2006 New Branch of the
Year
Competing with more than 50
new QDMA Branches
established in 2006 in the
United States and Canada,
QDMA recognized the CAPE
FEAR RIVER Branch as "2006
New Branch of the Year" at the
QDMA National Convention held
in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania on
June 22-25, 2006
The Benefits of QDMA
Cape Fear members are all  
enthusiastic volunteers who
believe that QDM is the key to
better deer and better deer
hunting.  Above, Robbie Church,
VP and Banquet Chair
discusses the benefits of QDM
and QDMA.
Kids are our Future
Quality Educational
Events, like the Archery
Scoring seminar conducted by
Russ Avery of Avery Taxidermy is
just one reason that Cape Fear
was recognized for educational
excellence. Cape Fear quarterly
educational seminars are free
to the public.

    The Cape Fear River Branch of QDMA was pleased to host a youth hunt with support from Gary Knight of
    Polecat Creek Outfitters. 17 year old first time hunter Janelle Zaft, guided by Bill Kulp, took a doe at 125
    yards.  Though not large, the size of the deer didn’t matter; Janelle could not have been more proud or more
    excited. Victoria Zaft, Seth Patterson, Keon Horton , and Cameron Phillips didn't have an opportunity to
    take a deer, but all had a great time

    One common bond among most of the dads participating in this hunt was their introduction to the sport of
    hunting at an early age.  Through either family or friends, each learned to appreciate and respect wildlife as a
    child.  Getting kids involved is key to preserving our hunting heritage.  For a variety of reasons, fewer kids are
    getting involved these days.  Supporting a primary mission of Cape Fear River QDMA, this event was intended
    to foster these experiences; one more step in creating ethical young sports men and women, each whom will
    take on a personal responsibility of being a good wildlife steward.

    Located just outside of Yanceville, NC, the Gamesland Lodge (www.gameslandlodge.com) offered an ideal
    venue of this event.  The Gamesland Lodge offers 3,500 private acres, surrounded by 17,000 acres of North
    Carolina game land.  Professionally managed for quality deer, game was abundant. The Lodge offers quality
    cabins for groups of up to 35, a shooting range and private lake.  Each stand was of generous size - able to
    comfortably seat the adult and the fidgety and occasionally sleeping child.  Captain Gary Knight, of Polecat
    Creek Outfitters has been a full-time guide for the past 12 years, guiding for deer, duck, geese, as well as
    stripper fishing; and his experience speaks for itself.  

    With the support of the Quality Deer Management Association, the Cape Fear Branch of QDMA (www.capefear-
    qdma.org) sponsors an active child mentoring program, providing sound deer management skills to kids through
    a variety of educational and recreational events.  Cape Fear River QDMA is seeking volunteers who would like
    to be apart of future events such as these.  Please give Guy Gardner a call at 919/552-9449.

    Check out also, this link to our QDM for Kids program, offering a year around program to kids, aimed at
    developing sound woodmanship skills.  Applications are now being accepted for the new program year which will
    begin sometime in February.
CAPE FEAR RIVER BRANCH FEATURED EVENTS
CFRB YOUTH HUNT AIMED AT DEVELOPING HUNTERS OF TOMORROW
CFRB Annual Meeting features a Wild Game BBQ, Games & Prizes!
    The Cape Fear River Branch of QDMA held it's Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 17th at the RL Vaughn  farm in
    Wake County, featuring a free wild game BBQ and games for QDMA kids of all ages.  Rick Russell qualified to win
    the largest fish contest, but had to concede to 12-year old Carson Perry, who had an even bigger fish story!  Five-
    year old Keon Horton won the minnow race hands-down, though all kids who participated brought a prize home as
    well.  The BB Gun Shoot-off turned out to be a real show-stopper... Stacey Lewis and Brent Howard tied for the
    high score, prompting a tie-breaker round.  In the end,  Brent carried the match with a high score of 365.

