In This Issue: Celebrating Volunteers, JOIN US at Conference & More
VOLUNTEER Week April 21-27th
As highlighted in National Day, this “week-long celebration is all about creating real moments in people's lives -- and in our own lives as VOLUNTEERS!" Established in 1974, this week highlights volunteer efforts throughout the U.S. (and the world). It provides the perfect opportunity to say THANK YOU! It "challenges us to do better and look for ways to be active participants, joining hands to impact our local communities and calling for more support.”
Your service as a VOLUNTEER Hunter Education Instructor significantly, 1) reduces hunting & target shooting incidents, 2) increases compliance to outdoor regulations, 3) improves behaviors and ethics of hunters, and 4) enhances the image of hunters and hunting, especially with the non-hunting public and media. THANKS, for everything you achieve! Your efforts have positively influenced over 1.6 million hunter education graduates certified these past 50+ years, along with another million target shooters, partners, parents, family, and friends, who you have taught and impacted in a big way!
The week culminates in our Texas Hunter Education Instructor Association (THEIA) Annual Instructors Conference at the YO Ranch Hotel in Kerrville. We hope to see you there as we visit with ole' friends, meet new instructors, learn more, and celebrate those being honored at the Awards Ceremony.
Thanks, again, for your VOLUNTEER SERVICE and GREAT accomplishments!
Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator
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 VOLUNTEER Area Chief Hunter Education Instructor, Sanford "Sandy" Mason – Joshua, leads Tarleton State University Agriculture Education student teachers in hunting skills trail exercises during a Hunter Education Instructor Course conducted at Box H Gamebird Co. near Stephenville in late March. Students took their newfound knowledge and created their own 'trails' as a "show me" activity for fellow students. (See below for more about the Tarleton University Program!)
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Conference Location: YO Ranch Hotel; 2033 Sidney Baker St, Kerrville, TX 78028
(877) 967-3767; Dates: April 26-27-28, 2024
Accommodation registration will be made by each attendee directly with the hotel!
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Turkey Hunting 101 Workshop - Whitsett
THANKS to Kevin Bensmiller, Landowner, Host/Area Chief, Benny Ham - Whitsett; Brock Minton, S TX Hunter Education Specialist, VOLUNTEER Instructors, Junior Munoz - Austwell and Ruben Rangel - Brownsville; TPWD Game Warden, Tom Colton; and TPWD Wildlife Biologist - Onalise Hill!
 (Front Row L to R) Area Chief Hunter Education (HE) Instructors, Ruben Rangel and Junior Munoz, Brittany Cunningham, Renan Zambrano, HE Instructor, Baylea Herring and Area Chief HE Instructor, Benny Ham.
(Back Row L to R) Bobby Williams, Dr Thomas Evans, Robert Ross, Yuri Ross, Landan Cunningham, Mike Aver, Clark Smith, Garrett Srubar, Larry Hankel, Jon Cunningham, Mark Blank, and Dan Weeks.
Brock:
"I thought the turkey workshop was great. I learned a lot and had never patterned my shotgun before so that was eye opening and something I plan to do a lot more of. I didn’t get a turkey, but the hunt itself was fun. We saw hogs and javelina, a first for me. Thanks again for putting on this event. I hope to attend many more in the future." - Dan Weeks
"I enjoyed the class. I had fun and learned a lot. We were all very lucky to be able to hunt the ranch with a guide. Ruben and Junior were very knowledgeable, helpful and enthusiastic. Thank you very much for what you do! - Mark Blank
Photo: Ruben Rangel called in and harvested a turkey for use during the anatomy, field dressing and game care portion of the workshop.
Brock:
"A HUGE THANK YOU for hosting "Turkey School" (Turkey Hunting 101) this April. My son and I are new to hunting and the level of care and detail shared in this class by the game warden, biologist, guides and you made us confident in our abilities to locate, hunt, and process turkeys. I appreciate that you not only went into the anatomy and characteristics of the species but also the history and impact of hunting. My 15-year-old son now thinks he's a turkey expert and is telling everyone about his experience. It was an amazing opportunity to attend your workshop. Without this, and similar workshops, I wouldn't have the confidence to take my son hunting and as a result he wouldn't have these experiences. Hunting is in his blood and the community of hunters has become family. Be safe! Have fun! Good luck! 🦃" - Brittany Cunningham
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Area Chief VOLUNTEER and Turkey Hunting 101 Instructor, Junior Munoz - Austwell, demonstrates how to field dress a turkey during the game care portion of the workshop. He and fellow Area Chief, Ruben Rangel - Brownsville, taught the calling, game care and hunting techniques sections. They also served as guides during the hunts. A total of four (4) birds were harvested by the Hunting 101 students, most learning how to hunt wild turkeys for the first time. Congrats to all who participated in these valuable advanced hunter education programs featuring specific species (e.g. turkey) and/or methods (shotgun).
