As TPWD Outreach and/or Education Director (1987- 2011), I studied many Program MODELS -- a few we included in the TPWD Education, Outreach & Interpretation Plan published nearly 20 years ago. Another model came along with the R3 National Hunting & Shooting Sports Action Plan. Such models give us a way to organize our efforts and explain why we get involved with or provide such programs in the first place.

(See Outdoor Education Models & Programs below.)

In January and February, I had a chance to reminisce with two Outreach program leaders, T.J. & Sandra Greaney with Kid's Outdoor Zone (at 2023 Weatherby Foundation Gala) and Leon & Leticia McNeil (see photo) with City Kids Adventures (at Private Film Viewing of their One-hour Documentary). In my view, their programs are the epitome of what it takes to truly get kids outdoors, particularly those that do not otherwise have the opportunity (e.g., urban, single parent, impoverished, 'lost', etc.).  Coincidentally, the founders of both organizations (T.J. and Leon) have similar, personal life stories growing up, facing seemingly insurmountable odds. They ultimately triumphed over the enormous barriers thrust into their young lives -- which undoubtedly led them to their passions -- to become the Outdoor Pied Pipers -- along with their rock-steady, angelic wives. I certainly feel blessed getting the privilege to meet these special people in the outdoor education community and working alongside them to achieve mutual goals. These two couples TOP the list!

In April, I'm excited that we are hosting another longtime friend and the third of the featured program leaders below, Dr. Christine Thomas, University of Wisconsin, Steven Point (retired), founder of Becoming An Outdoors-Woman Program (BOW).  She helped us launch BOW in 1993, so we'll be celebrating our 30th Anniversary. Dr. Thomas will be our keynote speaker -- hope YOU are able to join us!

AND, a week after BOW, don't miss the ANNUAL HUNTER ED INSTRUCTOR CONFERENCE being held at the same location - Texas 4-H Center! The theme of the conference this year is LESSONS LEARNED!

SAFE, Happy Spring & Turkey Seasons!

Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator

Christine Thomas - Keynote Speaker

Christine Thomas served as dean and professor of resource management at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources until her retirement in 2020. In addition to her role as a university educator, Thomas developed the Becoming an Outdoors Woman program, designed to teach women outdoor skills. Thomas has a B.S. in biology from Central Michigan University, an M.S. in Water Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and a Ph.D. in Land Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. MORE HERE

Heidi Rao, BOW Coordinator and SE Hunter Education Specialist, introduced BOW Participants to Christine Thomas virtually at the 25th Year BOW celebration at the Texas 4-H Center. Over the years, BOW has had many leaders in Texas including Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator, who brought BOW to Texas through a mutual friend who did graduate work for Christine -- identifying the barriers that faced women wanting to get involved in the outdoors.  Hall then appointed or hired the following employees to lead the program -- Debra Bunch, Karl Cloninger, PhD., Ashley Mathews and Heidi Rao.  Several of these past coordinators will be with us to celebrate 30 years!  You will hear from each of them -- a look back!

OUTREACH MODEL

(e.g., Kid's Outdoor Zone, City Kids)

The "molecule" by Bruce Mathews and Cheryl Riley in the early eighties, researched a model to show how to get groups and individuals to ADOPT outdoor activities. This was a popular model for many states to OUTREACH to partner groups such as Texas Parks and Wildlife did with outdoor leaders such as T.J. Greaney who founded the Kid's Outdoor Zone and Leon McNeil City Kids Adventures in San Antonio. The "threshold (positive initial) experience" was an integral first step!

COMPLIANCE & SAFETY MODEL

(e.g., Mandatory Education Programs)

This model applies to those heading outdoors in a regulatory environment by promoting individual responsibilities and behaviors.  It plays on the character values of a "Careful, Courteous, Capable and Considerate" outdoor enthusiast.  Texas "Hunter Ethics" teachings were built around this philosophy along with Hunter Stages (See Feb Target Talk).

TRAIN-THE-TRAINER MODEL 

(e.g., Outdoor Education Programs)

• Staff/Agency/Organization
• Trainers of Trainers (Area Chiefs)
  
• Trainers/Teachers (Instructors)
  
• Participants/Students/Public

This model represents most of the outdoor education programs of Texas Parks and Wildlife -- a Volunteer Management model, since day one in Hunter Education (1972).

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.

Ferando Rocha, Edinburg, the newest Hunter Education Chief, hosted a TYHP Hunt in Crystal City the last weekend in January. Rocha said, " At the TYHP hunt in Crystal City, Dimmit County, we mentored six (6) boys and their parents in wildlife conservation and firearms safety in the field. It was so exciting having most of the boys harvest their first deer. A great thank you to Kevin Vo, Austin, HE Admin, for providing me some of the new TIC-TAC-TOE Shot Placement Exercise material. The kids and instructors had fun with them. They were also extremely helpful when emphasizing correct shot placement! 

TYHP Hunt - Hog Creek Ranch

"This is my brother Frank Mason (L) and our first-time hunter, Luke, who was placed with us by Bob Barnette, TYHP North Texas Field Director.  Luke had no hunting experience and very little range practice. Frank is my range master on hunts and is a Huntmaster, as well. He coached Luke on the range, changed him to a different rifle so he could be more comfortable. Luke had a great time! Being Luke's very first hunt, there is 100 years, 7 months, and 2 days of experience when that picture was taken.

