In This Issue: New Adult Hunters, 2024 Goals, Cadets Trained, BOW Hunt
Happy New Year!
2024 will be a BIG YEAR for Hunter Education! More Texans want to get OUTSIDE to hunt and target shoot and they will need basic training to get started with so many positive, new, exciting opportunities!
In 2023, I witnessed hundreds of ADULTS getting into hunting and target shooting, many for the first time; many hunting new species; many trying out new methods such as modern sporting arms, handguns and archery equipment.
In 2023, examples of Hunter Education ADULT onset hunting programs included:
These adult programs are in addition to the 250 youth hunts held in 2023, especially those held by our primary partner -- the Texas Youth Hunting Program. They also are in addition to target shooting sports programs such as the popular National Archery in Schools and Student Air Rifle Programs in schools. Hunter Education and Outreach staff and VOLUNTEERS continue to provide programs tailored to new hunters and shooters. We can be proud, but we've much to accomplish going forward - opening new landscapes to hunting and public ranges for target shooting. As evidenced in the new Target Talk masthead (above), TPWD will be better organizing to accommodate the burgeoning target shooting and firearm purchasing rates. Immanuel Salas, our new Target Range Grant Coordinator, will take his previous TPWD R3 experiences to new heights. And we are looking forward to working with a new TPWD R3 Hunting and Shooting Sports Coordinator in 2024.
Over the holidays, my wife, Karen and I were blessed with the opportunity to babysit our grandson and new granddaughter while Kelsey, our daughter-in-law, hunted and took her first elk -- providing rich, nutritious meat for her and our son, Ryan, and their family and friends -- and all in one afternoon within their community's conservation easement hunting program! These types of programs will be more important as land encroachment and fragmentation will continue to gobble up vast acreages of free-range wildlife habitats. Congrats to Kelsey, a perfect example of today's adult hunter with challenges of raising a family and working a full-time job, while making hunting, shooting and the outdoors a part of that equation.
And here's a toast to you -- the Hunter Education Instructor, the Huntmaster, the Teacher and BOW Program Instructor! Best wishes to you and your families and friends in the NEW YEAR!
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Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator
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HUNTER EDUCATION PROGRAM GOALS (Fed Aid W 104-S-42 Project)
- Revitalize and continue to grow the AREA CHIEF Program
- Train 55,000 students in basic Hunter Education and 500 new instructors
- Train 2,000 students in advanced Hunter Education (e.g., Hunting 101s)
- Aggressively grow the Student Air Rifle Program - to go with the successful National Archery in Schools Program, a hunter education effort begun in 2004
- Provide more Becoming an Outdoors Woman Program opportunities beyond the two workshops held each year
- Support TWA's Texas Youth Hunting and Learn to Hunt Programs
- Support Texas AgriLife Extension 4H Shooting Sports & Natural Resources Hunting and Wildlife Programs
- Provide 40 Mobile Shooting and 30 Hunter Education Outreach Events
- Provide New and Advanced training aids for Hunter Education Instructors
- Provide monthly Target Talks, Area Chief and regional gatherings and the annual instructor conference with the support of the Texas Hunter Education Instructor's Association - highlighting and recognizing Hunter Ed Instructors
- Get more involved in Target Range Grant Projects at the local level
- Update the Hunter Education Instructor Manual, and upgrade student materials related to hunting character/morals/ethics (see photo).
- Attend national and state meetings and workshops to improve staff and instructor knowledge and skills based on the latest research
- Have FUN, Be PASSIONATE, Develop CHARACTER and be an safe, responsible and ethical ROLE MODEL, especially to the next generation
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Southeast Texas Hunter Education Instructor Meeting
DATE: Saturday, January 20, 2024; 9:00 AM - Noon
LOCATION: Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center
REGISTER for the Meeting HERE
Join us for the annual Southeast Texas Hunter Education Instructor meeting and program update. (All instructors STATEWIDE, welcome!) Held in conjunction with the 2024 Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF) WORLDWIDE HUNTING EXPO & CONVENTION, all instructors and their guest(s) receive a complimentary DAY PASS to enjoy the Expo on Saturday afternoon at the same location.
