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

7-2. Scorecard

The written plan is judged by one, two or more experts using the Judge's Scorecard.   Contestants are encouranged to configure their written plan to meet the criteria described in the scorecard. Experts who judge the plans are wildlife and forestry professionals or other related natural resource professionals. 

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

1. 1. Each Senior contestant needs to bring pencils and a clipboard. The clipboard may be labeled for identification purposes, but no other writing is allowed. A set of colored pencils is optional for drawing the sketch map.
   2. This is a team event, so talking with your teammates is allowed.
   3. Each team will be provided with a Field Condition Sheet (scenario) and possibly a satellite image of the identified area (optional).
   4. Each team will receive three blank sheets of unlined paper for the plan, and additional blank pages for team members to brainstorm ideas and draft the narrative and sketch map.
   5. Teams may use one side each of three pieces of paper for writing their narrative and map. Write the team id number and team member names on one side of each page. Use the other side for the narrative and map.
   6. Two 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. Memorize the headings Plan Background, Plan Development, Plan Implementation, and Plan Evaluation to organize your narrative.
   7. One sheet is for a sketch map illustrating where practices are implemented. The designated area needs to be drawn with identifying features and a legend for judges to understand. The sketch map shows where recommended practices will be implemented. The legend describes symbols on your map, such as forest, grassland, and where brush piles or nesting boxes are installed.
   8. An important life skill is the ability to follow directions. Plans not written in the proper format without section headings or incorrectly identified 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, so we are preparing youth to follow this format.
   9. A sketch map is an important part of the plan. Sketch maps are NOT optional. Points will be deducted if a sketch map is not submitted.
   10. Teams will have about 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.

Contest rules are designed to prepare the winning state team for the national contest. Failure to follow contest rules could result in lost points. For example, writing the plan on both sides instead of one side of a page results in lost points as judges can only score one side of the paper.