HUNTER ED NEWS - FEB 2023

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In This Issue: 2023 THEIA Annual Conference, January Hunts & More


Coordinator's Column - Our VOLUNTEER Family!

haynes

Backbone of Hunter Education

VOLUNTEER Hunter Education Instructors have been around in Texas since 1972 and volunteers for the Texas Youth Hunting Program (e.g., "Huntmasters", chefs, guides, hunter educators & parents, etc.) since 1996.

I personally get a kick out of meeting 3rd and even 4th generation VOLUNTEERS from the same family. Many not only give back of their own knowledge, skills, and great attitudes, but they also extend that "way of life" to their kids and their kid's kids. This is the essence of a true hunting heritage -- not only going through the "Phases of Hunting" (see Phases below), personally, but sharing our hunter education heritage as a way of life for family, relatives and friends.

My hat's off to all of YOU who have shared your love of teaching with family members, relatives & friends.  You also can feel good about the fact that actively volunteering for a cause & passion extends your life by seven (7) years!

Photo: Kitty & James Haynes, Richmond (see 'In Memory' below), introduced hunter education to four generations of students and involved their son, Jamie (R), early on, in their teaching efforts. Here they accept the 2019 Team Award from Heidi Rao, SE Regional Hunter Education Specialist. Kitty and Jamie continue teaching at places like the Long Acres Ranch with a team of instructors, and even though Jim passed away this past month, they still brought his spirit and legacy to the SE TX Instructor Meeting at HSCF Convention. (See below.) 

What a 'Legacy' Family! So sorry for your loss, Kitty, Jamie & Haynes Family -- a great loss to our hunter education family!  Jim was a great man and instructor!

Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator

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SAVE THE DATES - THEIA Hunter Ed Inst. Conf.

SAVE THE DATES!  Texas 4-H Conference Center, near Lake Brownwood

5600 FM 3021, Brownwood, TX 76801

April 28th - 30th -  Annual THEIA Hunter Education Instructor Conference

4H

TENTATIVE AGENDA for Hunter Education Instructor Conference

THURSDAY, APRIL 27th

  • Turkey Hunting 101 and Hunt

FRIDAY, APRIL 28th

  • 4:00 Registration; 5:30 Reception; 7:00 AREA CHIEF Meeting & Updates

SATURDAY, APRIL 29TH

  • 7:30 Registration Reopens; 8:00 Welcome and Updates
  • 9:30 Sessions I
    • Chronic Wasting Disease; TYHP - Hunting 101; No Lead
    • R3; Arrow Lethality; Lasershot; Treestand Safety
  • Noon - LUNCH Keynote Address
  • 1:30 Sessions II
    • Honorable Hunter; TYHP Hunting 101; No Lead; R3; Arrow Lethality
    • Lasershot; Muzzleloading; Treestand Safety; Student Air Rifle Program
  • 5:30 Game Warden Roundtable
  • 6:30 Invocation and Awards Dinner; 7:30 Awards; 8:30 Break - Silent Auction
  • 9:30 Awards and Auction Closes

SUNDAY, APRIL 30th

  • 9:00 THEIA Meeting; Noon - Departure, Safe Travels
THEIA

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SUPERHUNT - 20 Years of Success at Cave Creek

group

"In January, over 180 individuals populated the Cave Creek Schoolhouse Site with tent camping, RV's and campers -- to join in the 20th Annual Cave Creek Wildlife Management Association's Youth Hunt, aka, "Super Hunt", managed by the Huntmasters of the Austin Woods & Waters Club (AWWC), and fed by members of SCI Austin, who made up a stellar cook team for the 8th straight year.  They took on more responsibility providing dinner Friday night for over 225 at the Super Hunt XX Celebration, which was attended by 12 of 14 landowners & their families.

