Handbooks explain how to comply with directives. We use them to convey good and acceptable practices and procedures. We authorize handbooks through the Fish and Wildlife Service Manual, and you can find cross references to many of our handbooks in the Manual chapters.
Following are the handbooks that are available online:
| Title | Handbook Link/File | Date | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aquatic Animal Health Procedures and Protocols Handbook | aquaticanimalhealthproceduresandprotocols.pdf673.62 KB | 2022 | |
| Best Management Practices Handbook for the Conservation of Range-Limited American Plains Bison | range_limited_bison_management_handbook.pdf1.55 MB | 2024 | |
| Bridge Inspection Handbook | BridgeInspectionHandbook.pdf1.43 MB | 2014 | |
| Coastal Program Handbook | Coastal-Program-Handbook.pdf8.47 MB | 2021 | |
| Conservation Easement Handbook | ConservationEasementHandbook.pdf529.34 KB | 2022 | |
| Constructed Real Property Handbook | ConRealPropHB.pdf1.33 MB | 2016 | |
| Construction Inspection Handbook (579 KB) | consthdbk-1.pdf1.09 MB | 2004 | |
| Data Tracking System (DTS) User Manual | 2024-dts-user-manual.pdf3.63 MB | 2024 | |
| Dive Operations Handbook | Dive_Operations_Handbook.pdf1.88 MB | 2022 | |
| Eagle Handling and Distribution Handbook | HandlingEaglesHB2020.pdf960.83 KB | 2020 | |
| Employees on the Move (PCS) Handbook | PCSHandbook_July2017.pdf1.94 MB | June 2017 | |
| Endangered Species Consultation Handbook | External Link | 1998 | N/A |
| Endangered Species Listing Handbook | External Link | 1994 | N/A |
| Federal Duck Stamp Program Handbook | External Link | 2003 | |
| Federal Wildlife Officer Dress Code, Grooming, and Personal Protective Equipment Handbook | FWO_Dress_Code_Handbook.pdf1.78 MB | 2022 | |
| Fire Management and Invasive Plants - A Handbook | FireMgtandInvasives HB 2009.pdf1.29 MB | 2009 | N/A |
| Fire Management Handbook | External Link | Not dated | |
| FWS Critical Incident Stress Management Handbook | CISMHandbook2020.pdf428.91 KB | 2019 | |
| Habitat Conservation Planning and Incidental Take Permit Processing Handbook | External Link | 2016 | N/A |
| Handbook on Publishing Documents in the Federal Register | PublishingFRDocs.pdf1002.67 KB | 2022 | |
| Heavy Equipment and Off-Road Utility Vehicle (ORUV) Safety Training Handbook | HESTHandbook_2_2016.pdf731.94 KB | 2016 | |
| Heavy Equipment Utilization and Replacement Handbook | HeavyEquipHB.pdf519.76 KB | 2015 | |
| Honor Guard Operational Handbook | HonorGuardHandbook2019.pdf724.05 KB | 2019 | |
| Hours of Work and Leave Handbook | hoursofworkandleavehandbook-june-2024.pdf775.25 KB | 2024 | |
| Information Management and Technology (IMT) Project Review and Approval Handbook | IMTProjectApprovalHandbook.pdf427.52 KB | 2022 | |
| Land Survey Handbook | LandSurveyHandbook.pdf5.9 MB | 2015 | |
| Line of Duty Death (LODD): Response Handbook | LODD.pdf2.87 MB | 2013 | N/A |
| Mapping and Cadastral Geographic Information System (GIS) Handbook | Mapping_Handbook_2018_2.pdf824.76 KB | 2018 | |
| Migratory Bird Permitting Handbook | migratory_bird_permitting_handbook_2024.pdf507.49 KB | 2024 | |
| Mosquito Management on National Wildlife Refuges | MosquitoHandbook_6_2018.pdf2.85 MB | 2018 | N/A |
| National Aviation Management Plan (NAMP) | National-Aviation-Management-Plan.pdf1.47 MB | 2023 | |
| National Canine Unit Manual | 2023 National Canine Unit Manual FINAL v2.0_0.pdf673.81 KB | 2023 | |
| National Environmental Policy Act Handbook (Federal Assistance)(635 KB) | FA-NEPA-manual_0.pdf606.3 KB | 2000 | N/A |
| NEPA for National Wildlife Refuges: A Handbook | NEPARefugesHandbook.pdf4.13 MB | 2014 | N/A |
| Personnel Suitability and Security Handbook | SuitSecureHB2020.pdf305.54 KB | 2022 | |
| Phased Retirement Handbook | PhasedRetirementHB2020.pdf453.42 KB | 2020 | |
| Position Management and Position Classification Handbook | Final PMPC Handbook to 225 FW 1_03 02 2023_0.pdf366.1 KB | 2023 | |
| Preplanning Guidance for CCPs: A Handbook | Preplanning_Handbook.pdf929.06 KB | 2006 | N/A |
| Privacy Program Handbook | final-privacy-program-handbook.pdf372.81 KB | 2024 | |
| Procedures, Roles and Responsibilities Associated with Native Endangered and Threatened Species Permits and Delegation of Permit Signature Authority | Procedures_062414.pdf213.52 KB | 2014 | |
| Radio Handbook | RadioHandbook.pdf4.02 MB | 2016 | |
| Real Property Financial Management Handbook | RPFMH062010.pdf2.11 MB | 2010 | |
| Sign Handbook (Signage Policy and Guidance) | USFWSSignHandbook2019.pdf12.72 MB | 2019 | |
| Space Management Handbook | FWSSpaceMgtHB2012.pdf3.75 MB | 2012 | |
| Survey Protocol Handbook: How to Develop Survey Protocols | SurveyProtocalsHB.pdf917.98 KB | 2014 | |
| Tribal Consultation Handbook | External Link | 2018 | |
| U.S. Mail Management Handbook | MailHandbook.pdf1.48 MB | 2012 | |
| Visitor Services Standards: A Handbook for Evaluating Visitor Services Programs | VIsitorServicesHandbook12_2011.pdf1.95 MB | 2011 | N/A |
| Writing Refuge Management Goals and Objectives: A Handbook (614 KB) | External Link | 2004 | |
Contact Directives Management Team
For questions regarding directives and guidance, please contact the Directives Management Team.