General Season 2020 - The RUT is on!

There is a big chill in the air as we enter the cold weather months in Texas and think about the general season opener. We are thinking about deer hunting (See October 29th TPWD News Release.) and their rutting behaviors. I say, bring it on!

2020 has definitely brought our nation and Texas challenges that we haven't experienced heretofore -- including trying to provide hunter education courses while navigating a labyrinth of precautionary actions and COVID 19 Protocols.

It hasn't been easy, but I am amazed at instructor perseverance during these unprecedented times.  YOU continue to inspire your students, and fellow Texans, as we all seek normalcy in our lives. We seek to get back to regular, routine vocations and avocations such as teaching hunter education courses.  Let's all hope that 2021, which is just around the corner, blesses us with getting back to living our lives without fears of any kind -- to enjoying face-to-face communications and teaching, hands-on, in our courses.

Godspeed and good luck these hunting seasons -- be SAFE! And, Hunt Texas!

Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator

Leon and Leticia McNeil, founded and run the City Kids Adventures non-profit chapter in San Antonio, a long-term program that recruits, trains and turn leaders out of young, mostly inner city, youth willing to learn all about the outdoors, and, in essence, good leadership, responsibility, communications and citizenship skills in the process. Each participant must demonstrate good behaviors such as school attendance and grades to enjoy the benefits of the program.

The McNeils lead hunting, fishing, camping and hiking trips every weekend for the group, this hunt sponsored by Brandon Harrell, Harrell Whitetail Ranch and Dennis Mayfield, on his ranch near Pontonoc. Participants clean their own game, hustle in doing all of the chores such as meals, and generally learn every aspect of the hunt including hunter education skills such as live-fire, survival, hunter safety and outdoor responsibilities.

A big thanks to an outstanding couple, group and the landowners that hosted the hunt. "Coach McNeil", Outdoor Leadership Program Coordinator, San Antonio Academy, uses Outdoor Tomorrow Foundation's Outdoor Adventures Curriculum and combines efforts between his school and the non-profit, benefiting everyone with whom he comes in contact, with both his vocation and avocation.  He and his wife are non-stop, serving as "Pied Pipers" in San Antonio for hunter education, hunting and the outdoors. Fortunately, the Texas Hunter Education Program, Texas Youth Hunting Program and Youth Hunter Education Challenge are blessed with such 'pied pipers' throughout Texas -- vital to the success of hunter education and the outdoors -- truly changing lives for the better.

Photos: (Above) Leon McNeil (L) prepares students to clean two hogs taken Sunday Oct. 18th during a City Kids Adventures hunt in the Hill Country. (Below) City Kids Adventures young men and women enjoyed a bountiful harvest with a diversity of wild game taken.

Heidi Rao, SE TX Hunter Education Specialist, reported on a COMBO Hunter and Bowhunter Education Instructor Course held at Long Acres Ranch in mid-October.  Scott Lightle, Katy, HE Instructor and Project Coordinator at Long Acres Ranch, hosted the courses and Rao, along with Kitty (leading activity in photo below) and Jim Haynes, Area Chief Instructors, Richmond, taught the course.  A total of 11 participants completed classroom and field exercises in an overlapping format to ensure dual instructor certification in both the hunter and bowhunter education programs. 

New instructors included professional educators and volunteers, along with TPWD staff members, Rob Owen, TPWD Outreach & Recruitment Manager, Austin; Kendrick Gray, TPWD Community Archery Specialist - Houston, who conducted the live-fire exercises (See photo), and TPWD partner, Briana Nicklow, Texas Youth Hunting Program, East TX Field Operations Coordinator (also appointed as Area Chief Instructor). "We are looking forward to working with all of you and seeing you at our workshops across Texas!" Heidi Rao

SCI-Houston Hosts Student Course 

Long Acres Ranch hosted the 16^th annual SCI-Houston – sponsored Hunter Education course in late October.  A BIG THANKS to Dan Marcasol for leading SCI-Houston's efforts to sponsor student fees and prize drawings, and lunch and refreshments for all who attended. Thanks to Area Chief Instructors, Kitty and Jim Haynes, and their son, James, Richmond, for leading and coordinating the classroom, skills trail and live-fire activities.  Several other Hunter Education Instructors, A&M, and Long Acres Ranch volunteers worked tirelessly, behind the scenes, beginning well before sunup, to make this another successful event.  Thanks to Hunter Education Instructor, Scott Lightle, Long Acres Ranch Program Coordinator.  His fellow ranch staff set up the outdoor, open air pavilion with enough seating for over 100 participants with socially distant tables and chairs for everyone’s comfort. Keep up the great work during these trying times!

Photos: Captain Game Warden, Johnny Longoria was able to make the SCI course with his daughter, Elena. Kitty & Jim Haynes, who reached the TX Hunter Education Hall of Fame in 2001 and 2005, respectively, have made hunter education a family affair, along with their son, James (center), for well over two decades.  Kitty and Elaine Lochabay were the first women inductees into the Hall. a BIG thanks, Haynes family!

