2020 *STATEWIDE* Instructor of the Year 

James DAVIS, Pasadena - Heidi Rao, SE Hunter Education Specialist, presented to Davis saying, "Certified in 1995, James has been a rock of an Instructor and wealth of experience in all Southeast Texas.  He was here before me and took me under his wing when I began in 1998 to show me the ropes around the region.  To this day, James continues coming up with new ideas and opportunities to teach new students across the county.  I take comfort in knowing I can ALWAYS call on James to teach upon request, whether a private class asking for an Instructor to come in or helping with a large class in a round-robin teaching style. He’s a joy to be around and a pleasure to work with and depend on all these years.  To many, many more years to come!  Congratulations!"

Top Legends Award recipient, Area Chief, Duke Walton, Porter (L - see IHEA-USA Instructor Recognition article) joined James and fellow longtime instructor, Thomas Shashak Jr., Pearland, (R) in congratulating their co-instructor for his top achievement in the Texas Hunter Education Program. Rao continued, "James always dedicates several days of his week to work the Laser Shot booth at the Houston Rodeo each spring and fills in other time slots. He never misses a meeting or a workshop, and always makes himself available to help a new instructor and mentor them along their way."

2019 *NEW* Generation Award

Eddie Kleppinger, Hunter Education Admin., presented the first ever 2019 and 2020 "New Generation Awards" at the annual instructor conference. He said, "The first recipient of this award is Dawn DAVIS, Professional Educator, Conroe ISD. She was certified in 2018, and promptly certified 251 hunter education students in her first year.  The next year, she certified an additional 256 students. She also certified 142 students in boater education."

(Above:) Heidi Rao, SE Texas Regional Specialist, presents Dawn Davis with her award at the Bass Pro Shop in Pearland in June. Joining Rao and Davis were (L to R) Wanda Gerber, Conroe ISD (coworker),  Dawn,  Leota Rice (Dawn’s mom) and Linda Davis (Dawn’s best friend – no “Davis” relation). Congratulations Dawn -- well deserved!

C Texas 2019 Instructor of the Year

John DAVIS Sr., Pflugerville, has been extremely active teaching at Texas Parks and Wildlife's hunter education headquarter offices, known as Airport Commerce Park. At just over 2,500 points, John reached both the Buck Knife (signed by the late 'Chuck Buck') and Handgun incentive award levels (Cabela's Gift Card sponsored by  the Texas Hunter Education Instructor's Association along with all other rifle, shotgun and handgun incentive award recipients). Congratulations John!

Melanie Sturgis, Carrollton, longtime shotgun instructor at the Outdoor Texas Camps, coached yet another full camp of girls and also acted as lead hunter education instructor, assisted by Brock Minton, S TX Hunter Education Specialist, retired game warden, Albert Flores, Ingleside, and Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator, Austin.

Brigades

S TX Regional Hunter Education Specialist, Brock Minton (orange shirt), reported on the South Texas Buckskin Brigades at G2 Ranch near Pearsall in Frio County. Here, Brock is joined by one of the cadet groups who turned their project in at 2:12 a.m.  That's real dedication and is why many of the Brigades are affectionately called "boot camps". (Back L to R): Cadets Zach Pearson, Brock Minton - TPWD, Rose Cooper, Allie Cooper, Blaise Korzekwa, and Kory Gann. (Front L to R) Shelby Green, Asst. Hunter Education Instructor, Winston Waldron, and Jordan Davis.  Great job buck skinners! Photo Camp Credits: Allie Cooper

Who-Dun-It?"- Game Wardens Cody Buckaloo, Median County (L), Kevin Frazier, Frio County and Chris Stautzenberger, Zavala County, dressed up as poachers and put on a "Who Dun It?" by placing several violations in and around a camp site. Role playing a Texas GAME WARDEN, each brigade student had to find the violations and cite the poachers.