Meeting Location: 3rd floor The Woodlands Room at the end of hallway
-- FREE PARKING!!! - more details to come with maps and directions
Questions? heidi.rao@tpwd.texas.gov
Joe Betar, HSCF Executive Director (R), is host of the Convention and friend to Hunter Education in Texas. He also is host of Hunting Matters Podcast.
Subscribe Today! Tradition. Conservation. Family. The Outdoors. It matters to you. It matters to us. This is “Hunting Matters”, presented by the Houston Safari Club Foundation (HSCF). With HSCF Executive Director Joe Betar. Join Joe as he engages in conversations with guests, from various backgrounds, that have a passion for hunting and conservation. Great discussions, news, hunting legislation and more! Listen and discover. "Hunting Matters"
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Texas Hunter Ed Instructor Assn
ASSIGNMENT: Please provide THREE (3) unique TRAINING AIDS that you currently use (or would like to use) in your Courses!
Email us at: info@texastheia.org
APRIL 26-28th, 2024
Y.O. Ranch Hotel and Hill Country Shooting Sports Center will host the Central Texas THEIA Conference in April next year. Please get it on your calendar NOW! Come help us celebrate your successes, attend the latest training seminars, and enjoy food and comradery with your fellow instructors from throughout Texas.
TPWD Staff Host: Morgan Harbison, Central TX Hunter Education Specialist
Photo: Legacy Award Recipients Monica Sobotka - Morgans Point Resort and Jose Garcia - Irving, enjoy teaching and shooting muzzleloaders at the 2023 Texas Hunter Education Instructor Association's Annual Instructor Conference.
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Monica Bickerstaff, N TX Hunter Education Specialist, received her 10-Year Plaque from Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator, while at the TPWD Law Enforcement Game Warden and Park Police Cadet Training Academy in December. As Monica is fond of saying, "I was on staff with Kansas Wildlife and Parks, when then-Hunter Education Coordinator, Terry Erwin, and Steve Hall, Outreach and Education Director, recruited me to uproot from Kansas and move to the Lone Star State to serve North Texas, a region more populous than the state of Kansas."
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 Monica has received numerous national and state awards including "Professional of the Year" from the International Hunter Education Association - USA, an organization she has assisted since being in Kansas. She is also an instructor, nationally, for Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow, a position of which she is proud and will be busy with beginning in 2024. In Texas, she loves coordinating the annual Women's hunts for Becoming an Outdoors Women at Lake Waco and youth hunt at Lake Whitney with Forth Worth Police Activities League, both in partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers. Thanks for your good work, Monica!
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As part of teaching or assisting volunteers with hunter education field courses and outreach events, Monica Bickerstaff, N TX Specialist and Heidi Rao, SE TX Specialist, introduced cadets to the Student Air Rifle Program and using such equipment in hunter education live-fire activities, both outdoors and indoors, for which the program is designed (e.g. gymnasium, foyers, hotel rooms). Staff will be offering many instructor training courses in 2024. We invite YOU -- all teachers and volunteers to get certified to teach SAR!
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Brock Minton, S TX Specialist (R), and Morgan Harbison, C TX Specialist and Mobile Shotgun Sports Coordinator, introduced cadets to shotgun shooting and how to incorporate such equipment and activities into hunter education program efforts. Game wardens and park police are often invited to attend outreach and target shooting events (e.g., Lonesome Dovefest, Operation Game Thief Shoots, Youth Shooting Sports Events at Wildlife Management Areas), to show new shooters how to get started in wing shooting and hitting moving targets.
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Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator, opened the training with the purpose, history and role that cadets will play in the hunter education program. He was followed by Heidi Rao, who covered instructor policies and procedures. All cadets then went through live fire activities (above) and a Hunter Skills Course beginning with a station of handling firearms in and around vehicles (below), followed by 15 other stations including safe zones of fire, beyond the line of fire incidents, and tree stand safety -- all part of teaching the "Top Ten" Lists (objectives) within the hunter education field courses and classroom curricula (IHEA-USA Standards).
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Cadets signed a nice card thanking HE Program Staff. Thank YOU, Cadets!
