Wildlife Management (JHARVNC)

Summary:

Wildlife management techniques and habitat needs such as food, water, shelter and space are explored. This program may include a discussion of food plots and attracting wildlife.

Grade Level:

K-8

Recommended Setting:

Classroom, natural habitats, food plots or different managed habitats

Outdoor Activity:

No

Location:

Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, Fort Smith

Contact:

Education Program Coordinator, 479-452-3993

Duration:

30-45 minutes

Suggested Number of Participants:

25-30

Special Conditions:

Weather permitting, outdoor activity

Objectives:

  • Learn how wildlife management evolved
  • Understand different types of wildlife management
  • Define habitat and components of habitat
  • Learn types of programs available for landowners 

Key Terms*:

Carrying capacity
Components of habitat
Extinction
Habitat
Wildlife management

*See glossary for definations

Materials:

None

Background:

  1. Introduction
    • Wildlife is any non-domestic animal
    • Wildlife conservation is the wise use of wildlife resources
    • Users of wildlife
      • Consumptive users (hunters)
      • Nonconsumptive users (bird watchers, photographers, hikers, and campers)
    • History of wildlife management
      • Wildlife management began in Europe
      • Wildlife becomes extinct (passenger pigeon)
      • Laws were passed
  2. Wildlife Management
    • Conservation is the wise use of resources
    • Preservation is the nonuse of resources
    • Wildlife management tools
      • Fire or controlled burning
      • Fertilization
      • Food plots
      • Shelter belts
      • Timber sales
      • Hunting
      • A responsible hunter
    • Habitat is the natural environment of a plant or animal that supplies its needs
      • Best in spring (large food supply)
      • In summer, large populations diminish food supply
      • Starvation can occur due to limited food supply
      • The worst effect on wildlife is habitat destruction 
      • Carrying capacity - the amount of wildlife each habitat can support throughout the year
      • Hunting  seasons are primarily in the fall and winter; an important wildlife management tool that controls wildlife populations
    • Components of habitat
      • Food
      • Cover
      • Water
      • Space Arrangement of the environment
  3. Informing the public
    • The future of wildlife depends on people
    • Sportsmen do not endanger animal populations through regulated hunting
    • Wildlife programs need support, license and permit fees pay for this
    • Wildlife regulations are made to help manage wildlife and protect the hunter

Procedure:

  1. Introduce the evolution of wildlife management from extinction to conservation
  2. Discuss different management tools and practices
  3. Discuss habitat, components of habitat and carrying capacity.
  4. Discuss AGFC’s role in wildlife management and the programs readily available for landowners and sportsmen, either consumptive or nonconsumptive. 

Review:

  • Name an animal that was hunted into extinction and why.
  • What is meant by preservation?
  • What are some management tools?
  • What is carrying capacity?
  • List components of a habitat.
  • How can Arkansas Game and Fish help landowners?

Glossary:

Carrying capacity – amount of wildlife or fish an area of land or water can sustain which may be affected by available food, water and space

 

Components of habitat – space, food, water and shelter

 

Extinction – in biology, no longer in existence; the death or ceasing to exist of all members of a species or family of organisms

 

Habitat – an arrangement of food, water, shelter or cover, and space suitable to animals’ needs

 

Wildlife management – application of scientific knowledge and technical skills to protect, preserve, conserve, limit, enhance or extend the value of wildlife and its habitat