Hunter Education is an integral part of the Brigades, and is going strong! Photo: Post of Brigade graduates along with one of Dr. Dale Rollins' favorite quotes he termed SILVER BULLETS which each graduate had  to memorize and take with them the rest of their lives ..."One generation plants the tree and another enjoys the shade" - Anonymous

Photo Below: L to R:  Game Wardens Drew Garrett (Live Oak), Robert Zerr (Atascosa), and Chad Moore (Karnes) presented at the Bobwhite Brigades (Buck Horn Creek Ranch (Atascosa County) in mid-June.  Brigades continues to develop outdoor leaders! Congratulations to all Brigade graduates this summer!

Kid's Outdoor Zone

Kid's Outdoor Zone (KOZ) Summer camps kicked off last week and teaches hunter education and takes each camper on actual hunts -- making it one of the best MENTOR - based, hunting experiences that exists in Texas.  KOZ also uses National Archery in Schools. Hunting is the centerpiece for the boys and "KOZ Pink" (girls) camps.  As with other Texas faith-based efforts, KOZ is now national in scope and was started by T.J. Greaney based on his experience at age 13. As they like to say -- KOZ Strong! See T.J.'s Story in "Year 13"

In Texas, the recipient of the 50 for 50 Award is Duke Walton, Porter! Congrats, Duke! Based on Duke's stellar success as a Texas Hunter Education Instructor, Duke received the top honor, LEGACY AWARD, at the recent Texas Hunter Education Instructor Association annual Hunter Education Instructor Conference held in Palestine in May (See June Target Talk). Photo: Duke (R) spent his own resources to go to many International Conferences, and he received the prestigious IHEA Volunteer Hall of Fame Award in 2010, alongside the late hunter education coordinator, Terry Erwin, Austin (Professional Hall of Fame) and fellow volunteer, the late Walter "Gene" Norton, Baytown (L).

Dove Hunting 101

AUGUST 21, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

• Arlington Sportsman’s Club - 11500 CR 525 Mansfield, TX 76063
• Instructors:  Larry Patterson, Monica Bickerstaff - Regional HE Specialist, Travis Porter - TPWD Game Warden, Adam Mann - TPWD Biologist, Rocky Calvert - Sporting Clays Match Director
• Bring $10 - ASC Sporting Clays Fee
• REGISTRATION LINK: CLICK HERE
  

Photo: Dave Miller, CZ USA employee and shooting world record holder, was on hand to train Dove Hunting 101 participants in the art and science of hitting clay birds during a workshop held at the National Sporting Complex in San Antonio.

Upcoming SAR Instructor Courses

July 27 - Hermleigh High School (W TX)

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

August 10 - Long Acres Ranch (SE TX)

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

August 12 - Texas A&M University, Rellis Campus (C TX)

• 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM 
• Address:  3064 Ave D, Bryan, TX 77807
• Contact: Morgan.harbison@tpwd.texas.gov

Photo: June 2nd SAR Trainees in Arlington included: Sabina Harrington, Jeff Waldron, Holli Pontremoli, Mike Bira, Steven Seeley, and Cameron Devereaux.  Instructors:  Monica Bickerstaff & Randy Spradlin, N & W TX Hunter Education Specialists.

SAVE THE DATE: October 9th

The 2021 Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) will be held on Saturday, October 9 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Arlington Sportsman’s Club (11500 CR 525, Mansfield, TX 76063).  The event is open to all youth ages 3^rd grade -18. There are 2 competition categories: Junior (ages 3^rd grade-13) and Senior (ages 14-18). 

There will be shotgun, .22 rifle, archery, responsibility exam, and hunter safety trail/wildlife identification competitions. Olympic-style medals will be awarded for 1^st - 3^rd place for each venue.  First and second high score Senior, first and second high score Junior, and "Sportsmanship" honoree will be awarded belt buckles.

If you would like to participate, contact Debbie Laughman at ld3llaughman@gmail.com to obtain registration form and rules.  Registration deadline is September 20th.

