We are a family - HUNTER EDUCATION!  We join organizations which further our passions -- our causes.  And ours is to learn, teach and ultimately pass on the outdoor heritage, privilege and responsibilities -- left to us throughout North America by previous generations.

We pledge our affiliation to organizations that foster firearm/hunting safety and responsibilities, methods we use, and species we pursue -- all to conserve wild landscapes and populations. Ours is the greatest conservation model in the world!

My personal evolution had me joining NRA (instructor), The Wildlife Society (wildlife management degree), and Colorado Division of Wildlife Hunter Education Instructor  ranks (volunteer).  From there it was on to a 40-year career and leadership roles at Texas Parks and Wildlife, Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow (see photo), Texas State Rifle Association and the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA), the latter two as Executive Director. I'm a life member or above in all of those organizations, plus our own state organization, Texas Hunter Education Instructors Association.  I've served on many boards (e.g., IHEA, National Bowhunter Education Foundation, Student Air Rifle Program, Kid's Outdoor Zone). I'm also a member of local organizations such as Austin Woods and Waters, San Antonio Sportsmen and Texas Wildlife Association, as well as many fishing, boating, bird watching, wildlife and outdoor organizations such as Fly Fishers International (Casting Instructor), TX Becoming an Outdoors Woman (Founder/Instructor), TYHP (Huntmaster) and TX Outdoor Education Association.

I'm proud to announce, that ALL Texas Hunter Education Instructors (YOU!) are now members of our national professional association, IHEA-USA. Along with THEIA (to which, as a Hunter Education Instructor, you receive the first year membership for free), these two associations have the tools to make you a better instructor, procure resources and develop relationships/partnerships, not to mention lifelong friendships.  Involvement is the key!  I hope you don't let these causes sit on the shelf.  Have them in your hip pocket. Support their mission, goals and projects. You will find much joy in knowing that you are passing on a strong heritage!

Power to us all in "leaving the outdoor heritage, better than we found it!" Join a conservation organization or two, TODAY! I'm sure many of you already have!

Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator

"It’s definitely time to brag! A true proud wife moment! Today, David received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to volunteer service. He is receiving this award for his over 4,000 volunteer hours and/or 25 years of service with Texas Parks and Wildlife - Hunter Education! David is setting a true example of service above self and teaching people the value of conservation and stewardship. Congratulations David Rios (my husband and team teacher)" - Susan Rios, Uvalde Area Chief Team

Texas Hunter Education Instructor Association

APRIL 26-28th, 2024

Attendees: PLEASE BRING a SILENT AUCTION ITEM to support YOUR organization!

Y.O. Ranch Hotel and Hill Country Shooting Sports Center will host the Central Texas THEIA Conference in April. 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

THEIA Conference April 26-28,2024

Friday 26^th

2pm - Registration                      

3pm - 5:45pm - Modern Sporting Rifles Shooting (Range)            

6pm - Supper/Reception 

7pm - Area Chiefs Meet                 

Saturday 27th   

7am – 4pm - Registration

7am - Breakfast

8am - 8:45am - Welcome

9am - 11:50am - Morning Sessions                                                

• New Instructor Course  (all morning & afternoon)              
• Meat Processing (all morning) 
• Session 1 - 9am-10:20am - Hunting 101                                  
• Session 1 - 9am-10:20am - Game Warden-use of Drones     
• Session 2 - 10:30am-11:50am Social Media                                  
• Session 2 - 10:30am-11:50am - CWD update                                  

Lunch / Keynote Speaker 12 noon (Photo of Chad with his dog, Trixie)

1:15pm - 4pm - Afternoon Sessions

• New Instructor Course Cont...
• Adaptive Shooting (all afternoon)                             
  
• Session 3 - 1:15pm - 2:40pm - CWD Update                                            
• Session 3 - 1:15pm - 2:40pm - Hunting 101                               
• Session 4 - 2:50pm - 4pm  Marketing Social Media                                  
• Session 4 - 2:50pm - 4pm - Game Warden-use of Drones    

Andrea Cleveland, Hunter Education Administrative Assistant (R) at Airport Commerce Park in Austin, was awarded "Employee of the Month" by Peak Performers, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department part time employee contractor. Cindy Brio, Staff Manager with Peak Performers (L), was on hand to present Andrea with a bouquet of flowers, certificate and plaque honoring Andrea for her performance and accomplishments with the State's Hunter Education Program. Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator, said, "Andrea's phone voice and customer service skills are her greatest asset to the hunter education program!" He added, "I get calls or forwards continually saying what a pleasant, efficient person she is from program instructors and families that marvel at a "government agency" with such good customer service."  In presenting the award, Brio said, "It was my pleasure to join in to celebrate Andrea; she's a wonderful and kind soul, incredibly deserving of the award. And, you have a special team~" Thanks to Kevin Vo, Hunter Education Administrative Assistant, for being on hand and taking the photo.

W TX Regional Area Chief and Instructor's Meeting and Student Air Rifle (SAR) Instructor Training Course

March 17, 2024 - AMARILLO (Canyon)

LOCATION:  JNC Archery

• 8AM - Breakfast
• 9AM - Meeting

Sponsored by THEIA –Texas Hunter Education Instructor’s Association 

More information and registration HERE:  https://tpwd.elementlms.com/course/hunter-education-hunting-101-optional-free-140/

Or scan this QR Code for meeting registration.

Remember to also register for the SAR TRAINING below!

2024 HUNTMASTER Training!

MARCH 22-23 - Mason Mtn. WMA

Welcome to 2024! Our Huntmaster Training Schedule for this year is OPEN for registration. Huntmaster Training prepares volunteers to perform four primary functions: 1) running hunts, 2) recruiting youth, volunteers, and landowners, 3) promoting TYHP and 4) assisting with volunteer training.

