QDMA Press Release
QDMA Awards Highlight
2007
Convention and Whitetail Expo
Bogart, Ga. – The Quality Deer Management Association recognized members, wildlife professionals and others during an awards breakfast held during the 2007 QDMA National Convention and Whitetail Expo, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The QDMA annually honors professionals, nonprofessionals, agencies and businesses that work to promote better deer and better deer hunting around the country.
Two-time Olympic Gold Medallist Kim Rhode delivered the keynote address during the event, saluting the honorees for their dedication and commitment to QDMA and its mission.
The 2007 award winners include:
Joe Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award – Dr. Charlie DeYoung, research scientist and professor emeritus at the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Dr. DeYoung has devoted his professional life to white-tailed deer research, and helped launch the Kleberg Institute in 1981, serving as director during its first three years. He is one of only 10 professionals ever to receive the Deer Management Career Achievement Award from The Wildlife Society.
Al Brothers Professional Deer Manager of the Year – Certified Wildlife Biologist Dave Edwards, manager of Westervelt Wildlife Services. The award is named for former Texas Wildlife Biologist Al Brothers, who is recognized as the father of QDM. Edwards is certified as a burn manager, herbicide applicator and Quality Vegetation Advisor. He and his staff oversee Quality Deer Management programs on more than 1 million acres across the southeastern U.S.
Al Brothers Nonprofessional Deer Managers of the Year – Stuben County, New York, QDMA members and brothers Jeff and Greg Peake, who have spent the past five years practicing Quality Deer Management on their 192-acre tract. They bought the property in January 2002 and almost immediately began habitat improvements. They also have focused on balancing the age and sex structures of the deer herd on the property.
Wildlife Officer of the Year – New York Officer Cynthia Harcher. She has been on patrol as an Environmental Conservation Officer in New York since 1988. In addition to her regular patrol duties, she also spends significant time educating adults and children on how and why her job in law enforcement directly benefits wildlife management for all species.
Agency of the Year -Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study Group. The regional agency, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, investigates wildlife-disease issues for wildlife agencies in 15 southeastern states, and it provides technical expertise to all 50 states and several foreign countries.
Corporate Achievement Award – Bass Pro Shops. The Springfield, Mo., company earned recognition for its continuous and broad support of the QDMA’s mission, especially the QDMA’s educational and outreach programs.
Educational Branch of the Year – Cape Fear River Branch. This group of QDMA volunteers, headquartered near Raleigh, N.C., held multiple educational events, including a daylong community-college level Complete White-Tailed Deer Management workshop. They also have started their own youth program, called QDM for Kids.
Fundraising Branch of the Year – Barry County Branch. Serving the Hastings, Mich., area, the Barry County Branch has been among the top fundraising branches in the nation for the past three years.
New Branch of the Year – Nutmeg State Branch. This Connecticut group held four educational events and a fundraising banquet in its first year, and has already spun off another QDMA Branch – the Connecticut River Valley Branch.
Branch of the Year – Delaware Branch. This group of QDMA members has become known as THE conservation group in the state, and works closely with state wildlife officials to promote better deer and better deer hunting for all Delaware residents.
Volunteer of the Year – Eric Howard, of Nashville, Mich. Howard serves as president of the Barry County Branch, and has served in leadership positions involving every element of Branch operations. He has been instrumental in the Branch’s forging of strong working relationships with other local conservation groups.
Founded in 1988, QDMA is a national nonprofit wildlife conservation organization with 40,000 members in all 50 states and several foreign countries. Membership in QDMA is open to anyone interested in better deer and better deer hunting, and committed to ethical hunting, sound deer management and the preservation of the deer-hunting heritage. To learn more about QDMA and why it is the future of deer hunting, call (800) 209-DEER [(800) 209-3337] or visit www.QDMA.com.
–QDMA … better deer, better deer hunting– |
