SHOT SHOW!!

I'm writing from the annual Shooting and Hunting Outdoor Trade "SHOT" Show at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas, NV -- a sea of outdoor, shooting and hunting enthusiasts walking hundreds of thousands of steps, ogling every sporting arm, ammunition component and/or outdoor accessory known to us hunters...and beyond.  I'm hearing quite a few foreign dialects/accents, which tells me this is truly a global Show!  It is coming up on its 40 year anniversary next year, and it is amazing how it has exploded into the largest of its kind in the world.

Joining me at the Show is Morgan Harbison, TPWD mobile shooting range coordinator, and Lindsay Hodgdon, President of the Texas Hunter Education Instructor Association -- two key grassroots supporters of the TX Hunter Education program. They have been busy meeting with program sponsors and striking up new partnerships to bolster our efforts in the Lone Star State.

Our primary role is to THANK our many industry/conservation partners for the support they give the Texas Hunter Education Program, partnerships and sponsorships that former hunter education coordinator, Terry Erwin, and former Mobile Shooting Sports Coordinator, Charlie Wilson, initiated back in the 80's and 90's.

I hope you join me in thanking the many sporting arms & ammunition companies that have stepped up and supported our Texas Parks & Wildlife programs, for without such partners, we would not be able to provide key safety, shooting and hunting products and services important to our students.  

Steve Hall, HE Coordinator

ABILENE - April 21-23rd

Be sure to book your calendar for the next Hunter Education Instructor Annual Conference sponsored by YOUR association -- the TX Hunter Education Instructor's Association (THEIA).  W TX Hunter Education Specialist, Randy Spradlin, and Area Chief/THEIA Board Member, Dr. Edgar Reed, Hardin-Simmons University, have made plans to host you this year. We hope YOU come this year to support your fellow instructors, association and TPWD!  Heck, just come for the kibitzing and FUN!

 HIGHLIGHTS

• Welcome Reception (Friday)
  
• TPWD & THEIA UPDATES
  
• CWD; Feral Hog Mgmt. & Issues
• NEW Online Registration System
  
• Treestand Safety Training (4 hrs.)
• Hunting 101 Workshops
• Mentored Hunts/R3 Initiatives
• Keynote - Mr. Michael Sabbeth, Denver, CO (Ethics & Image)

INSTRUCTOR AWARDS BANQUET

• HE Hall of Fame Recipients
• Volunteer of the Year (TX)
• Regional Volunteers of the Year
• Game Warden of the Year
• Professional Educator of the Year
• THEIA's "T.D. Carroll" Award
• SPECIAL Awards and Prizes

PHOTO: Jimmy Caughron (L), Ballinger, accepted the "T.D. Carroll Award" from THEIA President, Lindsay Hodgdon, in April 2016 in Houston -- THEIA's Top Award. 

Brock Minton, S TX Hunter Education Specialist and Randy Spradlin, W TX Specialist, have, once again, lined up the Texas Trapper & Fur Hunters Assoc. to train instructors and their guests on trapping methods, techniques and conservation ('best management') practices.

February 17th – 19th at San Angelo State Park South Entrance (325) 949-8935 (workshop at the Park’s Pavilion); Fri.1:00 pm to Sun. noon - Please bring your favorite meal(s)/snacks as this is a "pot-luck meals" workshop! Covered pavilion has electricity/BBQ Pit (small camp fire if "No Burn" ban in effect). No Charge for the workshop. Park’s entrance fee waived for HE Instructors.  Participants will be responsible for 'in-park' overnight lodging:

• Primitive camping (camper, tent, etc.) - $10 per camp site per night
• Camper w/hook ups - $20 per camp site per night
• Cabins (w/NO water, bathroom nor kitchen) has electricity, window unit w/heat & 2 bunkbeds, 1 queen bed (sleeps 5-6) - $48 per night. 

Bring camping gear, lanterns, flashlights, bug spray, towels, soap, etc. ** Ladies & men's restrooms/showers within short walking distance! 

Participants will be required to check/make payment upon arrival at SP Entrance Station. Be sure and mention you are a workshop participant. Majority of this workshop will be conducted outdoors so be prepared for any adverse conditions.

REGISTER with Brock Minton at brock.minton@tpwd.texas.gov or call him at: (361) 825-3249 (w) or (361) 944-3617 (cell).  He will send you agenda and detailed map.

PHOTO:  Jim Brooks, who has assisted TPWD for more than 20 years, demonstrates how to use the various traps, prior the participants setting their own traps.

JACOB KREBS MEMORIAL HUNT

Harper, TX: With the cooperation of TYHP (Texas Wildlife Association) and many supporters & sponsors, TYHP Huntmaster and HE Instructor, Will Krebs, hosted the 4th annual hunt in memory of his son, Jacob, who drowned tragically during Naval training to become part of the Navy Seals. Jacob was a HE Asst. Instructor at that time. The hunt is for the families of Wounded Veterans and is a "Shining Star" of the Texas Youth Hunting Program.

Area Chief HE Instructor, "Duke" Walton instructs young hunter in shotgun skills as part of many activities (e.g. rifle, deer processing/aging, wildlife identification, orientation, awards & recognition, etc.) introduced to youth and their families during the Hunt. Fellow HE Instructors, Bob Boswell and David Hammonds also taught and served as guides/assistants during the Hunt.

LAKE WACO YOUTH MENTOR HUNT

Monica Bickerstaff, N TX Hunter Education Specialist, Taylor Christian, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and TPWD Area Chief HE Instructor, Brent Heath,  and his teaching team of N TX HE Instructors (Jeff, Tray and James) along with game warden, Mike Serbanic, Waco, joined forces to provide a mentor hunt experience for five hunter education students at Lake Waco's Speegleville Park.  Much like our TPWD Inks Lake State Park Mentor Hunts, the Corps is providing such opportunities to trim down the deer populations in their parks.  Using 20 gauges and shotgun slugs, the young hunters find success in shooting at deer within 50 yards -- helping the Park with its management objectives.  THANKS to all those that served as MENTORS and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lake Waco staff and volunteers who spent many hours setting up and running the logistics during a foggy weekend. As they say, a "GREAT time was had by all!

TYHP COLETO CREEK

HE Instructors Junior Munoz and Ruben Rangel, spearheaded a TYHP hunt at Coleto Creek and reminded the participants of the main hunter education objectives.

• Being SAFE
• Being Legal
• Taking a Good Shot
• Taking Care of Game