The "Big Freeze" of 2021 hit in February and tested everything from the Texas electrical grid to our own prep, survival, and coping skills. The latter typically involves our personal mindset and will to deal with tasks outside many of our comfort zones. Our own ideologies, education, emotions, motivations and tolerances come into play when dealing with such crises and emergency situations.

It struck me that many actions we as hunters and hunter educators reverted back to were our SURVIVAL and WILDERNESS PREPAREDNESS knowledge and skills -- Hunting 101 Course and Basic Hunter Education course topics that were front and center in February.  I found myself reaching for the same items (e.g. lanterns, headlamps, layered clothing, water purification, fire making, wool hats and gloves and boots) that we use on our hunting trips and find "normal" in primitive situations.  We go to our home "survival kits" to provide the key items it takes to SURVIVE -- WATER, SHELTER, FIRE MAKING (heat), SIGNALING (Communications & Local Assistance), and a FIRST AID KIT.

Some Texans died of HYPOTHERMIA (#1 Outdoor Killer) during the Big Freeze -- in their homes, vehicles and other "urban situations".  I can't help but wonder that if they had taken a hunter education course, if their knowledge, skills, confidence and attitudes would have changed their outcomes.

Be safe and stay warm, especially if Mother Nature blows another freeze our way.

Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator

Correction from February Target Talk

"Anagrams - Acronyms; Potato - Patautto ..."

In my February "Coordinator's Column" I erroneously used the word "anagrams" instead of what they really are -- ACRONYMS.  Had "anagrams" not rolled instantly from my brain, I should have figured that out, but luckily our TPWD Magazine editor, Louie Bond, who helps us promote hunter education in the magazine, caught it right away and EDUCATED me.  THANKS for the eyeballs, Louie, and for your excellent magazine service to Texas Parks & Wildlife!

For half a century, the International Hunter Education Association - USA has been working closely with state fish and wildlife leaders and hunter educators to deliver a complete, well-produced curriculum teaching all new hunters in the United States safe hunting practices. Having witnessed the graduation of over 41 million students since mandatory Hunter Education’s inception in 1949 (New York State), IHEA-USA is excited to celebrate this semi centennial success! IHEA-USA is the professional association for hunter education programs in all 50 states.

READ MORE!

Texas developed the Texas Hunter Education Program the same year that IHEA (international organization) conceived it formation in 1971. Texas started a "voluntary" program at the time, primarily to train Texans needing it for Colorado's hunter education requirement, passed in 1970. 

Photo: Law Enforcement Division's Lynn Stanley (L), and  I&E's T.D. Carroll (R), first Texas hunter education coordinator, recognize the 1st Texas Hunter Education graduate -- a youngster named Michael Fain, who went on to become a game warden,  himself, stationed at the King Ranch (Sarita) for most of his career. 

IHEA-USA Annual Conference Going Online! Volunteers Welcome!

It is official – mark your calendars for May 19 and May 20 of 2021.  We will have more details coming soon on our website (IHEA-USA.org) in the coming days including the reveal of a special keynote speaker(s) and unique hunter education activities.  Much has happened over the last year, and we hope you will join us to catch up on all the news from IHEA-USA and our partners in education around the world. YOU are invited to attend.  If you are receiving this newsletter, it is because you are involved with hunter education or interested in learning more about what IHEA-USA is doing.  Our IHEA-USA Conference Committee has unanimously decided to welcome all volunteer educators with special pricing for active IHEA-USA instructor members and volunteer educators everywhere.  We are no longer confined to a building, so we are going to celebrate with affordable registration rates and special sessions for volunteers and state agency teams.  If you are interested in sponsoring the event this year, please reach out to Leaha Thomas at Leaha@BoltStrategy.com. 

- Alexander Baer, Executive Director IHEA-USA. 

Photo:  The last face-to-face conference was held in Alabama who hosted a "field day" as part of conference activities.  At this station, New Mexico Hunter Education Coordinator, Jennifer Morgan, asks a safety question to John Louk, Executive Director with the Treestand Manufacturing Association,

Congratulations on 100 Published Hunters Connect Videos.

On 12/07/2020 Hunters Connect published it's 100th video!  Also, in the month of December we reached 4,000 hours of viewing!  Both of these accomplishments are worth noting.  Thanks for your continued support of Hunter Education!

February's Videos highlighted Scoring and the Boone and Crockett Club.

February Hunters Connect Videos: 02/08/21 - History of Boone & Crockett Club 02/15/21 - How to Score a Whitetail Deer 02/15/21 - Tools of the (Scoring) Trade 02/22/21 - How to Score a Mule Deer 02/24/21 - How to Score an Elk-USA.

