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WHEP Coaching

My son decided he wanted to compete, so I became a leader. The leader doesn’t have to be an expert to be involved in the contest (our area team won state and placed 11th at Nationals in 2001). The manual is awesome and has the information needed!

We didn’t even have a manual when we attended the first contest. The “experts” and other leaders are very willing to assist newcomers. Remember, all rules and guidelines should be followed to make coaching fun!

Steps for leaders:

I plan practices using the manual and usually start with the Wildlife Foods chart. In addition, I also assign 1-2 animals per member, every practice, they study those species and come back with a short oral report for the group at the next meeting. We emphasize to the members that most animal’s needs are: water, food, shelter and space.

During the next practice, after talking about the needs of 2-3 animals, we write an urban or rural habitat plan for the animals. To do this you must go to a site that can be managed for those animals. The leader’s manual has a good activity that shows how animals have many needs that are the same and many needs that are different.

We then move onto the wildlife management practices chart and emphasize that this chart is the way to improve a piece of land for that animal. Not every piece of land needs every improvement listed and sometimes the improvement is not applicable (you can’t stop leaks for a pond that doesn’t exist).

We try to have most practices on sites where members can practice the habitat plans and management practices chart. I also have them practice the food chart with different plants, etc. at almost every meeting.

We work on the aerial photo interpretation portion and oral reasons when we are not able to go outside. The leader’s manual has an excellent guide for oral reasons. The food chart can also be practiced inside.

The state Wildlife Habitat Camp is an excellent way to learn about wildlife habitat conservation. Everyone is very helpful and most of the adults at the contest are experts in the field of wildlife. Most Fish & Wildlife Service or Nebraska Game & Parks office staff are willing to assist with lessons.