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A Turkey Hunting 101 student learns how to "subtend" after the shotgun patterning section. Brock Minton, S TX Hunter Education Specialist, led the session, showing students the relationship between the width of the barrel (muzzle end) to the target, in this case a turkey. Because of known distances such as 30 and 40 yards, the students determine the width of the barrel at their maximum effective range, reducing wounding loss.
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Shotgun, Rifle & Handgun Training is integral to BOW Training Workshops
 Jimmie Caughron - Ballinger, Area Chief VOLUNTEER & THEIA Board Member, has taught shotgun at Texas Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) for years -- highlighting efforts of hunter education instructors at BOW since 1993. Last year, he taught shotgun at Camp Aranzazu, where BOW returns April 19-21st, this year!
BOW Mentor Hunts Epitomize VOLUNTEER Action in a Big Way!
The valuable partnership with the Lake Waco Corps of Engineers is in its second decade of affording at least two mentored white-tailed deer hunts a year - one to BOW women and another to Waco area youth. BOW Instructors Jeff & Jeanette Hood, Marty McIntyre, Cheryl LeJune, and Sharon Hayes, along with her husband, Jack, and their furry four-legged family member, Dixie, contributed greatly to the success of the hunt. The Hoods, assisted by the Hayes', demonstrated their incredible Dutch oven cooking skills, spoiling all involved with such necessities as cowboy coffee and cobbler! YUM!!! McIntyre and LeJune served as mentors and assisted with logistics throughout the hunt.
 Kneeling: BOW Instructor (Dutch Oven), Jeanette Hood, Kerryn Rodriguez - Cleveland, N TX Hunter Education Specialist, Monica Bickerstaff, Area Chief Cheryl LeJune - Tomball, Mascot, Dixie. Middle: Hunters/Mentors Joan Swartz, Lana Ross, Jenny Schroeder, Lisa Sostack, Kristin Thomas, Jack & Sharon Hayes. Back: Venture Hunting Crew .30-06 members Ryan Robertson, Aidan Montague, Cooper Goins, Eric Goins, Crew Advisor/Mentor Todd Zimbeck, Mentor, Marty McIntyre, Dutch Oven Cooking Chef, Jeff Hood
Another successful TPWD/Corps of Engineers BOW Mentored Deer Hunt took place back in December 2023, at Lake Waco’s Speegleville Park. Six BOW women harvested five (5) deer in the annual hunt designed to assist the Corps with their wildlife management goals. Receiving guidance from VOLUNTEER mentors, including VOLUNTEERS from Houston-based Venture Hunting Crew .30-06, hunters processed their game for transport home. Crew members were instrumental in educating/guiding hunters and helping to expedite the task of processing deer harvested! THANK YOU, Crew!!
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 Back, Mentors: Matt Brietzke; Area Chief Richard Buchfink Jr.; Venture Crew 30.06/Member Todd Zimbeck; Marty McIntyre; Area Chief Cheryl LeJune
Front, Hunters: Kerryn Rodriguez; Joan Swartz, Lisa Sostack, Lana Ross, Kristin Thomas, Jenny Schroeder
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Area Chief Sandy Mason – Joshua, and N TX Hunter Education Specialist Monica Bickerstaff joined forces to conduct a new Instructor Course for Tarleton State University students in the spring Ag Ed block before reporting to their respective schools to do their student teaching. Seventeen (17) future agriculture education professional educators participated in the Spring 2024 course hosted at Calvin Hudson’s Box H Gamebird Co. near Stephenville. Hudson, a retired Stephenville agriculture education teacher, himself, and retired VOLUNTEER Hunter Education Instructor (much to Bickerstaff’s chagrin) hosts the course taught in the facility’s ranch house, which happens to be surrounded by flight pens of quail and pheasants (photo). He also provides lunch -- what a deal! Erath County Game Warden, Michael Hummert, typically stops in around lunchtime, to talk with the participants and conduct the required "game warden interviews".
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 Seventeen (17) students in the 2024 Tarleton State University agriculture education class participated in a TPWD Hunter Education Instructor Course taught by Area Chief, Sandy Mason – Joshua, and N TX Hunter Education Specialist, Monica Bickerstaff, before being assigned a student teaching job under the direction of a professional educator somewhere in Texas.
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"Dynamic VOLUNTEER Duo" -Peet Junior HS, Conroe
Photo: Dawn Davis - Conroe, was honored twice last year during the 2023 THEIA Instructor Conference in Brownwood. She received the 2022 Professional Educator of the Year Award from Steve Hall, Hunter Education Coordinator and Heidi Rao, SE TX Hunter Education Specialist. She also took home two top firearm incentive awards for cranking out hundreds of hunter education students in her outdoor education program at Peet Junior High.
