CTS Wildlife 21st Century Approach

Country, Wildlife, Approaches, Equipment, Activities

This course is designed to present the course work, and meet the objectives of, WLD1010, WLD1080, WLD1020, WLD1070, WLD2070 and WLD1030. The activities are being grouped into five areas in an effort to maximize class time when weather is generally least conducive to outdoor activity. Online assignments will be utilized when possible and student designed - and led - activities will be   encouraged.

Country

A study of Alberta, its natural regions, biological zones, land use/management, and comparative studies, lakes and rivers, historical use of wildlife.

Wildlife

A study of the wildlife of Alberta and Canada, the change in ranges, extinct, extirpated, endangered & threatened, freshwater fisheries

Approaches

How wildlife management works, employment in the management fields, role of hunters and fishers, economic value of wildlife, ecotourism, public opinion.

Equipment

An introduction to firearms and firearm safety, archery, fishing equipment, camping equipment, survival and first aid kits.

Practice

Practical experiences with open water and hard water angling, small bore, large bore and shotgun shooting, outdoor cooking over gas and fire, planning for, and completing, an outdoor excursion.

 

Students will develop an all encompassing document which will contain all information pertaining directly to the course’s outdoor experiences. It will contain all assignments indicated with ***,  which include all planning documents for outdoor activities, responsibilities list, personal and group equipment lists, and required reference articles. This document is called the GRRRR (General Reference, Responsibility & Recording Report).


Items marked with *** must be included in the GRRRR.

Country

“Maps R Us” Assignment - Label a map of Canada with the different ecological/natural regions. Label a map of Alberta with the different ecological/natural regions, include the Red Deer river, North Saskatchewan river, Edmonton, Calgary and Hanna. (WLD1020)

“Ecosystem” Assignment - Define an ecosystem: biotic and a-biotic components, explain interrelatedness of components, select and compare two ecosystems from within Alberta; identify environmental factors which affect wildlife populations; explain “carrying capacity” and “limiting factors”, include a food chain which includes consumers and producers of the most and least complexity (WLD1010) MAJOR GROUP (2 PEOPLE) PROJECT

Wildlife

“Wildlife Is…” Assignment - Create a personal definition of wildlife. Base the definition on legislation, personal experience and relationship to the outdoors. (WLD1010) Design and make a t-shirt with the slogan.

“Urban vs Rural” Assignment - Describe the major groups of wildlife in Canada and Alberta; give examples of species in urban vs rural environments; give examples of species in land vs water environments (WLD1020)

“Be The Expert” Assignment - Undertake an in-depth study of an Alberta species from each of three of the natural regions; compare the physiology, behavior, habitat, and specific regional adaptations of each; create a food web for one species; present to the class on one species as coordinated with the instructor.(WLD1020)

“Big Game Comparison” Assignment - Make a chart of 6 big game species in Alberta; note regions found, season, limit, specific requirements for hunting (male/female, 3-point, etc.); special registration requirements (WLD1070)

or

“Game Bird Comparison” Assignment - Make a chart of upland game birds of Alberta; compare plumage, size, habitat, hunting limits, and special regulations (WLD1070)

or

“Waterfowl Comparison” Assignment - Make a chart of 8 species of waterfowl in Alberta; compare plumage, habitat, hunting limits and special regulations (WLD1070)

“Game Fish Comparison” Assignment - Make a chart of 6 species of game fish in Alberta; compare physiology, habitat, angling methods, limits and special regulations (WLD1080)

 

Approaches

“Conservation vs Preservation” Assignment - Compare and contrast “conservation” and “preservation” as they pertain to wildlife. Use examples from Alberta (WLD1010) GROUP PROJECT (3 PEOPLE MAX)

 “Be An Expert Manager” Assignment - Explain the game management practices which have affected the species of Alberta wildlife you used in the “Be An Expert” assignment. Examine the past changes, present management approaches and the future outlook for the species.

“Fishing for Dummies” Assignment - Create a comparison chart for the following fishing techniques: fly fishing, trolling, shore fishing (casting), ice fishing. Describe the gear, tackle, techniques, bait, species commonly targeted, advantages, and drawbacks. (WLD1080)

“The Ethical Hunter” Assignment - Develop a list of responsibilities and ethics as they relate to hunting. List topics which require advocacy, i.e. pollution, endangered species, habitat loss, and standards which must be part of ethical consideration, i.e. landowner relations, respect for self, others, wildlife and hunting, laws and their enforcement, etc. (WLD1070) Watch “Open Season” and complete the Hollywood perceptions assignment.

“Top 10 Hunter Responsibilities” Assignment - Examine the legal responsibilities of hunters and create a top ten list of those you PERSONALLY feel are the most important and explain why. (WLD1070)***

“Environmental Stewardship Poster” Assignment - Design a poster on Environmental Stewardship which includes the ways users of the outdoors can best take care of the environment and the benefits of doing so. (WLD1070)***

or

“No Trace Poster” Assignment - Design a poster on “No Trace” or “Minimal Impact” outdoor activities. (WLD1070)***

or

“Ecotourism Brochure” Assignment - Develop and design a brochure for an ecotourism activity. (WLD1070)***

“Dressing for Dummies” Assignment - Explain the process for field dressing big game and game birds. (WLD1070)

“User Beware Poster” Assignment - Examine the hazards and risks that need to be considered when planning an outdoor activity. Select a specific activity and create a risk assessment for a five-day itinerary. Create a poster that could be placed at a trail-head or jumping off point to warn users.(WLD1030)***


Approaches cont’d

“When I Grow Up…” Assignment - Research an occupation which deals with some aspect of this course. List all of the important information, such as education, salary, work conditions, benefits, drawbacks, duties, skills, etc. As a class, decide on three general questions to ask each person in the different occupations and each class member is to contact a person in their occupation with the questions. (General)

Equipment

“Personal Equipment List” Assignment - Personalize an equipment list for a three day backpacking adventure. Rank the equipment in order of importance.(WLD1030)***

“Personal Survival Kit” Assignment - Research and build a personal survival kit. Research and design a survival kit for a group of 4. (WLD1030)***

“Personal First Aid Kit” Assignment – Research, design and build a personal first aid kit. Research and design a survival kit for a group of 4. Create a single sheet of important, basic first aid information and practices which can be laminated and included in your first aid kit. (WLD1030)***

“How to Eat in the Woods” Assignment - Examine nutritional recommendations for outdoor activities. Create a three day menu fitting the criteria given to you by the instructor. Create an cooking equipment list for backpacking, car camping, and group camping.(WLD1030)***

“Stinky or Not Stinky” Assignment - Research personal hygiene practices for outdoor excursions. Make a “do’s and don’ts” list. (WLD1030)***

“Know Your Guns” Assignment - Become familiar with the five action types of firearms and archery equipment, their parts, safeties, sights and handling. (WLD1070)

“Take Me Fishing” Assignment - Research and design an equipment list for one type of open water angling (spin cast, bait cast, fly fishing, trolling) and for hard water angling (ice fishing). Include all safety equipment and list any special considerations with each type of fishing. (WLD1080)

Practice

“You Cook It, You Eat It” Assignment - Research, prepare and cook meals safely over a variety of heat sources. (WLD1030)***

“Point and Shoot” Assignment - Shoot small bore rifle safely from a variety of positions. (WLD2070)

“Big Bang” Assignment - Shoot large bore rifle safely from the bench. (WLD2070)

“Shotguns for Skippy” Assignment - Shoot shotgun safely in a trap-shooting situation. (WLD2070)

“Sticks, Strings and William Tell” Assignment - Shoot a bow and arrow safely in a target situation. (WLD2070)


Practice cont’d

“Make Fire, Big Smoke” Assignment - Demonstrate several ways to safely start a fire (WLD1030)***

“Get It Together” Assignment - Plan an outdoor drive in excursion of between 2 and four days and nights. All organizing must be done in a group, food and any costs agreed upon must be shared within the group. (WLD1030)***

“Survival Camp Plan” Assignment - Plan an outdoor survival excursion of between 2 and 5 days and nights. Sleeping will be done in a lean-to built on site, cooking done over a fire, no running water will be available. All organizing must be done in a group, food and any costs agreed upon must be shared within the group. (WLD1030)***

“Fishing for Complements” Assignment - Participate in fishing activity, whether hard and/or open water angling. (WLD1080)

“Look Ma, No Blood!!!” Assignment - Demonstrate safe use of firearms, archery equipment, knives, axes, rope, fire and other outdoor equipment. (WLD2070)

“Ready or Not, Here I Come!!!” Assignment – Come up with a game or activity which can be done in the forest.