    Brian Padgett delivered a fantastic seminar - "How to improve your deer herds through Quality Deer
    Management."   Brian reminded us that the vast majority of what our wildlife must depend on is natural habitat.  Using
    the equipment that most of us have on hand already, there are many things we can do to make a dramatic impact -
    fertilizing vegetation that provides quality nutrition to wildlife; mowing strips through fallow fields, both to provide
    tender new growth for browsing and retain cover; removing vegetation that either provides little nutrition or can be
    toxic.  Brian explained the importance of keeping good observation and harvest data - an important first step in
    developing goals and measuring the progress of your QDM program.  The Education Committee, chaired by biologist
    Brian Padgett provides seminars free of charge to area clubs and civic organizations; and can be contacted through
    the Cape Fear e-mail: greaterthan8@yahoo.com

    The meal could not have been better.  Many thanks to Robbie Church for manning the BBQ.  Ed and Debbie
    Richardson outdid themselves, brining caribou meatballs, mouthwatering calico beans, cookies, and more.  Steve
    Horton's family treated the entire team with some very special QDMA cakes; and Rick Russell and Guy Gardner
    contributed the venison and wild pig.  

    By unanimous vote, the Cape Fear QDMA Board of Directors for 2007-08 are welcomed as follows:  Guy Gardner,
    President; Robbie Church, Vice President & Banquet Chair; Ed Richardson, Secretary; Paul Kosinski, Treasurer;
    Russ Zaft and Rick Russell, Sponsor Co-Chairs; Steve Horton, Programs Chair; Brian Padgett, Education
    Chair; Judy Gardner, Publicity Chair.  In addition,  Brian Gardner will retain his position as Membership Chair.

    Welcome also to our five new members who joined at this event:  Elizabeth Fridley, Darin Fridley, Warren Bryant,
    Markus Patterson, and Floyd Dixon.
Start 'Em Young!
Cub Scout Pack 513 hosted their
first annual "Hunting and
Fishing Day" on April 14,
2007 and Cape Fear was glad to
support it!  This event gave many
kids their first opportunity to
learn about these sports.  
Cape Fear River Branch earns 2007 National Educational Branch of the Year!
CFRB Annual Meeting features a Wild Game BBQ, Games & Prizes!
    “A common denominator of all the finalist Branches is that they stay busy with events that help educate the public
    about the principles of the QDMA,” said Gene Newman, QDMA Director of Branch Development. “The Cape Fear
    River Branch held multiple educational events, including a day-long community-college level Complete White-
    Tailed Deer Management workshop; several free to the public seminars, and outreach programs for local youth
    groups.   They also have already started their own youth program, called “QDM for Kids,” a full-year, hands-on
    mentoring program for local girls and boys age 12-18, aimed at developing ethical young sports men and women,
    sound woodsmanship skills, and a love of the outdoors.

    “The Cape Fear River Branch is a wonderful example of QDMA’s focus on education and outreach,” Newman
    added. “We congratulate them on being QDMA’s national Educational Branch of the Year.”

    Competing with 164 branches across the nation, Canada, and several other foreign countries, the Cape Fear
    River Branch was also recognized as a "top 5" finalist in the following 2007 Branch Awards: "Branch Event of the
    Year"; and "Branch of the Year."  Guy and Judy Gardner were recognized as "top 5" finalist nominees for
    "Volunteer of the Year," competing with more than 45,000 active QDMA members.  Other board members
    contributing to the 2006-2007 success of the Cape Fear River Branch of QDMA include Robbie Church, Ed
    Richardson, Paul Kosinski, Russ Zaft, Brian Padgett, Rick and Betty Russell, Steve Horton, Brian
    Gardner, Greg Quiel, Skip Valentine, and Marian and Chuck Steffan; each a dedicated volunteer who
    believes in QDMA's mission to preserve our hunting heritage through responsible wildlife stewardship.

                                                    - QDMA...better deer, better deer hunting -