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Scott Lightle - Hunter Education Instructor who oversees Education at Long Acres Ranch, and Student Air Rifle Program (SAR) Instructor, took a team to the first National SAR Tournament. The mission of SAR is to facilitate an introduction to the lifetime sport of target shooting to school-aged youth in grade 4 through grade 12. The purpose of the SAR is to increase involvement in shooting sports, enhance educational performance, and promote positive youth development through firearms safety and target shooting education. Congratulations Scott and team -- we'll hear more from you and Long Acres which will take a central role in helping Texas get a statewide SAR Tournament established and send more teams to the national competition -- just like the National Archery in Schools Program tournament begun in 2004,
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 Above, SAR competitors from throughout the country, observe the Pledge of Allegiance prior to beginning their first round of shooting. The Texas team (below) takes aim to become the first SAR Tournament team from the Lone Star State.
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Uvalde Deer Hunting 101
Deer Hunting 101 with the Wildlife Students at Southwest Texas Junior College Wildlife Department - "I enjoyed leading these young, new deer hunters into the field with a good attitude and respect for the animals we hunt. We immersed ourselves in the outdoor experience, cleansing our souls, and making us better people ... as Fred Bear used to say...! Many thanks to the Garwood family for hosting our workshop!!" Photo: Students constructing a deer blind to start the hunting experience.
David Rios, Area Chief Hunter Ed Instructor, Uvalde
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Kincaid-Garwood Ranch
Haley Cook (R) took this nice buck during the recent Deer Hunting 101 Course conducted by Area Chiefs, David and Susan Rios, along with assistance by Brock Minton, S TX Regional Specialist. Ellie Daughtry (L) served as Haley's mentor and guide, giving capable students an invaluable role in adult hunts.
Congratulations Haley and thanks Ellie!
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 Josh Perez took two does at the Uvalde Deer Hunting 101 Workshop & Hunt.
 Back Row: Katie Garwood (Landowner), Stella Garwood (Landowner), Brian Garwood (Landowner), Victor Garcia (Student), Brock Minton (S TX Hunter Education Specialist), Dean Wiemers (HE Instructor), Joshua Perez (Student), Victor Landin (Student), Travis Bartniski (Student Guide).
Front Row: Eugenio "Chico" Barrera (HE Instructor), Ellie Daughtry (Student Guide), Haley Cook (Student), David Rios (Area Chief HE Instructor).
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Resaca de la Palma State Park (Classroom), Loma Alta Trap & Skeet Range (Shotgun Patterning/Shooting Exercises) and Arroyo City (Hunt)
 Rio Grande Valley Waterfowl Hunting 101 participants included Ruben Rangel, Andres Ayala, Andy Prado, Santiago Prado, Steve Hall, Landan Cunningham and his mom, Samuel Prado and Junior Munoz.
 Ruben Rangel - Brownsville (L) and Junior Munoz - Austwell (Aransas National Wildlife Refuge - R) led the classroom session including waterfowl hunting safety, laws, ethics, identification and hunting methods.
 Game Wardens, Cody Levy (L), Cameron County, and Roel Garza, Jr., Hidalgo County (R), assisted Rangel and Munoz with transporting the participants to hunt locations within the shallow bays on mangrove-lined shorelines. Thanks to all who assisted Rangel with the hunt. It takes a lot of effort, but Hunting 101s are making lifelong hunters and conservationists, and more accepting cultures and families. They are hands-on 'method' and 'species' opportunities that Texans want.
Ruben Rangel, Brownsville Area Chief Hunter Education Instructor, and host of the Rio Grande Valley Waterfowl Hunting 101 is shown here demonstrating how to clean and process ducks. He told students that prior to cleaning, "Be sure to be in possession of the ducks you shot." He added, "In fact, be sure to claim the duck you shot in the first place...since it could have 'jewelry' on its leg." He quickly explained that the jewelry or 'leg band' was on an occasional duck and prized by duck hunters who hang them on their duck call lanyards. He further explained the purpose and how to report the number to the Bird Banding Laboratory.
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'Jewelry' from the Duck Harvest
Samuel Prado, Weslaco, one of the Hunting 101 participants, did just what Ruben advised the day prior while showing the hunters how to clean their birds. On his first shot, the first for the group, Sam shot his first bird ever! And guess what? The beautiful blue-winged teal drake, in full plumage, had a leg band on it! The duck was so old that the number was worn off the band. What a story and start for Sam as a waterfowl hunter! Junior Munoz, Area Chief - Austwell, who assisted Sam as he shot the duck, chuckled and said, "We ought to take him to Vegas he's so lucky!