Families are invited to attend.  Please note that the participants’ lunch is included in the registration fee.  Additional lunches may be ordered on registration form.  People may bring their own food and drinks.

If you would like to volunteer, please contact David or Jeanette Hammonds, Weatherford, at mrdavidhammonds@att.net.

Photo:  Area Chief and TSRA Hunt Sponsor, Bob Boswell, Georgetown, pictured with four of the top winners from the 2020 YHEC held at Arlington Sportsmen Club.

The 2021 Ag Clays State Championship was held June 7 & 8 at the National Shooting Complex, San Antonio. Morgan Harbison, Mobile Shooting Sports Director & Central TX Hunter Education Specialist, reported that there were 235 TRAP participants (179 male, 56 females; 29 male teams, 9 female teams, and 17 mixed teams). There were 206 SPORTING CLAYS participants (158 male, 48 females; 25 male teams, 8 female teams and 14 mixed teams). Nearly 40 schools attended this year.  Angela Gerlich, Executive Director, TSRA Foundation, once again, provided the key sponsorship/partnership for the annual event and personally assisted with coordination including entries, squadding and awards.  Photo: Navarro FFA Sporting Clays mixed team prepares to shoot.

Alongside Morgan Harbison, participants Matthew Kutz and Riley Bohl, Goliad FFA, signed during the National Anthem at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Ag Clays State Tournament. TPWD Game Warden Recruiter, Chelsea Bailey, set up an exhibit on behalf of TPWD law enforcement recruitment & information to discuss with interested high school students in Ag Science, FFA and related outdoor and wildlife education programs.

BOWHUNTING 101 COURSE

Hunter/Bow Hunter Education Instructors, Bob Barnette - TYHP N TX Field Director, Larry Patterson, Doug Lambert, Ed Knetsch  and Erik Fosheim (instructor applicant) joined participants from the public at the Ashby Bowhunters Foundation - supported  "Arrow Lethality" Workshop, a TPWD Bowhunting 101 advanced hunter education offering hosted by N TX Hunter Education Specialist, Monica Bickerstaff. Photo: Sporting the Ashby red shirts, below, Rob Neilson, Bowhunter Education Instructor and Foundation President (L), along with Troy Fowler (R), holding the Hunter Education banner below, conducted the training highlighting the 12 Arrow Penetration Enhancing Factors. Above, Rob demonstrates broadhead sharpness with an axis deer hide.

SOUTH TX STUDENT COURSE

"Good afternoon! Just wanted to share some great photos of this Saturday’s class at “The Barn at Tacubaya Ranch”. My wife and I presented to 17 students. We also invited two Game Wardens, Austin Pierce (Center in Photo) and Doug White (R) and TPWD District Biologist, "Chico" Barrera (not in photo). Some parents also asked me if I would conduct an archery class for them. Being that I just got certified as a Bowhunter Education Instructor, I will be reaching out to Brock Minton, S TX Hunter Education Specialist, for guidance and assistance with class material. Thanks!" - Fernando (Fernie) Rocha (L).  

Loree & Fernie Rocha (4th and 3rd from R), Jose Garcia (R- Manager, Tacubaya Ranch) and  Sylvia Chavez (Ranch Owner - Holding Banner at L) were joined by the students for a photo moment. Great job, all!

NEW INSTRUCTOR COURSES

JULY 9th - 10:00 AM - 5:00PM - Scheels, 4450 Destination Dr, Colony, TX 75056; REGISTRATION LINK: CLICK HERE

JULY 26th - 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM - Hermleigh High School; 8010 US-84; Harmleigh, TX REGISTRATION LINK: CLICK HERE

AUGUST 9th - COMBO HUNTER & BOWHUNTER ED Instructor Course; 8:00AM - 5:00 PM - Long Acres Ranch, 2335 Richmond Pkwy/Williams Way, Richmond, TX

Must REGISTER for both: HUNTER ED and BOWHUNTER ED

National Rifle Association Convention coming to Houston in September

2021 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits - George R. Brown Convention Center, Sept 3-5th

NRA Reopens NRA Public Range Fund

The National Rifle Association (NRA) is pleased to announce the reopening of NRA's Public Range Fund. Established in 2009, the NRA Public Range Fund is a grant matching program that encourages city and county governments, along with state or federal agencies, to work with NRA to build and improve public ranges across the United States. 

