Fish and Wildlife Merit Badge

Important information for parents about how to prepare

your scout for Fish and Wildlife Merit Badge at Burke

Lake Park. Please print pages 3-9 of PDF to bring to class.

Be sure that you are familiar with the requirements for the merit badge your scout has

selected. Some badges can be are very demanding and may take considerable time and planning to

complete. Some badges are not appropriate for younger scouts. Please bring your blue card. We do not have blue cards.

Most Merit Badges are not designed to be completed in a single session with an instructor, so it is not

always possible to walk away with a completed and signed blue card at the end a program. Every badge

requires some independent work by your scout. We call this "pre-work" because, if these requirements are

performed prior to our program, we can complete and sign the merit badge card. Otherwise we will initial

the specific requirements covered at the completion of our program and will have qualified counselors

review the unmet requirements on an individual basis when your scout has completed them. Note you will

have to contact and schedule an appointment with an appropriate staff member to do this. Not all staff

members are qualified for all badges.

Please prepare for the possibility that you may have to stay for the program and not just drop off your

scout. We encourage that one or more adults remain. There is no a fee for adults and you are sure to learn

something. This will allow the instructor to concentrate more fully on the difficult task of imparting all the

required information and assisting the boys individually if necessary, while other adults keep the

atmosphere calm and productive. It is also in keeping with the scouting guidelines for youth protection.

Be sure your scout is dressed appropriately for being outdoors for some or all of the program time.

Packing water and snacks is wise for long programs and programs scheduled in hot weather months.

Lastly, obtaining copies of the scout resource booklet for the merit badge can help prepare your scout

working with his counselor and for completing any independent study. Books for the badges can be

ordered at your local scouting store or at www.scoutstuff.org .

Thank you! And best wishes for success to your scout.

Fish & Wildlife: This is one 4-hour class. PLEASE BRING A

CAMERA.

Pre-Work (or Post-Work):

Requirement #5. We suggest 5C or 5D.

Requirement #8. Keep reading for more details....

http://www.scoutstuff.org/http:www.scoutstuff.org

FISH & WILDLIFE MERIT BADGE

BE PREPARED: The Fish & Wildlife Merit Badge program is four hours long, and covers a lot of material, including time in the field. Bring water and snacks (even an easy-to-eat sandwich).

Wear closed shoes that will protect your feet and provide good support for walking. Dress for the

weatherhats and gloves in the cold; sunscreen, bug spray and other anti-tick measures in warm

weather.

BRING YOUR BLUE CARD WITH YOU. We do not have blue cards at the park. Your troop leader

provides these to you. Please bring a camera to complete 6A.

PRE-WORK:

You must, either before or after the program, complete Requirement #5. We suggest 5C or 5D

as projects that are within easy reach of most scouts.

5. Do ONE of the following: C. Design and implement a backyard wildlife habitat improvement project and report theresults.D. Design and construct a wildlife blind near a game trail, water hole, salt lick, bird feeder, or

birdbath and take good photographs or make sketches from the blind of any combination of

10 wild birds, mammals, reptiles, or amphibians.

We will attempt to complete Requirement #6A during the program. However, if we cannot meet

that requirement you can complete #6B as an alternative. Any work you do on completing either

of these options before the program will bring you that much closer to completing the badge.

Requirements covered in our program:1. Describe the meaning and purposes of fish and wildlife conservation and management. 2. List and discuss at least three major problems that continue to threaten your state's fish and wildlife

resources.

3. Describe some practical ways in which everyone can help with the fish and wildlife conservation effort.

4. List and describe five major fish and wildlife management practices used by managers in your state.

6. Do ONE of the following: a. Observe and record 25 species of wildlife. Your list may include mammals, birds, reptiles,

amphibians, and fish. Write down when and where each animal was seen.

b. List the wildlife species in your state that are classified as endangered, threatened, exotic, game species, furbearers, or migratory game birds.

7. Do ONE of the following:

a. Determine the age of five species of fish from scale samples or identify various age classes of one

species in a lake and report the results.

8. Using resources found at the library and in periodicals, books, and the Internet (with your parent's

permission), learn about three different kinds of work done by fish and wildlife managers. Find out the

education and training requirements for each position. (See resource below.)

If you have your parents' permission to use the internet, here is a good source about careers in Fish and

Wildlife Management: http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/jobs/careers.asp

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/jobs/careers.asphttp://www.dgif.virginia.gov/jobs/careers.asp

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fish and Wildlife Management Merit Badge Workbook

This workbook can help you but you still need to read the merit badge pamphlet.

