Registration is now open for Land Certification Program (LCP) Inspector Training offered by the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA). There are only two LCP Inspector Training opportunities available in 2013 – June 18 in Kentucky and September 19 in Minnesota.

LCP Inspectors are the qualified natural resource professionals who help implement QDMA’s program by visiting, evaluating and providing guidance on hunting lands throughout North America. QDMA unveiled the Land Certification Program at its 2011 National Convention. The long-awaited companion to the Deer Steward courses – which are aimed at certifying individuals – the LCP is a multi-level, voluntary process that will evaluate and certify one or more properties against an established list of Quality Deer Management (QDM) standards and performance measures.

The LCP was developed to recognize the accomplishments of landowners and sportsmen implementing the four cornerstones of QDM throughout North America, as well as those committed to ethics, conservation and biodiversity through land stewardship; and to encourage management practices on participating lands that will enhance deer and other wildlife species, habitat conditions, and hunting experiences by providing incentives, recommendations and/or assistance; and finally to inspire others to engage in sound wildlife management and conservation of our natural resources.

To learn more about the entire LCP including the standards and performance measures, the three levels of land designation and how to contact an LCP inspector, visit www.QDMA.com and navigate to Land Certification under the Advanced Ed menu.  

LCP Inspector Training Opportunities:

QDMA will host two half-day LCP inspector training sessions in 2013.

• June 18 at Hardin County Cooperative Extension Office, Elizabethtown, Ky.
• September 19 at Cloquet Forestry Education Center, Cloquet, Minn.

Both of this year’s opportunities feature co-sponsored training with the American Tree Farm Systems (ATFS). Attendees can potentially become certified inspectors for both organizations in one day/location – one half day each (QDMA and ATFS). Lunch will be provided for participants that attend both trainings. Special rates apply. Call 518-280-3714 for more info. To learn more about ATFS inspectors visit www.treefarmsystem.org.

Who Is Eligible?

QDMA will approve LCP inspectors through a rigid set of professional standards. If you are interested in becoming an LCP property inspector, you can sign up for one of these training sessions if you satisfy at least one of the following:

• Have an accredited college degree AND two years experience in forestry, wildlife, or another natural resource management field;  

            OR  

• Have completed QDMA Deer Steward II (or higher) course AND three years of wildlife and habitat management field experience** 

Those who do not meet either of the above guidelines but wish to become eligible to participate must submit a written request outlining your qualifications and experience. QDMA will review each submission on a case-by-case basis to determine eligibility.

**Wildlife management experience refers to actively managing wildlife population(s) at either the property or landscape level. Habitat management experience refers to personally manipulating vegetation species and composition at the property or landscape level in accordance with wildlife management prescriptions.  

Cost

QDMA’s LCP training session is $50 for QDMA members and $80 for non-members (includes a 1-year QDMA membership). Current ATFS inspectors can take QDMA training for $35. Cost includes instruction, materials and certificate. Travel, meals and lodging are not included. Lunch will be provided for attendees taking both trainings.  

Registration

To register, visit www.QDMA.com and navigate to Land Certification under the Advanced Ed menu to download the registration form. You can register by submitting a completed registration form by:

• Fax: 706-353-0223
• Mail: QDMA, P.O. Box 160, Bogart, GA 30622

Lodging

For your convenience, QDMA has reserved local hotel rooms at a reduced price the evening before each training session. For a complete list of lodging contact information for each training session, visit www.QDMA.com and navigate to Land Certification under the Advanced Ed menu.

About QDMA

QDMA is dedicated to ensuring the future of white-tailed deer, wildlife habitat and our hunting heritage. Founded in 1988, QDMA is a national nonprofit wildlife conservation organization with nearly 50,000 members in all 50 states and Canada. To learn more about QDMA and why it is the future of deer hunting, call 800-209-3337 or visit www.QDMA.com. QDMA can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheQDMA and Twitter at www.twitter.com/TheQDMA.

Media members wishing to join QDMA’s Media Network can contact Tanner Tedeschi at tanner@qdma.com.