Collecting and Submitting Wildlife Data

The information you collect is an important contribution to the knowledge base for fisheries and wildlife management.

Collected data are to be entered into a FWMIS loadform (Microsoft Excel workbook) according to the type of survey.

How to Complete and Submit FWMIS Loadforms

  1. Review the FWMIS Data Submission Guide for information and tips for using the FWMIS loadforms.
  2. Email completed FWMIS loadforms to the Fish and Wildlife representative responsible for the area of r data collection. For an area contact map, see:

FWMIS Wildlife Loadforms

Please download a new loadform for every new submission as the loadforms are continually being updated. You will also avoid problems like corrupting the worksheets by copying over old data or unintentionally submitting already previously submitted data.

FWMIS also stores images and documents which provides context and enhances the data collected.

Several changes were made to the Sept 2016 version of the loadform. A brief summary of the major changes can be found here:

FWMIS Aerial Survey Loadform (Excel, 654 KB)
FWMIS Aerial Survey Loadform with Example Data (Excel, 658 KB)

  • Accommodates aerial survey data conducted from both fixed wing and / or rotary aircraft.

FWMIS Aerial Ungulate Survey Loadform (Excel, 565 KB)
FWMIS Aerial Ungulate Survey Loadform with Example Data (Excel, 570 KB)

  • Accommodates ungulate aerial survey data conducted from both fixed wing and / or rotary aircraft. Used primarily by government organizations to inventory ungulate populations for establishing regulatory harvest targets.

FWMIS Area Search Survey Loadform (Excel, 566 KB)
FWMIS Area Search Survey Loadform with Example Data (Excel, 570 KB)

  • For wildlife surveys associated with pre-construction, well sites, pipelines, etc. Area searches constitute generic searches for species that are encountered within a finite survey area. There are no specific target species and all species or signs of wildlife incidentally encountered are recorded.

FWMIS Area Search OilSands Survey Loadform (Excel, 563 KB)
FWMIS Area Search OilSands Survey Loadform with Example Data (Excel, 566 KB)

  • For wildlife surveys associated with the oil sands. Typically consists of general area searches for species found and observed. There are no specific target species and all species or signs of wildlife incidentally encountered are recorded.

FWMIS Bear Marking Survey Loadform (Excel, 409 KB)
FWMIS Bear Marking Survey Loadform with Example Data (Excel, 412 KB)

  • For grizzly bear and black bear surveys when physical tags (collars, ear tags, tattoos, transmitters, etc.) are used. Unlike Telemetry methods, active efforts to relocate tags are not accounted for.

FWMIS Bear Random Observation Survey Loadform (Excel, 379 KB)
FWMIS Bear Random Observation Survey Loadform with Example Data ( Excel, 387 KB)

  • Specific to grizzly bears and black bears, this loadform accommodates observations collected from random encounters.

FWMIS Bear Telemetry Survey Loadform (Excel, 379 KB)
FWMIS Bear Telemetry Survey Loadform with Example Data (Excel, 383 KB)

  • Accommodates wildlife movement data collected utilizing both GPS and / or VHF (radio) and / or PTT relocation devices, specific for grizzly bears and black bears.

FWMIS Breeding Survey Loadform (Excel, 566 KB)
FWMIS Breeding Survey Loadform with Example Data (Excel, 572 KB)

  • For surveying wildlife populations primarily during breeding seasons. Typically relies upon species that are readily 'countable' as a result of conspicuity or concentration.

FWMIS Call Playback Survey Loadform (Excel, 657 KB)
FWMIS Call Playback Survey Loadform with Example Data (Excel, 661 KB)

  • For surveying species that are particularly secretive and are often difficult to observe. The use of electronically recorded calls can prompt a visual or auditory response from some species.

FWMIS High Frequency Survey Loadform (Excel, 405 KB)
FWMIS High Frequency Survey Loadform with Example Data (Excel, 406 KB)

  • For bat surveys where high frequency audio detectors were used.

FWMIS Marking Survey Loadform (Excel, 588 KB)
FWMIS Marking Survey Loadform with Example Data (Excel, 590 KB)

  • For surveys when physical tags (bands, collars, etc.) are used, for example, bird banding. Unlike telemetry methods, active efforts to relocate tags are not accounted for with this loadform. For telemetry related surveys, please use the 'FWMIS Telemetry Survey Loadform'.

FWMIS Mistnetting Survey Loadform (Excel, 655 KB)
FWMIS Mistnetting Survey Loadform with Example Data (Excel, 659 KB)

  • Mistnetting employs the use of thin strand mesh to create a net of minimal visibility. This light duty net is used primarily for the capture of smaller fauna.

FWMIS Point Count Survey Loadform (Excel, 565 KB)
FWMIS Point Count Survey Loadform with Example Data (Excel, 568 KB)

  • Point Count surveys rely on pre-established survey locations (stations). The locations are objectively selected to ensure equal habitat sampling and are often monitored for equal time periods to ensure unbiased efforts.

FWMIS Random Observation Survey Loadform (Excel, 588 KB)
FWMIS Random Observation Survey Loadform with Example Data (Excel, 590 KB)

  • Accommodates observations collected under a non-structured methodology, or by 'chance'. The observations are often collected with no adherence to time or area limitations.

    Examples of random observation surveys are backyard birders and naturalists with a keen interest in local fauna. Conversely, incidental observations are secondary observations collected in association with a primary survey and should be included with the primary survey.

FWMIS Remote Camera Survey Loadform (Excel, 654 KB)
FWMIS Remote Camera Survey Loadform with Example Data (Excel, 657 KB)

  • Accommodates surveys detecting species presence and/or relative abundance with the use of remote cameras.

FWMIS Specimen Survey Loadform (Excel, 654 KB)
FWMIS Specimen Survey Loadform with Example Data (Excel, 671 KB)

  • Accommodates species sample data collected by museums, universities and other researchers for anatomical or taxonomic studies.

FWMIS Telemetry Survey Loadform (Excel, 584 KB)
FWMIS Telemetry Survey Loadform with Example Data (Excel, 588 KB)

  • Accommodates wildlife movement data collected using GPS and / or VHF (radio) relocation devices.

FWMIS Track Survey Loadform (Excel, 563 KB)
FWMIS Track Survey Loadform with Example Data (Excel, 565 KB)

  • Accommodates surveys assessing species presence and or relative abundance based on wildlife tracks.

FWMIS Windfarm Survey Loadform (Excel, 563 KB)
FWMIS Windfarm Survey Loadform with Example Data (Excel, 576 KB)

  • Accommodates pre and post construction surveys associated with windfarm developments.

If your survey type does not fit the methodologies listed above, obtain an appropriate FWMIS loadform by email: