50 Years of Hunter Education in TX

Photo:  Former TPWD Commissioner and TV's "Dallas" Star, Susan Howard, and "Dukes of Hazard" Star, John Schneider, joined Steve Hall for last-minute instructions during the "Celebrity Shoot" at the 1995 Wildlife Expo.

Texas Wildlife Expo was an annual celebration for the hunter education program for 17 years. Each October, over 150 hunter education volunteers would join staff in putting on over 13,000 SAFE target shooting experiences during a weekend, a full third of whom were new to target shooting.  Archery, air gun, compound bow, crossbow, muzzleloader rifle, .22 rifle and shotgun and added shooting exhibition, by either John Satterwhite, Tom Knapp, or Patrick Flanigan, were included as part of the event held at TPWD headquarters in Austin. The first Expo held in 1992, took its cue from the Montana Hunting Heritage Days and eventually led to a slew of other EXPOs held by conservation organizations and fish & wildlife agencies across the country. At each Expo-like event, the hunter education program and its volunteers played, and continue to play, an integral role in providing recreational opportunities, training and information to the public.

Having planned target shooting, exhibitions and special activities (e.g., pointers and retrievers, raptors, animals, game calling, hunting seminars), at every Expo during my tenure, and having coordinated the first Expo '92 events, I can say that it was a big highlight for me -- and my family.  In 1993, I vividly remember my two-year old son walking around the goose spread at the waterfowl area, saying "Goooossse?  Gooossse?" - Or my six-year old daughter holding up an enormous white python at the 2002 Expo along with other kids at Julie Scardina's Sea World Show. - Or both of them meeting shooting medalist, Kim Rhode, holding medals from several of her record six-in-a-row Olympics.  Ahh -- THANKS, Wildlife Expo, for the memories!

Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator

Hunter Education Program's AMAZING VOLUNTEERS!

Gilbert Graves, Sr., Corpus Christi, who won the 1986 Sportsmen Conservationists of Texas "Volunteer Instructor of the Year", started out in the early seventies teaching with a team at the Corpus Christi Gun Club with J.R. Brown, Edmund Garcia (in photo), and Ann Shearer. As part of his volunteer duties, Graves would teach the "Corpus Christi Riders" on most weekends -- a paraplegic target shooting club at the range. He developed a "C-Clamp" for many of the shooters, so they could affix their rifles atop a rest stabled to the chair by the clamp. Having joined the Marine Corps in 1942, and having sustained injuries during battles, the irony was that he had own legs amputated and had to use the C-Clamp he developed for others -- for himself.  Despite the setback, he went on to teach many courses and attend many hunter education in-service training workshops during the eighties. Graves said, "My most enjoyable teaching experience is when 12-15-year-olds want to stay after class to learn just a little bit more about safety and shooting!"  May he, his former team teachers and his son, Gilbert Graves, Jr., rest in peace. They all certainly carried the Texas HE Program to Heavenly heights!

TEXAS HUNTING INCIDENTS reached a record LOW in 2021 with a total of 12, five less than the previous low of 17!  In the 50 years of hunter education in Texas, there is an obvious correlation between the hunter education program and the number of hunting incidents by year -- a highly significant lowering of incidents since the 1960s.  Hunter Education Instructors and STUDENTS can be proud of their accomplishments!  CONGRATS!

Go to the following link to view the official 2021 Hunting Accident Report:

HUNTING ACCIDENT REPORTS

Dan Cabela with the Cabela Family Foundation, son of Dick and Mary Cabela, who started the company back in the early sixties, served as keynote presenter at the North Texas Instructor's Meeting held during the Dallas Safari Convention. Dan hunts throughout the world and leads major conservation restoration projects such as translocation of African lions and cheetahs in their former habitats and ranges. He addressed questions about the foundation along with questions about the Cabela's company such as its history, status, and locations in Fort Worth and Allen, where many North TX instructors conduct courses. Here, Dan accepts a gift of appreciation from Hunter Education Coordinator, Steve Hall, for donating his time, interests and knowledge with hunter education instructors.

Michael and Natasha Royer, Anson, hosted a Scouting Venturing Crew for an upland game hunt back in November. Royer Ranch is a TPWD "Proud Partner" and licensed bird preserve. Seven (7) adults and 13 youth took a Shotgun 101 on the range prior to harvesting 23 birds for the day.  Most of the hunters took their first pheasant during the mentored hunt!  Photo: After a long day in the field, Natasha treated the hunters to homemade apple pie, a comfortable chair and a welcoming fire to relax and reflect upon the hunt.

2019 "Professional Educator of the Year" - Dan Mannering

We finally caught up with Dan! Congratulations to him for his hard-earned efforts while in North Texas! Brock Minton, S TX Hunter Education Specialist, presented Dan the award, as he  relocated from Carrollton to Ingleside on the coast, near Corpus Christi, prior to the awards conference in 2020. During his career, Dan amassed over 2500 Incentive Points teaching over 300 HE students in the year before the award selection.

19th Cave Creek TYHP SUPER HUNT

Photo:  Youth Hunters participated in archery while at the Youth SUPER Hunt. hosted by the Cave Creek Wildlife Management Association.

