Here we go!

Dove season is here!! -- time to get outside for the annual dove opening weekend to relive our pastime, participate in a safe, fun hunt, and create memories with family & friends, including eating some tasty 'poppers'.

Judging from August field course queries and phone calls, we still have a significant number of hunters needing to complete hunter education. They want to escape to the woods, pastures and mountains in search of game.

On a personal note, we were able to celebrate the legacy of Hunter "ED" Eddie Kleppinger (see "Eddie's Legacy Lives On!").  While we are currently hiring his replacement to serve you, we will never forget Eddie's excellent customer service and 'bubbly' nature. Godspeed Ed!

Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator

Eddie Kleppinger, Jr. (1957-2021)

Family -- both Eddie's and his Parks and Wildlife family -- attended a memorial service August 22nd at McKinney Falls State Park, where Eddie worked for several years prior to coming to hunter education.  One of the speakers at Eddie's "Celebration of Life" was Tommy Cude, McKinney Falls SP Superintendent, "Eddie's laugh was contagious; you could hear it from a long way off!"  He continued, "As a customer service representative at the Park, Eddie was the best!"  Indeed, in hunter education, Eddie epitomized customer service, whether it was with a student, a volunteer instructor, another department staff member or conservation partner. Everyone came to learn that Eddie's #1 priority was YOU!  Of all of Eddie's attributes, our program will miss his joy in pleasing every customer -- his calling card!  We miss your brightness, Eddie!

Join us at Arlington Sportsman's Club! 

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 two categories: Junior (ages 3^rd grade - 13 yrs.); Senior (ages 14 - 18 yrs.). 

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.

2019 STATEWIDE Instructor of the Year

Hunter Education HALL OF FAME Award

Monica Bickerstaff, N TX Hunter Education Specialist recently presented Brent Heath, Waco, the top award from 2019 -- Statewide Instructor of the Year.  She also presented Brent his Texas Hunter Education Hall of Fame Award, at the same time.

She said, "Brent has been a Hunter Education Instructor since 1988 and became a Bowhunter Education Instructor in 2011.  Brent is an Area Chief in both programs and has been instrumental in recruiting and training instructors and students in North-central Texas and coordinating mentors for mentored hunts held at Lake Waco and Navarro Mills. Brent conducts multiple hunter/ bow hunter education student and instructor courses throughout the year. Brent is always willing to assist as needed and as his schedule permits. During the year he was to be honored, Brent was the victim of a horrific car crash, but has not lost his zeal and passion to teach and has bounced his way back through great will, heart, determination, and pure grit.  We are glad you are back at the helm in the Waco area, Brent!

2020 *TEAM* of the Year 

Heidi Rao, SE Hunter Education Specialist, presented Kathy & Troy Harrison, Pasadena, their 2020 team award at one of the venues at which they teach -- Bass Pro Shops. She said, "Troy became an Instructor in 2011 and was having so much fun, his wife, Kathy, became an Instructor in 2012!  Together they have been teaching many classes to meet the high demand of students around the Houston area. Troy and Kathy began offering the Field Day course, including live fire and skills trail, which always fills to capacity as soon as it is scheduled!  When 2020 went sideways, Troy and Kathy continued to offer classes following all protocols and meeting the demand of the public.  They have developed a great relationship with Bass Pro Shops and continue to hold classes at that location.  Their love of teaching and bringing new people into the outdoors through hunter education, makes them the perfect pair to receive this award!  I’m so glad to have you in Houston!  Way to go Team Harrison!"

