W.H.E.M INC. urban Management Program Qualification and Guidelines
Thank you for your interest in the Wildlife Services/ Management Program . After your application has been completed and approved, you will receive an invitation to participate in a qualification event. During the qualifying event you will be assessed and scored in the following areas:
-safety
-attitude
-preparedness
-equipment
-precision
-arrow grouping
-endurance
-team work
-decision making
-wildlife identification
-wildlife anatomy
- past experience big game hunting in Colorado
You will be expected to participate in the qualifier dressed as though you are hunting in a late rifle season (this program uses list c rifle licenses). Yes it may be uncomfortable wearing winter gear when it's 80+ degrees, but it is not comfortable hunting with archery equipment when it's 12 below. Be prepared to shoot up to 6 individual arrows with legal broadheads.
*Proper and Legal Equipment
-The minimum amount of draw weight required is 55#
- minimum arrow weight including legal broadheads is 380 grains
-legal broadheads are different in each state, make sure you confirm with individual state guidelines
*Precision/Tuning
You will be required to shoot 3 individual arrows at up to 9 targets from an unmarked range out to a maximum of 30 yards. Each target will represent different hunting situations, shooting positions, and shot angles. A minimum of 2 of these targets will be "block" targets at which proper tuning of equipment and arrow grouping will be accessed. If a participant is not capable of grouping arrows in a 3" circle or less at an unmarked range out to a maximum of 30 yards, he/she will not continue to the 3D targets.
*Wildlife Anatomy/Decision Making
A maximum of 7 3D style targets will be implemented at unmarked yardage. This part of the course will consist of shoot/ don’t shoot scenarios based upon safety, licensing, and individual proficiency. Expect to articulate reasons why any “no shoot” target would fall into that category. All targets appropriate to shoot will require 3 arrows being shot.
Each 3D target will be scored as follows:
-Heart shot 2 points per each arrow
- Lung shot 1 point per each arrow
- Body shot minus 5 points per arrow
After the qualification course each participant will receive documents showing vital areas and bone structure of the animal for their future reference.
* Endurance/Memory/Focus
-Each participant may be required to lift 100 pounds up to a height of 3feet
-Each participant may be required to drag 100 pounds of dead weight for approximately 50 yards
-Each participant may be asked to remember a different number or letter at each of the 3D targets without writing it down, after the very last target has been completed the participant will be asked what those numbers/letter were.
* Field Experience
-Although not mandatory at this time a minimum of 5 years experience hunting big game in Colorado would take seniority over lesser experience in the application process.
-ALL new participants to the program will be required to log a minimum of 14 hours in the field with an experienced participant before being allowed to go afield solo
- Some areas may be limited to the experienced participants based upon the necessity of their previous experience and knowledge
**Guidelines for the program
After successfully completing the qualifier and being accepted to participate in the program the following guidelines will be required:
*Participant Reimbursement (If funding allows)
The following must be met:
-license reimbursement can only be obtained if the harvest was completed cleanly (i.e. single arrow, animal remained on property where permission was granted, etc…) and recovered within 4 hours. The harvest must also be donated to qualify for reimbursement.
It is understood that qualification to participate in the DMP will be difficult and the program guidelines are strict. Success of this program requires a lot of hard work, dedication, team work, and practice. The circumstances and conditions in which the program is taking place dictate the need to ensure participants are extremely well vetted. Good luck to all, and bring your "A" game. Any questions feel free to contact
Brian Danforth (720) 940-99952 [email protected]
Senior executive of WHEM INC
Colorado parks and wildlife coordinator.
Thank you for your interest in the Wildlife Services/ Management Program . After your application has been completed and approved, you will receive an invitation to participate in a qualification event. During the qualifying event you will be assessed and scored in the following areas:
-safety
-attitude
-preparedness
-equipment
-precision
-arrow grouping
-endurance
-team work
-decision making
-wildlife identification
-wildlife anatomy
- past experience big game hunting in Colorado
You will be expected to participate in the qualifier dressed as though you are hunting in a late rifle season (this program uses list c rifle licenses). Yes it may be uncomfortable wearing winter gear when it's 80+ degrees, but it is not comfortable hunting with archery equipment when it's 12 below. Be prepared to shoot up to 6 individual arrows with legal broadheads.
*Proper and Legal Equipment
-The minimum amount of draw weight required is 55#
- minimum arrow weight including legal broadheads is 380 grains
-legal broadheads are different in each state, make sure you confirm with individual state guidelines
*Precision/Tuning
You will be required to shoot 3 individual arrows at up to 9 targets from an unmarked range out to a maximum of 30 yards. Each target will represent different hunting situations, shooting positions, and shot angles. A minimum of 2 of these targets will be "block" targets at which proper tuning of equipment and arrow grouping will be accessed. If a participant is not capable of grouping arrows in a 3" circle or less at an unmarked range out to a maximum of 30 yards, he/she will not continue to the 3D targets.
*Wildlife Anatomy/Decision Making
A maximum of 7 3D style targets will be implemented at unmarked yardage. This part of the course will consist of shoot/ don’t shoot scenarios based upon safety, licensing, and individual proficiency. Expect to articulate reasons why any “no shoot” target would fall into that category. All targets appropriate to shoot will require 3 arrows being shot.
Each 3D target will be scored as follows:
-Heart shot 2 points per each arrow
- Lung shot 1 point per each arrow
- Body shot minus 5 points per arrow
After the qualification course each participant will receive documents showing vital areas and bone structure of the animal for their future reference.
* Endurance/Memory/Focus
-Each participant may be required to lift 100 pounds up to a height of 3feet
-Each participant may be required to drag 100 pounds of dead weight for approximately 50 yards
-Each participant may be asked to remember a different number or letter at each of the 3D targets without writing it down, after the very last target has been completed the participant will be asked what those numbers/letter were.
* Field Experience
-Although not mandatory at this time a minimum of 5 years experience hunting big game in Colorado would take seniority over lesser experience in the application process.
-ALL new participants to the program will be required to log a minimum of 14 hours in the field with an experienced participant before being allowed to go afield solo
- Some areas may be limited to the experienced participants based upon the necessity of their previous experience and knowledge
**Guidelines for the program
After successfully completing the qualifier and being accepted to participate in the program the following guidelines will be required:
- No shot opportunities to be taken at over 30 yards
- Only legal archery equipment will be permitted
- Bowhunting education certificate must be fully completed by opening day of the season
- Participants must donate at least 51% of the total deer they harvest. Property owners may request the harvest for their use and have it donated to them.
- Participants are expected to help other participants in executing the DMP on short notice
- All participants are required to stay in communication with the coordinator by text message regarding when and where they will be in the field before they arrive at the location. Some property owners require notification in advance.
- All participants are required to notify the coordinator and other participants by text within 15 min of shooting that a shot was been taken and the details of the results of the shot (i.e. clean miss, animal down within sight, etc..).
- Only (1) animal is to be harvested at a time, until that animal is confirmed down and expired.
- Each participant will be assigned a certain color code with participants CID to be attached to each of the arrows being used. This ensures personal accountability for shots taken.
- 100% arrow recovery is mandatory
- If program assistants are not available, the participant will be required to transport the harvest to a donation location and participate in field dressing at that location.
- Leave no trace. All properties must be left in as good or better shape than they were prior to the DMP
- A high level of respect is expected toward landowners, the public, public officials, and program administration.
- Participants are required to display "participant id' on their person and vehicle when in the field
- Participants must be prepared for random equipment checks and re-shoot when requested by the coordinator.
- Participants must obey state wildlife Laws and regulations
- If certain issues arise such as a unrecovered animal or disobeying the program guidelines, the situation will be reviewed by coordinator/wildlife official and participant and or participants may be dismissed from the program and all property permission will be immediately rescinded.
- New participants will be required to spend 14 hours of field time with an experienced program participant
- Some areas may require (2) or more participants simultaneously at the location
- "Spot and stalk" opportunity's will be minimal. Most locations will require the use of blinds this will be dictated by the specific management plan of the area hunted.
- It is recommended that participants document hours in the field and mileage/fuel expenses etc... If funding allows reimbursement may be available for theses expenses.
- If properties are adjacent to each other, no shooting over or through fences is permitted.
- Always stay alert to your surrounding, you can expect to be participating in tight quarters with people and or pets near by.
*Participant Reimbursement (If funding allows)
The following must be met:
-license reimbursement can only be obtained if the harvest was completed cleanly (i.e. single arrow, animal remained on property where permission was granted, etc…) and recovered within 4 hours. The harvest must also be donated to qualify for reimbursement.
It is understood that qualification to participate in the DMP will be difficult and the program guidelines are strict. Success of this program requires a lot of hard work, dedication, team work, and practice. The circumstances and conditions in which the program is taking place dictate the need to ensure participants are extremely well vetted. Good luck to all, and bring your "A" game. Any questions feel free to contact
Brian Danforth (720) 940-99952 [email protected]
Senior executive of WHEM INC
Colorado parks and wildlife coordinator.