This Workbook can help you organize your thoughts as you prepare to meet with your merit badge counselor.

You still must satisfy your counselor that you can demonstrate each skill and have learned the information.

You should use the work space provided for each requirement to keep track of which requirements have been completed,

and to make notes for discussing the item with your counselor, not for providing full and complete answers.

If a requirement says that you must take an action using words such as "discuss", "show",

"tell", "explain", "demonstrate", "identify", etc, that is what you must do.

Merit Badge Counselors may not require the use of this or any similar workbooks.

No one may add or subtract from the official requirements found in Boy Scout Requirements (Pub. 33216 SKU 637685).

The requirements were last issued or revised in 2017 This workbook was updated in January 2017.

Scouts Name:__________________________________________ Unit: __________________________________________

Counselors Name: ______________________________________ Counselors Phone No.: ___________________________

http://www.USScouts.Org http://www.MeritBadge.Org

Please submit errors, omissions, comments or suggestions about this workbook to: Workbooks@USScouts.Org Comments or suggestions for changes to the requirements for the merit badge should be sent to: Merit.Badge@Scouting.Org

1. Describe the meaning and purposes of fish and wildlife conservation and management.

2. List and discuss at least three major problems that continue to threaten your states fish and wildlife resources.

1.

2.

Workbook Copyright 2017 - U.S. Scouting Service Project, Inc. - All Rights Reserved Requirements Copyright, Boy Scouts of America (Used with permission.)

This workbook may be reproduced and used locally by Scouts and Scouters for purposes consistent with the programs of the Boy

Scouts of America (BSA), the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM) or other Scouting and Guiding Organizations.

However it may NOT be used or reproduced for electronic redistribution or for commercial or other non-Scouting purposes without the express permission of the U. S. Scouting Service Project, Inc. (USSSP).

http://www.usscouts.org/http://www.meritbadge.org/mailto:Workbooks@usscouts.org?subject=Merit%20Badge%20Workbooksmailto:merit.badge@scouting.org

Fish and Wildlife Management Scout's Name: ________________________

3.

3. Describe some practical ways in which everyone can help with the fish and wildlife conservation effort.

4. List and describe five major fish and wildlife management practices used by managers in your state.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Fish and Wildlife Management - Merit Badge Workbook Page. 2 of 8

Fish and Wildlife Management Scout's Name: ________________________

5. Do ONE of the following:

a. Construct, erect, and check regularly at least two artificial nest boxes (wood duck, bluebird, squirrel, etc.) and keep written records for one nesting season.

b. Construct, erect, and check regularly bird feeders and keep written records of the kinds of birds visiting the feeders.

c. Develop and implement a fishery improvement project or a backyard wildlife habitat improvement project. Share the results with your counselor

d. Design and construct a wildlife blind near a game trail, water hole, salt lick, bird feeder, or birdbath and take good photographs or make sketches from the blind of any combination of 10 wild birds, mammals, reptiles, or amphibians.

6. Do ONE of the following:

a. Observe and record 25 species of wildlife. Your list may include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Write down when and where each animal was seen.

Species When seen Where seen:

1.:

2.:

3.:

4.:

5.:

6.:

7.:

8.:

9.:

10.:

11.:

Fish and Wildlife Management - Merit Badge Workbook Page. 3 of 8

Fish and Wildlife Management Scout's Name: ________________________

12.:

13.:

14.:

15.:

16.:

17.:

18.:

19.:

20.:

21.:

22.:

23.:

24.:

25.:

b. List the wildlife species in your state that are classified as endangered, threatened, exotic, non-native, game species, furbearers, or migratory game birds.

Migratory Non- Game

Wildlife Species Endangered Threatened Exotic Furbearer Game Native Species

Bird

Discuss with your counselor management practices in place or being developed for at least three of these species.

Fish and Wildlife Management - Merit Badge Workbook Page. 4 of 8

Fish and Wildlife Management Scout's Name: ________________________

c. Start a scrapbook of North American wildlife. Insert markers to divide the book into separate parts for mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Collect articles on such subjects as life histories, habitat, behavior, and feeding habits on all of the five categories and place them in your notebook accordingly. Articles and pictures may be taken from newspapers or science, nature, and outdoor magazines, or from other sources including the Internet (with your parents permission). Enter at least five articles on mammals, five on birds, five on reptiles, five on amphibians, and five on fish. Put each animal on a separate sheet in alphabetical order. Include pictures whenever possible.

7. Do ONE of the following:

a. Determine the age of five species of fish from scale samples or identify various age classes of one species in a lake and report the results.