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Dawn's co-teacher, Venessa Wallace - Willis, was recently honored as the "2024 Texas Environmental Educator of the Year" by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Governor, Greg Abbott. According to the March press release, "the award recognizes Wallace's outstanding teaching initiatives in advanced environmental conservation, including preserving productive and healthy ecosystems, principles of land stewardship, and sustainable fishing and hunting", TPWD's Mission!
Hunter Education in schools has improved student grades & attendance and is vital WIN-WIN in teaching safe, responsible, character-building habits to teenagers.
From News Release: Photo: Coach Venessa Wallace (left) and Coach Dawn Davis (right) attended 2023 TPWD Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop. The two partners, along with many organizations and programs, teach the Peet Junior High’s Wildlife Management Course, extremely popular with both students and parents.
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New HUNTMASTERS Trained = SUPER VOLUNTEERS!
2024 Texas Youth Hunting Program (TYHP) Huntmaster training workshops are well underway! Please help us congratulate our 19 newest Huntmasters! The training prepares VOLUNTEERS to: 1) run their own hunts, 2) recruit landowners, youth and parents and 2) recruit TYHP VOLUNTEERS -- range operators, hunter education instructors, cooking teams and guides/mentors. Huntmasters also attend many outreach events to promote TYHP.
Photo: Mason Mountain WMA Workshop - New Huntmasters: Kyle Ware & Tiffani Baker - (Fort Parker TPWD Staff), Andrew Earl (TWA Director of Programs), Tristen Cirelo & Bryonna Galvan (Children of Lead Huntmaster, Robert Galven - Any Kids Can Hunt Ranch near Uvalde), Preston & Elise Studer (Doss TYHP Hunt landowners), Andrea & Yaacov (Vico) Mosly (USAF near retirement). Photographer - Chris Mitchell
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We encourage all VOLUNTEER individuals and hunter education instructors to participate in an upcoming Huntmaster Training Workshop - even if they choose not to run their own hunts. To register for a Huntmaster Course course, go to:
VOLUNTEER Huntmaster Sign-up and Training Schedule
- June 8 - Richmond - Long Acres Ranch
- July 27 - Sherman - Hagerman NWR
- August 24 - Nacogdoches - Alazan Bayou WMA
- September 20-21 - Comfort - Roberts Ranch
 L to R: Bob Barnette (TYHP Instructor), Dale Perry, Chandler Fox, Chris West, Aaron Zachary, Tim Webster, Rod Craig, Da’ney Gare, Steve Russell, Brandon Kirby, Chris Flores, and TYHP Instructor, Andy Sobotka. Sandy Mason, TYHP Instructor & Area Chief Hunter Education Instructor (Not in Photo)
 Port Mansfield Hunter Education & Fishing Expedition
Looking for a HUNTER ED class in South Texas? We've got one! Sign up today to become hunter ed certified while spending a weekend fishing in Port Mansfield!
April 26-28, 2024 DEADLINE TO APPLY: April 19th
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June 1
Mini-YHEC - reduced number of activities. Venues include .22 Rifle, Shotgun, Responsibility Exam, and Orienteering. Cost is $30 and a hot dog lunch will be provided. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Awards will be for 1st – 3rd place ribbons in both the Junior and Senior categories. Hunter Education certification is required. This 'Local' YHEC will qualify participants who wish to go to the Regional YHEC in Bentonville, AR, in July. Registration deadline is May 24, 2024.
Young men and women age 9 through 18 will have plenty of time to attend a Hunter Education Course if not already certified. To find a Hunter Education Course, go to: https://tpwd.elementlms.com/
 October 19
Texas North State YHEC - Venues include .22 Rifle, Shotgun, Archery, Responsibility Exam, Orienteering, and Hunter Safety Trail. Cost is $50 which includes lunch for the participant. Awards will be 1st-3rd place medals, Belt Buckles for Overall high score Senior and Junior, Reserve Senior and Junior, and Sportsmanship winners. Hunter Education certification is required. Registration deadline is October 7, 2024.
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Since 2004, TPWD staff and VOLUNTEERS have certified hundreds of National Archery in Schools (NASP) ® Archery Instructors and Trainers. They convened once again March 25th - 27th, as more than 4400 young archers participated in the 18th Annual Texas National Archery in the Schools/International Bowhunting Organization 3D (TX-NASP/IBO) State Tournament held at the Bell County Expo Center in Belton. TX-NASP has always relied on VOLUNTEERS to "get-er-dun"!
