Contribute to the development and implementation of a wild game management plan LEGACY

This standard is about contributing to the development and implementation of a wild game management plan. It has been developed so that it can be applied to any game population in any wildlife management area.

This standard is aimed at those who work in game conservation on either a full- or part-time basis.

To meet this standard you will be able to:

• contribute to the development of wild game management plans
• contribute to the implementation of wild game management plans
• supervise activities that aim to maintain wild game.

For you to fully understand the content of the standard, and the activities it describes, it is important that you are able to understand the terms used within the standard. See Glossary for some definitions that should help you with this.

1. ensure the work is carried out safely, in line with relevant health and safety requirements
2. maintain an accurate assessment of wild game population characteristics
3. establish the potential of the wildlife management area to support wild game populations
4. develop a clear understanding of all known influences that may affect the management of wild game populations
5. contribute to the development of a wild game management plan to optimise the long-term sustainable shooting potential of wild game populations
6. gain feedback on the proposed wild game management plan and discuss with the shoot manager
7. contribute to the implementation of the wild game management plan to achieve the planned objectives
8. contribute to the maintenance of the wild game management plan, within known resource constraints and organisational requirements
9. ensure that the wild game management plan maintains the natural habitat and complies with relevant legal requirements
10. take action to correct any deviations from the wild game management plan
11. maintain communication with the relevant people to facilitate the effective management of wild game populations
12. maintain accurate management records in respect of the management of game populations

1. the health and safety requirements associated with managing wild game populations
2. the relevant legal requirements pertaining to the management of wild game populations
3. what sporting potential is and how sustainable long-term sporting potential can be achieved
4. the history of wild game relevant to the wildlife management area, and the importance of this to developing a wild game management plan
5. who needs to be consulted on the proposed wild game management plan and the action to take if agreement cannot be reached
6. how to assess the characteristics of wild game stock
7. the habitat requirements of wild game, and how to assess game habitat for its potential to hold game
8. survey methods used to monitor wild game populations
9. the methods used in determining population structure and the implications of population structure on sporting potential
10. the common game diseases, possible causes of infection and methods of prevention/control
11. the methods of managing wild game populations and how these vary throughout the calendar year
12. the relevant legal requirements pertaining to the management of wild game populations
13. how supplementary resources can be used to support wild game populations
14. the relevant legal restrictions on the allocation of additional resources
15. where medication can be used in the management of game health
16. the relevant environmental legislation in relation to monitoring and controlling vertebrate pests and predators
17. the legal and organisational requirements for record keeping

Assess game population characteristics in terms of:

• size and structure
• distribution
• interactions with wildlife and habitat

Develop a clear understanding of three of the following influences on wild game:

• habitat
• pest and predator actions
• game welfare and nutrition
• disease
• land usage
• human influences

Maintain the following management activities:

• monitoring game, wildlife and habitat
• pest and predator control
• the application of supplementary resources to support game

Maintain the use of the following resources, within known constraints:

• people
• equipment
• material
• time

Take action in respect of three of the following deviations:

• habitat deterioration
• pest and predator actions
• game nutritional shortfalls
• disease
• resource shortages
• human influences

Game – legal game quarry species, including deer

Wildlife management area – any area of land used for the provision of game shooting activities

Management information – information collected in support of activities, for example:•  shoot records•  game records•  resource usage•  published data

Shooting potential – game available to support shooting activities

Facilities – areas of land and equipment used for the application of resources

Resources – for example: food, water, shelter, medication, etc.

Advisory bodies – for example: Game Conservancy Trust, BASC, etc.