Determine the age of five species of fish from scale samples

Fish Species 1:

Fish Species 2:

Fish Species 3:

Fish Species 4:

Fish Species 5:

Age:

Age:

Age:

Age:

Age:

Identify various age classes of one species in a lake and report the results.

b. Conduct a creel census on a small lake to estimate catch per unit effort.

c. Examine the stomach contents of three fish and record the findings. It is not necessary to catch any fish for this option. You must visit a cleaning station set up for fishermen or find another, similar alternative.

Fish Species 1:

Stomach contents:

Fish Species 2

Stomach contents:

Fish and Wildlife Management - Merit Badge Workbook Page. 5 of 8

Fish and Wildlife Management Scout's Name: ________________________

Fish Species 3

Stomach contents:

d. Make a freshwater aquarium. Include at least four species of native plants and four species of animal life, such as whirligig beetles, freshwater shrimp, tadpoles, water snails, and golden shiners.

Plants

1.

2.

3.

4.

Animal life

1

2.

3.

4.

After 60 days of observation, discuss with your counselor the life cycles, food chains, and management needs you have recognized

life cycles

food chains

management needs

Fish and Wildlife Management - Merit Badge Workbook Page. 6 of 8

Fish and Wildlife Management Scout's Name: ________________________

After completing requirement 7d to your counselors satisfaction, with your counselors assistance, check local laws to determine what you should do with the specimens you have collected.

8. Using resources found at the library and in periodicals, books, and the internet (with your parents permission), learn about three different positions held by fisheries and/or wildlife professionals. Find out the education and training requirements for each position..

1.

2.

3.

http://www.meritbadge.o

Fish and Wildlife Management - Merit Badg

Requirement resources can be found here:

rg/wiki/index.php/Fish and Wildlife Management#Requirement resources

e Workbook Page. 7 of 8

http://www.meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Fish_and_Wildlife_Management#Requirement_resources

Important excerpts from the Guide To Advancement - 2015, No. 33088 (SKU-620573)

[1.0.0.0] Introduction The current edition of the Guide to Advancement is the official source for administering advancement in all Boy Scouts of America programs: Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Varsity Scouting, Venturing, and Sea Scouts. It replaces any previous BSA advancement manuals and previous editions of the Guide to Advancement.

[Page 2, and 5.0.1.4] Policy on Unauthorized Changes to Advancement Program No council, committee, district, unit, or individual has the authority to add to, or subtract from, advancement requirements. There are limited exceptions relating only to youth members with special needs. For details see section 10, Advancement for Members With Special Needs.

[Page 2] The Guide to Safe Scouting Applies Policies and procedures outlined in the Guide to Safe Scouting, No. 34416, apply to all BSA activities, including those related to advancement and Eagle Scout service projects.

[7.0.3.1] The Buddy System and Certifying Completion A youth member must not meet one-on-one with an adult. Sessions with counselors must take place where others can view the interaction, or the Scout must have a buddy: a friend, parent, guardian, brother, sister, or other relativeor better yet, another Scout working on the same badgealong with him attending the session. If merit badge counseling or instruction includes any Web-based interaction, it must be conducted in accordance with the BSA Social Media Guidelines (http://www.scouting.org/Marketing/Resources/SocialMedia). For example, always copy one or more authorized adults on email messages between counselors and Scouts. When the Scout meets with the counselor, he should bring any required projects. If these cannot be transported, he should present evidence, such as photographs or adult verification. His unit leader, for example, might state that a satisfactory bridge or tower has been built for the Pioneering merit badge, or that meals were prepared for Cooking. If there are questions that requirements were met, a counselor may confirm with adults involved. Once satisfied, the counselor signs the blue card using the date upon which the Scout completed the requirements, or in the case of partials, initials the individual requirements passed. Note that from time to time, it may be appropriate for a requirement that has been met for one badge to also count for another. See Fulfilling More Than One Requirement With a Single Activity, 4.2.3.6.

[7.0.3.2] Group Instruction It is acceptableand sometimes desirablefor merit badges to be taught in group settings. This often occurs at camp and merit badge midways, fairs, clinics, or similar events. Interactive group discussions can support learning. The method can also be attractive to guest experts assisting registered and approved counselors. Slide shows, skits, demonstrations, panels, and various other techniques can also be employed, but as any teacher can attest, not everyone will learn all the material. There must be attention to each individuals projects and his fulfillment of all requirements. We must know that every Scout actually and personally completed them. If, for example, a requirement uses words like show, demonstrate, or discuss, then every Scout must do that. It is unacceptable to award badges on the basis of sitting in classrooms watching demonstrations, or remaining silent during discussions. It is sometimes reported that Scouts who have received merit badges through group instructional settings have not fulfilled all the requirements. To offer a quality merit badge program, council and district advancement committees should ensure the following are in place for all group instructional events. A culture is established for merit badge group instructional events that partial completions are acceptable expected results. A guide or information sheet is distributed in advance of events that promotes the acceptability of partials, explains how merit badges can be finished after

events, lists merit badge prerequisites, and provides other helpful information that will establish realistic expectations for the number of merit badges that can be earned at an event.