Brian Hobbs - Hunter Ed Grant Mgr./Biol.

Brian grew up in Southern California, eventually going to Humboldt State University in Northern California to get a degree in Freshwater Fisheries in 1997. After graduation, I took a seasonal job with Nevada Department of Wildlife. In 2000, he got his first permanent position as the State Reptile biologist. He also completed hunter education and started hunting in remote parts of NV for deer, waterfowl, and upland game birds. Until then, he was a dedicated fish head!

In late 2012, Brian's wife’s father died and she and he decided to move to central New York to take over his cabinet manufacturing business that had been open for over 45 years. Despite their success, family issues prevented them from continuing so he went back to work in his chosen field. In 2014, I got a job with the Bureau of Reclamation in Albuquerque, NM as a biologist and then project manager for over 5 years. In April 2020, he went to work in USFWS-Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration (WSFR) as grant manager for hunter education and construction projects for shooting ranges, wildlife management areas, boating access, Clean Vessel Act, and Boating Infrastructure Grants. " He chuckled, "I haven’t been bored at work since I started!"  Photo: This was taken last October in the Pecos Wilderness during a backpacking trip. Lots of elk hunters out there but we only came across one successful hunter. It was pretty warm, and that wilderness area is massive!

WSFR Region 2 - HIGHLIGHTS

• New Mexico - assisted Game and Fish Dept. to build a new range in Clovis, NM.
• Oklahoma - worked with Dept. of Wild. Conservation developing shooting ranges on Wildlife Management Areas and archery ranges on Cherokee land.
• Texas - approved a new grant for a range in Plano, TX, to modify a building that will become an indoor shooting range.

What is WSFR?  USFWS WSFR staff work with states, insular areas and the District of Columbia to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, their habitats, and the hunting, sport fishing and recreational boating opportunities they provide. In 2019, President Trump signed the Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support (TarMark) and the Modernizing the Pittman-Robertson Fund for Tomorrow’s Needs (Modernizing PR) Acts.

TarMark: The purpose is act is to facilitate the construction and expansion of public target ranges, including ranges on Federal land managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. This Act also allows for a 90:10 Federal:State cost share for eligible activities.

Modernizing PR: Made hunter recruitment and recreational-shooter recruitment eligible activities under the Pittman-Robertson Act. Modernizing PR also removed the prohibition of public relations.

COLETO CREEK  - Special thanks goes to (Back R) Area Chief, Santiago "Junior" Munoz, Austwell, Aransas NWR Employee, Keith Jackson, Alto, Dan Hepker, Bastrop and "Big "Earle" Blakney, Irving, with the Texas Trappers and Fur Hunters Association. Participants brought their own food to the workshop and meals were prepared by the Venture Hunting Crew .30-06, Houston, with around 12 participants. At total of 31 attended this year's annual Trapping (advanced hunter education) workshop.

Dan Hepker, Bastrop (R), demonstrates setting three traps at the confluence of two game trails frequented by coyotes preying on smaller rodents and rabbits -- where pastures meet trees. The Liu Family, Houston, made the trek to learn more about the outdoors, conservation, and practical skills like trapping and hunting.  They came away wanting to do much more with TPWD and its programs. 

Coleto Creek Youth Hunt, Feb. 19-21

Area Chief, "Junior" Munoz, Austwell, besides hosting the Trapping 101 Workshop (see above) hosted a youth deer and hog hunt at Coleto Creek Park near Victoria. Kayden Duckett (L), shown here with his father, Andy, harvested a nice hog during the hunt and learned how to successfully skin and process it after the morning hunt.  A hearty congratulations to Kayden for successfully harvesting a good eating pig!

Liu family follow up trapping workshop by hunting!

As a result of the trapper education workshop and meeting Junior Munoz, the Liu family went deer hunting two weeks later. Christopher Liu successfully harvested this nice doe. L to R: Solomon, Christopher, Audrey, Lynn and James Liu with Huntmaster Junior Munoz   CONGRATS Liu family -- Life's Better Outside!

Sanford "Sandy" Mason, Joshua, hosted Hunt #139 in Palo Pinto County for the Texas Youth Hunting Program.  Mason said, "It was a new ranch to the program, and they requested first-time hunters. The guides were all experienced, and several had recently guided at the TYHP "Super Hunt".  All five hunters harvested deer and learned how to skin/quarter their game."

Mason continued, "As part of the hunt, the hunters and their parents also attended classes on aging deer, Chronic Wasting Disease affects and how samples are collected, and how a Managed Land Deer Permits are established on private lands.

