50 Years of Success!

It's always tough to see a GOOD person retire and/or move on -- in this case, our beloved 15-year executive director, Mr. Carter Smith!

I first met Carter when he was an intern in our Wildlife Division in the 1990s.  He, Kirby Brown, Charlie Wilson, and I ran a sporting clays and hunter education activity at an NRA Women's Quail Hunt at the Chaparral Wildlife Management Area.  His personality was very captivating, and we all quickly realized what a gem of a guy Carter was. Who knew, at the time, he'd become our executive director, and what a great director he has been since those earlier days. 

It takes a special, smart 'someone' to navigate the politics, complexities, schmoozing, communications, relationships, and partnerships on behalf of a huge agency with a mission to protect, conserve and serve wildlife, habitats and especially hunters, anglers, boaters, wildlife watchers, etc. -- the People of Texas!  Carter did so with ease -- both internally with staff and externally with partners and constituents.  We can certainly be thankful for the legacy he leaves -- all to continue serving and conserving the State's great treasures "for current and future generations". He's leaves big shoes to fill! (See next article.)

We'll miss you at the helm, buddy! Godspeed!

Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator

October 5, 2022

TPWD News Release

AUSTIN, Texas – David Yoskowitz, Ph.D. was named executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department today at a special meeting of the TPW Commission in Austin, Texas. Yoskowitz is currently the senior executive director and Endowed Chair for Socioeconomics at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

Commissioners took action to accept the recommendation of the search committee in a public meeting. The search committee included TPW Commission Chairman Arch Aplin, and commissioners Anna Galo, Jeffery Hildebrand, and Oliver Bell.

“As an avid outdoorsman, David lives the mission of TPWD,” said Chairman Arch “Beaver” Aplin III. His business and economic acumen in the field of our cultural and natural resources will suit TPWD perfectly. David will continue a culture of inclusion with stakeholders and staff at the agency. Sixteen years at the Harte Institute in Corpus Christi has been a wonderful training ground preparing David to be our new executive director. Carter Smith will be missed immensely, but I could not be happier handing off the baton to David Yoskowitz.”  READ MORE

As TPWD Communications Division Director, Mischelle Diaz, put it, "Christina Johnson, Kyle, rushed into the outdoors with all smiles and no fear for her very first BOW weekend. She is a physical therapist and knows that nature always recharges her body and soul so she can take care of others. A recent empty-nester, with a son just starting college, Christina finally has a little time for learning new things, like firearm safety and how to use a shotgun, which she had never done before her experience at BOW."  Christina is why BOW was developed in the first place -- to help empower women to overcome the many barriers they face when getting into outdoor activities. Barriers like 1) time, 2) getting away from husband, kids, dogs, etc., for a little "me-time", 3) learning in a non-intimidating environment, 4) fear of the outdoors, 5) no one to go with, 6) enjoying time with others "like me," and count a couple dozen more. Congratulations for tackling the barriers, Christina!

BOW Introductory & Advanced Shotgun Sessions

Jimmie Caughron, Sr., former TPWD Hunter Education Specialist and longtime Shotgun Coach/Instructor apprentices Dominique Rao, Houston Hunter Education Instructor (also Lasershot Employee - see below) as he coaches a participant at the sporting clays range.  Jimmy believes in being protected from the sun during long hours outdoors!  Stay SAFE!

Heidi Rao, SE TX Specialist and TMOH Coordinator, says,

"By introducing Texans, especially urban adults and kids, to outdoor recreation, our woods, waters, and natural places become more relevant and important to them.  Recreation leads to conservation. If they’re out there enjoying the natural world, they come to care about it, then care for it."

"In the end, we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught!" - Baba Diounm, Senegalese Poet

September 24, 2022, marked the 13^th Annual Take Me Outdoors Houston (TMOH) located at Discovery Green, Downtown Houston -- National Hunting & Fishing Day!  Across the street from the George R. Brown Convention Center, and adjacent to Minute Maid Park and Toyota Center, a variety of exhibitors and partners offered hands-on activities and promoted a variety of recreational opportunities available in the Houston area.  Photo:  Area Chief Hunter Education Instructors, Cheryl LeJune - Tomball and James Davis - Pasadena, once again volunteered to conduct hunter education activities at TMOH. Thanks to all who helped!