Merit badge counselors are known to be registered and approved. Any guest experts or guest speakers, or others assisting who are not registered and approved as merit badge counselors, do not accept the responsibilities of,

or behave as, merit badge counselors, either at a group instructional event or at any other time. Their service is temporary, not ongoing. Counselors agree to sign off only requirements that Scouts have actually and personally completed. Counselors agree not to assume prerequisites have been completed without some level of evidence that the work has been done. Pictures and letters from

other merit badge counselors or unit leaders are the best form of prerequisite documentation when the actual work done cannot be brought to the camp or site of the merit badge event.

There is a mechanism for unit leaders or others to report concerns to a council advancement committee on summer camp merit badge programs, group instructional events, and any other merit badge counseling issuesespecially in instances where it is believed BSA procedures are not followed. See Reporting Merit Badge Counseling Concerns, 11.1.0.0.

There must be attention to each individuals projects and his fulfillment of all requirements. We must know that every Scoutactually and personally completed them.

It is permissible for guest speakers, guest experts, or others who are not merit badge counselors to assist in the counseling process. Those providing such assistance must be under the direction of a registered and approved counselor who is readily available onsite, and provides personal supervision to assure all applicable BSA policies and proceduresincluding those related to BSA Youth Protectionare in place and followed.

[7.0.3.3] Partial Completions A Scout need not pass all the requirements of one merit badge with the same counselor. It may be that due to timing or location issues, etc., he must meet with a different counselor to finish the badge. The Application for Merit Badge has a place to record what has been finisheda partial. In the center section on the reverse of the blue card, the counselor initials for each requirement passed. In the case of a partial completion, the counselor does not retain his or her portion of the card. A subsequent counselor may choose not to accept partial work, but this should be rare. A Scout, if he believes he is being treated unfairly, may work with his unit leader to find another counselor. An example for the use of a signed partial would be to take it to camp as proof of prerequisites. Partials have no expiration except the Scouts 18th birthday. Units, districts, or councils shall not establish other expiration dates for partial merit badges.

[7.0.4.8] Unofficial Worksheets and Learning Aids Worksheets and other materials that may be of assistance in earning merit badges are available from a variety of places including unofficial sources on the Internet and even troop libraries. Use of these aids is permissible as long as the materials can be correlated with the current requirements that Scouts must fulfill. Completing worksheets may suffice where a requirement calls for something in writing, but this would not work for a requirement where the Scout must discuss, tell, show, or demonstrate, etc. Note that Scouts shall not be required to use these learning aids in order to complete a merit badge.

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/toc.aspxhttp://www.scouting.org/Marketing/Resources/SocialMedia

eclpfishwildlifebadgepreworksheets.docxFish & Wildlife: This is one 4-hour class. PLEASE BRING A CAMERA. Pre-Work (or Post-Work): Requirement #5. We suggest 5C or 5D. Requirement #8. Keep reading for more details.... FISH & WILDLIFE MERIT BADGE BE PREPARED: The Fish & Wildlife Merit Badge program is four hours long, and covers a lot of material, including time in the field. Bring water and snacks (even an easy-to-eat sandwich). Wear closed shoes that will protect your feet and provide good support for walking. Dress for the weatherhats and gloves in the cold; sunscreen, bug spray and other anti-tick measures in warm weather. BRING YOUR BLUE CARD WITH YOU. We do not have blue cards at the park. Your troop leader provides these to you. Please bring a camera to complete 6A. You must, either before or after the program, complete Requirement #5. We suggest 5C or 5D as projects that are within easy reach of most scouts. 5. Do ONE of the following: C. Design and implement a backyard wildlife habitat improvement project and report the results. D. Design and construct a wildlife blind near a game trail, water hole, salt lick, bird feeder, or birdbath and take good photographs or make sketches from the blind of any combination of 10 wild birds, mammals, reptiles, or amphibians.

We will attempt to complete Requirement #6A during the program. However, if we cannot meet that requirement you can complete #6B as an alternative. Any work you do on completing either of these options before the program will bring you that much closer to completing the badge. a. Observe and record 25 species of wildlife. Your list may include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Write down when and where each animal was seen.