20th

Leading off the ceremony were stories by founder and Cave Creek WMA past president, Ronnie Ottmers, former TYHP Director, Jerry Warden and first Super Hunt Chief Huntmaster and Hunter Education Instructor, Kent Brenneman. They related how Super Hunt No. 1 came to happen. The many ranches were recognized for their years of involvement, culminating with special recognition of four 20-year landowners, Edwin Eckhardt, Barbara Scherer, Ronnie Ottmers & Family and AWWC Members, Don & Velma Jackson.  AWWC Member Steve Hall, TPWD Hunter Education Coordinator, who has participated in all 20 Super Hunts, capped off the moonlit night with a safety briefing, reinforcing the tenants of Hunter Education -- Being Safe, Legal and Ethical! 


game wardens

After the safety briefing, TPWD Game Wardens Dustin Fleming (L) and Tommy Johnson led the discussion on legal deer hunting in Texas. It was a glorious evening, and we enjoyed the stroll back to camp. We hosted 54 youth hunters, each with an adult guardian, with many bringing additional non-hunting family members to have a total of 135 guests, led by 45 volunteers, from Huntmasters, range masters, cooks, guides and general support.


dave

David Baxter Hunter Education Instructor, Houston (below), who has brought many youth and volunteers to the Superhunt over the years, presents his annual motivational talk -- 'being respectful, punctual, reliable, responsible and doing one's best every day" stressing character development -- one of the main goals of TYHP.


deer

THANKS to all of our dedicated volunteers and the many sponsors whose contributions were so valuable, including Oak Farms Dairy, McBride's Guns, Hill Country Pump, Fredericksburg Metal Recycling, Vapo Propane and Los Cazadores.  With the help of the Texas Wildlife Association Foundation we raised all the money we needed to provide a worthy celebration.


founders

SPECIAL THANKS to the Austin Woods & Waters Club (McBride Foundation), Nature Conservancy in Texas , E-5 Ranches, Republic Ranches, Virtual CFO, VDP Partners, Capital Farm Credit, Gillespie County Farm Bureau, Kent & Josie Brenneman, John Alford, Linda Campbell, Jack Nash, Tom Hewitt and Shannon Hasan

IT'S GREAT TO BE ALIVE AND BE IN TEXAS!!!."

Doug DuBois, Jr., Lead Huntmaster, AWW Member and Hunter Ed Instructor

Photo:  Superhunt Founders & Longtime Leaders of the SUPER HUNT - (L to R) Kent Brenneman, Doug DuBois, Jr., and Ronnie Ottmers.


biology

Ransom Belton - Crockett, TYHP Huntmaster & Hunter Education Instructor (R), worked hard checking in deer as they were brought back to camp.  Here, he works with TPWD biologists, (L to R) Megan Granger - Wildlife Biologist, Mike Miller - Wildlife District  Leader, and Blake Hendon, District Wildlife Biologist, who collected Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) samples and recorded weight and age data for the hunt -- a task that helps the Cave Creek Wildlife Management Association track trend data for their ranches. Below, Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator, runs the archery range as part of learning activities at the Hunt.


arc

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Another SUPER Hunt - in Memory of Jacob Krebs

Hunter Education Instructor, Will Krebs, Fredericksburg, along with his family, dedicate and run an annual hunt in memory of his son, Jacob Krebs.

- See their STORY HERE!

hunt

"THANK YOU to all volunteers, landowners, Harper Wildlife Management Association, Texas Wildlife Association,Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD),  dads, moms, & youth hunters for making the 10th Annual Harper WMA Youth Hunt, In Memory Of Jacob Krebs, so successful! All of us met new friends, got to visit and catch up with people we haven't seen in a while, learned new things, enjoyed being outdoors, and had a GREAT TIME!  A special THANK YOU to the Krebs family for working so hard to make it happen! ♥️" - Koy Coffer, Photographer and formerly with TPWD and TWA. (THANKS Koy!)

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TPWD Veterinarian, Dr. Reed, gives a class on Deer Biology & CWD as part of the Harper/Krebs Memorial Hunt.

sausage

Mike Krueger, TPWD Wildlife Biologist (ret.) demonstrated how to make sausage at one of the other learning stations at the Krebs Youth Hunt.

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Regional HE Instructor Meetings - Highlights

HSCF

Southeast Hunter Education Instructor Meeting Held at HSCF Convention!