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Randy Spradlin, W TX Hunter Education Specialist, once again, held a series of Upland Game and Waterfowl 101 Workshops near Cactus. Also, once again, the Houston-area .30-06 Scout Venturing Team attended and completed projects building permanent hunting and bird-watching/photography blinds at the public hunting area along with TPWD biologists. Thanks to everyone for their efforts! These participants signed up for and attended the Waterfowl Hunting 101 Workshop and Hunt held near Cactus.
 (L to R)
Back row: Jacob W, Chris W, Matt P, Simon S
Front row: Mark E, Brando V, Andrew W, Karoline H, THEIA "Worser", Ron P
 (L to R) .30-06 Venturing Crew Members, JohnJohn, Jack, Piper, Jaden and Luke joined TPWD Migratory Bird Biologist, Heather Johnson (center), on a hunt after constructing permanent blinds at the site.
An Upland Game Hunting 101 Workshop was held in conjunction with Waterfowl Hunting 101 workshops during the 2023 holiday seasons.
Back Row: .30-06 Venturing Crew Members Matthew, Jaden, Aiden, John John, Luke; Front Row: Jack, Braden,after taking the training workshop followed by hunt.
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Shane Taylor (L) called TPWD and, along with a group of friends and family, needed a place to practice with their newly acquired shotgun (self-defense) and handguns, so they called Texas Parks and Wildlife once they found out their local range would not allow such shotguns at their range. Thanks to partner, J.B. Kolodzey, who donated his land and facilities to the Hays County 4-H Chapter, for allowing Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator, who teaches hunter and bowhunter education at J.B.'s facility, to host a Firearm and Hunting 101 Workshop for Shane, Emily and their friends including Clayton Beard - Houston (L), who assisted with the instruction and is interested in Becoming an Instructor.
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 Quality Time in a Deer Blind
Texas Youth Hunting Program (TYHP) Hunts as a Habitat Management Tool
By: Joyce Moore, TPWD Senior Wildlife Biologist
Each Fall a contingent of youth clad in hunter orange fan out across the State in search of wild game and memories to last a lifetime. Participation in the Texas Youth Hunting Program hunts are designed to expose young hunters to nature, conservation, and ethical and safe hunting. Co-sponsored by the Texas Wildlife Association and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the TYHP program targets youth hunters ages 9-17. Accompanied by a parent or licensed adult, hunters must possess a valid hunting license, proof of Hunter Safety, and demonstration of minimal shooting proficiency. Participating landowners receive liability insurance protection for the hunt duration, along with assistance in harvesting surplus white-tailed deer and exotics.
 While individual TYHP hunts typically host 7 or fewer youth, in the Hill Country larger gatherings known as Super Hunts regularly host 15-50 youth per weekend thru landowner-based Wildlife Management Associations. In the Hill Country, overpopulated deer herds equate to high hunter success as property owners utilize youth hunters to assist them with landscape-scale management. As a result, many property owners have come to appreciate the role of TYHP as an important management strategy. As a benefit, youth spend quality time in the outdoors while being educated about game laws, hunter ethics, and wildlife conservation. In 2022, TYHP hosted 230 such youth hunts across Texas. Of these only 6 fell into the category of Super Hunts; however, they provided memorable outdoor experiences for over 1,100 young hunters, as well as the added benefit of game for the freezer. For more information on the Texas Youth Hunting Program please visit tyhp.org or your local TPW Wildlife Biologist."
JM Ranch Youth Hunt - TYHP Hunt
And another youth hunt featured in Austin Woods and Waters Game Bag, was submitted by TYHP Huntmaster, Jennifer Goodrum:
"Mike and I hosted a youth hunt with the Texas Youth Hunting Program at the JM Ranch this past weekend. Four teenage boys and their fathers came out for a weekend full of target practice, bow and arrow training, deer hunting and cleaning, even some fishing. What a great organization!"
Joe Bob Everett, Austin Woods and Water's Club President replied, "Wow! That looks like a lot of fun, Jennifer. I always love to see the smiles on these kid's faces. And yes, TYHP is a great organization! Thank you for working to "Pass on the Heritage"!"
