(WILDLIFE & HOW THEY LIVE, OUTDOOR ADVENTURES, WILDLIFE HABITAT,
HARVESTING EQUIPMENT, TAXIDERMY, OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES & SHOOTING SPORTS)
Conservation, wildlife, and shooting sports give 4-H members an opportunity to share their knowledge and field experience about conservation, wildlife, and shooting sports. When creating an exhibit, make sure to take close account of the rules while taking into account the different laws that surround those areas.
GENERAL INFORMATION & EXHIBITING RULES – CONSERVATION, WILDLIFE & SHOOTING SPORTS
- 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 AND 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.
- WHOSE EXHIBIT? The exhibitor’s name, county, and 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 an 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 (EC 59381), Fishing for Adventure Project Manuals, Wildlife Conservation (4-H125), Geology, and Outdoor Adventure. Other resources include: Outdoor Skills: Learning Science in the Outdoors series (Science Signature Outcome Program), outdoornebraska.gov/afterschool/, and whep.org.
- Exhibit Size Guidelines:
- BOARD AND POSTER EXHIBITS – Mount all board exhibits on ¼ inch plywood, Masonite, or similar panel no larger than 24 inches high by 24 inches wide. Poster exhibits should be on regular poster sheets, no larger than standard size (22 by 28 inches), but half-size, 22 x 14 inches, is recommended.
- ALL OTHER EXHIBITS– Exhibits other than poster/display board should not exceed 48 inches x 48 inches and should 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.
DEPARTMENT D - DIVISION 340 - WILDLIFE & HOW THEY LIVE
Division 340 Classes 001–011 Pay Category L
Classes 1-4 are board or poster exhibits. Display may show any aspect of wildlife, wildlife habitat, or related conservation. No domestic livestock, pets, or insects allowed. For more ideas, refer to project booklets.
| CLASS | DIVISION | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| SF)001 | Mammal Display | Choose one mammal from the wild and share on your display about the mammal. Examples include life history, behavior, habitat, or other interesting facts. (SF157A) |
| SF)002 | Bird Display | Choose one bird from the wild and share on your display about the bird. Examples include life history, behavior, habitat, or other interesting facts. (SF157A) |
| SF)003 | Fish Display | Choose one fish from the wild and share on your display about the fish. Examples include life history, behavior, habitat, or other interesting facts. (SF157A) |
| SF)004 | Reptile or Amphibian Display | Choose one reptile or amphibian and share on your display about the reptile or amphibian. Examples include life history, behavior, habitat or other interesting facts. (SF157A) |
| SF)005 | Wildlife Connections | Board or poster exhibit. The purpose of this display is to show interconnections and related aspects among animals, plants, and other habitat components. All displays should show two or more interactions (connections) that occur between/among animals or between animals and their habitat. Displays might show how animals interact with other animals, with people, or with their habitat. (SF157A)
|
| SF)006 | Wildlife Tracks | Board or diorama-type box exhibit. Make a display of animal tracks using casting plaster. There are 3 options. For all options, include a brief description of your experiences in making the tracks so the judges better understand what you did and learned. Positive casts (impressions as they would be in nature) are preferred but not required. (SF158A)
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| SF)007 | Wildlife Knowledge Check | Use electrical circuits, pictures, or other methods of teaching wildlife identification or other wildlife conservation or shooting sports-related knowledge. Plan size and shape to fit transportation and display; maximum size 24 inches x 24 inches. (SF15A) |
| SF)008 | Wildlife Diorama | Exhibit must be no larger than 24 inches x 24 inches. The exhibit might show a grassland, prairie, agricultural, woodland, riparian (stream or river corridor), wetland, and/or other area with wildlife habitat. Example: Show an area interspersed with several habitats such as windbreaks, farm fields, woods, waste areas, ditches, and pastures for edge-adapted species such as White-tailed deer, Northern bobwhite, Mourning doves, Cottontail rabbits, fox, squirrels, Northern Cardinals, or Bluejays. Label the habitats displayed and show at least five kinds of wildlife in their proper habitats. Remember to include supporting information about the wildlife habitat that is on display. (SF160A) |
| SF)009 | Wildlife Essay | Learn how to share educational information by writing. Choose a conservation or wildlife topic that interests you and write an essay about it. For example, write about a particular species of wildlife that you have observed or about the values of wildlife. You might write about wildlife on a farm, in town, in a backyard, at a backyard feeder, or at other places. You might write about ethics, proper behavior in the outdoors, hunting, or fishing. The essay is between 100 and 1000 words long and typed, double-spaced on 8 ½” x 11” paper. You might use books, magazines, or personal interviews as resources, but you must give credit to all sources by listing them. (SF161A) |
| SF)010 | Wildlife Values Scrapbook | Make a scrapbook about the value of wildlife. Value could include aesthetic, scientific, commercial, game, genetic, and/or ecological topics. (SF162) |