L to R (Standing) Kristin Collins - The Woodlands, Ron Martin - Pearland, Bruce Rutkowski - La Vernia, Kevin Oliver, Thomas Griffith - Schertz, Jeffrey Hetrick - San Antonio, Duke Walton - Porter, George Lentz - La Vernia, Kitty Haynes - Richmond, James Davis - Pasadena, Felicia Davis - Spring, Christopher Martinez - Houston, Jamie Haynes - Richmond, Laurie Aubin - Deer Park, Larry Hysmith - TX AgriLife Extension - College Station, and Clyde McMeans, Jr. - Bellaire. (Kneeling) Heidi Rao - SE TX Hunter Ed Specialist, David Laney - Spring, John Polasek, Ivan Benavides & Ivan Benavides Jr. - Pasadena, and Tom Stashak, Jr. - Pearland. (Front) Monica Bickerstaff - N TX Hunter Ed Specialist, and Danny Odom - Orange.

joe

Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve the sport of hunting through education, conservation, and the promotion of our hunting heritage. Our members come from a diverse background and have a wide variety of hunting, fishing, outdoor and other interests. But they all have one thing in common-their passion for the outdoors, a love of hunting, a commitment to the responsible management of our national resources, the education of future generations and the responsibilities of being hunter-conservationists. 

Many thanks to HSCF for their continued support of the Texas Hunter Education program!  Each year they offer meeting space for the annual Southeast Texas regional meeting and update, and provide a day pass to HSCF Worldwide Hunting Expo and Convention to all Instructors in attendance. Joe Betar, Executive Director (above), opened the meeting and thanked all who were in attendance.  He provided information about the mission and conservation efforts not only locally through scholarships and projects, but HSCF's efforts reaching communities and wildlife populations worldwide.

Upcoming Regional Instructor Meetings - PLAN TO ATTEND!

W TX - March 2nd, San Angelo State Park; 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM/ZOOM, too.

WEST TEXAS REGISTRATION LINK

N TX - March 4th, Athens TX Freshwater Fisheries Cntr; 9:30 AM - 3PM

NORTH TEXAS REGISTRATION LINK

S TX (1) - March 4th, Estero Llano Grande SP; 9AM - 2PM

RIO GRANDE VALLEY REGISTRATION LINK

S TX (2) - March 11th, San Antonio Stock Show Grounds; 3201 E. Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78219 (Note: This is a change in location from Bass Pro - Enter through gate 1 on Houston Street (closest to the railroad tracks).  The west gate guard station will direct you to the "International Room".  Signs also will be posted. Parking is free and abundant.)

SAN ANTONIO REGISTRATION LINK

C TX - March 18th, Boswell-Porter 4-H Range; 9AM – 1PM

CENTRAL TEXAS REGISTRATION LINK (Includes Sporting Clays)

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Become a TYHP/LTH Huntmaster - See 2023 Schedule

HM

Huntmaster's 1st TYHP Hunt!

"This is my favorite thing I get to do each year. We had one of our hunters take his first deer and we all know how big a moment that is! Three of four hunters took home a cooler of meat. We were on a beautiful ranch in San Saba which a very generous landowner shared with us -- an incredible place! I could sit every day on that back porch overlooking the San Saba River! Thanks to our guides, Michael Turner,  Michael Winn, and Doug Johnson, who took  time to teach these young hunters more about hunting, conservation, calling turkey, skinning game, shot placement, and general hunting knowledge. Thanks, too, to Bob Barnette for helping me get my Huntmaster certification and trusting me to lead this hunt!!   Bob also was a guide on this hunt and helped keep me on track. The Texas Youth Hunting Program is an incredible organization that touches the lives of so many youth and parents. If you are not taking advantage of these opportunities, you are missing out!" 