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy being an Area Chief and Huntmaster for the programs."

The HONORABLE, Ethical Hunter

The manual is now available!

Be sure to attend upcoming Hunting 101 Workshops including Ethics, Game Laws and Responsibility Training Workshops held specifically for instructors to do a better job teaching subjects that make the students better citizens as well as hunters.

Michael Sabbeth, Denver, has completed his training manual for instructors with strategies for persuading both internal (students) and external (e.g. media and non-hunters) audiences on the value of hunting in conservation. The manual has tips and ideas for helping everyone understand the values and benefits of hunting, helping students aspire to being honorable hunters and how to deal with attitudes by those who don't understand or oppose hunting. HE Instructors: If you would like an advanced copy, please email:  steve.hall@tpwd.texas.us, and we will mail you a copy!

R3 (Go to: R3 National Strategic Plan) has spawned many mentor and women hunting opportunities as an addition to programs focused initially on youth hunting (See Texas Youth Hunting Program - TYHP).  Even TYHP has developed its own Mentor category because of the influx of millennials interested in hunting for the first time.

For example, more tips and advice are coming from conservation organizations such as the National Wildlife Turkey Federation on Tips for Mentors or for Hunters Seeking Mentors.  For those that teach hunter education or "Huntmaster" youth hunts for TYHP, it is difficult to scrape up the time to personally mentor adult hunters, but all of know someone in that category or someone who attended many of our other excellent programs (e.g. Becoming an Outdoors Woman) and wants an opportunity to learn hunting from a person who "goes above and beyond..."

TURKEY HUNTING 101 - FREE

MARCH 13 - 9am - 3pm - Bull Creek Cowboy Church, 9591 US-69, Point, TX

Contact: monica.bickerstaff@tpwd.texas.gov

Participants must register through the following link to reserve a spot in this popular spring Hunting 101 course!  See you there!

Turkey Hunting 101 Link

ARCHERY LETHALITY - A BOWHUNTING 101 Workshop - FREE

JUNE 5 - 9am - 3pm -  Cinnamon Creek Ranch, 13794 Old Denton Rd, Roanoke, TX

Contact: monica.bickerstaff@tpwd.texas.gov

Partner:  Ashby Bowhunting Foundation - President, Rob Nielson

REGISTRATION LINK: ARROW LETHALITY WORKSHOP

Charles Marcus - Helotes

Area Chief, Charles Marcus, retired after 31 years from the San Antonio Police Force, on January 31st. He is now a Reserve Officer for a small town of 523 people, so he gets to stay still involved in Law Enforcement.  He has more time for hunter education, so he and Area Chief, Rick Hite, Bexar County, just taught a new Hunter Education Instructor Course on Feb. 27th.  Marcus said, "I think it would be fun to go out and ride with Johnny Jones or one of the Game Wardens.  Their job is definitely different than mine!" Congratulations on your retirement, Charles!

Bob Gulash - West Point (2019)

I became a Hunter Education VOLUNTEER - because I am fortunate enough to have been hunting and fishing all my life. I have a combined 15 plus years of military and law enforcement service. Most accidents I have experienced and or worked over the years were preventable. Because of my passion for the outdoors and my work/life experiences, I recognized the opportunity to help serve the communities. Hopefully educating outdoors people in safety will help reduce or prevent future hunting accidents.

My most prized sporting arm - Mathews Z7 Extreme Compound Bow - It is a little outdated, but it does the job, and does it well. For me, nothing is more challenging than getting an animal within a short range of 20 yards and being able to place a fatal shot with a well-placed arrow.

My favorite hunt – Whitetail or axis deer - Both challenging to hunt. I have to be disciplined in scent control and movement when hunting them. They are both delicious table fare, too!

My tee-shirt would say - “AIM HIGH!” - Be grateful, but never settle! Have goals in life and continue growing those goals bigger as time progresses.

John Davis - Pflugerville (2012)

I became a Hunter Education Program VOLUNTEER because I am a lifelong hunter, and working with scouts for years and having a love for teaching, it made sense to add Hunter Education to share my love for the outdoors and hunting with both youth and adults.  It fills my heart with pride.  I also am impressed with the amount of responsibility that the new and young hunters assume and the seriousness of their attitudes toward this awesome sport. 

My most prized sporting arm - I prize my grandfather’s Model 70, Featherweight Winchester .243 rifle.  It was the first rifle that I used to hunt deer with my dad.

