All 4-H members are limited to one (1) exhibit per entry number and four (4) exhibits per project.
GENERAL RULES:
- No Firearms, Items with a Blade (broad heads, knives, saws, etc.) or related items of any other kind, may be exhibited. This applies to actual items, replicated items, and item parts. Photos are a suitable substitution for actual items.
- Show What You Did & Learned: - All 4-H members must show evidence of their personal field experiences, study or observations that relate to their exhibit. This helps judges understand what the 4-H member did and learned in the process that led to the exhibit.
- Proper Credit: - Show proper credit by listing the sources of plans or other supporting information used in exhibits.
- Exhibitor Information: - The 4-H member's name, county, age must be on the back or bottom of all displays.
- Wildlife & Wildlife Laws: - "Animal" or "wildlife" in the following classes includes wild fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, or mammals. Domestic animals (i.e. domestic livestock or house pets) and insect exhibits are not appropriate for this area. 4-H members must comply with current state and federal laws. It is illegal to possess threatened, endangered, or protected wildlife, or the feathers, nests, or eggs of non-game birds. These items cannot be part of any exhibit. Game birds and game animals taken legally during an open season may be used.
- Project Materials: - Related project booklets include Exploring Your Environment Series, 4-H Shooting Sports, Amphibians, Bird Behavior (EC59381), Fishing for Adventure Project Manuals, Wildlife Conservation (4H125), Geology, and Outdoor Adventure. Other resources include: Outdoor Skills: Learning Science in the Outdoors series (Science Signature Outcome Program) outdoornebraska.gov/afterschool and www.whep.org.
- Exhibit Size Guidelines
- Board and Poster Exhibits: Mount all board exhibits on ¼ inch plywood, Masonite, or similar panel no larger 24 inches high x 24 inches wide. Poster exhibits should be on regular poster sheets, no larger than standard size (22 inches x 28 inches) but half size, 22 inches x 14 inches, is recommended.
- All Other Exhibits: Exhibits other than poster/display board should not exceed 48 inches x 48 inches and be able to be moved by two people. Large exhibits (larger than listed above) must be suited and prepared for outdoor exhibition at the Nebraska State Fair. If large exhibits are not suited for outdoor exhibition, youth have the option to create a poster or another suitable substitute for the exhibit, instead of exhibiting the project itself.
Follow Nebraska Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
All static exhibits must have received a purple ribbon at the county fair to advance to the State Fair.
Score sheets and additional resources can be found at https://go.unl.edu/ne4hconservation-wildlife-shooting. An explanation of projects and curriculum resources can be found at https://4h.unl.edu/resources/projects/.
WILDLIFE HABITAT, CLASSES
PREMIUMS: Purple, $4.00; Blue, $3.00; Red, $2.00; White, $1.00
D342001 Houses (Scoresheet SF165A) - Make a house for wildlife. Examples: bird house (bluebird, purple martin, wood duck, kestrel, barn owl, etc.) or bat house; no insect houses. Make the house functional so that dimensions, hole size, etc. are appropriate to fit the intended species’ needs. Include the following information:
1) the kinds of animal(s) for which the house is intended;
2) where and how the house should be located for best use;
3) any seasonal maintenance needed; and
4) any evidence of your personal observations or experiences.
Tips: check NebGuide on bird houses and shelves.
D342002 Feeders/Waterers (Scoresheet SF165A) - Make a bird bath or feeder. Examples: seed, suet, or nectar feeders. Squirrel feeders acceptable; no insect feeders. Include the following information:
1) the kinds of animal(s) for which the water/feeder is intended;
2) where and how the water/feeder should be located for best use;
3) any seasonal maintenance needed; and
4) any evidence of your personal observations or experiences.
Tips: check NebGuide on feeding birds.
D342003 Wildlife Habitat Design Board or Poster Exhibit (Scoresheet SF167A) - Choose a backyard, acreage, or farm, and design a habitat plan to meet the food, water, shelter, and space needs of at least three kinds of animals you would like to attract. Draw an outline of the area and show what plants or other habitat will be provided. Indicate how the various parts of your plan provide the desired habitat needs. You might include an aerial photo of the area if you have one.