| SF)011 | Wildlife Arts | The purpose of this class is to allow artistic exhibits that contain educational information about conservation and wildlife. Examples might include paintings, photographs, wood carvings, painted duck decoys, or songs or poems written by the 4-H member. Entries must be appropriate for fair display and no larger than 24 inches x 24 inches. For example, paintings or photographs should be displayed in notebook format or mounted on a sturdy display panel. All entries must include a title and a brief explanation of the purpose or message (what the exhibit is meant to show). (SF163A) |
DEPARTMENT D -DIVISION 341 – OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Division 341 Classes 001–010, 901-909 Pay Category L
See General Rules for more information.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES 1
| CLASS | DIVISION | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| C)901 | Trail Mix | Design your own Trail Mix. Include a recipe card with ingredients. Submit a sandwich-sized bag or comparable size container of Trail Mix with your recipe card. (SF8116) |
| C)902 | Backpack Selection | Select and pack a backpack for a day hike. Include a picture of you wearing it properly adjusted, and a paper explaining what is in the backpack and the purpose of each item. (SF281) |
| C)903 | Hiking Fashion & Walkin’ | Make a poster with pictures showing your choices of clothing for the layering principle: core, second, third, and outer. Also include your footprint and what type of foot you have. Include the appropriate hiking shoes with each outfit. (SF281) |
| C)904 | Hiking First Aid Kit | Make a hiking first aid kit. Include a list of “First Aid Supplies” and what each item is used for. (SF81) |
| C)905 | Leave No Trace or Protect Local Resource Poster | Design a standard-size poster or a flyer on the “Leave No Trace” concepts or protecting a local resource. For ideas, visit lnt.org. (SF281) |
| C)906 | Hiking/Camping Scrapbook or Journal | Design a scrapbook recording your trips with pictures and narrations. Include other memories you have from the trip and what you learned or discovered on each trip, and sketches of what you see. (SF281) |
| C)907 | Weather Safety | Choose from weather safety directions and where to take shelter, or what different cloud formations signal. Make a poster with the previous information, and tips of how to stay safe for each type of weather. (SF281) |
| C)908 | Footprint Identification | Make a guide to take with you hiking that helps you identify different types of footprints you can come across on a trail. Keep it small, lightweight, and weather-resistant for your backpack. (SF281) |
| C)909 | Bear Bags | Make a system to keep food away from bears/rodents in the wilderness. (SF281) |
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES 2
| CLASS | DIVISION | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| SF)001 | Poster | Topics may include, but not limited to one of more of the following: how to pitch a tent, knot tying, cooking over a campfire, how to start a campfire, wildlife and plants identified while camping, how to set up emergency shelter, dealing with weather, collection of photos from camping trips, “Leave No Trace” and how that was followed while camping, plan a camping trip, camping essentials, environmental issues/protecting natural resources, park or trail clean up, sanitation/hygiene while outdoors or use of GPS. (SF281) |
| SF)002 | Journal/Binder | Written report of virtual, or actual camping/hiking trips with observations OR field journal (notes of actual experiences, sights, sounds, smells, etc.), OR camping or hiking trip diary. Explain growth in the project, leading the hikes, planning the camping trip, now being able to identify the wildlife and nature around you, and how identified (sight/sound/shape/smell/color). Feathers/leaf/flower pressings must be securely attached, if included. Photos of drawings of observations are encouraged. Exhibits measure no larger than 16 inches x 16 inches. (SF281) |
| SF)003 | Camping/Hiking Safety | Must include explanation of use of item and why selected/purpose, how it fits hiking/camping needs. May include, but are not limited to, one of the following: travel-sized poisonous plants guide, camping first aid kit, weather/water safety, or hand hygiene kit (SF281) |
| SF)004 | Digital Media | Use digital media to show a video/slideshow/presentation of setting up a tent (include why the site is chosen), or protecting natural resources, environmental issues, or a computer video camping/hiking game. Submit a USB drive or DVD inside a report cover or notebook. If using a slideshow, include printed slides inside the report cover or notebook. (SF281) |
| SF)005 | Other Camping Items | Must include what inspired the creation of the item, and its purpose. May include, but not limited to, one of the following: nature art, nature haiku poem, spider web sketches, or knot display. (SF281) |
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES 3
| CLASS | DIVISION | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| SF)006 | Poster | Topics may include, but are not limited to, one of the following: Topographic map, backpacking trip plan, camp layout, plan an expedition (can be dreamed or lived), collection of photos from your expedition, trails hiked, cost comparison of rental vs purchase, or using GPS/compass. (SF281) |