The following from Austin Woods and Waters Club (AWWC) - "The 19th Annual Cave Creek WMA/AWWC Super Hunt was held this past weekend.  Our own Doug DuBois is the head honcho for the event. Additional AWWC members who played key roles in the Super Hunt were Kent Brenneman, Corey Gaskill, Steve Hall, Allen Hansen, Kevin McConnell and Rick Prekup.  We were superbly supported by Chet Miles, Tom Chenault and their Safari Club International (SCI) Austin Cook Team, who kept us well fed throughout the weekend.  SCI Austin has been donating the Saturday night meal for over 10 years now and Chet and team have been doing the cooking for about that long, too. Special thanks to donations from Oak Farms Dairy, Hill County Pump, Fredericksburg Metal Recyling, Class A Rentals, the Stonewall Volunteer Fire Department and Vapo Propane for their donations to the hunt.  Extra Special Thanks to Ronnie Ottmers of the Cave Creek WMA, who has worked tirelessly every year to ensure the schoolhouse site was ready for Super Hunt, along with Maurice Hohamnn, retired TPWD employee, Fredericksburg resident and 'Our Man Friday'! It's Great to Be Alive and Be In Texas!"

9th Annual Harper WMA Youth Hunt in Memory of Jacob Krebs

"While it was windy Saturday, it did not stop everyone getting a full limit of fish that night, thanks to our fish commissioner and crew Gillespie Co. Pct.2 Com. K. Kramer and cornbread casserole from Mrs. Leyendecker. Retired Army Colonel and now Texas Game Warden Al Garnica, Jr. (See Photo) enlightened and motivated us after dinner and C. Starlyk followed with great information about Texas Ranch Brigades. Earlier in the day, B. Haschke educated the hunters on first aid and Nine Line information which we were blessed we didn’t have to use this weekend.  Gus Seagraves talked about Taxidermy. Duke Walton, Porter, touched on the history of hunting, and Texas Wildlife Association CEO, Justin Dreibelbis, asked the blessing for lunch that Mama Margie’s so generously provided. Lunch was followed by a posse of 1800’s Texas rangers lead by M. Schroeder, then Wardens S. Smith & A. Garncia “checked camp” to find “multiple violations”.  This was then followed by gun and bow activities lead by J. Polasel & Jo Pickens. Hunters were also treated to peek of the TPWD Conservation trailer of a new Big Horn Skull display with Berrnadine Dittmar in memory of Dr. Bob Dittmar. A collection of samples from the 39 deer harvested were made K. Perlichek, C. Navarro, J. Bach, H. Reed and C. Nunez (who collected every drop of blood needed). Three little piggies are gone, and one lucky doe was released from a fence line to have a chance to see next year’s hunters. - Facebook Post

Thanks to all our volunteers, landowners, donors, youth hunters & adults, and most of all our veterans for both being a part of and making the 9th Annual Harper WMA Youth Hunt in Memory of Jacob Krebs a great hunt!"

Welder Wildlife Youth Hunt

The Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation hosted yet another TYHP youth hunt in South Texas near Sinton. Angie Arredondo was lead TYHP huntmaster this year and she did a fabulous job with the assistance of Sarah Melendez! The two hosted a group of five young hunters who took four does and one feral hog. Brock Minton, S TX Regional Hunter Education Specialist, conducted safety and ethics presentation, and Albert Flores (retired) and other game wardens taught game laws.  All conducted live fire and hunting skills trails.

Deer Hunting 101 and Mentor Hunt

* SAN ANGELO STATE PARK *

Brock Minton, S TX Hunter Education Specialist traveled to San Angelo and presented a Deer Hunting 101 to new hunters, who later when on a mentor hunt guided by TPWD wildlife biologists and game wardens and volunteer instructors such as Tom Hewitt, San Antonio, who also helped guide during the Inks Lake State Park hunts.  Shown here is Erik Maki with his first deer taking during the hunt.

Waterfowl 101 Hunts

Heidi Rao, S TX Hunter Education Specialist and Cheryl LeJune, Area Chief Hunter Education Instructor, Houston, partnered with hunter education instructor pied piper, Willard Franklin, 4Ws Outdoors, and introduced approximately 35 individuals to safe shotgunning while waterfowl hunting. This was a unique opportunity to duck hunt in flooded timber. 

Photo: Hannah Byers took a wood duck drake in the flooded timber during the women's hunt.

Peg Phillips, Executive Director at the National Safe Boating Council, and her cameraman, flew in from Washington D.C. to hunt at the Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge January 14-16, 2022.  Peg did a wonderful presentation about life jackets, boating and water safety, because duck hunters are boaters, too.  Over the 2-day hunt, and in perfect “duck hunting weather” (wind chills in the 20s), one gadwall and four wood ducks were taken.  Congratulations hunters!