Instructors must remain cautious as you continue to schedule courses this fall.  Demand is exceeding supply, but we still want you to teach virtually, if you can, or conduct smaller courses and observe social distancing protocols.  For those of you conducting courses this fall, please complete the following form and submit it to: Instructor@tpwd.texas.gov

COVID Protocols Form HED

This form outlines the precautions that should be in place prior to conducting hunter education activities, even for the smaller groups or in rural Texas.

Added Resources:

• Best Practices for Online Hunter Education
• Course Decision Tree
• Cleaning Equipment
• Responsible Recreation (Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies)

Photos: Duke Walton, Porter, sports a TPWD face mask he made. A shout out to Larry Holland's wife in Garland, who tested positive and just went into quarantine this week. The Texas Training Crew team wishes her a speedy recovery and want her to know they are thinking of her!   - Debbie Ferrell, Commerce, THEIA Secretary and Training Crew Team member.  Here's to the health of all instructors & their family members during this time of uncertainty!

Photo: (L to R) Sportsmanship Award Casin Sellears - Temple, High Score Senior Bryce Baca - Pflugerville, High Score Junior Ethan Hemsath - Joshua, 2nd High Score Junior Rhett Rhode - La Vernia, 2nd High Score Senior Clayton Golden - Midlothian, Robert Boswell - Area Chief - Georgetown & YHEC Hunt sponsor

Event leader, Mike Rantala, ASC (L - orange), and longtime volunteer, Clyde McMeans, Bellaire (R- orange) briefed participants on safety prior to the Shotgun Challenge event, one of six events at YHEC 2020. A total of 30 participants attended the statewide finale, and a total of 23 volunteers, most of whom are hunter education instructors, served the event. THANKS TO ALL for a SAFE, FUN Event!

TYHP Hosts Instructor Courses

"Colonel Jones:

I wanted to let you know of some great support I have had with a couple of our great Game Wardens.  Joseph Hendrix, Ward County, and Wei Wei Startz, Guadalupe County, each helped me with a Hunter Education Instructor class.  We had Hunter Education student and instructor class Oct. 10th in Monahans. Joseph came and did the Game Warden interviews for five new instructors.  On Oct. 17th we did the same thing at our New Texas Wildlife Association headquarters near New Braunfels and Wei Wei conducted the interviews for another 5 new instructors.  The Comal County game wardens were tied up with some training at Canyon Lake so a big thank you to Wei Wei for venturing into her neighboring county to help us out! 

We have 97 Texas Youth Hunting Program hunts scheduled in 2020/2021, so far, and Huntmasters will be reaching out to Game Wardens to come visit hunts when they can.  You should receive an email from Bryan Jones about once a month announcing the hunts for that month by county.  The TWA and TPWD partnership is a great one thanks to TPWD Game Wardens and biologists when we ask them to join us.  Thanks!"

Chris Mitchell - TYHP Director, Texas Wildlife Association (See photo.)

TPWD Law Enforcement Director Jones' Response:

"Thank you so much for the service that you and your organization provide for the future of our Texas Hunting Heritage. I appreciate the encouraging remarks in regard to the Wardens assisting with not only the hunter education interviews, but also their continued support of the program though participation in youth hunts. I look forward to the updates and hope I can make it out to some of the hunts to meet your staff. Your Texas Game Wardens are always here to serve!"

Colonel Chad Jones

National Night Out in Maxwell

Game Warden Joann Garza-Mayberry of Comal County participated, once again, in the National Night Out activities in Maxwell, south of Austin.  Though this year was a drive-thru event, she was still able to promote firearm safety, hunter education and "Life's Better Outside" messages with literature and information prepared ahead of time. Thanks Joann!

Game Wardens Lead East Texas HE Course

TPWD Game Warden, Brandon Mosley, assisted by Wardens Tim Walker , Dustin Shoemaker, James Barge and Roy Eddins and Federal Park Ranger, Mike Hughes, conducted a Hunter Education FIELD DAY course in mid-October.  After the classroom portion, and nice BBQ lunch, students were taken through a Hunter Skills Trail & Live Fire exercise using archery equipment.  The course was held in Woodville, Tyler County. Congratulations for a successful course!

Photo: Game Warden James Barge is talking to GW Mosley’s son, Carter, who was his little helper during the class.  GW Barge was doing a gun cleaning station as part of the field course.

Bowhunter Education Works!

Bowhunter Education student Josh Post, Uvalde, traveled to Central Texas in late August to complete his field course including a 14-station Shooting Skills Test with shots from 20 to 30 yards at a variety of game. After a few tips and final adjustments to his bow -- and a little more practice -- Josh was ready!  He then traveled to Idaho in September to try his hand at bowhunting elk.  We'd say it did pretty well! Congratulations Josh!  Training works!

