send your completed application to:
Tri-County Deer Management Association,