7.0 Wildlife Management Plan (Seniors Only)
Referring to an identified area, Senior teams make written recommendations based on landowner objectives as stated on a Field Condition Sheet (scenario). The written plan showcases team members’ knowledge about wildlife habitat needs, ecology concepts, and application of management practices using appropriate terminology and technical writing skills.
7-1. Study materials and guide
The team is provided a scenario for writing their plan. The scenario typically includes three to six species selected from the announced ecoregion. The handbook chapters serve as study materials, particularly species descriptions, wildlife foods and concepts, satellite images, and wildlife management practices.
The Study Guideprovides a structure for writing the plan. Follow the study guide closely for this activity.
Following are examples of scenarios from prior contests.
Mississippi Alluvial Valley scenario (2023)
7-2. Scorecard
The written plan is judged by wildlife professionals using the Judge's Scorecard. Contestants are encouranged to configure their written plan to meet the criteria described in the scorecard.
7-3. Event description
From the Field Condition Sheet, each team interprets the landowner's objectives, identifies the focal species, recommends wildlife management practices and their intended impact, and states how the objectives will be measured as part of the plan evaluation. The Judge's Scorecard details how plans are judged and should be considered when writing the plan.
Contest Rules
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- Each Senior contestant brings pencils and a clipboard. The clipboard may be labeled for identification purposes, but no other writing is allowed. Optionally, one contestant may bring a set of colored pencils for drawing the sketch map.
- This is a team event, so talking with your teammates is allowed.
- Each team will be provided with a Field Condition Sheet (scenario) and possibly a satellite image of the identified area (optional).
- Each team will receive three blank sheets of unlined paper for writing the plan and sketch map. Several additional blank pages will be provided for drafting the plan and sketch map, and for team members to brainstorm ideas.
- Teams may use one side each of three sheets of paper for writing their narrative and map. Write the team id number and team member names on the other side of each page.
- Two of the three sheets are for writing the narrative. All plans must be written using paragraph format. Do NOT use bulleted lists. Use the headings outlined in the study guide and on the Judges’ Scoring Sheet (Plan Background, Plan Development, Plan Implementation, and Plan Evaluation) to organize the narrative.
- One of the three sheets is for a sketch map illustrating where practices are implemented. The designated area needs to be drawn with identifying features and a legend. The legend can indicate symbols on your map for features, habitat, or management practices, such as forest, grassland, and where brush piles or nesting boxes are installed, etc.
- An important life skill is the ability to follow directions. Incomplete or incorrect plans not written in the proper format, such as without section headings or without a sketch map, will be deducted points or not be judged at all, at the discretion of the judges. For example, if a plan is written on both sides of a single sheet of paper, only one side may be judged and receive points. This format is how plans are written at the national contest.
- Teams turn in their written plan and sketch map to the station monitor. Teams are allowed up to 1 ½ hours to complete this event, including preparation for Oral Reasons.
Scoring
This event is scored by one or more wildlife, forestry, and/or natural resource professionals serving as judges using the Judge's Scorecard. It is a significant part of the overall team score and often determines the state team winner.
