Turkey Hunting Seasons Abound!

Tuk - tuk - tuk - phrrrt!

Spring is here which means the sweet sounds of fighting, mating, feeding or roosting gobblers among fields of wildflowers such as bluebonnets and paint brushes. Turkey hunting and calling in Texas is a spring ritual enjoyed by many. Join us at or host your own Turkey Hunting 101.  I will be conducting such a seminar as part of the TX Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop in April (see below), among other offerings.  I hope you take advantage of Hunting 101s advanced hunter education opportunities that reinforce 1) SAFE, 2) LEGAL & 3) ETHICAL goals of basic hunter education, including 4) TAKING A GOOD SHOT and 5) TAKING CARE OF GAME from field to table. (Yum yum -- turkey nuggets!)

Photo:  National Student Air Rifle (SAR) Program, Jake Hindman, Missouri, SAR Founder/Owner, traveled to Texas to meet with Texas staff and conduct a SAR awareness webinar for Texas teachers.  While in Texas, Jake was able to take his first true Rio Grande gobbler and serve as a mentor to a hunter who attended Turkey Hunting 101 training (see below).  Jake's national turkey calling prowess and passion for turkey hunting was evident, and he left an indelible mark in the Lone Star State and with me, personally.  Thanks for a great memory! And THANKS, too, to Area Chief, Bob Boswell, Georgetown, for hosting the Mentor Turkey Hunts.

Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator

Lakeview Methodist Conference Center

JOIN US for the annual TEXAS HUNTER EDUCATION INSTRUCTOR CONFERENCE, supported by your State Association, the Texas Hunter Education Instructor Association!

Agenda, logistics and other details will be shared by email and in the May Target Talk but be sure to reserve the weekend and stay at the Conference Center lodging dorms/houses.

AREA CHIEF Meeting will again be held Friday evening, followed by seminars and workshops all day Saturday, with an AWARDS BANQUET (2 year's worth of recognition!)...On Friday, prior to the conference, we will conduct an all-day Student Air Rifle Program Instructor Course (see below).

We want to invite ALL volunteer hunter education instructors to become members of your professional association, the IHEA-USA. Join Today! You will qualify for special pricing for the upcoming May national, virtual conference.  You will get special pricing upon registering as an instructor member! There will be special meetings and education sessions planned for instructors. Highlights include:

• Keynote speakers Tracy and Lanny Barnes!
• Guest speakers from our IHEA-World partners.
• Updates from educational partner organizations.
• Volunteer Instructor-only room with IHEA-USA Executive Team – we want to hear from you!
• Special online training event (more details coming soon!)
• Annual Professional Educators Business Meeting.
• COVID-19 impacts on Hunter Education in America.
• Awards Ceremony including a new Volunteer Instructor Award!
• Sponsors are welcome – opportunities and pricing are still being established, but please inquire here.

IHEA-USA Annual Conference Going Online! Hunter Education Instructors - Register Today!

JOIN US in May !  Registration is open for the May 19 - 20th IHEA-USA Virtual Conference!  Be sure to bookmark your professional association's web site (IHEA-USA.org)! Instructor Registration is $35, which personally benefits you and the Texas Hunter Education Program in general. THANKS for signing up alongside our TPWD Hunter Education Staff!

The conference features speakers Tracy and Lanny Barnes, Olympians in the sport of Biathlon. They competed together in Torino, Italy, in 2006 & Lanny competed in Vancouver Canada in 2010 where Tracy was the alternate. Lanny posted the best U.S. finish in 16 years for the US women at those Olympic Games and both girls made history and inspired the world when Tracy selflessly gave Lanny her spot on the Sochi, Russia 2014 Olympic team after Lanny fell ill during the final trials.

READ MORE.

- Alexander Baer, Executive Director IHEA-USA. 

Photo: Jake Hindman, President and Founder of the Student Air Rifle (SAR) Program, joined Hunter Education Coordinator, Steve Hall, in Austin in March to conduct an hour webinar for teachers and instructors throughout Texas. Participants got the opportunity to see what the program is about, how closely related to NASP it is, the equipment and opportunities.  Great having you from Missouri, Jake!

SAR is a perfect opportunity to learn about shooting sports in the schools and at camps and employ live-fire exercises in urban situations in hunter education FIELD courses requiring such activities as part of the curriculum.  Texas hunter education staff have been trained as SAR Specialists and will be bringing one-day trainings your way.  See the upcoming schedule below!