Exhibitors included Texas State Parks; Inland & Coastal Fisheries; Angler, Boater, and Hunter Education; and Buffalo Soldiers.  Others included Texas Brigades; U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service; Texas Wildlife Association; Texas Youth Hunting Program; Baytown Nature Center; National Wild Turkey Federation; Rocky Mountain Elk Federation; and 4 W’s Outdoors with Willard Franklin, Houston hunter education instructor. There were two educational demonstrations of live hawks and other raptors in flight by master falconer John Karger with Last Chance Forever – a San Antonio Birds of Prey Conservancy, and his staff. (Trivia: Last Chance Forever presented at all 18 Texas Wildlife Expos!)

N TX Instructor Displays Incentive Handgun Award he Earned

"Congratulations to Dan Graeber, Paradise, for earning one of the top incentive awards – this time a HANDGUN gift card from Cabela’s. Dan earned 2,510 points by the end of 2021, partly by teaching at least one course per month from August through December at Fossil Pointe Sporting Grounds near Decatur. He used his gift card to purchase a Browning Buckmark which he will use in live-fire instruction in his Internet + Field Day Courses. Special thanks to Texas Hunter Education Instructor Association for sponsoring the gift cards for the Handgun, Rifle, Shotgun Levels to hunter education instructors reaching, 2,500-, 3,000- and 3,500-point levels respectively!"  - Monica Bickerstaff, N TX Hunter Ed Specialist

Houston Area 'Legacy' Instructor Receives Official Award

Tom Shashak, Jr. - Pearland (R) receives his Legacy Award from Heidi Rao, SE TX Hunter Education Specialist, since the original award he received at the 2022 Hunter Education Instructor Conference in April was misspelled. Joining them was Area Chief Hunter Education Instructor, James Davis - Pasadena. Tom has served as instructor since 1993 and long-since achieved TX Hunter Ed Hall of Fame.  Congrats, officially, Thomas!

2022 Huntmaster Training

"Our season has officially come to a close. We added 79 new Huntmasters at nine trainings across the state! Many of the volunteers have dived in and run their first hunts already. But, we've said it before and we'll say it again, TYHP cannot do what we do without our amazing volunteers!"  - Chris Mitchell, TYHP Director

Here's a 'shout-out' to those who hosted trainings in 2022: Lake Mineral Wells State Park (SP), Long Acres Ranch, Estero Llano Grande SP, YMCA Roberts Ranch, Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA), Pleasant Hill & Rocky Community Center, Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, and Alazan Bayou WMA

Photos:  New TYHP Huntmasters complete their training at Pleasant Hill (above) and the Texas Wildlife Association headquarters near New Braunfels (below).  Of the 15 new Huntmasters at the TWA headquarters, 12 also received their hunter education instructor training, extending the Huntmaster's capabilities!

Green Family teach Sept. and October HE Courses

On Saturday, October 8th, Hunter Education instructor Bonita Green, Poteet, along with her son, Assistant HE Instructor Samuel, conducted a course in Cotulla at the AgriLife Extension Office. Green said, "Agent Victoria Wilson was a wonderful hostess and very easy to work with. After we completed the course she invited us back again! A total of 8 students gained certification out of the dozen that originally signed up. It was a great group of motivated students!"

Central Texas Instructors Recognize Sendero Shooting Sports near Belton

(L to R) Chad and Valerie McLean, owners of Sendero Shooting Sports, receive a Certificate of Appreciation from HE Instructors, Monica Sobotka - Morgan's Point Resort, W.C. Marek - Temple, and Thomas Moon - Little River. Sendero Shooting Sports has 100-yard range for rifles, archery range and two pistol ranges. Sendero also has a retail store for firearms, archery equipment and accessories. A BIG THANKS to Chad and Valerie for hosting courses at their location! 

Central TX Bass Pro Shops

Doug DuBois, Jr.- Austin, held a course at Bass Pro Shops in Round Rock. Doug had to find another location for the course, last-minute. Fortunately, the Bass Pro conference room, which had to be closed (like many other locations) during the pandemic, came to Doug's rescue and he held a quality course as usual. Thanks Bass Pro!

PEET Junior HS

Thanks to Dawn Davis, Conroe, for providing a collage of photos depicting the many courses held at Peet Junior High School. This fall she and her fellow wildlife teacher, Vanessa Wallace, certified 212 students -- to add to the many students she has certified since she first started the program.

Dawn won the "Eddie Kleppinger New Generation Award" in 2019 because of her high-volume start in the program teaching so many middle school-age students.  Then she earned a high level incentive award for 2021 because of reaching so many students in both fall and spring courses. (See Oct Target Talk) She teaches NASP and other TPWD education & outreach programs as well as hosting the filming for the Student Air Rifle Program. (See below.)