Son's First Public Youth Hunt

"Thank y’all so much in supporting and partaking in my excitement for my 8-year old son Luke's first public hunt.  He harvested his first hog and deer, after being drawn for a hunt at ABK State Natural Area in Oct." - Joel Parker, Sergeant, TPWD HQ State Park Police

Congratulations, Luke on shooting a doe and hog, and it looks like you participated in field dressing the doe --way to go!

Hunter Education Team

OTF Sponsors a Special Hunt!

The Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation’s in-school curriculum Outdoor Adventures K-12 is taught in hundreds of schools across Texas.  One of the Outdoor Adventures’ schools in Lewisville, Texas, had a special young man in the course -- Memphis Lafferty.  Memphis is a quadriplegic.  He lost both arms and legs at 6 months of age due to bacterial meningitis infection.  Memphis is currently a freshman in school and his disability has not prevented him from enjoying the great outdoors. OTF was informed about his courage and relentless desire to live life to its fullest and wanted to honor his determination with a guided youth hunt.  Thanks to a private ranch owner in North-central Texas, Randy Cupp, Memphis was invited to participate in a hunt. In addition, Scott Jordan with Cuba-Rushford Central School (CRCS) Outdoors on the Pursuit Channel heard about Memphis and agreed to video his entire weekend hunt.

Randy brought in a paraplegic wounded warrior veteran to assist with different trigger releases and prosthesis.  With the veteran’s help, Memphis recorded a great group on the practice range, and he was ready for his first hunt. Memphis went on to harvest a nice aoudad and whitetail buck.  Memphis was extremely grateful for the opportunity and created memories for a lifetime thanks to Ferris Bavousett, Outdoor Adventures Teacher & longtime HE instructor, Argyle, OTF, landowners like Randy Cupp, and organizations like the Wounded Warriors, PVA and other Veterans' Groups.

Photo below: L to R: Chris and Memphis Lafferty, Wounded Warrior/double amputee, Marine Staff Sgt. Marcus Burleson, and Randy Cupp, landowner, take a break from sighting in to pose for a photo.

Paulette Lubke, Denver, who has been the Office Manager for the International Hunter Education Association since 2008, finishes up her duties, October 31st, as the IHEA headquarters's office location has been moved to Montana. (See IHEA-USA October Newsletter.) Paulette worked for 34 years in Colorado, most of those years with the Colorado Division of Wildlife, (now Colorado Parks & Wildlife) serving as accounting & license services supervisor.  As quoted in the newsletter, Lubke said, “Hunting and the hunting community have always had a special place in my life. They are some of the nicest and most genuine people I know. I will miss the friendships made along the way the most.”

I had the special privilege of working for and with Paulette at both the Colorado Division of Wildlife as a volunteer back in the early eighties and while serving as IHEA-USA Executive Director from 2013-2015.  She is a special lady and is certainly a legacy when it comes to serving the hunter education administrators, instructors and community at large. We will miss her, greatly, but wish her all the best in her next life's chapter.

 - Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator and TX Hunter Education Instructors

PLEASE GIVE 3 WEEKS NOTICE!

Changes have been made to your ORS Account to make ordering your course supplies faster and easier. Starting now, go to your dashboard and click on "Supply Request". A new form appears automatically containing your name, instructor number, contact number, and shipping address.

You only need to verify the ship-to address, tell us how many copies of each supply item you desire, the class date and time, and the click "send" at the bottom. You are done!  -- A BIG PROBLEM occurs when instructors give less than a week's notice, making it extremely difficult to fill the order on time, so please GIVE AT LEAST THREE WEEK'S NOTICE for your supply requests!

Gone is the need to make a copy of the old form, save it to your desktop, fill in the information, and email the request to our old Supply Request inbox. Future upgrades will allow for complete tracking of your order, from placement to delivery. So, if you have those old forms saved to your computer, please dispose of those copies. The old inbox no longer processes manual requests.

- Eddie.Kleppinger@tpwd.texas.gov; 512-389-4999

Attn: WATERFOWLERS

AUSTIN –With waterfowl season opening day around the corner, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is reminding waterfowl hunters to clean, drain and dry boats and equipment before traveling from lake to lake to help avoid spreading invasive species like giant salvinia and zebra mussels.

In addition to cleaning their boats and trailers, hunters should also make sure they aren’t inadvertently carrying the invasive species on other equipment like waders, decoys, decoy bags, and marsh sleds. A video to help hunters properly clean, drain and dry can be found on the TPWD YouTube Channel.

TPWD and partners monitor for invasive species in Texas lakes, but anyone who finds them in lakes where they haven’t been found before or who spots them on boats, trailers or equipment that is being moved should help identify and prevent new introductions by reporting the sighting to TPWD at (512) 389-4848 or by emailing photos and location information to aquaticinvasives@tpwd.texas.gov.

To learn more about giant salvinia, zebra mussels and other invasive species in Texas, visit tpwd.texas.gov/StopInvasives.

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