Wildlife Habitat Education Program Handbook

The Wildlife Identification event for Juniors and Seniors uses actual artifacts (for example, pelts, mammal skulls, teeth), replicas (such as bird skulls and eggs, tracks, scat), photos, recordings of songbird or amphibian calls, or any other clues representing species and their sign for contestants to identify. Only those species from the Urban and Wetland regions and the announced ecoregion are eligible for testing. Typically, there are about 40 ‐ 45 species including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish for contestants to identify. 

For Wildlife Foods and Concepts, Junior and/or Senior contestants need to know the following:

• food consumed by each wildlife species in the announced ecoregion (Juniors and Seniors);   
• key wildlife ecology concepts and terms (Juniors and Seniors) and their application to wildlife biology and management (Seniors only);
• descriptions and basic understanding of wildlife management practices (Juniors and Seniors);
• application of a wildlife management practice to a particular management situation or wildlife concept (Seniors only); and,
• ecoregion information and specifics (Seniors only).

Interpreting Wildlife Habitat from Satellite Images (Juniors only) is important for understanding when and where certain wildlife habitat practices need to be implemented.  

• Junior contestants will be asked to identify features on a satellite image.
• Junior contestants will be asked to compare which habitat is best for a particular wildlife species.  For example, whitetailed deer prefer areas with a lot of edge habitat compared to an eastern fox squirrel, which prefers mature forests.
• Though not tested specifically about satellite images, Senior contestants may receive a satellite image as part of the scenario for writing a wildlife management plan. Therefore, understanding how to interpret satellite images is an important skill.

For the Educational Activity, Junior contestants attend an activity the day of the contest. No advanced study is necessary. Responses are graded and contribute to the individual and overall team scores.

• The Educational Activity can be conducted in a number of ways. To receive points, the contestant must participate in the activity and then respond to questions on a scorecard about what they learned. Examples of possible activities are: 
  • Listening to one or more presentations about a wildlife topic(s).  
  • Actively participating in a hands-on or interactive activity.
  • Completing an on-your-own activity such as an outdoor treasure hunt about wildlife identification, wildlife foods, habitats, etc. 

For the Wildlife Management Practices event, Juniors compete as a team and Seniors compete as individuals. This event requires an understanding of the habitat needs for each species in the announced ecoregion.

• Juniors work as a team to match species from the announced ecoregion with their recommended practices. For example, Juniors will indicate “field border” is a management practice recommended for the wild turkey. 
• Seniors work individually to determine whether or not a particular management practice is necessary on a judged field site. Whereas Juniors simply learn whether a managment practice corresponds to the habitat needs of a particular species, Seniors also judge a piece of land for its habitat requirements. They need to know not only whether field borders are a wildlife management practice recommended for wild turkey, but also determine whether the particular field border is adequate for a wild turkey's habitat needs. 

These previous events are building blocks for preparing a Wildlife Management Plan. For Senior 4‐H members, preparing the plan is the culminating WHEP activity.  

• Seniors work as a team to write a plan based on a scenario having up to six wildlife species from the announced region and a designated piece of land to judge.
• Once habitat adequacies and deficiencies are identified, the team discusses when and where various wildlife management practices need to be implemented. Species from the announced ecoregion are managed simulataneously with overlapping habitat needs and implementation of practices as in an actual wildlife management plan for landowners.
• Besides writing the narrative for the plan following a format, the team also uses a sketch map to help describe when and where particular practices are implemented.

For Oral Reasons, Senior contestants answer questions from a panel of judges about their plan. The mark of a good contestant is being able to write and speak fluently using wildlife concepts and terminology in a meaningful way. 