- Tj Goodpasture, Director of Development, Texas Wildlife Association

To be a Huntmaster, you will first need to Create a Volunteer Account with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Then, to register for one of the training events listed above, go to Texas Wildlife Association's Events Listing. The training cost for TWA members is $55. If you are not yet a TWA member the cost is $90.

tyhp

axis

Veteran Huntmaster's 7th Year in TYHP

"After 7 years, it never gets old to lead a Texas Youth Hunting Program hunt this weekend with a lucky six hunters - continuing their learning of what is takes to have a safe, legal, and ethical hunting (and fishing) outing in Texas. These hunts are available year round, check the website for more information. These hunters had to complete a 6 hour safety course ( Hunter Education Class) become an accurate marksman ( at minimum 100 yds.), purchase a hunting license, and then apply for these types of all year round hunting experiences for mainly new  or beginner hunters. As a TYHP Huntmaster, I’m honored to be part of this organization -- to teach our youth about the safe world of hunting, and teaching them where we can get wholesome, organic food (from "field to fork") for the table." Vincent Lecca (L), Area Chief Hunter Education Instructor, Driftwood

v Lecca

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January Hunter Education Instructor Stories

sm

Tornado Hits Pasadena Memorial HS

"Heidi:  We are all fine but did take some damage. The barn where we shoot archery and the garage, we store stuff in took minimal damage but the classroom and our enclosed trailer got hit pretty hard. My truck also caught the brunt of the tornado. They’re assessing damage now and deciding on what to do about school the rest of the week. I’ll keep you posted. Thanks for checking in!"

- Sonny Mills, Hunter Ed Instructor


bonita

"Hello Brock! Samuel and I taught Hunter Education in Leming. Twenty students signed up and 15 plus several showed up. It’s enjoyable to see parents bringing their kids to the class and sticking around and attend themselves. We are blessed to get to be a part of teaching safe, ethical, and legal hunting!"  Bonita & Samuel Green, Poteet


dave

David Baxter, Houston, goes on hunt he won at 2022 Instructor Conference 

L to R: Daryl Wade, Houston Astros Youth Academy Director, Duke Walton, Area Chief - Porter, and David Baxter, Hunter Education Instructor - Houston, posed for a photo during hunt hosted by Duke and provided by Bob Boswell, Area Chief, Georgetown. The hunt was a drawing on behalf of Texas State Rifle Association for any Hunter Education Instructor that signed up for a TSRA Membership.  Bob is the TSRA Hunting & Wildlife Director and Duke a Regional Director.  Dave ended up taking a 4 1/2-year-old 8-point buck! Congratulations Dave!

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Waterfowl Photo Workshop Follows Deer Workshop

whitetails

Dave Richards, Hunter Ed Partner 

Dave was an author, along with Al Brothers, of the book, "Observing and Evaluating Whitetails" and pamphlet entitled "Aging Whitetail Bucks on the Hoof"- both available to hunter education instructors for Deer Hunting 101 Workshops or for special recognition of sponsors.

"Richards Outdoor Photography is conducting another Waterfowl Photography Workshop to supplement their recent, successful White-tailed Deer Photography Workshop (See below.)

deer

White-tailed Deer Photography Workshop Participants

(L to R) James Richards, Mack Boyd, Cuatro Hindes, Kristin Parma, Rebecca Schultz, Lauren Smith, JP Neyland, Joe Richards, Little Roy Hindes, Dave Richards, and Katy Hoskins


duck

WATERFOWL Photography Workshop

Feb 23-25th, Rockport

We we'll be at the Port Bay Club in Rockport this year. Learn more at REGISTRATION LINK. https://www.richardsoutdoorphotography.com/

Good friend and renowned photographer David J. Sams (Lone Star Outdoor News) is joining us. Spots are limited.  Sure hope you can join us. Let me know if you have any questions. Dave Richards - Richards Outdoor Photography, LLC   (Photo by Pete Nuij)

drichards@hgreps.comwww.richardsoutdoorphotography.com

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Hunting 101s Held & Upcoming -- JOIN US!

Wild Game Processing 101 - Uvalde

Susan & David Rios (L), Uvalde Area Chief Hunter Education Instructor Team, hosted a Deer Processing 101 at the Uvalde National Fish Hatchery In January -- which turned out to be a popular Hunting 101 offering! Congrats to all!

randy

Randy Spradlin, W TX Hunter Education Specialist, preps the students on the basic steps to process white-tailed deer and other game such as wild hogs, from "Field to Fork" including knife safety and use, legal rules, checking for CWD samples (See L TPWD biologist) and considerations when skinning, quartering, and butchering big game.  Photo by Brock Minton, S TX Hunter Education Specialist.

processing

susan

Handgun 101 + Deer Hunt - Cline

The "Dynamic Hunter Education Duo" from Uvalde, David & Susan Rios, also held a "Handgun 101" Workshop in January. To kick off the workshop, the Rios's covered, safety, laws, nomenclature, and handgun shooting techniques followed by a sighting in session at the range. After that, they tested their pistols, shooting skills and new knowledge on white-tailed deer at the Harris Ranch near Cline, Texas. 

