Zack:

I just read your views on QDM and believe,in this case, "the apple does not fall too far from the tree".  I believe your, and your Dad's, opinion on this issue is driven directly from stubborness and the agenda to disagree with a direction the DNR or NRC no matter what.  I find your published position to be horribly irresponsible.  You are exploiting extremely vague
assumptions and not including some important facts to your views.  One being you mention taking a doe is really reducing the herd by eliminating the bearers of more deer.  But you don't mention that if the doe herd is overpopulated taking a doe for the freezer will responsibly reduce the herd
and there will still be plenty of does to produce fawns.  I feel it is fine
that you and your Dad prefer to hunt for meat.  I like to hunt for meat
also.  But I try to help the herd out and hunt the overpopulated does.  You continue to promote shooting young bucks.  Whether you are researching Outdoor Life or Petersen's Hunting more scientific research leans towards shooting does and older bucks for a healther deer herd.  But you and your Dad are way to smart for scientific research.  You publicly promote shooting young bucks so you can
try to justify that you are right and the DNR is wrong.  Well maybe if your Dad would have taken a more responsible direction for his public presentation he would still be on the air.  You wouldn't have to field questions, What's up with "Joe Sportsman" where is "Fred Trost".  Why is the last entry in Joe Sportsman May 20!!!  The Practical Sportman was going down the drain for years because your Dad refused to be honest with the public but mostly he refused to be honest with himself.  He was always blaming his problems on the DNR or "Buck Stop".  He would make up excuses why the monthly magazine was late.  Then he'd change formats, then he changed the direction of the show to be more camping friendly.  Then more excuses why the magazine was late.  Then the quality of the show started to seriously decline and he would make excuses while obviously just trying to buy time.  The Practical Sportsman's demise was due to your Dad thinking the public was stupid and trying to sell us a
bag of goods!  If you don't change your direction you are going to find
yourself in the same position!!!!

Greg

Hi Greg:

Well it appears you have a lot on your mind, most of which appears to be directed at Fred Trost. I'm not sure where you came up with the idea that I or the Outdoor-Michigan website promotes shooting young bucks, that I am anti-DNR or NRC, or share my fathers point of view on everything???  In fact I don't have any of Fred Trost's articles or editorials on the Outdoor-Michigan Website nor does Fred Trost contribute to the Outdoor-Michigan Website. As far as the comments you made toward my father; The Practical Sportsman was his lifes work, he started it, and he was in charge. With that he was able to make what ever decisions he felt, regardless if they were in the best interest of the business. In his long career he was able to earn an Emmy, was reconized as the highest pledged show in Michigan Public Television History and managed to keep high ratings in prime time going against network shows such as Magnum PI, The Simpsons, Cheers, Frasier, Friends & Seinfeld to name a few.  It is easy after the fact to say a person made bad decisions. He must have done something right to last in a business for over 25 years doing things that he enjoyed.  Most of us, including myself are stuck in jobs that we despise cause we have to pay the bills and don't have the balls to try something new.  My father is a renegade and you are not the first person or the last that did not like or agree with him.  Frankly I agree with some of the things you have to say in your letter. If the show had been mine, I would of handled some things differently as anyone in charge would.  This is the United States of America and you are entitled to your opinions and interpretations on life and business as I am as well.  As far as my article on trophy deer management that you state my, " position to be horribly irresponsible", & "You are exploiting extremely vague assumptions and not including some important facts to your views."   I will post your email on the Outdoor-Michigan website for others to read.  However it didn't appear to me that you provided any points that support your view or discredit my view on things. I thank you for taking the time to write.  Good luck!

Respectfully Outdoors,

Zachary Trost