UF/IFAS Sarasota County Extension
Master Wildlifer Program

Master Wildlifer is designed for landowners, land managers, and outdoors recreationists who are interested in including wildlife considerations into their current land management activities.

Practicing land managers will find the course valuable in highlighting alternative management approaches for wildlife in forest and farm settings.

Special emphasis is placed on wildlife species (game species) that currently offer landowners additional sources of income through recreational access fees.

Course participants will obtain the knowledge and necessary tools to enhance habitat for a variety of wildlife species that can be enjoyed themselves, family, friends, and anyone interested in wildlife.

Format & Delivery 

The original Master Wildlifer course was  broadcast live over satellite from Clemson University’s studio and delivered to downlink sites across the country in seven 3-hour sessions between February 2005 and March 2005.   

The current course is a combination of this presentation, guest speakers, and local wildlife tours.

Wildlife and natural resource experts  presented the following course sessions in the original series:

Session I:        Introduction to Wildlife Management (Greg Yarrow, Clemson University)

• Brief description of management concepts

• Description & management considerations of major habitat types – pine, hardwood, agriculture, wetlands

• Brief overview of habitat needs of wildlife (game and nongame)

• Management for featured species and wildlife diversity

• Detailed description of process and components of developing & implementing a wildlife management plan (to include an interview with a landowner and consultant)

• Assistance & resources for developing & implementing a wildlife management plan      

Session II:      Biology & Management of Small Game (Marion Barnes, other speakers to be determined)

• Focus primarily on bobwhite quail, rabbits, squirrels, ruffed grouse, mourning dove

• Very brief description of biology of each species

• Focus on habitat management – pine, hardwood, agriculture (video segments)

• Brief mention of organizations (e.g. Quail Unlimited)

Session III:     Biology & Management of Eastern Wild Turkey (James Earl Kennamer, National Wild Turkey Federation)

• Brief description of wild turkey biology
• Focus on habitat management – pine, hardwood, agriculture (video segments)
• Brief mention of organizations (e.g. National Wild Turkey Federation)

Session IV:     Biology & Management of White-tailed Deer (Brian Murphy, Quality Deer Management Association; Joe Hamilton, Nature Conservacy)

• Brief description of deer biology

• Focus on habitat management – pine, hardwood, agriculture (video segments)

• Brief mention of organizations (e.g. Quality Deer Management Association)

Session V:      Fish Pond Management (Mike Masser, Texas A&M University)

• Considerations in building and managing a farm pond for fishing

• Steps in constructing farm ponds

• Management components

• Pond enhancement techniques (video segments)

• Technical and management assistance

Session VI:     Managing Wetlands for Waterfowl and Other Wildlife (Speakers to be determined)

• Habitat needs of waterfowl and other wetland wildlife

• Wetland enhancement techniques for waterfowl and other wildlife - Beaver ponds, greentree reservoirs, agricultural impoundments, natural wetlands (video segments)

• Brief mention of organizations (e.g. Ducks Unlimited)

Session VII:   Income Opportunities from Wildlife on Private Lands (Greg Yarrow, Clemson University)

• Economics of integrating wildlife into forest and farm management

• Considerations in developing wildlife income opportunities

• Landowner examples of management & income opportunities (video segments)

• Sources of assistance

• Tying it all together: overview of entire course from planning to implementation       

Each 3-hour session will present the dvd from the original broadcast, including a brief introduction, presentation, break, and question and answer session. The book Managing Wildlife (Yarrow and Yarrow 1999, Sweetwater Press) will be the reference manual for the course and will be provided as part of the registration fee.  Speaker presentation notes will also be provided to course participants for each session.