(L to R) David Rios - Area Chief, Uvalde, Johnathan Arizmendez, Kelby and Rickey Bridwell, Brock Minton - S TX Hunter Education Specialist, Lucas Lane, and Daniel Tidwell.  Photo by Susan Rios

group

Participant

Daniel Tidwell harvested this nice doe during the follow-up hunt held in conjunction with the Handgun 101 workshop. Along with other participants and the instructor, David Rios, several deer were effectively taken using both scoped and open sight handguns brought to the workshop by the participants.  Hunting 101s may encompass and or all of the following:

  • Classroom (1/2 day),
  • Field & live fire (1/2 day),  
  • Actual hunt (1 or 1 1/2-day follow-up hunt).

David

David Rios also took this nice doe during the follow-up hunt at the Harris Ranch. To set up a Hunting 101 Workshop, you simply need the expertise (or can solicit services of others who are experts). Set up the course just like you would a hunter education student course at your ORS dashboard.  The options are to charge $15 per student for materials, handouts, etc. or to host such a workshop for FREE -- your choice! Hunting 101s serve as ADVANCED HUNTER EDUCATION opportunities -- by method and/or species - to give students opportunities to learn and experience more, as they put their basic knowledge, skills and attitudes, learned in the student course, to work!  And you can host a hunt following the workshop, many of you using your training as at TYHP or LTH (TX Wildlife Association) "Huntmaster"!


Waterfowl and Upland Game Hunting 101 - Texas Panhandle

women

A total of 29 hunters participated over a five (5) day period in a Waterfowl 101 conducted in Cactus, TX.  Special thanks to Everett Timmons and the City of Cactus for hosting the workshop and hunt. Successful good hunters included Paige McCain (L), a graduate from Texas Tech University, but who is a now a game warden stationed in Edwards County. Neely Cross, Lubbock, and is a Texas Tech student. 

instructor

Special thanks to Delta Waterfowl for their support for this hunt.  As part of their R3 initiative, students from Texas Tech’s Wildlife Association were introduced to a successful hunt.  The students completed Hunter Education, range days to improve Shotgunning skills prior to the hunt.  Delta provided all the necessary gear for the participants and donated waterproof, extreme cold weather gear for future TPWD Hunting 101 activities.


While there, Hunting Crew .30-06, a group of Houston teenagers and their parents who are taught conservation through hunting, completed a community service project constructing bat houses for placement around Cactus.  Over the past several years, the Crew has built water guzzlers and feeding stations for pheasant support, as well as swallow nesting boards, permanent waterfowl blinds for the community’s use while waterfowl hunting and assisted in the clean-up and reconstruction of the city’s shooting range.

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L to R: Matthew Rao , Aidan Montague, Jason Byers and Summer Alden with their greater Canada geese during the Waterfowl Hunting 101 workshop hosted by Randy Spradlin, W TX Hunter Education Specialist (see above).

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Conservation Project - City of Cactus - Bat Boxes

L to R: Summer Alden, Hannah Byers, Matthew Rao, Ryan Robertson, Aidan Montague, JohnJohn Rao and Everett Timmons City of Cactus


Deer Hunting 101 and Mentor Hunts - Inks Lake State Park

Brock Minton, S TX Hunter Education Specialist, and Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator, joined the Inks Lake State Park Staff in providing three  Deer Hunting 101 Workshops prior to mentor hunts held at the Park in January. The workshop included sighting in of participant rifles (see below). Along with Brock and Steve, TPWD Inks Lake volunteers and staff, and TPWD Law enforcement & Wildlife Division employees all served as guides and mentors during the hunts.


inks lake

Game Warden, Wei-Wei Startz, Guadalupe County, takes her hunter through sighting in exercises prior to the Inks Lake Hunt SP Mentor Deer Hunt.