2019 *TEAM* of the Year

Heidi Rao, SE TX Hunter Education Specialist also presented the 2019 Team Award. At the conference, Rao said, "As a project coordinator with the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, Scott Lightle plans and facilitates educational outreach efforts at Long Acres Ranch, a privately-owned venue spanning 768 acres and 2.5 miles of undeveloped land along the Brazos River in Fort Bend County.  Scott drove over 200 miles to find his nearest Hunter Education Instructor training to bring even more opportunities to the Ranch.  He attended a combo hunter/bowhunter education instructor course that Monica Bickerstaff, N TX Specialist and I taught at Mission Tejas State Park in 2019. Later, Kitty Haynes was driving by and noticed the open gate Long Acres she had never seen before near her home!  The first person she met was Scott and the partnership began strong!  Kitty (1998) and Jim Haynes (1999) have worked hard bringing new activities, classes, incredible skills trails and live fire, and new 101 workshops to the property – tucked away off the busy streets of Houston.  I’m proud to see the team earn this award!  This is a great partnership, with multiple benefits all the way around, that I foresee continuing for many years!  Congratulations Everyone!!"  Photo (L to R): October Smith, Kitty Haynes, Scott Lightle and Jennifer Cheesman were on hand at the Ranch to receive the award.

2019 Assistant Instructor of the Year

Caleb Painter, Pattonville, received the 2019 Assistant Instructor Award recently from Monica Bickerstaff, N TX Hunter Ed Specialist. "Though Painter officially became certified as an assistant instructor three years ago, he has actively assisted his parents and sister – Terrence, Neta and Rebecca (also an assistant instructor) – with courses conducted at their Painter Firearms Training Institute. Thank you for carrying on the family tradition and passing on the hunting heritage, Caleb!

2019 Texas Hunter Education HALL OF FAME

John “Jack” Thompson, La Vernia, received his 2019 Hall of Fame award (over 4500 points) from Brock Minton (R), S TX Hunter Education Specialist, while Jack was teaching a student course in August -- which was not presented in 2019 due to a COVID-cancelled conference. Jack became an instructor 2007 and Bowhunter Education Instructor 2014. Since, Jack has become an area chief within and around San Antonio.  He served two terms as President for South Central Texas Hunter Education Instructor’s Association (SCTHEIA).  Not only does Jack remain active in hunter education, he also continues to volunteer for outreach events in his area, and attends advanced workshops offered throughout the state. Thanks, Jack, for serving South-central Texas!

Huntmaster Workshop Held

"The Texas Youth Hunting Program (TYHP) would like to congratulate the six new Huntmasters who completed training in late July at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge in north Texas!  A great group of folks who learned about planning and conducting safe, educational, youth and mentor hunts.  A new huntmaster manual was developed by TYHP staff and was rolled out during the training. 

Bob Barnette, TYHP N TX Field Operations Coordinator reported, "I held a class in July at a community center in West Dallas called Brother Bill’s Helping Hand (BBHH). This was done as a summer camp offering for area kids.  One of BBHH’s goals is to address food security issues.  The director, my friend, Wes Keyes, is an avid hunter and sees great value in promoting the ability of average folks to secure protein through hunting."  Barnette added, "Quoting from their “Prayer and Praise” newsletter after the class: "Another camp we had this week was Hunter Education. This camp was for our older students. They learned all about ethical hunting, firearm safety, conservation, food security and just enjoying the outdoors! Part of camp was learning directly from our leader Bob Barnette, TYHP, Texas Wildlife Association, and the other half was hands on learning. They did this through simulations of different scenarios of real-life hunting conditions and target practice.

We hope to get some of these kids out on TYHP hunts this year!"

Classroom Course in La Grange

Morgan Harbison, Central Texas Hunter Education Specialist, and Bastrop County Game Warden, Sonny Alaniz, assisted Instructor Bob Gulash, West Point, with a classroom course for 20 students at the La Grange Agriculture Extension building. Gulash said, "I would like to let you know how much I appreciated Morgan's help today. Thank you for referring him to help me. I would not have been able to do it without him. He really impressed me, how he interacted with the students."

Agriculture Science Field Course

The next day, Harbison assisted Agriculture Science teachers/ instructors, Jason Woods and Craig Melton, Royal High School, Brookshire, teach another 20 students.  Students went through a "hunter skills trail" featuring the use of the inert Mossberg firearms and both 3-D and Montana decoys.  The skills trail is an integral component of a Field Course along with live-fire exercises.