SAR INSTRUCTOR COURSES

May 11 - Whitsett Comm. Center (S TX)

• 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Contact:  Brock.minton@tpwd.texas.gov

May 21 -  Lakeview Methodist Conference Center (See Instructor Conference)

• 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (near Palestine)
• Contact: Monica.bickerstaff@tpwd.texas.gov

July 27th - Hermleigh High School (W TX)

• 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (near Snyder)
• Contact: Randy.spradlin@tpwd.texas.gov

August 10 - Long Acres Ranch

• 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (near Richmond)
• Contact:  Heidi.rao@tpwd.texas.gov

August (DATE TBA) - (C TX) - (near College Station) 

• 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM 
  
• Contact: Morgan.harbison@tpwd.texas.gov

Small and Tall, Alike...

It took all sizes -- the 1,857 participants who enjoyed shooting at this year's National Archery in Schools Program Tournament coordinated by TX NASP Coordinator, Burnie Kessner. He was joined by a slew of TPWD Outreach & Education staff including O&E Director Johnnie Smith, Outreach Manager, Rob Owen, Travis Glick, Kendrick Gray, Immanuel Salas, Robert Ramirez, and other TPWD staff/volunteers.  Others assisting included hunter education staff (Monica Bickerstaff, Morgan Harbison, Brock Minton, Heidi Rao and Steve Hall), TX AgriLife Extension staff (Larry Hysmith, Program Leader), Outdoor Tomorrow Foundation (Scot McClure, Director) and many wonderful VOLUNTEERS who served primarily as lane officials.  They all performed an exhaustive, on-your-feet-all-day endeavor! THANKS EVERYONE, for your help! Photo: (F to B): A young Peaster Elementary student and Sophie White, Junior at Arlington Martin HS, participated in the 2021 NASP, doing well for their schools!

IBO CHALLENGE Held with NASP

The IBO Challenge, held alongside NASP Tourney in an adjacent building, featured 507 competitors shooting at 3-D animal targets used in Bowhunter Education courses.  Here, Brayden Wiley, 8th Grader from Morris Upchurch Middle School, Queen City, takes aim at one of six animal targets. Congrats to all participants!

Hunter/Bowhunter Education Instructor Course held in S TX

Photo: (L to R): Area Chief, Benny Ham, Whitsett, & grandson and new instructors, Dolores Rocha; Fernando Rocha; Ignacio Perez; (Back Row): Area Chief, Paul Silva; Corpus Christi, Immanuel Salas, Buda; Area Chief, Kirk McClelland; San Antonio, new instructors, David Cavozos; Dannie and Shermaine Daniel.

Brock Minton, South Texas Hunter Education Specialist, hosted a Hunter & Bowhunter Instructor training at Whitsett, in mid-March.  Minton taught the classroom portion while TPWD staff member, Immanuel Salas, N TX Community Archery Specialist, taught the live-fire and skills trail sessions.  Area Chief Hunter Education Instructors, Benny Ham, Kirk, McClelland; and Paul Silva assisted during the training. Congratulations to all new instructors!

Turkey Hunting 101 Held at Whitsett

Brock Minton and Area Chief, Benny Ham, Whisett, also planned and held a Turkey Hunting 101 workshop in Whitsett, just north of Three Rivers near Choke Canyon State Park. Participants, shown here, hold up their targets after live fire exercises on patterning and subtending with their shotguns.  The purpose of patterning is to be sure you are using the correct loads and minimize wounding loss.  Subtending is a useful way of determining distance using the width of the barrel of the shotgun.

(L to R):  Megan Radke; Jose Torres, Erick Rangel (Back): James and Karen Attaway, Brock Minton, Immanuel Salas, Benny Ham and Stephen Rangel

Good morning Brock!

I attended the Turkey 101 workshop this past weekend and really enjoyed the course. The information proved to be incredibly useful on my hunt Sunday as I kept my movements to a minimum and relied on our patterning and subtending to take a confident shot at a 30-yard range. The hunt was successful with a healthy large Tom. Thanks for the education and all you do! Looking forward to the next workshop! - Jose Torres

San Antonio Junior Shoot Out

Morgan Harbison, C TX Hunter Education Specialist and Mobile Sporting Clays Coordinator reported a successful 9th annual  San Antonio Rodeo & Live Stock "Junior Shoot Out Event. Held at the National Sporting Complex, the shoot offers qualifying Texas 4-H and FFA members the opportunity to compete in shotgun shooting sports for scholarships and prizes.  A total of 792 participants (down 28% due primarily to COVID) and about 100 counties were represented.  The Shoot Out has awarded $750,000 in scholarships since 2013!