Hunters for 1st Hunt:

Ed Xiong, Dustin Brennan, David Guynes, Mark Espinosa, Amy Jenkins and Clay Hoffman


inks

Game Warden, Brandon Thacker, Anderson County, takes his hunter through sighting in exercises prior to the Inks Lake Hunt SP Mentor Deer Hunt.

Hunters for 2nd Hunt: Cody Steverson, Matthew Strebe, Joseph Nall, Wyatt Eason, Savannah Steamer and Kevin Mercer

Hunters for 3rd Hunt: Zachary Martin, Justin Carter, Josia Garcia and David Shackelford


Hog Hunting 101 - Abilene State Park - MENTOR Hog Hunt

L to R: Kathy Glass, Hunter Education Instructor (Mentor) - Eola; Clay Roberts, TPWD Wildlife Division (Mentor); Robert Knutzen; Mark Espinosa; Wallace Davis; Nathan Davis and son, Johnathan; Gary Riddle, Hunter Education Instructor (Mentor)- San Angelo; Gary Glass, Hunter Education Instructor (Mentor) - Eola;  & Eduardo Chavez.

hog

Five hunters took two feral hogs at Abilene State Park. Special thanks to Brock Minton, S TX Hunter Education Specialist for filling in for Randy Spradlin, and Jack Bonner (USDA trapper) for assisting with the hunt. This is the third year Abilene State Park has added this hunt for feral hog management at the park.


steak

UPCOMING WILD GAME 101

Feb.11, 10am - 6pm

SA Stock Show & Rodeo

Game Processing/Wild Game Cooking

Jeff Hetrick, An Antonio Area Chief

REGISTRATION LINK

Photo: Taken from the Handgun Hunting 101 Workshop (See above) highlights the successful work of taking care of game from "Field to Fork"

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PHASES - Revisiting Hunt Motivations, Satisfactions

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"PHASES" Personal Evolution of the Sport Hunter - by Robert Jackson and Robert Norton (for "Phases" copy, email Steve.hall@tpwd.texas.gov)

  1. Shooter Stage
  2. Limiting-Out Stage
  3. Trophy Stage
  4. Method Stage
  5. Sportsman Stage

PHASES described a general evolution, a "predictable pattern of development" which the behavioral scientists noticed after observing (unbeknownst to the hunters) and then interviewing over 600 Wisconsin deer and waterfowl hunters in a series of research projects by the University of Wisconsin (UW) - LaCrosse, with the assistance of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The scientists eventually summarized the phases and incorporated them into the teaching of Hunter Ethics into Hunter Education programs throughout the United States.

I first met Robert Jackson and Robert Norton, UW - La Crosse, and Homer Moe, Hunter Education Administrator with the Wisconsin DNR, in the 1980s and was always impressed by their presence, personalities and research, articulated many times at the North American Association of Hunter Safety Coordinators Conferences (Today, IHEA-USA) as a foundation for teaching 'Hunter Ethics' within Hunter Safety Education (Hunter Responsibility: An Innovative Curriculum for Effective Instruction)  - "Ethics are Caught --Not Taught!"  cont...


Hunter Education

Photo:  Jose Garcia - Irving (instructing), along with Charlie Preslar - Garland and N TX TPWD Game Wardens, provided a hunter education student course at the recent Dallas Safari Club Convention in January.  Thanks for 'giving back', guys!

...As I wrote a new Texas hunter education manual, in preparation for the Mandatory Hunter Education Program in 1988, I wanted to use the Phases and much of what came from the Hunter Responsibility Curriculum developed by Jackson, Norton and Moe. I asked Jackson if I could take liberty to add a "6th Phase" -- I entitled the "Give Back" phase, as I noted that in the development of hunters, many go on to share their knowledge and skills with others and get just as much (if not more) motivation, satisfaction and excitement in preparation or during the hunt, as their 'students'.  He said, "Okay!" but I could not reference as part of the research, as the Phases was more of a compilation of ideas noted during the observations and interviews, but not empirical in nature, other than the numbers and types of hunters interviewed. It is always worthwhile to revisit our own motivations and satisfactions!