Field Course, Sportsman's Finest - Vince Lecca

Vincent:  "You did a great job today!  I especially appreciated your talk on sportsmanship; about our language and actions as hunters - and how we talk to others about hunting, our image, and even changing our clothes - that really hit home with me and I agree with you 100%. I think that was so important that you addressed that. I also thought your early morning exercise outside had a huge impact on my son, Daniel (see photo), as well as me.  Very memorable and educational I learned stuff myself and I appreciate you teaching it the way you did.  My class many years ago, was not as good as your class. Thank You!"  Erich Lehmann, La Grange

Instructors Recognize Sponsors

Team HE Instructors, Jack Thompson and George Lentz, La Vernia, team teach at the Mission Ridge Range and Academy (MRRA) staff including Brooke Gilley and her dad, Jim - MRRA owners, with Certificates of Appreciation following an August course.  Jack recently reached the Hall of Fame and he and George have been teaching a long time together - a dynamic duo!

Recognition - Blackwood Gun Club

(L to R):  Area Chief Duke Walton, Porter, joined course sponsors, Jill Frazier, and Kirk Waldron, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, for a photo moment after an annual Conroe-area course taught by Walton and HE Instructor, Richard Powell, Orange, for 59 students.  Waldron also works hard for SCI-Houston, a primary sponsor of many hunter education courses and events.

Area Chiefs, Kitty Haynes (R) and Cheryl LeJune (kneeling) assisted Hunter Education Specialists Heidi Rao (S TX) Monica Bickerstaff, (N TX) and Brock Minton, (S TX) with the Basic Air Rifle Instructor (BARI) course held August 10th at the Long Acres Ranch the day after the hunter education instructor course. a Big THANKS, once again, to Scott Lightle, hunter education instructor and host at Long Acres -- a wonderful facility used for teaching many outdoor education venues!

Hunter Education Instructor and SAR BARI student, Michael Thomas - Humble, (L) practices his "face-to-face" and CPR (Compliment, Positive Reinforcement, Review) teaching methods with SAR trainee, Debra Lang, Sam Rayburn High School Teacher. Among the many benefits of the Student Air Rifle (SAR) Program, Hunter Education instructors find the SAR the perfect live-fire activity in the absence of a shooting range.

HE Instructors Doing More!

Area Chief, Cheryl LeJune, Tomball (L), held several hunter education outreach events in the greater Houston area in July and August along with participating in Becoming an Outdoors-Woman activities and the Long Acres Ranch hunter education team when they conduct large events, SAR Program  and courses. Here she used the Skins, Skulls, Tracks and Scat activity with youngsters at the Boys and Girls Club Summer Camp Program in Bellville, Austin County.  Way to go, Cheryl!

HE Outreach Form - Earn Incentive Points (not for student courses, 101s)

Instructors teaching hunter education activities such as archery, wildlife, SAR Program and other activities that are NOT otherwise set up and tracked through basic hunter education student courses and Hunting 101s or thru TYHP (Huntmasters), can gain Hunter Education OUTREACH incentive award credit for total hours recorded.  Here Cheryl LeJune, Tomball, took the Boys and Girls Club summer campers through NASP archery activities.

Oh DEER! - The Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow program has created a supplement to Oh Deer! that goes more into depth about the North American Model for Wildlife Conservation. Hunter Education instructors, especially those teaching in schools, can use the Oh Deer Activity  to introduce students to basic wildlife population and management principles in the hunter education student manual.

Elena Takaki, Director, Project WILD, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies

Newfoundland

"Please let the Erwin family know that we honored Terry's wish of spreading his ashes at one of our hunter education events, one of the first since the COVID pandemic began. Today we had 20 excited youth at the Upper Humber Rod and Gun Association Club at Deer Lake, NL for a full day of rifle, shotgun and archery and had a spectacular event and much needed start back to a world of normal. After the event I was graciously joined by volunteers and my colleague Nathan Spence (photographer & NL’s current HE Coordinator) as I talked about who Terry Erwin was and how much he dedicated his life to hunter education and was a mentor to me and so many others. I will always remember and still use his phrase “give roses while you still can” when acknowledging our own supporters and volunteers in hunter education. 

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for the opportunity to honor Terry in this way. Please wish Burna and Terry’s family all the very best!"