| SF)007 | Journal/Binder | Written report of actual, virtual, or imagined expeditions/camping/hiking, OR field journals (notes of actual experiences, sights, sounds, smells, etc.). Explain growth in the project, challenges in leading a group, teaching others about wildlife and nature's identification, and “Leave No Trace.” Exhibits measure no larger than 16 inches x 16 inches. (SF281) |
| SF)008 | Expedition Safety | Must include an explanation of the use of items, why selected/purpose of item, and how it meets hiking/camping/expedition needs. May include but are not limited to: travel-sized edible plants, creepy crawly guide, tent repair kit, travel first aid kit, or weather/water safety. (SF281) |
| SF)009 | Digital Media | Use digital media to show video/slideshow/presentation of one of the following, but not limited to: building a non-tent shelter (include why needed), packing your backpack/equipment and getting it onto you, teaching others about environmental issues or a computer video backpacking expedition game. Submit a USB drive or DVD inside a report cover or notebook. If using a slideshow, include printed slides inside report cover or notebook. (SF281) |
| SF)010 | Other Expedition Items | Must include what inspired the creation of the item and the purpose of the item. May include but are not limited to: nature art, nature cinquain poem, backpacking food recipes, hiking/expedition conditioning plan, charcoal etching, dehydrated meal or snack (at least 1 cup displayed in a resealable plastic bag with ingredients, instructions, and nutritional facts included). Exhibits measure no larger than 18 inches x 24 inches. (SF281) |
DEPARTMENT D -DIVISION 342 – WILDLIFE HABITAT
Division 342 Classes 001–003 Pay Category L
| CLASS | DIVISION | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| SF)001 | Houses | 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. (SF165A) Include the following information:
|
| SF)002 | Feeders/Waterers | Make a bird bath or feeder. Examples: seed, suet, or nectar feeders. Squirrel feeder okay; no insect feeders. (SF165A) Include the following information:
|
| SF)003 | Wildlife Habitat Design Board or Poster Exhibit | 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 habitats 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. (SF167A) |
DEPARTMENT D - DIVISION 343 - HARVESTING EQUIPMENT
Division 343 Classes 001–005 Pay Category L
| CLASS | DIVISION | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| SF)001 | Fish Harvesting Equipment | Board exhibit. Display of equipment used in fish harvesting. Examples: fishing knots, hooks (with corks over ends for safety), lures. Label all items displayed. (SF 168) Include in your exhibit the following information:
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| SF)002 | Build A Fishing Rod | Rod building kits with instructions are available for this purpose. A fishing rod educational exhibit may not exceed 96” in length. Exhibit must be mounted on a board. (SF169)
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| SF)003 | Casting Target | Make a casting target for exhibit and use. Target must be under 48 inches x 48 inches. The bullseyes must be 2 feet, the outer band must be 1 foot in diameter, and can have up to 3 rings. The exhibit must be easy to store, durable, and weather-resistant. Include the purpose and rules of using your casting target. (SF170) |
| SF)004 | Wildlife Harvesting Equipment | Board Exhibit: Display of equipment used in harvesting wildlife. Examples: expended ammunition casings (no live ammunition permitted), steel traps, hide stretchers, fleshers, etc. For displays of shotguns, rifles, or bows, use drawings or pictures. Label all items displayed, the purpose of each item, when or where it is used, and any personal experiences you’ve had with the item(s). (SF168) |
| SF)005 | Inventing Wildlife/Fish Harvesting Equipment, Aid, or Accessory | Use engineering principles to invent or adapt equipment that helps you harvest fish or wildlife. This could include wildlife calls, an adapted fishing pole for shallow water, a blind, decoys, etc. Share your drawing (or adapted plans), how the equipment works, how you tested it, and the results of testing your prototype, and any adjustments you made. (SF168) |
DEPARTMENT D - DIVISION 346 – TAXIDERMY
Division 346 Class 001-002 Pay Category L
| CLASS | DIVISION | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| SF)001 | Tanned Hides | Exhibit of a wild animal hide properly processed by the member. No requirement as to mounting, but must meet the size requirement listed under General Rules. (SF172A) Must include the following information:
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| SF)002 | Taxidermy | Any legal fish, bird, or other wild animal properly processed by the member. No requirement as to mounting. (SF172A)
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DEPARTMENT D - DIVISION 347 – 4-H SHOOTING SPORTS
Division 347 Classes 001-009 Pay Category L
(Shooting Sports Contests – See Contests Section)
4-H Shooting Sports requires 4-H members to be under the direct leadership of a certified 4-H Shooting Sports Leader in either shotgun, rifle (BB gun), archery, pistol, black powder/muzzle loader, and/or hunting skills. No firearms can be entered as an exhibit, nor live ammunition; however, information can be shared through pictures. Classes 004-009 can be entered by anyone in the conservation and wildlife area.