- Steve Hall, Texas Hunter Education Coordinator

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R3 Hunting & Shooting Sports Recruit - Profile

jaden

GAME WARDEN RECRUITMENT

Jaden White is a senior at Prairie View A&M University. Upon graduation he aspires to be a Texas Game Warden. He has interned for Willard Franklin III, Hunter Education Instructor with the Four W’s Fishing Team, for the past 5 years while going to school and networking. Jaden has volunteered at multiple youth events such as fishing tournaments and adult and youth hunts. See January Target Talk!


recruit

 See texasgamewardenrecruiting on Instagram

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Partner News - IHEA-USA and Learning to Hunt

ihea-usa

IHEA-USA Learning to Hunt Program

 International Hunter Education Association has established a platform for new hunters to connect with and learn from experienced hunters. Help us by signing up to be a mentor on Learnhunting.org! As a mentor, you will have access to trainings and resources to help you teach new hunters. As a mentor, you will be able to mentor someone you are comfortable with and when it is convenient to you. You can achieve this goal by showing new hunters the ropes on lands on which you have access from family, friends or paid hunting leases.

IHEA

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In Memory - Dedicated Hunter Educators Pass

Lenny

Leonard "Lenny" Rees

Former Utah Hunter Ed Coordinator

Nov. 2, 1946 – Jan. 2, 2023; Obituary

A long-time, respected leader of the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) - USA passed in early January.  A friend of the Texas Hunter Education Program, Lenny served as president, among many other leadership roles, at IHEA-USA and contributed every year to the NRA - Youth Hunter Education Challenge, leading stations and assisting with national coordination and training efforts.  He once joined Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator, conducting hunter education activities at the Chamber of Commerce in Cotulla, recognizing and welcoming hunters to South Texas at the beginning of their hunting season. .

One of his former colleagues, John Fairchild, Utah Division of Wildlife (retired) said it best, "Lenny made a lifelong commitment to the safe handling and skilled use of firearms by youth and new adult hunters alike. He continued his commitment in retirement. As an employee of Browning Arms, Lenny arranged for a significant contribution by the company towards the purchase of 12-gauge Silver Hunter semi-auto shotguns for use in a trial mentoring program for Hunter Education graduates. Thanks to Lenny’s family for supporting his efforts to enrich the lives of so many. A finer gentleman never wore a DWR uniform."

You will be greatly missed, Lenny! - TX Hunter Education Program Staff

Photo: Former Hunter Education Coordinators, Mark Birkhauser, NM, and Harry Street, VA, joined Lenny and Steve Hall, TX Hunter Education Coordinator, at the 2017 NRA Youth Hunter Education Challenge in Raton, NM.

HE  Coord

jim

James Haynes, Richmond

March 27, 1932 – January 19, 2023

Obituary

James L. Haynes, USAF, Retired, is survived by his wife of 50 years, Kitty, three daughters, Kathy, JoRene, and Darlene, and son James D, Hunter Ed Instructor (Coordinator's Column) and numerous grandchildren. USAF Assignments included California, Colorado, Maine, Hawaii, Greece, Turkey (twice), and Director of Munitions at Andersen AFB, Guam.  He served honorably and faithfully for 26 years and retired as Lt Colonel in 1979. 

Jim always remained active in life and in the outdoors and loved introducing kids to the concepts of being safe, knowledgeable and respectful of firearms, the land and conservation.  As a result, he became involved with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, Fort Bend County 4-H Outdoor Sports Club and the Texas Youth Hunting Program.  Building on his experience as a competitor on the Air Force Skeet Team, Jim and Kitty both became certified shooting instructors through 4-H, NRA and the National Sporting Clays Association, becoming a referee and shotgun sporting clay shooter as well.  Always seeking to be the best, Jim achieved Hunter Education Hall of Fame status in 2005 alongside his wife, Kitty, who was inducted in 2001. Jim continued with the program through 2022 and Kitty and Jaime, their son, will continue Jim's "Legacy", a hunter ed award he was honored with in 2022.


