Organizers on target with QDMA banquet

If you’re interested in big antlers, an upcoming banquet in greater Omaha may be right up your alley.

The Heartland Branch of the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA)will be hosting a banquet Sept. 13 at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center, directly adjacent to the Cabela's store in LaVista.

QDM is a management philosophy uniting landowners, hunters and managers in a common goal of producing biologically and socially balanced deer herds within existing environmental, social, and legal constraints.

Typically, this involves the protection of young bucks (yearlings and some 2.5 year-olds) combined with an adequate harvest of does to maintain a quality age structure while still staying within acceptable herd sizes for the landowner.

Its a tough balancing act, but one that is gaining steam and acceptance across the country. QDMs purpose is to promote sound management, and preservation of our deer hunting heritage. Adherence to wildlife and trespass laws is also a cornerstone, with safe and ethical hunting the only way to do that.

Marty and Jolie Edwards of Papillion, co-chairs of the event and the local branch of QDMA, are expecting over 500 attendees and cautiously project it could be much bigger than that. Part of the reason is the great slate of raffle and auction prizes being assembled.

Another attraction might be that Nashville recording artist Jolie Edwards is planning to use her considerable country music talents to entertain the audience as well.

With Republican Vice Presidential nominee Sarah Palin's recent introduction as a national icon who can hunt moose and raise a family while leading the Last Frontier, it doesn’t take much imagination to see Nebraska has a high-profile hunter of the female persuasion as well.

Jolie has already had much success in hunting, with a bow and gun, and is an eloquent spokesperson for our shared passion.

While it may seem a little early for the banquet circuit, the timing actually couldn’t be much better for deer hunters.

Next weekend is the eve of the bowhunting season with all the major hunting pursuits just around the corner. Anticipation among hunters is always high this time of year and this event should only add to the excitement.

The event actually kicks off with a 3-D archery tournament held in the Cabela's parking lot beginning at 9 a.m.

The QDMA banquet and ongoing raffles start at 3:30 p.m. with dinner served at 5:30. There will be outdoor vendors and silent and live auctions in addition to the raffles, with guns, bows, guided hunts, sporting prints, and much more on the docket. The banquet will include a meal and speakers as well.

Part of the monies raised from the event will support the American Valor Outdoors, a program honoring service veterans with an outfitted hunt of their choice. Money is also earmarked toward starting at least one new area school in the National Archery in Schools Program.

For more information on the event, or to order tickets, call Marty and Jolie Edwards at 402-250-5510. Banquet attendees will also receive a one-year membership to QDMA, joining over 50,000 active members nationwide.