DEPARTMENT D - DIVISION 347 – 4-H SHOOTING SPORTS
| CLASS | DIVISION | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| SF)001 | Shooting Aid or Accessory | Any item which helps the shooter/hunter better perform their sport, examples: rifle sling, kneeling roll, arm guard, shotgun vest, target boxes, shooting stick, etc., include your design, or plans you adapted, what the item is, and used for. (SF253A) |
| SF)002 | Storage Case | Any item with the purpose of safely holding a firearm, bow, ammunition, and/or arrows. Examples: soft-sided shotgun case, quivers, firearm safe, include your design, or plans you adapted. Explain how the storage case is used. (SF254A) |
| SF)003 | Practice Game or Activity | Invent or adapt an activity to practice or teach a project skill. Include pictures of youth playing the game, testimonials of 4-H members who played the game, what skill is being worked on, and directions for the game. Explain how you came up with the game or adapted it to fit the needs of your group members. (SF255A) |
| SF)004 | Science, Engineering, Technology Advancements of Shooting Sports, Conservation, or Wildlife Essay or Display | Choose a specific area of shooting sports and share how it has advanced, including a timeline and photos or illustrations. Keep your topic narrow and manageable. Essays are limited to 1000 words and should be on 8 ½ x 11 paper. (SF256A) |
| SF)005 | Healthy Lifestyles Plan | Include a shooter’s (hiker’s, camper’s, angler’s) diet and exercise plan, and how the 4-H member will benefit or improve from following the plan. Ideally, the 4-H member would follow the plan and include some journal entries about adaptations or improvements made while following the plan. (SF257A) |
| SF)006 | Citizenship/Leadership Project | Share a display on a citizenship project or leadership project the 4-H member took on individually or with a group to improve some aspect related to 4-H Shooting Sports, Conservation, or Wildlife. Examples could be range development, conservation planting to attract wildlife, a camp, or a 4-H recruitment event. Include who benefited from the project, what the 4-H member’s role was, and any results. (SF258A) |
| SF)007 | Career Development/College Essay, Interview or Display | Research opportunities for careers related to this area, or opportunities for college majors or college activities to help discover using project skills beyond a person’s 4-H career. Essays are limited to 1000 words and should be on 8 ½ x 11 paper. Interviews need to include a picture of the interviewee in their work setting, the questions asked, and a transcript of answers. (SF252A) |
| SF)008 | Community Vitality Display | Explore the difference that shooting sports, conservation, fishing, and hunting make in keeping Nebraska vibrant, especially in rural areas. Present facts and research in an interesting way for the public to learn from. (SF251A) |
| SF)009 | Ag Literacy-Value Added Agriculture Interview or Research Project | Explore how traditional ag producers are adding value to their production agriculture operations through conservation efforts, hunting, raising pheasants, shooting sports-related tourism, etc. Present findings in an interesting way for the public to learn from. (SF250A) |
| SF)010 | Shooting Sports Educational Exhibit or Display | Create an educational exhibit or display relating to a topic about Shooting Sports. Displays involving firearms or bows may be exhibited as a photographic display on a poster or in a notebook. Handmade items must include information explaining how the item was made and its intended use. Photos are encouraged. (SF254A) |
DEPARTMENT D - DIVISION 361 - OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES
Division 347 Class 001 Pay Category L
| CLASS | DIVISION | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
| SF)001 | Design Your Own Exhibit in Natural Resources, Conservation, Geology, or Ecology | This class is for educational exhibits relating to natural resources, conservation, geology, or ecology – ONLY. Entries must be appropriate for fair display and no larger than 24 inches x 24 inches. All entries must include a title and should be clear (a brief explanation or other method) about the intended purpose or message–what the exhibit is meant to show. Think about accuracy, creativity, educational value for viewers, and evidence of 4-H members’ personal experiences and learning. (SF164) |