Wildlife Identification - open only to Cloverbuds who attend with their siblings

Wildlife Identification

Wildlife Foods and Concepts

Interpreting Wildlife Habitat from Satellite Images

Educational Activity

Wildlife Management Practices (Team)

Wildlife Identification

Wildlife Foods and Concepts

Wildlife Management Practices 

Wildlife Management Plan (Team)

Oral Defense 

1. All 4-H competitors must be bona fide 4‐H Club members who are actively enrolled in a 4‐H project or activity.  

   1. 4‐H membership must be through one of the Cooperative Extension Service's 75 county 4‐H programs in Arkansas.  
   2. All competitors must declare a "home county" for membership in order to qualify. Members cannot compete for awards in more than one county during the contest year.
   3. A participating youth or 4-H leader must complete enrollment through the 4-H website including code of conduct and health forms, and receive prior approval from their county agent.
   4. Counties may require 4‐H members to attend club meetings or perform other activities to qualify as bona fide 4‐H members.
2. Age requirements:
   1. Junior individuals or team members are youth who in the contest year are age 9 as of January 1 until December 31 of the year they celebrate their 14th birthday.
   2. Senior individuals or team members are youth who in the contest year are age 14 as of January 1 until December 31 of the year they celebrate their 19th birthday.
   3. Cloverbuds are ages 5 to 9 who are enrolled in 4‐H.  Cloverbuds must have county Junior or Senior members registered to attend the WHEP state contest and permission from their county 4‐H office to attend the state contest.

3. Juniors and Seniors who compete as individuals must be official entrants who are 4‐H members in their county during the current year.

4. An individual participant may also be a member of a team. County teams are comprised of members from the same county in the same Division (Junior or Senior). Individuals who lack enough teammates to form a county team may be assigned to a multi-county team the day of the contest. 

   1. A team consists of no less than three and no more than four official entrants who are 4H members in the same county during the current year.
   2. Junior 4-H members compete on Junior teams and Senior 4-H members compete on Senior teams. Mixed teams comprised of both Junior and Senior Divisions isn't allowed. 
   3. Individuals from different counties cannot register as a team. Building a team using individuals from different counties isn't allowed. 
   4. If there are enough other individuals who attend that day, the organizers will do their best to place youth in a mixed-county team of either Juniors or Seniors so everyone can compete in both the individual and team events. This team assignment will be made known the day of the contest. A fair and equitable process will be used to assign individuals to teams. 
   5. Individuals may be assigned to county teams already having three members. The team(s) receiving the extra member will be selected randomly. 
   6. Although team membership is encouraged, sometimes there are circumstances when an individual may opt-out of participating on a team. Parents or guardians need to discuss this with their 4-H Leader, WHEP Coach, and County 4-H Agent prior to registrating their youth. The county 4-H agent will convey this to the State WHEP Coordinator.

A. Every person must be enrolled, approved, and payment received though the 4-H enrollment website before attending the event. This includes 4‐H youth, leaders, teen leaders, coaches, parents, siblings, and non-agency volunteers.

1. Every person who attends an Arkansas 4‐H WHEP event from ages 5 and over must meet all county and state Extension requirements to participate. Children 4 years of age and younger are not required to register.
2. No “walk‐up” registrations are accepted on the day of the contest. Every contestant, participant, and attendee must be registered and approved before the contest day.

B. Registration is accepted through the Join 4-H enrollment website. Each person must register on or before the announced deadline.  

1. Competing 4-H youth and attending 4-H Leaders may pay using a credit card or by check. Some counties offer free or reduced enrollment or scholarships, so it is advisable to contact your county first before paying online.
2. Non-competing adults, parents, guardians, and siblings can also attend by paying a registration fee when enrolling youth. Up to 6 additional attendees can be registered per youth. If registering more than one youth, list additional registrations only once to avoid double-payment and charges.
3. 4‐H members, leaders, and non-competing attendees may pay by check. This check must be provided to the county office promptly. County offices are required to deposit all monies from registered individuals prior to the event. Therefore, registrations paid by check and received after deadline may be denied participation due to the length of time required for processing a check payment. A standard NSF Fee will be assessed on all checks that are returned due to insufficient funds.

C. Once registered, county agents are responsible for notifying the state WHEP Coordinator of team assignments in counties, particulary where two or more teams are registered. Team assignments must be conveyed in writing at least 15 days before the contest.  

1. If notification of team assignments is not received by deadline, the WHEP Coordinator will assign county teams.  
2. If absences result in a county team with fewer than three members on contest day, individuals from other counties may be assigned to the team.  

D. No refunds will be made after the announced registration deadline.

1. For cancellations made prior to the announced registration deadline, contact your county office in writing and request a refund. The county office will forward the written request to the WHEP State Coordinator and cancel your registration. Any cancellations made after the announced registration deadline whether by participants, attendees, or county office staff must be paid to the program. 
2. Exceptions to this refund policy can be made for a partial reimbursement after the enrollment deadline. Approval of such requests is based on personal or family illness or death in the immediate family. Participants must notify the county Extension office with documentation no later than 14 days after the event. The county Extension office is responsible for notifying in writing the WHEP State Coordinator of such requests. Payment for pre-purchased items such as t-shirts, nametags, entry passes, or any other non-refundable program expense cannot be reimbursed. 

A. All non‐contestant children or youth and participating Cloverbuds must be accompanied by an adult at all times.  

B. After completing contest activities, 4‐H Junior and Senior contestants will be released to an accompanying adult. 

C. Cloverbuds participating in the Wildlife Identification event can work independently or receive assistance from an adult or teen leader.  

1. The Cloverbud event is not competitive. Cloverbuds with siblings in the contest are provided this learning opportunity to help them prepare for participation as Juniors. 
2. Cloverbuds must provide their own pencil and clipboard.
3. Cloverbuds are encouraged to talk and ask questions.  We want them to learn and have an enjoyable experience.  
4. Scorecards are turned into the station monitor with the name and county (printed clearly) to serve as a record of participation.  Their scorecards will not be scored.  

C. Junior and Senior contestants compete in individual and team activities.  Those who sign up as a team also compete as individuals. Individuals who sign up without a county team may be assigned one.

D. Junior contestants compete as:

1. individuals on Wildlife Identification,  Foods and Concepts, Interpreting Satellite Images, and Educational Activity.  No talking is allowed. 
2. a county or mixed-county team on Wildlife Management Practices and will be allowed to talk with team members.  (See "Contestants and Eligibility" section about teams for details.)

E. Senior contestants compete as:

1. individuals on Wildlife Identification, Foods and Concepts, and Wildlife Management Practices.  No talking is allowed.  
2. teams on writing a Wildlife Management Plan and will be allowed to talk with team members. (See "Contestants and Eligibility" section about teams for details.)
3. individuals answering Oral Reasons questions independently in front of a panel of judges. Preparation starts after writing the Wildlife Management Plan. Therefore, talking among team members is allowed in preparation for Oral Reasons.

F. An official scoring committee tabulates contest results.  All decisions of the scoring committee are final. Interference with scoring by contestants, parents, leaders, coaches, or others associated with a team or individual will result in disqualification of that team or individual.

G. The team coach is the only individual who can issue protests about the contest. All protests must be made to the Contest Coordinator (Protest Judge) at any time prior to the awards ceremony the day of the contest. Protests disregarding these procedures will not be considered. Protests and challenges will be decided by a review board appointed by the Protest Judge. Their decisions are final.

H. A Code of Conduct form must be completed upon enrollment prior to participation and will be used as the official document for dealing with infractions by 4‐H members. If a 4‐H member is found in violation of the Code of Conduct and receives discipline issued by a review board, his/her parents will be notified, and the 4‐H member may be sent home immediately at the parents' expense and may be suspended from participating in future 4‐H activities. 

1. Each contestant must provide his or her own pencils and clipboard.  The clipboard should be clean without any writing other than the contestant’s name. Pencil sharpeners are optional.  NOTE:  No extra pencils, pencil sharpeners, or clipboards will be available.  
2. Senior contestants are to wear field clothing and close‐toed shoes to WHEP events. When the contestant’s safety is of concern, a lack of appropriate clothing could result in disqualification from a contest activity.  
3. Contestants are not allowed to use electronic devices of any kind during the contest. This includes, but is not limited to, cell phones, iPads, iPods, calculators, etc. It is highly advisable that such devices be left with adults, coaches or chaperones during the contest to avoid being accused of cheating. A contestant found possessing, using, or disturbing others (e.g., phone noises or alarm ringing) during the contest can be disqualified immediately from that event or the entire contest by the Contest Coordinator or station monitor, depending on the extent of the infraction.
4. Only Junior and Senior contestants and designated officials including station monitors shall be within the perimeter of a Junior/Senior event. All others will be separated from contestants while the contest is in progress. At the discretion of the station monitor, non-contestants may be allowed to briefly enter the perimeter, for example to take photos for 4‐H journal records.
5. Absolutely no talking by contestants will be allowed during the contest, except when working on designated team activities or as permitted during the Educational Activity.
6. Anyone caught cheating will be disqualified.
7. Scorecards must be turned in to the station monitor at the end of each event. 
8. Once a contestant starts the contest, they are not allowed to leave the station. An exception may be for an emergency restroom break after notifying the station monitor and turning in their individual or team scorecard. Sometimes restrooms are not available in outdoor settings until lunch break. An event will not be delayed to await the late return of a contestant.
9. Contestants should come prepared for wet, cold, or hot weather conditions. Bring rain gear and plastic to cover the clipboard. Typically the state WHEP contest will be held despite forecasted inclement weather, unless presenting an imminent safety threat such as lightening or heavy thunderstorms in the immediate area. In those instances, contestants will be moved indoors and safety precautions taken.
10. An official scoring committee will score the contest and announce results. Their decision is final.