Fish_and_Wildlife_Management.pdf

Scouts Name: Unit: Counselors Name: Counselors Phone No: Textfield: Textfield-0: Textfield-1: Textfield-2: Textfield-3: Textfield-4: Textfield-5: Textfield-6: Textfield-7: Textfield-8: Textfield-9: Textfield-10: Textfield-11: Textfield-12: Textfield-13: a Construct erect and check regularly at least two: b Construct erect and check regularly bird feeders: Textfield-14: c Develop and implement a fishery improvement proj: Textfield-15: d Design and construct a wildlife blind near a gam: a Observe and record 25 species of wildlife Your l: Textfield-16: Textfield-17: Textfield-18: Textfield-19: Textfield-20: Textfield-21: Textfield-22: Textfield-23: Textfield-24: Textfield-25: Textfield-26: Textfield-27: Textfield-28: Textfield-29: Textfield-30: Textfield-31: Textfield-32: Textfield-33: Textfield-34: Textfield-35: Textfield-36: Textfield-37: Textfield-38: Textfield-39: Textfield-40: Textfield-41: Textfield-42: Textfield-43: Textfield-44: Textfield-45: Textfield-46: Textfield-47: Textfield-48: Textfield-49: Textfield-50: Textfield-51: Textfield-52: Textfield-53: Textfield-54: Textfield-55: Textfield-56: Textfield-57: Textfield-58: Textfield-59: Textfield-60: Textfield-61: Textfield-62: Textfield-63: Textfield-64: Textfield-65: Textfield-66: Textfield-67: Textfield-68: Textfield-69: Textfield-70: Textfield-71: Textfield-72: Textfield-73: Textfield-74: Textfield-75: Textfield-76: Textfield-77: Textfield-78: Textfield-79: Textfield-80: Textfield-81: Textfield-82: Textfield-83: Textfield-84: Textfield-85: Textfield-86: Textfield-87: Textfield-88: Textfield-89: Textfield-90: b List the wildlife species in your state that are: Textfield-91: ChkBox: ChkBox-0: ChkBox-1: ChkBox-2: ChkBox-3: ChkBox-4: ChkBox-5: Textfield-92: ChkBox-6: ChkBox-7: ChkBox-8: ChkBox-9: ChkBox-10: ChkBox-11: ChkBox-12: Textfield-93: ChkBox-13: ChkBox-14: ChkBox-15: ChkBox-16: ChkBox-17: ChkBox-18: ChkBox-19: Textfield-94: ChkBox-20: ChkBox-21: ChkBox-22: ChkBox-23: ChkBox-24: ChkBox-25: ChkBox-26: Textfield-95: ChkBox-27: ChkBox-28: ChkBox-29: ChkBox-30: ChkBox-31: ChkBox-32: ChkBox-33: Textfield-96: ChkBox-34: ChkBox-35: ChkBox-36: ChkBox-37: ChkBox-38: ChkBox-39: ChkBox-40: Textfield-97: ChkBox-41: ChkBox-42: ChkBox-43: ChkBox-44: ChkBox-45: ChkBox-46: ChkBox-47: Textfield-98: ChkBox-48: ChkBox-49: ChkBox-50: ChkBox-51: ChkBox-52: ChkBox-53: ChkBox-54: Textfield-99: ChkBox-55: ChkBox-56: ChkBox-57: ChkBox-58: ChkBox-59: ChkBox-60: ChkBox-61: Textfield-100: c Start a scrapbook of North Amencan wildlife Inse: a Determine the age of five species of fish from s: Determine the age of five species of fish from sca: Fish Species 1: Textfield-101: Textfield-102: Textfield-103: Textfield-104: Textfield-105: Textfield-106: Textfield-107: Textfield-108: Textfield-109: Textfield-110: Fish Species 2: Fish Species 3: Fish Species 4: Fish Species 5: Identify various age classes of one species in a l: Textfield-111: b Conduct a creel census on a small lake to estima: c Examine the stomach contents of three fish and r: Textfield-112: Textfield-113: Textfield-114: Textfield-115: Textfield-116: Textfield-117: d Make a freshwater aquarium Include at least four: Textfield-118: Textfield-119: Textfield-120: Textfield-121: Textfield-122: Textfield-123: Textfield-124: Textfield-125: Textfield-126: Textfield-127: Textfield-128: After completing requirement 7d to your counselors: Textfield-129: Textfield-130: Textfield-131: Textfield-132: Textfield-133: Textfield-134: Textfield-135: