This is a manual for those interested in studying vertebrate animals (fish, amphibians, reptiles,birds, and mammals). The manual includes 9 chapters and 56 exercises that allow students to practice the techniques used by today's wildlife biologists. Each exercise in the manual contains step-by-step instructions covering a wide range of techniques. Exercises include setting up and implementing basic monitoring programs, capture and handling techniques, as well as a wide range of data analysis exercises. Exercises involving software rely on open source software programs where possible. The goal of the manual is to introduce students to a wide array of field techniques for studying vertebrates.