A. Cloverbuds who complete the Wildlife Identification event will receive recognition during the awards ceremony.

B. Junior and Senior Individuals achieving the highest accumulative scores will be recognized at an awards ceremony.

1. Junior individuals achieving the highest accumulative score for Wildlife Identification, Foods and Concepts, Interpreting Satellite Images, and Educational Activity are recognized.  First, second, third, fourth, and fifth places will be awarded.
2. Senior individuals achieving the highest accumulative score for Wildlife Identification, Foods and Concepts, and Wildlife Management Practices are recognized.  First, second, third, fourth, and fifth places will be awarded.  
3. In case of a tie, individuals may be asked to answer additional tie‐breaker questions of any format. If tie‐breaker questions are not used or results in a tie again, the individual with the highest score in Wildlife Identification will be declared the winner. If a tie remains, the individual with the highest score in Foods and Concepts will be declared the winner. If a tie remains, the individual with the highest score in Satellite Images (Juniors) or Wildlife Management Practices (Seniors) will be declared the winner. If the tie cannot be broken, a coin toss will be used to determine the winner.  

C. Junior and Senior Teams achieving the highest accumulative scores will be recognized at an awards ceremony.

1. Junior and Senior teams with the highest overall score are recognized.  First, second, third, fourth, and fifth places will be awarded.  
2. The Junior team score will be the sum of three individual scores on the team plus the team score for Wildlife Management Practices. If a team has a fourth member, the lowest individual score for each event (i.e., Wildlife Identification, Foods and Concepts, Satellite Images, and Educational Activity) will be dropped.  
3. The Senior team score will be the sum of the three individual scores on the team, plus the team score for Wildlife Management Plan and the three scores for Oral Defense.  If a team has a fourth member, the lowest individual score for each event (i.e., Wildlife Identification, Foods and Concepts, Wildlife Management Practices) plus the lowest Oral Reasons score will be dropped.  
4. In case of a tie, the team with the highest team score in Wildlife Management Practices (Juniors) or Wildlife Management Plan (Seniors) will be declared the winner.  If a tie remains, the team with the highest accumulative individual scores in Wildlife Identification will be declared the winner.  If a tie remains, the team with the highest accumulative individual scores in Foods and Concepts will be declared the winner.  If a tie remains, the team with the highest accumulative individual scores in Satellite Images (Juniors) or Oral Reasons (Seniors) will be declared the winner.  If the tie cannot be broken, a coin toss will be used to determine the winner.   

D. The Senior Team with the highest overall team score that meets eligibility requirements will be offered the opportunity to represent Arkansas at the National 4‐H Wildlife Habitat Education Program Invitational.  

National Eligibility

• The team must be certified as the official state entry by the WHEP Coordinator as designated by the Associate Director – 4‐H Youth Development.  
• Contestant must not have reached his or her 19th birthday as of January 1 of the year in which the National 4‐H Wildlife Habitat Education Program Invitational is held.
• All contestants must be members of Arkansas 4‐H during the year in which the National 4‐H Wildlife Habitat Education Program Invitational is held.
• The contestant, his or her county 4‐H staff member, and the Associate Director – 4‐H Youth Development must certify as follows on the application form:  "The contestant has not participated in post‐secondary coursework in judging or selection in the subject area of their national 4‐H competition, nor have they participated in training for a post‐secondary judging team in the subject area of their national 4‐H competition."  
• To remain eligible to compete in a national 4‐H competitive event, a 4‐H member MAY NOT (a) work with a collegiate judging team; and/or (b) enroll in college coursework.  
• The rules of the National 4‐H Wildlife Habitat Education Program Invitational allow team members to enter only once. Therefore, a team member who has previously entered and won “First Place ‐ Senior Team” at the Arkansas 4‐H Wildlife Habitat Education Program state contest and agrees to attend the national Invitational cannot re‐enter the Arkansas state contest.  However, such state winners can continue to participate in Arkansas WHEP as WHEP teen leaders.  

State Eligibility

• The team coach must notify the 4‐H Wildlife Habitat Education Program Coordinator in writing within 7 days after winning the state contest of the team’s intention to attend the Invitational.  If the winning team is ineligible, unable to attend, or no notification is received, the second place team will be given the opportunity to represent Arkansas at the Invitational.  After being notified, this team will have 7 days to notify the 4‐H Wildlife Habitat Education Program coordinator of the team’s intention to attend the Invitational.  If the second place team is ineligible, unable to attend, or no notification received in 7 days, the third place team will be offered the opportunity, and so on, until a team agrees to attend the Invitational.
• To be named a state winner in any category which provides a national trip, a 4‐H member must sign a written agreement or contract agreeing to attend the national competition as a member of the Arkansas 4‐H delegation.  Specifically, 4‐H members winning the state 4‐H Wildlife Habitat Education Contest must agree to participate in the national event as an Arkansas 4‐H delegate and must not have competed in a prior 4‐H Wildlife Habitat Education Invitational.  If the 4‐H member signs the agreement but does not attend, he/she will be expected to reimburse 4‐H for any cost incurred.
• Although 4‐H members of the winning Senior team are no longer eligible for the national Invitational or state contest, they are invited to continue participating in the Arkansas 4‐H Wildlife Habitat Education Program as a WHEP teen leader.  Responsibilities include assisting with the practice session, state contest, and training the new state winning Senior team.

State team composition

• In the event a team of three individuals wins the Arkansas state WHEP contest or a fourth team member is unable to participate, the team coach can request that the state WHEP coordinator seek a fourth team member.  
• The state WHEP coordinator will review the list of individuals who placed in the state contest.  The state coordinator will contact the county agent of the senior 4‐Her with the highest ranking and who either participated as an individual (i.e., not affiliated with a team) or participated in WHEP for the last time (i.e., graduating from high school).  If the county agent is agreeable, the senior contestant will be contacted and offered the opportunity to become a fourth member of the team.  If that person refuses, invitations will continue until the list of eligible seniors is exhausted or time runs out.  4‐Hers who have the opportunity to participate on a county WHEP team are ineligible to become a fourth team member, unless there are extenuating circumstances and the county agent and team coach(es) are in unanimous agreement of his/her participation.
• One team coach and one member of the Arkansas 4‐H Wildlife Education Program Advisory Committee will accompany the winning Senior team to the Invitational, unless the committee forfeits this option.  In that instance, the county agent selects an assistant coach who will attend the contest.  Preferably, the gender of team coaches will reflect the team composition.  For teams with both male and female members, preferably one male and one female adult will accompany the team. d. Lodging rules and policy followed by the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4‐H Center apply to out‐of‐state trips.  No adult(s) can lodge in the same room with unrelated youth. Check policy guidelines for details. e. Coaches and assistant coaches must either be an employee of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service or have a current 4‐H Volunteer Application Form, CES‐643 on file in the county Extension office and qualify under the CES Youth Protection Policy.  Coaches and assistant coaches (Extension employees excluded) must be age 25 before chaperoning an out‐of‐state 4‐H trip.  Extension employees must have prior approval from their supervisor before attending.

Trip expenses

• State contest funds, when available, are used to pay registration fees which include meals and lodging while at the Invitational.  
• The team is responsible for travel expenses to and from the contest location and any extra expenses associated with registration fees.  Local fundraising is encouraged with the local county agent responsible for overseeing the fund account and management.  
• Teams sometimes elect to arrive at the contest site location a day or two early and prepare for the contest by studying the surrounding habitat, visiting parks, and/or meeting experts in preparation for the contest.  State contest funds are not used for these additional expenses.  The Arkansas 4‐H Wildlife Habitat Education Program reserves the right not to pay extra activity fees.   

Youth who win the state WHEP contest and represent Arkansas at the 4‐H Wildlife Habitat Education Program National Invitational are eligible to continue participating in WHEP as a Teen Leader. Youth are invited to assist in a variety of ways, including: 

• teaching youth about wildlife and encourage participation in wildlife programs and projects;
• hosting a local WHEP Practice Session by giving an overview of the program and either teaching or enlisting wildlife, forestry, or fisheries professionals, WHEP leaders, or other experts to help with training;
• assisting with WHEP State Contest by leading groups through rotations, score room, and/or judging oral reasons;
• conduct fundraising activities for 4‐H Wildlife Programs.

Youth may continue serving as WHEP Teen Leaders and assisting with the program for the duration of their 4‐H career. Contact the WHEP Coordinator to learn more about opportunities and provide volunteer assistance for the WHEP program.

Junior individuals achieving the highest accumulative score for the events listed below are recognized.  First, second, third, fourth, and fifth places are awarded.    

• Wildlife Identification (60 points maximum):  The total number of correct responses is added together for this score.
• Wildlife Foods and Concepts (30 points maximum):  The total number of correct responses is added together for this score. 
• Interpreting Wildlife Habitat from Satellite Images (20 points maximum): The total number of correct responses is added together for this score. 
• Educational Activity (10 points maximum): The total number of correct responses is added together for this score.

Tie breaker:  Judges who prepare contest activities for Wildlife Identification and Wildlife Foods and Concepts will be encouraged to add one or more tie‐breaker questions. Tie breakers can be of any format, including open response.  These questions will not count toward the total score and will not be graded unless a tie occurs.  If a tie occurs, tie breaker questions for Wildlife Identification and Wildlife Foods and Concepts will be added together and the highest score declared the winner.  

If a tied score remains after grading the tie‐breaker questions (or if no tie‐breaker questions are offered), the individual with the highest total score in Wildlife Identification will be declared the winner.  If a tie remains, the individual with the highest total score in Wildlife Foods and Concepts will be declared the winner.  If a tie remains, the individual with the highest total score in Interpreting Wildlife Habitat from Satellite Images will be declared the winner. If a tie remains, the individual with the highest team score in Wildlife Management Practices will be declared the winner.  If the tie cannot be broken, a coin toss will be used to determine the winner.   

Team Achievement Junior teams with the highest overall score are recognized.  First, second, third, fourth, and fifth places are awarded.  The team score will include Wildlife Habitat Practices, plus the three scores added together for Wildlife Identification, Foods & Concepts, Interpreting Satellite Images, and Educational Activity.  If a team has a fourth member, the lowest individual score will be dropped.  

The team score is comprised of 60% individual scores and 40% from the team activity. 

• Wildlife Identification (180 points maximum):  The three highest individual scores are added together.
• Wildlife Foods and Concepts (90 points maximum):  The three highest individual scores are added together. 
• Interpreting Wildlife Habitat from Satellite Images (60 points maximum):  The three highest individual scores are added together. 
• Educational Activity (30 points maximum): The three highest individual scores are added together. 
• Wildlife Management Practices Team Event (240 points maximum).  The total number of possible correct answers is calculated by multiplying the number of wildlife management practices on the scorecard (rows) by the number of species (columns). This can be more than 240 points. Therefore, the team's score is re-calculated using a 240-point maximum  scale. See scoring in the Senior section for details.

Participants are given credit for:

• putting an “X” in the appropriate boxes; and
• leaving boxes blank where no “X” is indicated on the wildlife management practice chart.  
• Make sure the "X" completely fills the box from corner to corner and is visibly dark. A tiny "x" lightly written in the center of a box will likely not receive credit.

Answers will be incorrect if:

• boxes that should be marked are left blank; and
• boxes that should not be marked are marked.  

All boxes are counted in the scoring. For example, there are 184 possible correct answers, because the region has 23 wildlife management practices multiplied by 8 species on an answer sheet.  This activity is worth 200 points maximum, therefore a conversion factor will be used to make the score equivalent to a 200 point scale.  

Tie breaker:  In case of a tie, the team with the highest score in Wildlife Management Practices will be declared the winner.  If a tie remains, the team with the highest accumulative individual scores in Wildlife Identification will be declared the winner.  If a tie remains, the team with the highest accumulative individual scores in Wildlife Foods and Concepts will be declared the winner.  If a tie remains, the team with the highest accumulative individual scores in Interpreting Wildlife Habitat from Satellite Images will be declared the winner.  If a time remains, the team with the highest accumulative individual scores in Educational Activity will be declared a winner. If the tie cannot be broken, a coin toss will be used to determine the winner.   

Senior individuals achieving the highest accumulative score for the events listed below are recognized.  First, second, third, fourth, and fifth places are awarded.

• Wildlife Identification (60 points maximum):  The total number of correct responses is added together for this score.
• Wildlife Foods and Concepts (30 points maximum):  The total number of correct responses is added together for this score. 
• On Site Recommendation of Wildlife Management Practices (110 points maximum). Make sure the "X" completely fills the box from corner to corner and is visibly dark. A tiny "x" lightly written in the center of a box will likely not receive credit.

Scoring Instructions for Wildlife Management Practices

The total number of possible correct answers is calculated by multiplying the number of wildlife management practices on the scorecard (rows) by the number of species (columns). It is often more than 110 points. Therefore, the individual's score is re-calculated using a 110-point scale.   

Total Score = [(number of correct answers marked by the contestant minus number of incorrect answers) divided by total number of possible correct answers marked by specialist in charge] multiplied by 110.

The total number of possible correct answers is the number of Xs marked on the card by the specialist(s) in charge. For example, a WMP score sheet key includes 20 correct answers. The contestant marks 15 correct answers, but also marks (or doesn’t mark) 5 incorrect answers. The contestant’s score is calculated as [(15 – 5 = 10) / 20 = 0.50] X 110 = 55 points.

Tie breaker:  In case of a tie, the individual with the highest score in Wildlife Identification will be declared the winner.  If a tie remains, the individual with the highest score in Wildlife Foods and Concepts will be declared the winner.  If a tie remains, the individual with the highest score in Wildlife Management Practices will be declared the winner.  If the tie cannot be broken, a coin toss will be used to determine the winner.   

Senior teams with the highest overall score are recognized.  First, second, third, fourth, and fifth places are awarded.  The team score will be the sum of the three individual scores on the team, plus the team score for Wildlife Management Plan and three scores for Oral Defense.  If a team has a fourth member, the lowest individual score for each event (i.e., Wildlife Identification, Wildlife Foods and Concepts, Wildlife Management Practices, Oral Reasons) will be dropped. 

The team score is comprised of 60% individual scores and 40% from the team activity. 

• Wildlife Identification (180 points maximum):  The three highest individual scores are added together.
• Wildlife Foods and Concepts (90 points maximum):  The three highest individual scores are added together. 
• On Site Recommendation of Wildlife Management Practices (330 points maximum). The three highest individual scores are added together. 
• Wildlife Management Plan (250 points maximum):  Each judge completes a scorcard, and their scores are averaged to determine the team score for the plan.   
• Oral Defense (50 maximum individual points; 150 maximum team points): Each judge completes a 100-point scorecard, which is divided by 2 for converting to a 50-point scale. If there is more than one judge, their responses are averaged together to determine the individual's score for the oral defense. The three highest individual scores are added together for the team score.

Tie breaker:  In case of a tie, the team with the highest score for the Wildlife Management Plan will be declared the winner.  If a tie remains, the team with the highest accumulative individual scores in Wildlife Identification will be declared the winner.  If a tie remains, the team with the highest accumulative individual scores in Wildlife Foods and Concepts will be declared the winner.  If a tie remains, the team with the highest accumulative individual scores in Wildlife Management Practices will be declared the winner. If the tie cannot be broken, a coin toss will be used to determine the winner.