Celebrating VOLUNTEERS!

This National Week of Celebration of Volunteers (April 18th - 24th) -- We salute the many volunteer Hunter Education Program Instructors, 4-H Shooting Sports Leaders and Texas Youth Hunting Program "Huntmasters" and Volunteers!

A person lives 7 years longer if he or she VOLUNTEERS on a regular basis, especially in the later years. I have no doubt!  If you are passionate about a hobby, sports, activity, your family's lives -- your WAY OF LIFE -- by staying active, you don't have time to lose hope, friendships, family time or passion.  You are too busy fulfilling goodness -- giving of your time and talents to others -- the essence of volunteerism. Volunteering helps people feel good about themselves! 

Hunter education and partner program represent volunteers that go above & beyond to promote safe, responsible, knowledgeable and involved behaviors in activities that they have come to know as a 'way of life', hunting & shooting sports!

Because of your efforts, almost 1.5 million hunters have become certified in hunter education, an added 2.5 million Texans have been exposed to safe, responsible hunting and firearm practices directly because of the efforts of Volunteer Hunter Education Instructors.  In addition, another 750,000 people have participated in 4-H Shooting Sports clubs, TYHP hunts, Texas Brigade camps and other major Texas Parks and Wildlife Department hunter education partnerships.

I want to thank EACH of YOU for VOLUNTEERING your time in HUNTER EDUCATION all of these years -- some of you for more than 25 years --WOW!

Steve Hall - Hunter Education Coordinator

Carter Smith's Volunteer Message

TPWD Executive Director, Carter Smith, took time to recognize the efforts of so many volunteers working on behalf of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department as a pre-cursor to National Volunteer Week, "Through your volunteer efforts, you are instilling a spirit of conservation in Texans young and old by enhancing stewardship of our great state's natural and cultural resources."  He continued, "You facilitate critical hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the state."  THANKS to all of the VOLUNTEERS that represent the department!

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).

VOLUNTEERS - We celebrate YOU and your successes!  Come to the Awards Banquet where we will recognize instructor accomplishments from 2019 and 2020 and top Incentive Award earners from 2020.  JOIN US!

Eddie Kleppinger - Andrea Cleveland

National Admin Professionals' Day

Wednesday - April 21, 2021

As we celebrate National Volunteer Week, it also is fitting that TODAY is National Administrative Professionals' Day where we recognize the accomplishments of the staff that make it happen each and every day.  In this case, a special shout out goes to Eddie Kleppinger, Hunter Education Administrative Assistant who also manages the Online Registration System Contract -- a huge load for registering and storing the data and coursework that instructors generate every day. Thanks goes out to Andrea Cleveland, too.  She works daily handling instructor records, student and public queries and mailing out incentive awards and other items to instructors on a daily basis.  Both handle thousands of calls, queries and records monthly.

A SPECIAL THANKS from all of us to these two SPECIAL FOLKS!

The International Association of Administrative Professionals promotes National Administrative Professionals Day. The observance first launched in 1952 when U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Charles Sawyer proclaimed June as National Secretaries Week. In that same year, June 4th was designated National Secretaries Day. The name changed to Administrative Professionals in 2000 when the day was also added, and the events moved to April. 

Kris Shipman - Volunteer  Program Manager

Kris Shipman’s passion for the outdoors began at a very early age hiking, fishing, boating, and camping excursions in the Ozarks. Kris moved to Austin and served as an AmeriCorps VISTA member at the Texas Department of Health (TDH) as a volunteer coordinator. Kris has spent the last 18 years at TPWD. She worked for multiple divisions within the agency coordinating environmental education outreach events and volunteers.  Currently, Kris serves as TPWD’s volunteer program manager and resides in Human Resources.  In her current role, Kris supports TPWD staff who work with volunteers and promotes volunteer efforts across the agency.  Thanks, Kris, for what you do on behalf of TPWD and, especially, the VOLUNTEERS throughout!

Kim Sorensen Hired in Boater Ed

In November 2020, Kim Sorensen was hired as the new Boater Education Manager. She brings a wealth of knowledge of water safety, paddle sports safety and boating safety to her new role. She is an American Canoe Association certified instructor trainer for SUP and Kayaking, an American Red Cross Lifeguard instructor, and an avid boater. Over the last 12 years she has worked with local non-profits and paddle sport educators to ensure proper skills and safety on and around the water. “Boater education is a vital function - people’s lives are literally on the line,” said Johnnie Smith, TPWD Outreach & Education Director. “Working in collaboration with Law Enforcement, this important role is well positioned to grow and thrive. Kimberly is the right person to lead this critical effort and I look forward to working with her!"

YOUTH Groups - City Kids Adventures - San Antonio

3rd Annual Dennis Turkey Hunt

"Humanity, a topic that within today’s world is sadly fleeting in its importance and impacting principles. This weekend we strove to recover this fleeting love in ways that highlighted and brought back its roots. Through simple actions involving Mother Nature, meaningful relationships, and selfless service, we attempted to redirect and reapply emphasizes on the important parts of being human as compared to the divergent parts of our digressing society. Remove the wedge that drives societies apart, and there is no other option except to come together. We would like to thank our sponsors and all those involved this weekend that continue to provide our program with the opportunity to enact these uniting principles. It takes a village to raise a child. THANK YOU!!"  - Words spoken by the next Generation of City Kids Adventures Leadership Our son, Lee Charles McNeil!  We love ya' son and are excited for what the next 50 years of changing lives will bring! - Leticia & Leon McNeil

Bass Pro Shops - Grapevine

"Dear Sue:

"The number of Texas Hunter Education students that were trained at Bass Pro Grapevine in 2020 was 304. The number is smaller than previous years due to smaller/less classes due to COVID.  We continue to appreciate you and Bass Pro and all the support you give us!

Jose Garcia & Stephen Polansky - Hunter Education Instructors

VOLUNTEERS - Incentives and Recognition Programs

Clinton Narcisse, Humble, brought his incentive award rifle to the combo Hunter/Bowhunter Instructor training in early March. Clint attended the class to earn his Area Chief rating, helping teach both hunter and bowhunter students. He contributed suggestions to incorporate hands-on activities and promoted the Texas Youth Hunting Program as well.  His rifle, a Henry Long Range level action, is chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor with a Leupold VX-5 HD 3-5 x 44mm scope mounted on it.  The rifle and scope companies both are sponsors at International Hunter Education Association-USA.  Way to go Clint, and many congratulations! - Heidi Rao, SE TX Hunter Education Specialist

VOLUNTEERS - Generations

Meet Bryan, Kyle and James Leisinger – three generations of hunters and bow hunters who will bring their new training and instructor certification back to their family lease in East Texas!  They plan to train everyone who is part of the lease using both classroom and field activities, including live fire!  Welcome to the program!!

Heidi Rao - SE TX Hunter Education Specialist