2014 Maryland 4-H WHEP Contest Study Guide
Study materials can be found at: http://extension.umd.edu/carroll-county/4-h-youth/whep
It’s recommended that topics are studied in the order that they are shown in this guide.
Eastern Deciduous Forest
Participants should be familiar with information about the Eastern
Deciduous Forest Region, including: physical description, dominant
vegetation, farming & ranching, and plan succession
Wildlife Habitat Concepts
Note: All Wildlife Habitat Concepts are eligible to be included in the
Contest for all age groups.
1) From species and communities to ecosystems and landscapes
2) Plant succession and its influence on wildlife
3) Habitat and habitat requirements
4) Species richness and diversity
5) Invasive species
6) Focal species and ecosystem management
7) Edge
8) Arrangement and interspersion
9) Area sensitive species
10) Vertical structure
11) Carrying capacity
12) Compensatory and additive mortality
13) Home range, movements, and migration
14) Food webs
Eastern Deciduous Forest Species
Note: All 20 Species are eligible for identification, wildlife challenge,
and wildlife management practices for all age groups.
Questions included in the wildlife challenge will relate to habitat
requirements and general information on the species.
Bird Species
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
American woodcock
Brown thrasher
Eastern meadowlark
Golden-winged warbler
Great horned owl
Mourning dove
Northern bobwhite
The University of Maryland Extension programs are open to any person and will not discriminate against anyone because of race,
age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic
information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression.
8) Ovenbird
9) Wild turkey
10) Wood duck
Mammals
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Bobcat
Eastern cottontail
Eastern gray squirrel
Gray fox
Indiana bat
White-tailed deer
Reptiles and Fish
1)
2)
3)
4)
Eastern box turtle
Timber Rattlesnake
Bluegill
Largemouth Bass
Definitions of Wildlife Management Practices (WMPs)
Definitions and descriptions of WMPs may be included in the
Wildlife Challenge portion of the contest. The WMPs will also be
used in the WMP recommendations activity and the written
management plans.
Wildlife Identification Species List
*Note: All Species below will ONLY be eligible for the identification
portion of the contest (part of the Wildlife Challenge). All 20 Species
on the Eastern Deciduous Forest Species list are also eligible for the
identification portion of the contest for all age groups.
Bird Species
Juniors
1. American Robin
2. Canada Goose
3. Eastern Blue Bird
4. House Sparrow
5. Ruby-Throated Hummingbird
6. Mallard (Breeding/Winter)
7. Red Tailed Hawk
8. Spotted Sandpiper
9. Ruffed Grouse
10. Barred Owl
The University of Maryland Extension programs are open to any person and will not discriminate against anyone because of race,
age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic
information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression.
Intermediates (1-10 above plus species below)
11. Grasshopper Sparrow
12. American Kestrel
13. Black Capped Chickadee
14. European Starling
15. House Finch
16. House Wren
17. Hairy Woodpecker
18. Virginia Rail
19. Northern Flicker
20. Redhead
Seniors (1 – 20 above plus species below)
21. American Bittern
22. Common Nighthawk
23. Northern Goshawk
24. Northern Harrier
25. Prothonotary Warbler
26. Red Eyed Vireo
27. Ring-necked Pheasant
28. Song Sparrow
29. Loggerhead Shrike
30. Peregrine Falcon
Mammal Species
Juniors
1. American Beaver
2. Black Bear
3. Coyote
4. Red Fox
5. River Otter
Intermediates & Seniors (1-5 above plus species below)
6. Big Brown Bat
7. Eastern Fox Squirrel
8. Common Muskrat
9. Raccoon
10. Mink
Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fish
Juniors, Intermediates & Seniors
1. Bullfrog
2. Eastern Snapping Turtle
3. Wood Frog
4. Rainbow Trout
Please contact Jim Serfass: jserfass@umd.edu, 410-386-2760 for more information.
The University of Maryland Extension programs are open to any person and will not discriminate against anyone because of race,
age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic
information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression.