Twenty-four members of the student chapter represented FSU. Dr. Frank Ammer, faculty advisor, accompanied the students on the trip. At the conference, seven students placed first in individual events, three students placed second and two students took third place. FSU also competed in the quiz bowl competition, placing sixth out of 17 schools. FSU placed second in the team field competition and placed second overall out of 18 schools.

Marie Brady and Adam Brandt placed first in radio telemetry. Saskia Fagan placed first in free-form artwork with her sculpture of a river otter. Tommy Baden, Kenton Sumpter, Seth Stivala and Chris Cary placed first in the obstacle course. Dave Kazyak placed second in drawing, Tyler Brown placed second in archery, Molly Bryden placed third in the painting category and Anthony “Amo” Oliverio placed second in the game calling competition.

On Saturday, the team field competition and individual events were held. FSU worked cohesively to answer broad-ranging questions drawn from all aspects of wildlife fisheries management. The individual competitions were held immediately following the team competition. Events included radio-telemetry, trap shooting, obstacle course, orienteering, dendrology, archery and canoeing.

Students also had the opportunity to attend educational field trips on topics that included wildlife forensics, paddlefish management, non-game wildlife surveys, wetland management and wildlife law enforcement.

The Conclave serves as a keystone event for many members of the Wildlife Society, tying together much of the knowledge they have gained in their coursework at FSU. “Our members trained for months to prepare for this event and it all came to fruition during this competition,” said Ammer.