How to "Grow" and "Tag" your Own

I've included four .PDF files. You can print them on cardstock or you can print them on paper and paste the two parts together. I recommend you make and release four batches (48) of them.

THE FRONT
There are two versions of the front. One is in color, and the other is in black-and-white. These are for male monarchs (they have dots on their hind wings.)

Colorful Front (male)

Black-and-white Front (male)

Colorful Front (female)

Black-and-white Front (female)

THE BACK
There are also two versions of the back, both black-and-white. One is for making northbound monarchs. The other is for making the southbound kind. Monarchs cross America in three generations, so they can be born in many places. If you live up north, release the ones that want to be taken to Mexico. If you live in the south, release the ones that want to be taken to Canada. If you live in the middle, go ahead and make both kinds.

Going NORTH, to Canada

Going SOUTH, to Mexico

CUTTING THEM OUT
Cut while looking at the Front, using scrapbooking silhouette-making techniques. Cut the outermost line first. Then cut out the gray parts. (If you are right-handed, make the first cuts into the gray areas as you go around the edge, and cut the darker gray lines last. If you are left-handed, cut the darker gray lines first.)

TAGGING
Serial numbers are six digits long. The first digit is a 0 for a male or 1 for a female. The next two digits are the Tagger's code, which I'll assign you if you email me; you should do this if you're planning on releasing over 100. Otherwise put two asterisks. The next three numbers are the number of the individual butterflies. So, for example, you might have 0**003, which would be the third male butterfly you released.

You should also keep a release log. In it you record the following for each one:
Date released, Location, Serial number, Name
Giving each one a name lets somebody emailing you prove they really found one of your monarchs. (I name mine after friends and relatives for whom I'm wishing good things.) Use dot stickers about half as wide as a nickel. Put a number on each one, using a ballpoint pen with permanent ink. Monarch Watch's instructions for *real* monarchs

ABOUT THE .PDF FILES
These files were made by scanning a digital image of a monarch. It was run through Adobe Streamline to create spline-based data. If printed out on standard 8 1/2" X 11" paper, they will be life-sized. Permission to print out and photocopy is hereby granted. (Please do not put these files on your own website, as the material is still copyrighted to me, but you may link to my page if you wish.) Permission is also granted to use the files for any non-commercial use such as decorating Gramma's kitchen window. Extra points if it's educational.