"Public ranges allow hundreds of thousands of hunters, competitive shooters, and target shooters to work on their marksmanship under safe and responsible conditions," said Liz Bush, managing director of NRA Community Engagement. "More than 90 public ranges have been awarded funds to date and we look forward to assisting the next 90." 

More than $2 million have been award in NRA Public Range Fund since the program began. For more information on this program and other available range grants, please visit our website at https://rangeservices.nra.org/funding-grants/

A Picture is Worth 1000 Words

"Hello Hunting Professionals,

Thanks again for participating in our webinars ("How to Talk About Hunting")! During the webinar we talked about hunting photos, and how they can affect the perception of hunting and hunters. Please see the attached document that provides some tips about hunting photos on social media.  Feel free to share the document. Thanks for all you do!"  Photo Tips from NRA Hunters' Leadership Forum (HLF)

Click Here! A Picture is Worth 100 Words

- Peter Churchbourne, Director, NRA Hunters' Leadership Forum

Texas Game Wardens and Park Peace Officers (green trousers) hit the ground running in June. In December 2019, all went through the "Safe Zones of Fire" (see photo) and other "Skills Trail" and live fire (shotgun) exercises as part of their hunter education instructor course.  They conduct "Game Warden Interviews" in their local counties along with teaching game laws and hunter education activities with their hundreds of other duties as peace officers. Congratulations Class of 2021!  Be sure to let HE staff know if you need anything!

David Todd Sr.
San Antonio - David Brooks Todd Sr. died on April 3rd, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 74, after having resided in Bandera, Texas for nearly 25 years. David was born and raised in Houston before moving to Austin to attend The University of Texas. David graduated in 1970 and was a gifted student as well as a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. After college, he pursued a career in real estate development, as well as several entrepreneurial ventures. He was a devoted Christian, basketball and rodeo fan, which led him to co-found First Step Basketball Camp for inner city kids in Florida and The Gathering of Men ministry, which grew to over 20 cities in the U.S. impacting thousands of men each year. In 2003, he pursued his passion for the outdoors by starting Outdoor Texas Camps that focused on teaching fishing, hunting and outdoor skills to youth. In 2014, he expanded his camp dreams to include Islamorada, Florida with Clearwater Adventures Camp, teaching children how to deep-sea and back-country fish. David was always known for his sharp wit and love for laughter.

David is survived by Catherine Todd and their children David Brooks Todd Jr. and Amy Todd Drummond, his grandchildren Brooks Drummond, Madison Drummond, Kennedy Drummond, and former wife, but forever friend, Paula Bies Todd. His daughter and grandson will be honoring him with one last offshore adventure on his favorite fishing boat in the Florida Keys. His ashes will be scattered on the open water, one of the places he loved the most. Photo: David at the 2015 Outdoor TX Mason Camp with his granddaughters.

"Ross and I just returned from a fishing trip up in northeast New Mexico (NM). I retained some of Terry's ashes so he could also be able to rest in some of the most beautiful country northern NM has to offer. He was laid to rest amongst the wild iris in the foreground of the first picture (see photo). Two streams flow through the giant meadow where we caught several native Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout. Numerous species of wildlife frequent the area including elk, mule deer, black bear, badger, and even bison. Every so often a bighorn sheep will wander down from the high mountain peaks behind.

I hope all is well and we will be starting to return to our offices in July!"

Jennifer Morgan, NM Hunter Education Program Manager

Thanks, Ross and Jennifer!!  -- Terry Erwin Lives Strong in Beautiful Places!