My favorite hunt - Texas white-tailed deer.  It reminds me of the early years when my dad taught me how to shoot, hunt and clean my first deer.  Those memories of planning and taking our hunting trips are priceless to me.  Now that he is gone, I try to make those memories with my children. 

My tee-shirt would say – “Make it an awesome hunt!”

“There can be no doubt that certain men are endowed with a sort of inherent and spontaneous instinct which leads them to hunting and fishing indulgence as the most alluring and satisfying of all recreations,” he wrote in his book Fishing and Shooting Sketches. “In this view, I believe it may be safely said that the true hunter or fisherman is born, not made. I believe, too, that those who thus by instinct and birthright belong to the sporting fraternity and are actuated by a genuine sporting spirit, are neither cruel, nor greedy and wasteful of the game and fish they pursue; and I am convinced that there can be no better conservator the sensible and provident protection of game and fish than those who are enthusiastic in their pursuit, but who, at the same time, are regulated and restrained by the sort of chivalric fairness and generosity, felt and recognized by every true sportsman.”

- Grover Cleveland

In Memory....Terry Erwin, former Texas Hunter Ed Coordinator

Hunter education administrators, partners and friends continue to spread Terry's ashes throughout North America and in other countries that he visited -- his last wish.  By doing so, they honor him and the mission of hunter education to produce safe, responsible hunters -- THANKS to all who honored Terry!

Florida

Thanks to longtime friend and peer, Bill Cline, FL Hunter Education Coordinator, Terry’s ashes were spread at Derby Lake in the Tenoroc Public Use Area, Lakeland. Bill said, "Tenoroc is nationally noted for largemouth bass - with 29 lakes ranging in size from 5 to 242 acres, Tenoroc also has two paddling trails for canoeing and kayaking, picnic pavilions and is a gateway for the Great Florida Birding Trail. Equestrians enjoy 24 miles of trails and hikers and bicyclists enjoy miles of trails, too. Hikers can access nearly 39 miles of multi-use scenic trails."

"The hunter education training center and shooting sports center at Tenoroc includes 100- and 50-yard rifle ranges, 25- and 7-yard pistol ranges, 5-stand sporting clays, trap, and a 15-station sporting clays course. Currently there are two new 15-station sporting clays courses being added to the site.  The archery range has ground level, elevated and 3-D courses. The range has a pro shop plus an education facility, where hunter safety courses are held and other outdoor education opportunities are offered through the Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network.

Terry was larger than life; Tenoroc has a large emphasis on hunter education and shooting sports.  Tenoroc Public Use Area seemed to be the most fitting place for Terry’s ashes in Florida.  Derby Lake – where the fishing tournaments are held for youth – was an appropriate place for Terry’s ashes in Tenoroc.   RIP my friend!"

- Bill Cline - Section Leader, Hunter Safety & Public Shooting Ranges 

Ron Bobo, Arlington

Ron Bobo passed away on February 9th with his family at his side. From his Obituary, he was a landscape draftsman and was a licensed irrigation designer for 42 years at Schrickel Rollins & Associates.  Ron’s love for hunting led him to be an avid member of the Grand Prairie Gun Club and NRA.  He was also a Texas Hunter Education Instructor since 1990, taught hundreds of students as part of the team at Grand Prairie and received top awards from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for his volunteer service. Ron is survived by his wife, Joy and their dog Blaze of Arlington, TX; children, daughter Heidi Bobo and partner Tami of Fort Worth, TX and son Matthew Bobo and wife Jennifer of Burleson, TX; grandchildren, Emily and Georgia both of Burleson. The Bobo family ask that donations be made to the Texas Hunter Education Instructor Association, PO Box 271523, Dallas, TX 75227. We will miss you, Ron -- thanks for your service to the Hunter Education community!

Jim Ragland, Missouri Instructor

Jim Ragland a Hunter Education Volunteer for the past 30 years passed away on January 26th, his 90^th birthday. During his volunteer time he taught 180 classes and volunteered over 2300 hours. In 1995 Jim was presented the Ken Anderson Award Missouri Instructor's Association highest honor.  In 2015 Jim and his wife Peggy received the Volunteer Hunter Education Hall of Fame Award by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA)-USA.  https://mdc.mo.gov/newsroom/florissant-couple-receives-national-volunteer-hunter-education-hall-fame-award . Jim was a wonderful person, volunteer, and friend who will be missed greatly! Jim was a friend of many instructors and staff in the Texas program and will be missed greatly at the national conferences.  Please send any cards to Peggy Ragland, 3801 Hartack Ct., Florissant, MO 63034. 

Kyle Lairmore & Scott Sarantakis, Conservation Ed, Missouri Dept. Conservation