Sincerely,

Chris Baldwin

Newfoundland Mgr. of Conservation Services & Past IHEA - Canada Chairman

Connecticut

"I was able to spread Terry’s ashes at our Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area. I did so with some of our instructors after we finished our final class for 2020. The afternoon we spread his ashes was rather dark, given it was the end of November, so I did not take pictures that day. I have taken recent photos so you can perhaps share with his family. We chose a very special spot called the Summer House here on the property. It is adjacent to where we conduct many of our Hunter Ed classes, so Terry will always be keeping watch over our efforts to carry on the tradition. The views from this Summer House are a favorite of many of our visitors year-round, so Terry will always be in the company of those who love the outdoors.

I am so happy to have been a small part in achieving Terry’s final wishes."

Tom Donlon, CT Hunter Education Administrator

North Carolina

"This past weekend we had our annual advanced instructor workshop- the first in 2 years because of COVID.

On Sunday, August 15 at 7am, myself, staff and some of our volunteer instructors in attendance met at the pier at the Eastern 4H Center to spread Terry’s ashes into the Albermarle Sound. I was honored to be able to read the letter from his wife and some of his obituary before granting Terry’s final wish...

... Attached is a picture of the group taken with my cell phone, as well as the site his ashes were spread. I did have a photographer on site that took many other photos, including dolphins that made an appearance and a bald eagle. I will send you those as soon as I get the edited copies. Again, it was a great honor to be a part of Terry’s final request."    - Carissa Daniels - Outreach Manager, NC Wildlife Resources Comm.

Sgt. Christopher Wilson Passes

"It is with great sadness that I write to inform you of the passing of TPWD Game Warden Sgt. Christopher Ray Wilson. Chris left this earth on the afternoon of August 26^th after valiantly battling a series of health complications related to COVID.  He was born on December 12^th, 1977 and left us at the all too young age of 43.  Chris was a big man with a big heart, who left a positive impression and impact for all those fortunate enough to have worked and spent time with him over his 16 years of exemplary service to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and our grateful state...

...Chris loved his family dearly including his four children Tristen (17), Colby (16), Tyler (12), and Hailey (7) along with his parents, Warren and Mary Ann Rinn. I ask that you keep his children and family in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate through this very difficult time. Service arrangements are pending and will be provided when they are confirmed.

Chris proudly served our Home Ground as a State Game Warden with great purpose, pride, and dedication.  With a big smile, a big presence, a big heart, and a big impact, he made our Department and our work better.  His End of Watch leaves a hole in the hearts of many a colleague and many a Texan, all of whom are grieving the loss of his presence, but grateful beyond words, for the dignity, strength, and sacrifice of his service.  May he rest in peace."  

Best,

Carter Smith, TPWD Executive Director

Jesse Boleman

Our condolences to the Boleman family with the passing of Hunter Education and Police Activities League (PAL) Teacher and retired Irving Police Officer, Jesse Boleman.  He was certified as an instructor in February 2015 and was actively involved in PAL-Irving PD- sponsored youth hunts in North Texas.

From Local TV Report:  IRVING, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) – The Irving Police Department is mourning the passing of an officer who served the department for 12 years and retired in 2020. “It is with a heavy heart that we share that retired Officer Jesse Boleman passed away after battling health issues yesterday,” Irving PD said on its Facebook page Monday, August 30th. Officer Boleman spent a total of 31 years in law enforcement. He also served in the U.S. Army. "We ask that you pray for his family, friends, and those who worked with him.”

New Season, New Regulations

The new hunting and fishing season starts Sept. 1, and with it comes new rules and hunting season dates. 

The Outdoor Annual is your go-to source for all Texas hunting, fishing, and boating regulations. Refer to it for "what's new" this year, hunting seasons and zones, fishing bag and length limits, boating safety rules and more.

There are 3 ways to access this year's Outdoor Annual:

• Visit Outdoor Annual.com. You can also easily print all or portions of the regulations.
• Use the Outdoor Annual mobile app.
• Pick up a printed copy at a license retailer when you purchase your license.