Interested in becoming a Huntmaster? Register for one of the trainings now at https://www.texas-wildlife.org/twa-events/ *More trainings to be added soon* To be a Huntmaster, you will first need to Create a Volunteer Account with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

San Antonio Rodeo Outreach

The San Antonio Rodeo Wildlife Committee Hunter Education Instructor Team were out in force during the 18 days of the San Antonio Rodeo. They promoted Hunter Education at their booth and safe firearms handling and shooting with their BB gun range (below).  Hundreds of youths under age 15 showed up to learn how to shoot in the inflatable range.  The Committee is a longstanding effort and does wonderful conservation work including everything from the Junior Shootout (above) and Hunter Education courses, as well as these outreach efforts. Way to go!

A total of 25 volunteer Hunter Education Instructors and Area Chiefs signed up to work one or more shifts during the Ranching and Wildlife Expo, where the Laser Shot Shooting Simulator is set up to teach firearm safety, wildlife identification, ethics, and shoot/don’t shoot scenarios. Its mission is to promote conservation and coexistence of ranching and wildlife habitats. The event targets hunters, anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts. A big thanks to all instructors who took time out to represent their program!

Heidi Rao (L), SE Texas Hunter Education Specialist, and Area Chief, Cheryl LeJune - Tomball, coordinated the hunter education outreach activities at the Houston Rodeo. Their main activity included Lasershot, but also included teaching kids about wildlife, hunting and firearms safety and other principles of the program. Each year, they get the opportunity to host a special youth education seminar as part of the Expo.

Hunter Education Area Chief Instructors John Polasek, College Station, and Danny Odom, Orange (L), sign up each year to support the Ranching and Wildlife Expo at the Houston Rodeo. Each day, hundreds of participants, young and old, stopped by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Hunter Education Lasershot Booth to learn about TPWD and hunting opportunities through hands-on activities. Such outreach efforts by instructors is as valuable as basic and advanced courses of education.

"The event took place on the Harris Ranch in Uvalde County.  A total of
five does were harvested by handgun after a classroom and range session firing handguns that included 10MM, .45ACP, .30 Herrett, and .44 Magnum. All shots were successful during the hunt and participants took great shots to vitals, mostly from 30 to 40 yards," said Rios. This unique opportunity was open to all through the Hunting 101 Link and featured both species and method -- a combination of Hunting 101 opportunities.  The Uvalde team hopes more instructors and students take advantage of these advanced hunter education curricula and that more instructors teach their own topics as well.  A Turkey Hunting 101 will be featured  soon near Whitsett, Texas.  Be looking for the sign up!

...In total our five hunters harvested 15 sheep and all but one (due to its location in the cliffs and it being dark) were skinned, quartered, and packed out of the rugged canyons. Based on OnX tracks and smart watches I calculated that between the hunters, parents, and guides we logged over 140 miles on foot in two days! And of course, we can’t forget our exceptional cooks David Oates, Chris Westfall, and Bill Murff for keeping us fed with five-star meals.

Thanks to everyone who made this a memorable weekend!"

- Austin Stolte - TPWD Biologist and Huntmaster

Frank Mason, a Texas Youth Hunting Program (TYHP) Huntmaster included a session on the proper care and cleaning of a knives and types of tools used to sharpen blades as part of a hunt that he and Area Chief, Sandy Mason - Joshua, held in February. Below, the young hunters posed for a group pic at a beach area on the Brazos River. Sandy Mason said, "We were taking the opportunity to visit the river on the ranch and discuss the habitat it provides for local wildlife and fishes."

Marisa Futral - Alabama HE Coordinator

Photo:  Marisa is shown here with SE TX Hunter Education Specialist and BOW Coordinator, Heidi Rao (L), and N TX Hunter Education Specialist, Monica Bickerstaff (R) at the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Hunter Education Coordinator's meeting.

From the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

"The department extends our sincere sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of Captain Marisa Futral as we also mourn her sudden passing after an unforeseen medical issue. As the Alabama Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division’s Hunter Education Coordinator, Captain Futral was nationally known for her dedication to improving hunter safety, reducing the incidence of hunting accidents, and passion for the shooting sports. Active in the International Hunter Education Association-USA and an integral part of our Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program, Captain Futral was an inspiration and mentor for countless sportsmen and women as well as fellow staff. Her expertise in handling firearms and archery equipment was surpassed only by her ability to interact positively with the public, and her joyful execution of duties will be greatly missed. She carried out the mission of the DCNR for 19 years with tireless commitment to conservation and to the citizens of Alabama. We are thankful to have shared in Captain Futral’s friendship and career!" 

Photo:  Marisa is shown here with TX Hunter Education Specialists, Heidi Rao (L), and Monica Bickerstaff (R) at the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Hunter Education Coordinator's meeting.

George Van "Kirk Waldron
1941 - 2024

George Van Kirk Waldron, 82, passed away peacefully in Houston, TX on January 22, 2024.The Houston Hunter Education Program lost a key partner, sponsor and supporter of all efforts in Heidi Rao's region.  Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church will hold a joint celebration of life service at 11 am on March 1, 2024 for both Kirk and his loving wife Donna, who preceded him in death by 2 years. A reception will follow.The service will also be live streamed for those unable to attend.

https://www.PalmerChurch.org/live

Kirk ran his own successful construction companies for over 40 years and remained a critical support to the construction services businesses of others throughout his retirement. Outside of work and family, Kirk had two lifelong loves: all things outdoors and everything Palmer, that is Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church.
His daughter Kristen, her son Chad, and his many friends shared in endless ways his love of the outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman; and he dedicated his life to the conservation of all wildlife through Texas Parks and Wildlife and lifelong active memberships in the Safari Club and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.