Texas State University Hunt - a Delta Waterfowl's University Program
From Heritage Flats Guide Service and Outfitters
"The past few days we were able to host 11 Texas State University wildlife students for Delta Waterfowl’s University Hunting Program. This was the first ever hunt experience for these students and they all were able to harvest some birds. These are the future game wardens, managers, biologists, and decision makers in wildlife conservation. We’re honored to be part of educating the next generation of hunters. These students said they will continue hunting and now understand why we do what we do. Thank you for the opportunity and we wish y’all all the best in your future careers! Delta Waterfowl Foundation Texas Gulf Duck Hunting South Texas Delta Waterfowl"
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BOW Camp El Tesoro, Granbury
These are the normal, everyday, run-of-the-mill winners. They know they will pay their own way.
- Diana Slavenski
- Keryn Rodriguez
Then there's this:
Sarah & Scott Medearis decided to pay for a spot at the next BOW for the first person that could produce their challenge coin. Two women were RUNNING to make it to the front. They COLLIDED and both ended up on the floor LAUGHING. Thankfully, no one was injured! Since they arrived at the same time, we flipped a coin. Jessica Sheleg was the winner. Alisha was the runner up!
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 BOW Hunt featured in Cornerstone Magazine
Monica Bickerstaff, N TX Hunter Education Specialist, works with US Army Corps of Engineers on Women's Deer Hunts, and has annually scheduled one such hunt as a follow-up to the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop for those that attend the appropriate training workshops, and sign up for the deer hunt drawings held by the Texas Friends of BOW.
"Hi, Monica! I just emailed you our 1st Fort Worth Cornerstone Magazine edition. Please see page 14 for the story on the BOW Hunt at Lake Waco. It’s very cool!"
SEE STORY HERE!
Thanks!
Taylor Christian, Natural Resources Specialist, US Army Corps of Engineers
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"I was out hunting in Medina County a few weeks ago and harvested a nice buck. I reported the harvest on my hunt harvest app. To my surprise I found out I was in a CWD zone. I followed instructions and contacted the checkpoint in Hondo Texas. The guys there were great and very informative.
Might I suggest, information on how the deer should be processed before reporting to a checkpoint be added to the app? At the checkpoint, I was instructed to return to the ranch and quarter the deer and leave the spine at the ranch and a waiver would be issued on the skull for mounting.
I showed up with a field dressed deer. Once the deer samples were removed, I had to return to the ranch to finish processing the deer.
Information like, having deer quartered , spine left at ranch and samples were going to be removed from the deer head and throat, would have saved me a lot of time, fuel and extra cleanup.
I will be teaching how to prep a deer harvest in a CWD zone in my next hunter’s Ed class I teach.
Merry Christmas
Be safe and God Bless you all
Eloy A Sanchez
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Morgan Harbison, C TX: morgan.harbison@tpwd.texas.gov; 512-413-0194
Monica Bickerstaff, N TX (DFW): monica.bickerstaff@tpwd.texas.gov; 469-601-8349 c
Kevin Vo, Austin, Hunter Ed. Admin: kevin.vo@tpwd.texas.gov; 512-389-4999 (general); 512-389-8142 (direct); Email Support: Instructor@tpwd.texas.gov
Steve Hall, Austin, Hunter Ed. Coord: steve.hall@tpwd.texas.gov; 512-389-8140 w; 512-550-7330 c
Brock Minton, S TX: brock.minton@tpwd.texas.gov; 361-944-3617 c
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Hunter Education Teaching Resources
Hunter Education Overview | Instructor Resources | Student Resources
Texas Hunter Education Partners
Operation Game Thief | Texas Game Warden Association
Texas 4-H Shooting Sports | Texas Wildlife Association
Texas Youth Hunting Program | Adult Learn to Hunt Program
Texas Hunter Education Instructor Association
Texas State Rifle Association | Outdoors Tomorrow Foundation
National Hunter Education Partners
International Hunter Education Association-USA | Hunters Connect
National Shooting Sports Foundation | NRA PROGRAMS & Services
National Bowhunter Education Foundation | Ashby Bowhunting Foundation
National Archery in Schools Program | Student Air Rifle Program
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