Wildlife Management (WMGT)

WMGT 2301. Principles of Wildlife Management. 3 Hours. [TCCN: AGRI 2330]

Students engage in a survey of sustainable and profitable wildlife management techniques, habitats, and resources. Topics may include alternative wildlife practices, animal and plant identification, ethical and economic considerations of wildlife and fisheries management, conservation, habitat alteration and renewal, and economic impact of the wildlife industry.

WMGT 2396. Special Topic. 3 Hours.

Students examine special topics/issues in Wildlife Management at an introductory level. This course may be repeated up to three times as topics and subject matter changes.

WMGT 3301. Wildlife Ranch Management. 3 Hours.

Students explore management practices on existing or new ranches for wildlife production and conservation. Emphasis may be placed on integrating ecological, economic, and managerial principles to create profitable and sustainable ranch operations utilizing wildlife. Students will examine habitat management, plant and soil relationships, wildlife population dynamics, business planning, and regulatory frameworks governing private land stewardship.
Prerequisite: WMGT 2301 with a grade of C or better.

WMGT 3310. Wildlife Ecology. 3 Hours.

Students examine the ecological principles governing wildlife populations and their interactions with the environment. Students analyze ecosystem dynamics, energy flow, population modeling, and land-use impacts through the lens of applied wildlife management. Emphasis may be placed on evaluating habitat quality, predicting population responses to ecological disturbances, and designing evidence-based management strategies for both native and exotic species. Through integrative online modules, field case studies, and collaborative discussion, students will develop critical thinking and data interpretation skills necessary for modern wildlife conservation and ecological research.
Prerequisite: WMGT 2301 with a grade of C or better.

WMGT 3311. Laws and Regulations of Wildlife Management. 3 Hours.

Students examine federal, state, and private laws governing wildlife management, hunting, and landownership with a regional focus. Students analyze how legal frameworks influence wildlife production, ownership, and conservation practices. Through case studies and applied problem-solving, students evaluate real-world legal scenarios involving public and private landowners, exotic wildlife ownership, and game management. Emphasis may be placed on synthesizing ecological principles, policy interpretation, and ethical considerations to formulate defensible management decisions in compliance with regulatory frameworks.
Prerequisite: WMGT 2301 with a grade of C or better.

WMGT 3350. Cervid Fawn Care. 3 Hours.

Students examine the care of young cervid species from parturition to weaning with a main focus on white-tailed deer. Topics may include diagnosing and treating sick fawns, active and passive antibody transfer, fawn handling, immobilization, health, and birthing and weaning protocols.
Prerequisite: WMGT 2301.

WMGT 3381. Game Animal Production. 3 Hours.

Students explore the principles of game animal production and management for native and exotic cervid and bovid species. Students engage in hands-on learning through field experiences, applying practical techniques in daily wildlife management, including herd health monitoring, habitat assessment, and species-specific husbandry. The course integrates scientific principles with economic considerations to enable students to design sustainable, profitable wildlife management plans. Course Equivalents: AGRI 3381
Prerequisite: WMGT 2301 with a grade of C or better and Sophomore standing.

WMGT 3382. Habitat & Pond Management. 3 Hours.

Students study wildlife habitat and riparian zone management, food plots for upland game birds and white-tailed deer, and pond management for largemouth bass, sunfish, and catfish production.
Prerequisite: WMGT 2301 with a grade of C or better and Sophomore standing.

WMGT 4096. Directed Study. 1-6 Hours.

Arranged professional and developmental learning experiences incorporating a practical application of wildlife management skills and practices. This course may include internships, individual research, and industry studies.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.

WMGT 4301. Cervid Breeding and Production. 3 Hours.

Students explore the principles of cervid breeding and production, focusing on white-tailed deer, red deer, axis deer, and fallow deer. Students will gain practical experience in reproductive management, weaning, vaccination protocols, immobilization, and the interstate/intrastate movement of cervid species. The course emphasizes selective breeding, pedigree analysis, and genetic improvement strategies within a confinement-based production system. Through a combination of on-campus lectures and fieldwork at an off-campus deer breeding facility, students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to manage cervid herds efficiently, ethically, and profitably. THIS A HANDS ON COURSE THAT REQUIRES PARTICIPATION AT AN OFF-CAMPUS DEER BREEDING FACILITY FOR LECTURE AND FIELD WORK.
Prerequisite: WMGT 2301 with a grade of C or better and Junior standing.

WMGT 4302. Cervid Management. 3 Hours.

Students examine the cervid industry from breeding to parturition. Cervid management is based on a confinement setting and focuses on anatomy and physiology, cervid nutrition during this stage of production, and feed types and feeding programs, cost of production, state and federal regulations, diseases and treatments, and fawn care.
Prerequisite: WMGT 2301 with a grade of C or better and ANSC 3373.

WMGT 4320. Wildlife Management Techniques. 3 Hours.

Students explore techniques and tools commonly used in the wildlife industry for management of captive and non-captive wild game animals. Topics include humane methods of trapping/capturing, managed wild game species and predator species, animal population assessment of mammals, birds and fish, establishment of food plots for wild game species, prescribed burns to manage wildlife habitat, and general animal management to ensure the well-being of the animal.
Prerequisite: WMGT 2301; C or better.

WMGT 4340. Exotic Animal Production. 3 Hours.

Students examine regional exotic animal production industry, emphasizing both scientific and economic aspects. Students study species identification, habitat requirements, nutrition, holding facility design, and legal and regulatory frameworks governing exotic species management. Practical application is emphasized through field trips, case studies, and hands-on exercises in breeding, genetics, and animal handling. Students analyze cost structures, market value, and income estimation for commercial exotic animal operations. By integrating ecological, regulatory, and economic knowledge, students develop strategies to manage exotic species sustainably and profitably.
Prerequisite: WMGT 2301 with a grade of C or better.

WMGT 4341. Upland Game Bird Management. 3 Hours.

Students conduct an in-depth investigation of upland game birds common in Texas. Topics may include identification, life cycles, plant and habitat identification, plant community succession, and the tools used to manage succession for successful upland game bird management.
Prerequisite: WMGT 2301 with a grade of C or better.

WMGT 4342. Waterfowl Management. 3 Hours.

Students learn the anatomy, ecology, management, and laws and regulations surrounding waterfowl species, with an emphasis on identification, dietary needs, and habitat requirements. Topics may include waterfowl diet, creating and enhancing waterfowl habitat, nesting and brooding ecology, migration dynamics, and factors that influence these processes. Through field studies and case analysis, students develop practical skills in managing waterfowl populations and their habitats.
Prerequisite: WMGT 2301 with a grade of C or better.

WMGT 4343. Integration of Livestock and Wildlife Management. 3 Hours.

Students examine the intersection of wildlife and livestock management, focusing on sustainable practices that benefit both sectors. Topics may include federal laws and regulations for land use and wildlife, strategies for disease prevention, methods for competition management for resources between wildlife and domestic livestock, and practices for livestock management to support wildlife conservation, including habitat improvement and grazing systems.
Prerequisite: WMGT 2301 with a grade of C or better.

WMGT 4369. Special Topic. 3 Hours.

Individual study in specialized areas of Wildlife Management. To be directed and approved by the Animal Science advisor. This course is designed to be a multi-topic course. The student can take the course under various special topics being offered.
Prerequisite: Junior standing.