QDMA, HSH & Milford Experimental Forest Establish a Web Site presence

MILFORD – Three local non-profit organizations published an informative website about deer management, forest regeneration efforts in Pike County, and hunters feeding the hungry.

The three organizations are the Pike County Branch of Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA), Milford Experimental Forest (MEF), and Pike County Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH).

Visit the new website at www.qdmapikecountypa.com for news and information about upcoming programs and events.

The Pike County Branch of QDMA was organized in September of 2002 and is part of a national non-profit organization based in Watkinsville, Georgia.

Since organizing, the Branch has held workshops and other programs geared to educate the public about quality deer management and improving Pike County's forests severely damaged by high populations of deer.

HSH is a program that enables sportsmen and sportswomen to donate their second or third deer harvested to help feed the hungry.

HSH Pike County coordinator John Crerand signed up three processors throughout the county, and ground meat is donated to three food banks each deer season.

During its first year in Pike County two years ago, 900 pounds of meat were donated and processed. During the 2003-2004 season, area hunters donated 1,147 pounds.

MEF is a 1,400-acre research forest located in Milford and Dingman Townships.

MEF was first established in 1901 by James and Gifford Pinchot and the Yale School of Forestry to study how to regenerate a new forest after the original forests were cleared in the late 1800's.

The Pinchot family reestablished MEF about six years ago to study solutions to major threats now facing the forests and watersheds of the Delaware Highlands region.

Current research addresses issues of overabundant deer populations and their severely damaged natural forest habitat; restoring the forest ecosystem; protecting important habitat and open space by avoiding suburban sprawl; restoring critical species such as the American Chestnut, and preventing the loss of the Eastern Hemlock.

MEF is a partnership between the USDA Forest Service at Grey Towers, the Pinchot Institute for Conservation, and the Pinchot family.

The Pinchot family also reestablished the Schocopee Hunt Club and with limited hunters conduct controlled hunts at MEF.

Visit the website for contact information to each organization.