Wildlife and Recreation Management Study Guide PROMOTING WILDLIFE EDUCATION FOR FFA AND 4-H A Guide for Texas Agricultural Science Teachers and County AgriLife Extension Agents Developed by the Wildlife Alliance for Youth Members Association of Texas Soil and Water Conservation Districts Texas FFA Association/Texas Education Agency Texas Parks and Wildlife Texas Soil and Water Conservation Board USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service Welder Wildlife Foundation Wetland Habitat Alliance of Texas Updated and Revised – August, 2011 i Contents Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1 Objectives of the Wildlife and Recreation Management Career Development Event ...................................................................................... 2 General Wildlife Management Principles ................................................................. 2 Wildlife and Recreation Management Rules Purpose ......................................................................................................... 3 Format & Scoring .......................................................................................... 3 Tiebreakers ................................................................................................... 6 Entries and Fees ........................................................................................... 7 Event Operations .......................................................................................... 8 Appeals & Grievances ................................................................................... 9 Equipment ................................................................................................... 10 Event Sites .................................................................................................. 10 Fiduciary Management ................................................................................ 11 Competition Dress ....................................................................................... 11 Vocabulary ............................................................................................................. 13 Plant List, Wildlife Species, and Habitat Management Practices Region I ....................................................................................................... 15 Region II ...................................................................................................... 16 Region III ..................................................................................................... 17 Region IV .................................................................................................... 18 Region V ..................................................................................................... 19 State ............................................................................................................ 20 Wildlife Plant Identification - Question 1 Group I - Trees, Shrubs, and Vines ............................................................. 21 Group II - Grasses and Forbs ...................................................................... 32 Wildlife Plant Food Preference - Question 2 .......................................................... 41 Wildlife Biological Facts - Question 3 ..................................................................... 51 Whitetailed Deer .......................................................................................... 53 Mule Deer .................................................................................................... 50 Pronghorn Antelope .................................................................................... 63 Javelina ....................................................................................................... 67 Squirrel (Fox and Gray) ............................................................................... 71 Bobwhite Quail ............................................................................................ 77 Scaled Quail ................................................................................................ 83 Ring-necked Pheasant ................................................................................ 87 Wild Turkey ................................................................................................. 91 Mourning Dove ............................................................................................ 95 Waterfowl .................................................................................................. 101 ii Wildlife Habitat Evaluation- Question 4 ................................................................ 109 Habitat Management - Question 5 ....................................................................... 115 Animal Damage ......................................................................................... 117 Population Management ........................................................................... 121 Brush Management ................................................................................... 124 Cropland Management .............................................................................. 127 Food Plots ................................................................................................. 129 Grazing Management ................................................................................ 135 Prescribed Burning .................................................................................... 138 Provide and Manage Water....................................................................... 142 Range Planting .......................................................................................... 144 Disking ...................................................................................................... 147 Overseeding Legumes .............................................................................. 148 Thin Timber ............................................................................................... 150 Retain Large Hardwoods........................................................................... 153 Streamside Management Zones ............................................................... 155 Playa Lake Management........................................................................... 156 Cover and Windbreaks .............................................................................. 158 Residue Management ............................................................................... 160 Clearcut Patches in Timber ....................................................................... 161 Deaden Hardwoods .................................................................................. 164 Leave Unmowed Strips ............................................................................. 168 Construct Firebreaks/access Roads ......................................................... 170 Fish and Game Laws - Question 6 ....................................................................... 173 Safety - Question 7 .............................................................................................. 175 Techniques - Question 8 ...................................................................................... 177 Appendix .............................................................................................................. 179 iii Introduction Millions of people travel throughout Texas each year to enjoy the beauty and splendor of this unique state. The state and federal agencies and the private industries and individuals involved in this career development event (CDE) in Texas hope that students and teachers will develop an awareness and better understanding of the biology and management needed to sustain the wildlife resources available to the people. This CDE is an excellent opportunity for students to gain considerable insight into wildlife biology and management opportunities. Today, many aspects of our progressive lifestyle threaten wildlife habitat. A conscientious effort must be made to protect this valuable resource. Students participating in this career development event will become more informed regarding the use and management of natural resources. 1 Objectives of the Wildlife and Recreation Management Career Development Event 1) To familiarize students with the efforts of the Natural Resources Conservation Service the Texas Parks and Wildlife, Soil Water Conservation Districts, and other conservation partners in stressing proper management of our wildlife resources. 2) To establish the importance of habitat requirements for selected wildlife species in Texas. 3) To reinforce knowledge of the Texas fish and game laws. 4) To create an awareness and understanding of the importance of safety while enjoying the outdoors. This competition addresses the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (§130.5) required for mastery in Wildlife, Fisheries, & Ecology Management as required by the Texas Education Agency and outlined in PEIMS Code 13001500. General Wildlife Management Principles This section is from a review of basic wildlife management principles by Eric Frasier, Executive Director, Wetland Habitat Alliance of Texas, Nacogdoches, TX. A copy of the original review can be obtained from the local Natural Resource Conservation Office. Wildlife habitat is another word for home. Like humans, wildlife has basic biological needs. Habitat for wildlife