Muzzleloading 101 at Whitsett

Brock Minton, S TX Hunter Education Specialist, reported a successful Muzzleloading 101 workshop held near Whitsett due the involvement of Area Chiefs like Benny Ham and instructors south of San Antonio.  Thanks to Al Boos and the Muzzle Stuffers for hosting the workshop! Photo: Participant, Kim Courtigh, Skidmore shoots a muzzleloader under the instruction of Mark Buccigrossi volunteering for the Muzzle Stuffers.

Texas YHEC YOUTH HUNT a WILD Success!

The 2020 Texas YHEC Turkey Hunt was held in mid-March on Area Chief Bob Boswell’s ranch near Pawnee. Mr. Boswell stated, "This was the only hunts I can remember where everybody got their turkey on the first day!" The weather was excellent and as you may have guessed, the turkeys were very cooperative.  Decara Hemsath, the only girl on the hunt, shot her tom just as the sun appeared, and the rest fell like dominoes the remainder of the morning -- except for Ethan Hemsath, who opted to take a big boar hog weighing about 225 pounds.  Ethan did get his tom on the evening hunt. Special thanks to Bob Boswell, Georgetown, for hosting and to Ryan Gilson, Bob's longtime family friend who served up some good lasagna and burgers.  All the kids said they had a fantastic time! - David Hammonds, Weatherford, TX YHEC Coordinator and Camp guide/host. Photo: (L to R): Decara Hemsath, Carson Golden, Bob Palmer, Ethan Hemsath, Dustin Polone and Casin Sellears (sitting).  Way to go YHEC Champions and now, turkey and hog getters!

Women’s Outdoor Worldwide – Divas conducted their annual clinic at Elm Fork Shooting Sports in late March. a total of 83 women from across Texas attended, with the furthest driving from Odessa. Over 30 local firearms instructors, including volunteers from Bedford, Fort Worth, Dallas, Irving and Arlington police departments, shooting sports instructors from Longhorn and Circle 10 Councils - Scouting USA,  and volunteer hunter education instructors, , introduced and taught disciplines including muzzleloader, rifle, pistol, shotgun, air rifle, wrist rocket, game calling and even conducted a bird dog retrieving demonstration. 

Pictured is Hunter Education Instructor, Marrietta Johnson, teaching sight alignment for rimfire rifle and Instructors Jose Garcia & Charlie Preslar and three generations of participants at the muzzleloader station – Mary H., Bobbie L.,  Kathy E., Shelby L. Area Chief, Melanie Sturgis also taught at the annual event.

ARCHERY LETHALITY - A BOWHUNTING 101 Workshop - FREE

APRIL 18 1pm - 5pm - San Antonio Gun Club,
928 E. Contour St.

Register at: Arrow Lethality & Shooting Class

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

General public portion of the workshop will be from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.; Hunter Education Instructor portion will continue until 3:00 p.m.

Matt Abernathy - League City (2008)

I became a Hunter Education VOLUNTEER - I was asked by my employer to get certified as an instructor to teach classes at work. It has since become one of my favorite programs, and I love being involved in the program.

My most prized sporting arm - Browning A5 - When my wife's grandfather passed, I received a late 1950's Browning A5. It is in mint condition and still shoots like it was bought yesterday.

My favorite hunt – Feral Hogs - I actually love to hunt hogs. My background is in conservation and I really like the idea of not only providing food for my family but making an effort to control a detrimental invasive species.

My tee-shirt would say - “I can't make a decision for you; all I can do is give you the facts so you can make an informed decision." (I teach a lot about snakes and this what I tell people when they ask if I think they should kill/not kill snakes.)

James Russell - Denison (1994)

I became a Hunter Education Program VOLUNTEER because even though I was grandfathered in because of my age, I participated in the Hunter Education course in the late 1980's from Instructor, Bob Friese.  After several nudges from Bob, I got certified as an Instructor in December 1994.  July 2000, I became certified as a Bowhunter Education Instructor.  I also became NRA certified in 9 different disciplines and became a Range Safety Officer.  I worked with Boy Scouts for many years (Scoutmaster) and taught Rifle, Shotgun, and Archery merit badges at Scout camp.  A few years ago, I became an official scorer for the Texas Big Game Awards.  I've taught hunter education at State Parks, the Hagerman NWR and am currently teaching classes at the Harber Wildlife Museum in Sherman.