Luke took this management buck while on this first (TYHP) hunt. Father and son definitely have some memories to share. Congratulations, Luke!  - Sanford "Sandy" Mason III, Joshua

Weslaco East HS Features Hunter Ed

Click on the QR Code to read whole story -- scroll thru the news stories section.

Feb.10 2023

Weslaco East High School junior, Andru Zuniga had the unique experience of applying classroom instruction directly to the great outdoors. Andru recently completed coursework for a hunting certificate and had the opportunity to take part in an actual hunt. " We want to expose the kids to the outdoors, WEHS Criminal Justice and Hunter Education Instructor, Ricardo Orozco said, "There are a lot of resources here in the Valley for hiking, camping, and hunting that our students don't know about." 

READ MORE

I participated in an outreach event for Cub Scout Pack 1537 out of Adam Elementary in Houston on Feb. 16th - their Blue and Gold Banquet. I had previously created a photo frame that I decked for the Texas Outdoor Adventures theme which let me use many of my hunting, fishing and other outdoor items. Harris County Pct 3 Park Interpreter, Jerrel Geisler, presented skulls & skins and we judged the dens' centerpieces. Pictured are Hudson and Krista Liewald.  Cheryl LeJune - Tomball, Area Chief

HOG & DEER HUNTING 101

The Hog & Deer Hunting 101 & Hunt was held the last weekend in February for students enrolled in wildlife courses at Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde. Students selected were first time deer hunters and all had good success with hogs and/or deer. (L) Clayton Golden shows off the beautiful feral hog (if you can call it that).  Below Cashlynn Varnon took this nice management buck. Thanks, once again, to Area Chief, David Rios (Deer Hunting 101 Leader) and his wife, HE Instructor Susan Rios, Asst. Coordinator & Photographer. Congratulations for another great Hunting 101 in South Texas.

WILD GAME COOKING 101 - Part 1

"A big thank you to the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Wildlife & Natural Resources Committee for inviting me to teach fun and unique ways to cook and serve wild game at the rodeo Education Center yesterday. This is my first year to serve on the committee on behalf of Texas Wildlife Association (TWA) and to serve as a rodeo volunteer, a position in which I am grateful."

📸 Adam Boots Parma - San Antonio

Wild game cooking is the organic, natural, low-cholesterol, low-fat conclusion of hunting wild game.  Many "foodies" are just now discovering the locavore movement -- what hunters have known all along! To all non-hunters, either learn how to hunt, or get to know a hunter who enjoys donating wild game meat to friends and family!  The Adult Learn to Hunt program of TWA is a place to go for adults to learn how to hunt.

GAME PROCESSING 101 - N TX

Cabela's Ft. Worth

Randy Spradlin, W TX Hunter Education Specialist and Brock Minton, S TX Hunter Education Specialist, held a Game Processing Workshop 101 at Cabela's for 28 participants. Each participant took home plenty of game meat. Hunting 101s (advanced Hunter Ed) is a major role by HE Instructors in the future! 

Randy and Brock also teamed up on coordinating a Trapper Education 101 workshop, one that has been held annually for coming up on 30 years with the Texas Trappers and Fur Hunters Association (TTFHA)! When asked about how great the workshop was, Monica Spradlin (L), pictured here with TTFHA Trainer, Keith Jackson, wife of W TX Hunter Education Specialist, Randy Spradlin, laughed saying 'It was too cold! But I had a great time!" Since joining the 'Spradlin team', Monica has jumped in feet first and hasn't looked back. With a few basic courses under her belt, and great mentors like Gary and Kathy Glass, Eola, Monica now enjoys the hunting side of nature. An avid mountain biker, hiker, and kayaker, she has always enjoyed being in nature.  "Now, as a volunteer instructor, Monica sees and understands the conservation side of the harvest and the management practices behind the science," said Randy, "Monica greatly enjoyed the trapper workshop, learning more there than any other workshops she has attended."

L to R:  Chris Caswell, Bob Sandlin SP Park Superintendent (Guide),

...During the hunt, Clay and John were great guides and explained everything they were doing very clearly. They really helped me understand how I could go out on my own, which I will be doing soon.  After the hunt, information about processing the birds was amazing. I felt more confident taking care of the ducks I brought home, and I am getting ready to have a duck feast in the next days. I look forward to coming out to Purtis Creek, again, in the future for some camping and fishing with the family!"  - Andrew Renshaw, Waterfowl Hunting 101 Participant

The SALE Junior Shoot-Out held in mid-February hosted over 1,100 youth participants from 111 counties across Texas. The shoot consisted of both 4-H Shooting Sports and TX Future Farmers of America (FFA) members shooting 4 events and over 250,000 targets.  Here, Kindal Moreau (L), looks at her show target under the Friday night lights before she begins the random draw shoot off. Next to Kindal, Morgan Harbison, Mobile Shooting Range Coordinator, and C TX Hunter Education Specialist, and Cory Kruse - Kruse Shooting watch over her shoulder, encouraging shooters as they do continually!

James Haynes Remembered

March 27, 1932 – January 19, 2023

Obituary

James L. Haynes, USAF, Retired, is survived by his Area Chief Hunter Education wife of 50 years, Kitty, three daughters, Kathy, JoRene, and Darlene, and son James (Hunter Ed Instructor) 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 was remembered on February 10th in Houston.

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!"