Elk Hunting 101 & Hunt

On September 3rd, Texas Youth Hunting Program (TYHP) Staff and Volunteers hosted an Elk 101 Workshop for youth hunters interested in participating in the Adventure Hunts for Elk in the Davis Mountains! Youth were instructed on long-range shooting, use of optics, elk biology, how to hunt elk effectively, and field care of meat. Attending this workshop was a requirement for eligibility to attend the hunts, as youth and parents needed basic knowledge about elk and elk hunting to be prepared for the rigors of spot-and-stalk hunting through difficult West Texas terrain. Elk 101 was enjoyed by all, and helped set the stage for a very successful pair of hunts – the TYHP crews had great action, with 6 out of 8 hunters harvesting beautiful bull elk.  The hunts were led by TYHP Staff, Bob Barnette and Braxton Hicks, with help from great volunteers including TPWD Biologists, Jose Etchart and Benny Benavides.  Bob noted, “It was a glorious time to be in the mountains - one morning in the distance several bull elk were bugling in a creek bottom, and wild turkeys were gobbling back at them!  It is safe to say not many people in Texas were experiencing a symphony like that!” Photo: Bob Barnette leads a lucky young hunter to her first elk.

Wildlife Management 101 - Kerr WMA

Deer, hog and other wildlife management principles, especially what Texas landowners can do to improve the quality of habitat and wildlife on their landscapes, has been taught to Hunter Education Instructors at the Kerr Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in the form of in-service training since the 1970s and has been popular due to the art and science of wildlife management that has been employed there for decades.  Particularly impressive is the consistent research on deer in the form of 10-acre pens established long ago (see photo) and the tracking of the genetics and nutrition that produce quality habitat and animals.  Proper management such as rotational grazing (cattle), prescribed burns, habitat manipulation, stocking and other practices have demonstrated what works best for all species in the ecosystem.  For example, it turns out that good deer management = good black-capped vireo (endangered species) habitat in many cases. Thanks to Brock Minton, S TX Hunter Education Specialist for setting up the course for instructors, and especially, Deanna Pfeffer and the Kerr WMA Staff for instructing and shuttling participants.  Also, thanks to Hunter Education Instructor participant, Dayna Cramer - San Antonio, for taking the photos and the 5 biologists from Camp Buckner for attending, too!

In-Person or Online Hunter Ed?

- Alex Baer, IHEA-USA Executive Director

As the Hunting Industry’s primary partner in education and safe practices, the International Hunter Education (IHEA) - USA works with respected research companies to better understand current student needs and expectations to ensure we, as a community of educators, exceed them. This drive led our organization to apply for a Federal Multistate Conservation Grant for the necessary funding to contract Chase Consultants, Inc. and the Wildlife Management Institute for a study to understand the effectiveness of hunter education delivery. While a national pandemic encouraged many states to offer online hunter education, questions surrounding the differences between online and in-person course delivery have been on our minds for many years prior to COVID. 

In May, Loren Chase presented this study’s results at our Annual Conference in Jupiter, Florida, and a recording of his presentation can still be found by exercising your IHEA-USA membership benefit of online access from our website. You can also access the FULL TEXT REPORT HERE and other IHEA-USA partner studies by clicking THIS LINK for our collection of recent reports and presentations. I will add a short summary of the findings here as well. READ MORE

Eddie Kleppinger, Jr. (1957 - 2021)

Former Hunter Education Administrative Assistant, Eddie Kleppinger, lives on within the memories and service he provided to thousands of Texas Hunter Education Instructors. He also is remembered by visitors of McKinney Falls State Park, where Eddie worked for years, prior to working in hunter education. He lived, ate and breathed the Texas Parks and Wildlife Mission and is sorely missed.

State park staff members, Hondo Campos-Schmitt, Zachary Hammons and Sydney Moreno planted the memorial on Sunday October 23rd near the Park Visitor Center where Eddie made many a visitor smile widely -- because of his bubbly nature and infectious laugh. Eddie was known for his excellent customer service, an award he earned while at the park, and what he is most remembered for in hunter education circles, especially by volunteer instructors. THANKS to hunter education administrative staff member, Andrea Cleveland and her husband, William, for donating the tree dedicated to Eddie's memory.  Rest in peace, buddy!

HQ Administrative Support Available!

Kevin Vo - Hunter Ed Administrative Asst

512-389-4999 - General Hunter Ed Hotline

512-389-8140; Kevin.Vo@tpwd.texas.gov

Email Support: Instructor@tpwd.texas.gov

BUSY SEASON is HERE!

Please give 4 weeks' notice when ordering supplies and contact your regional specialist for assistance (see below for contact info.)