My most prized sporting arm - .270 cal. Model 721 Remington - When I was in college, I would go home, occasionally, with my roommate who lived in Austin.  His next-door neighbor was none other than TPWD legend, Horace Gore, who oversaw the whitetail deer program for the State.  He was quite the gun collector/trader.  When I asked him if he had any rifles, he would be willing to part with, he pulled out 2 guns:  one I could not afford; the other for a reasonable $165.  It had a 4-power Weaver scope, which has since been replaced.  I have a number of other deer rifles, but none of them are as accurate and such a joy to shoot as that old .270 made in the 1950's.  

My favorite hunt - Taking my grandchildren deer hunting, trying to get them onto deer.  One granddaughter who started at age 8, is now 10 and has harvested 3 deer.  This past season three other grandchildren, two age 8 and one age 14, harvested their first deer.  I'm already looking forward to next season and more adventures afield with grandchildren.

My tee-shirt would say – "Teach Your Children to Hunt and Fish"

April 23-25, Brownwood, TX 4-H Center

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman is coming up on 30 years of programs (2022) in Texas and has a rich Lone Star history in: 1) serving Texas women, 2) providing quality instruction in nearly every major outdoor activity/topic, and 3) breaking down the barriers for women's participation in the outdoors -- a centerpiece of R3 (Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation) strategies going forward.  If we can pattern other educational efforts after the successful BOW workshops and follow-up (advanced) hunts and other opportunities, we can move the needle on issues such as diversity, inclusion and targeted approaches that reach even more urban audiences and numbers. This month's workshop filled up in a few hours, so it is important to become a member of the Texas Outdoor Woman community prior to signing up for workshops.  For questions, you can contact SE TX Hunter Education Specialist, Heidi Rao, who also serves as the state's BOW Coordinator, with assistance from Monica Bickerstaff, the N TX Hunter Education Specialist. 

New Jersey

"I wanted to let you know that I distributed Terry Erwin’s ashes on the Hunter Training Range in Millville NJ.  The range recently received upgrades and hosts hunter education classes and is open to NJ Licensed Hunters.  It is the most unique range we have in NJ for several reasons 1) Provides the longest distance at 215 yards; 2) Has multiple range types, including centerfire  (215 yds.) muzzleloader (50 yds.), a skeet range, and an archery range: 3) Received updates to accommodate shooters with disabilities: 4) Provides covered shooting stations and increased safety with 'blue sky' limiters.  Please share photo with Terry’s Family."

Nate - Nathan Figley New Jersey Hunter Education Administrator

Huanchaco, Peru

Jthomas Saldias, a longtime friend of Terry Erwin, and an advocate for hunter education and hunting in Peru, honored Terry's wishes at a peaceful beach in his hometown of Huanchaco.  Terry traveled to Peru while TX Coordinator, to assist in training Peruvians in hunter education.  Thanks Thomas!

James "Mike" Lochabay, Garland, was born in 1943 in Ft. Worth. Mike, as he was known to all, was the oldest of 5 brothers and 2 sisters. After high school, Mike joined the Marine Reserves serving from 1961 to 1968. He met his wife, Evelyn "Elaine" Lochabay, his lifelong team hunter education instructor, while working in Salt Lake. After dating 3 weeks, they eloped to Elko, Nevada with the help of Elaine's brother Dick and his wife Velate. They spent the next 53 years together. After they were married, they lived in Utah where they had 3 kids, Michael, Carrie, and Tracy. Upon moving to Texas, they decided they needed a Texan, a daughter, and Jennifer was born here in Texas. When the kids were little, Mike coached soccer and baseball. Mike was a Civil Engineer and worked for North Texas Municipal Water District. He and Elaine taught hunter education for many years and were very active through the states' programs with hunting. Mike also taught Texas and Utah license-to-carry (LTC) for many years and he was an advocate for people's rights and training. It was important to Mike for people to learn how to properly handle firearms."  Mike and Elaine reached the Texas Hunter Education Hall of Fame back in 2001, making them one of the most successful husband/wife teaching team in the history of the program. Our deepest condolences, Elaine, and family! We wish Mike much peace in Heaven!  The Lochabay team surely moved the needle in hunter education in Texas!

Michael Dean Booher, Graham, 62, died February 20th in Wichita Falls. Mike was born in January 1959 in Kermit. He graduated from Snyder High School and was a Superintendent for White Water Construction.  He was a member of the Young County Masonic Lodge #485, Graham Rifle & Pistol Club and NRA. He served as Hunter Education Instructor since 1992, teaching over 250 students and 25 courses.  Memorials may be made to Young County Masonic Lodge # 485, PO Box 485, Graham, Texas 76450.