The Smith County team took home the top spot at this year’s state 4-H Wildlife Judging Contest from June 10-11 at Latimer Reservation in Van Buren County.

Smith County will go to the National Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) Competition in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, from July 26-29. Shelby County won second place, and Anderson County took third.

Each year, the top three teams from Tennessee’s three regions advance to the state contest. The event includes a wildlife challenge focused on identification and general knowledge, a hike including wildlife habitat evaluation and selecting wildlife management practices for focal species, and a written wildlife management plan and oral reasons.

Turner Harville and Easton Bibbings of Smith County won first place individual and second place individual, respectively. Kennedy Jefferson of Shelby County, Isaiah Kimball of Anderson County, and Owen Meeks of Smith County had a three-way tie for third place individual.

School of Natural Resources Extension Specialists Chris Graves and Craig Harper led the contest sponsored by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

A record number of 288 students from 46 counties participated in this year’s Tennessee 4-H Wildlife Judging Program. The University of Tennessee launched WHEP in 1978. It has since grown into a nationwide program including both 4-H and FFA participation. Fourth through 12th grade students can participate. Only high school students compete in the state competition.

For more information about the 4-H Wildlife Judging Program, contact your local Extension office.