Doc

Leroy "Doc" Freeman, Ft. Worth 

September 17, 1941 - January 11, 2023

Obituary

Dr. Leroy Russell Freeman, Sr., passed away in Fort Worth on Wednesday, January 11th. He completed his BS degree at Texas Wesleyan Univ. where he met the love of his life, Lillian, and they married in 1964. He attended Baylor College of Dentistry where he graduated from, and then specialized in, Endodontics. He loved education, never missing an opportunity to expand another’s knowledge. He served as Area Chief of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Hunter Education Program where he was able to share his passion for the outdoors with countless Texans. He loved coming to Texas Wildlife Expo every year and also teaching hunter education courses with the youngest of his six children, Les Freeman, Bartonville, who is continuing the Hunter Education Heritage. Les will most certainly pass on the tradition with his three young boys as indicated in the Coordinator's Column. We'll miss ya, Doc!


Ron

Ron Howard, Jr. - Texas 4-H Shooting Sports

November 25, 1943 - December 31, 2022

Obituary

Ron went to Baylor University where he met the love of his life, Sylvia Susie Jeanfreau, whom he married in 1965, the day after graduation. After moving to Ithaca, NY to pursue his doctorate, Ron and Susie started their family, eventually having their three sons – Stephen, William, and Richard.

As his family grew, he embarked on a rewarding, life-long career in Agricultural Extension, a field that alloyed his academic pursuits with his love of all things outdoors. Over the next 40 years as a 4-H Youth Extension Specialist, Ron taught courses in ecology, led birding expeditions, mentored others in outdoorsmanship, and coached shooting sports and hunter education through the 4-H programs in New York (Cornell), Indiana (Purdue), and Texas (Texas A&M). His work with 4-H had broad impacts with Ron being one of three founders of the national 4-H shooting sports program. He also has a lasting legacy in developing hunter education curriculum throughout the country.

Ron was instrumental in the continued parntnership between Texas Parks and Wildlife Hunter Education Program and Texas AgriLife's 4-H Shooting Sports and Natural Resources Progrrams.  With the likes of Tom Davison, Lanny Bullard, Don Steinbach, Larry Hysmith, Denise Harmel Garza and Tamara Trail, among others, the partnership is a legacy program connecting the dots between basic hunting and firearm safety, and a lifelong pursuit of hunting, fishing, conservation and the outdoors. Thanks, Ron, for all you did for the partnership and Hunter Education!

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Hunter Education Staff & Contact Information

admin staff

Administrative Staff Contacts:

512-389-4999 - General Hotline

Email Support: Instructor@tpwd.texas.gov

KEVIN Vo - 512-389-8142

kevin.vo@tpwd.texas.gov

ANDREA Cleveland - 389-8739

andrea.cleveland@tpwd.texas.gov

Please contact your regional staff member (see below) for assistance, especially questions regarding the Online Registration System and setting up or closing out your courses!  If your regional staff specialist is not available, feel free to contact Administrative Staff in Austin (see above) -- or to say "HELLO!"

Staff2

Steve Hall, Austin: steve.hall@tpwd.texas.gov; 512-389-8140 w; 512-550-7330 c

Morgan Harbison, Caldwell: morgan.harbison@tpwd.texas.gov; 512-413-0194

Heidi Rao, Houston: heidi.rao@tpwd.texas.gov; 713-829-1377 c

Monica Bickerstaff, D/FW: monica.bickerstaff@tpwd.texas.gov; 469-601-8349 c

Randy Spradlin, Abilene: randy.spradlin@tpwd.texas.gov; 512-923-3509 c

Brock Minton, Corpus Christi: brock.minton@tpwd.texas.gov; 361-944-3617 c


TPWD & Texas Hunter Education Partner Resources

Hunter Education Overview | Instructor Resources | Student Resources

Operation Game Thief | Texas Game Warden Association

Texas Youth Hunting Program | Texas 4-H Shooting Sports


Other Hunter Ed Resources

International Hunter Education Association | NRA PROGRAMS & Services

NSSF Hunting & Ranges | Texas Hunter Education Instructor Association

Texas State Rifle Association | Hunters Connect


Wildlife & Sport Fish Restoration Funding