Texas Youth Hunting Association Hunts

Drake Passmore, a 9-year-old hunter at the Texas Youth Hunting Program (TYHP) Hog Creek Ranch completed a field course with Sandy Mason, Joshua, prior to the hunt. "His dad contacted me and asked if I could do his hunter education field day course prior to the hunt," said Mason. "The young man scored an 88 on his test and had a great time at the hunt. Drake had more questions about field dressing and deer anatomy than most adults."  Photo: (L to R) Area Chief and TYHP Huntmaster, Sandy Mason, Joshua, poses with Drake and Benny Bransom, Jr., TYHP guide and range master. Benny completed Drake's live-fire exercises and served as his guide.

Hunter Education Instructor Course held In January

Charles Marcus (R - standing), Helotes, and his fellow Area Chiefs (Back - standing), Kirk McClelland and Rick Hite, San Antonio, along with S TX Hunter Education Specialist, Brock Minton, joined forces at Bass Pro Shops in late January to train a dozen new instructors, including two assistant instructors.

Southeastern Hunter Education Administrator's Conference in Alabama

Photo (L to R): Heidi Rao, S TX Hunter Education Specialist  joined, Alabama Hunter Education Administrator and Immediate Past President of the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) - USA, Marisa Futral, and Monica Bickerstaff, N TX Hunter Education Specialist at the recent conference in Pella, Alabama. 

Rao and Bickerstaff represented the Texas Hunter Education Coordinator, Staff & Instructors, ultimately gathering information to enhance the Texas program.

One of our primary target shooting strategies is to implement the Student Air Rifle Program in Texas schools -- similar to the highly successful archery equivalent - the Texas-National Archery in Schools Program!

We are underway and have trained over 130 instructors, thus far, in the program.  Our "AIM" is to get so many schools going that it will be an added activity for NASP trainers, as well as a LIVE-FIRE activity for HUNTER EDUCATION INSTRUCTORS, particularly those that teach hunter education within their school curricula.

Stay tuned next month for a schedule of trainings planned for the 2022 spring, summer and fall months, including a training for Ag Teachers at their annual convention in July in Corpus Christi, alongside the NASP training held there.

Sign up to VOLUNTEER, TODAY! -

SAVE the DATES and REGISTER to VOLUNTEER March 22-23rd at the annual National Archery in Schools Program and IBO 3-D Challenge (animal targets) held at the Bell County Expo Center in Belton. In 2014, the National Archery in the Schools Program^® (NASP) and the International Bowhunting Organization (IBO), forged a strong partnership to enhance the archery experience for youth participating in NASP.The collaborative effort led to hosting a tournament challenge alongside the annual NASP tournament which host an average of 100 schools and 2,000 students each March in Central Texas.  Called the NASP^®/IBO 3D Challenge (3D Challenge), students shoot at targets simulating wild turkey, coyote, bear, antelope, white-tailed deer, and bighorn sheep. Email Burnie.Kessner@tpwd.texas.gov if you are interested in volunteering for the NASP or the IBO Challenge March 22-23rd.

Bryan/College Station - Bowhunting COMBINED Courses - JOIN US!

* Live Oak Archery Shop - 1600 South College Ave., Bryan, TX 77801

• Bowhunter Ed (8:00 - 5:00*)*
• * Includes Bowhunting 101 (afternoon)

REGISTER HERE - BOWHUNTER ED

• Bowhunting 101 (1:00 - 5:00)
  

REGISTER HERE - BOWHUNTING 101

(NOTE:  Afternoon Session will combine students from both courses.)

• (8:30 - Noon) - Bowhunter Education - Classroom & Field Exercises
• (1:00 - 3:00) Bowhunting 101 - Arrow Selection/Performance - Ashby Bowhunting Foundation
• (3:00 - 5:00) Bowhunting 101 - Bow Shooting Exercises (Bring your own bows and practice arrows)
• (4:00 - 5:00) Bowhunter Education Final Exam (for Certification only)

Larry Brownlee, Mesquite (2018)

Why I became a Hunter Education Program VOLUNTEER - I have been hunting my entire adult life in Texas and in Alaska while serving in a Special Operations U.S. Army unit. I am a retired Federal Law Enforcement and Military operative. I have been a multi-level Training Instructor (including girls’ soccer coach) for over 25 years and thought it fitting to add Hunter Education. I love teaching the course! 

My most prized sporting arm - Remington 700 rifle (many models).  My adult daughter, Tori, still hunts with her Rem. 700 Youth Model in .308 caliber. I will be hopefully arming my new daughter, Kalani, with a similar caliber/sporting arm.

My favorite hunt – White-tailed deer - mainly on our own property near Emory TX.  I have always hunted free-range animals. My greatest hunts were with my No.1 hunting partner, daughter Tori, and hope to share the same memories with my younger daughter, Kalani.  My family enjoys hunting, and venison is a regular dish throughout the year.

My tee-shirt would say - "Teach your kids to hunt, shoot, fish, and they will prosper in life"

Hunter Education HQ Assistance

**BE SURE TO CALL UPON YOUR REGIONAL SPECIALIST FIRST!

TPWD HQ GENERAL HUNTER ED LINE; www.tpwd.texas.gov; 512-389-4999 w

Kevin Vo, Austin (See Photo): kevin.vo@tpwd.texas.gov Hunter Education Administrative Asst.; 512-389-8142w

Back to Top