NASP VOLUNTEERS
Burnie Kessner - Athens, retired NASP Coordinator, now VOLUNTEERS for the annual tournament, which he directed from 2006 - 2023. Here, he accepts an appreciation plaque from Ryan Bass, Vice President and Director with the International Bowhunting Organization for the 15 Years (now 16) that NASP/IBO Challenge teamed up at the Texas State NASP Tournament. In 2023, Travis Glick- Austin, (below L), took the reins as TX-NASP Coordinator, to fill Burnie's shoes. He and TPWD Hunter Ed Staff, other TPWD staff and individual VOLUNTEERS, held the biggest ever tournament last month. CONGRATS!
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The 2024 International Hunter Education Association's (IHEA-USA) Annual Conference is June 18-20th at Big Cedar Lodge in Branson, Missouri.
2024 IHEA International Conference
Join us this year for the IHEA-USA Annual Conference either in-person as a hunter education and industry professional OR online as an educational VOLUNTEER! As a VOLUNTEER in our industry, you can save the travel costs and still join us online at no cost! Please submit one VOLUNTEER for online access at a time via this registration form. Join us in-person to learn all about hunter education, VOLUNTEER management, relevant research, new projects and resources, and to mingle with your peers.
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Continuation from Coordinator's Column in April Issue of Target Talk
"While talking with Shane (Mahoney) and taking a look at the harvest numbers compiled by his team at The Wild Harvest Initiative, there were a few statistics that really jumped off the page regarding the hunting and consumption of whitetail in the USA. Food for thought from Wild Harvest Initiative:
- Number of animals hunted for consumption = 5,846,075
- Meals (6oz servings) = 874,127,413
If whitetail deer hunting were to disappear and this wild meat were replaced, it is estimated that the replacement costs to Americans would be an additional 142 million lbs. of chicken, 86 million lbs. of beef, 75 million lbs. of pork, 23 million lbs. of turkey, 2 million lbs. of lamb and 0.2 million lbs. of veal each year."
Dan Cabela - Hard Truths of Conservation
#hardtruthsofconservation #CabelaFamilyFoundation #HistoryChannel #hunting #whitetail #foodsource #foodsecurity #history #HTC #HardTruths #protein #natural #responsibleresourceuse #sustainability #wildharvestinitiative
 Dan also reported, "It’s with tremendous pride to announce we have signed a long-term partnership with the International Order of T. Roosevelt (IOTR). This organization is working incredibly hard to ensure the future of hunting and fishing is in good hands for generations to come. With a deep-rooted passion for conservation and shared values/beliefs, we couldn’t be more proud to lock arms with IOTR moving forward.
It’s no secret Theodore Roosevelt was a conservation visionary. Many of things we enjoy as outdoorsmen and women today are the direct descendants of decisions made over a century ago. Starting right now, through “Hard Truths of Conservation” and other conservation initiatives around North America, we plan to do our part and leave a lasting impact on the future of the world…together."
“There can be no greater issue than that of conservation in this country.”
-Theodore Roosevelt-
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The Kids Outdoor Zone (KOZ) Gala is a special event dedicated to supporting KOZ and its mission. KOZ is a non-profit organization that aims to provide Godly male mentorship and outdoor experiences for fatherless boys. KOZ has long taught Hunter Education at its events and camps, statewide through VOLUNTEER instructors like Don Discoe - Austin and before, that, the founder of KOZ, himself, TJ Greaney who penned "his story" in the book, "
Date: Saturday, April 20, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. Special Guest - Actor Lucas Black (e.g., Friday Night Lights)
Place: Hyatt Regency Austin - 208 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, Texas 78704
Looking to stay the night at the Hyatt Regency Austin the night of the Gala? Click HERE for the Room Block information.
Parking
$10.00 Event Self-Parking, exclusive of taxes and fees (not valid overnight)
$20.00 Event Valet Parking, exclusive of taxes and fees (not valid overnight)
Follow us on our 15th Annual Gala Facebook Page, CLICK HERE!
CLICK HERE to view the 15th Annual Gala Invitation (PDF)
KOZ VOLUNTEERS Make it Happen!
From infor@kidsoutdoorzone.com
Photo: Tina and Amy are getting it done as they work to prepare to make your night at the Gala an incredible evening! From raffle packets to the gala swag store, these ladies have been preparing for the Gala for months!! We simply couldn't do it without them!
Sandra Greaney - Kid's Outdoor Zone
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Charlie Wicke - East Bernard
Obituary HERE
"Charlie volunteered many years as the leader of Fort Bend 4-H Shooting Sports and Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) programs. He was instrumental in obtaining the grant to build the indoor rifle shooting range for Fort Bend County and the skeet range. He trained his sons and grandsons along with other youth in shooting skills for 4-H and YHEC competitions. Charlie also taught Hunter Education classes to many students throughout the years. While he was involved with Hunter Education and 4-H, he had many opportunities to share his stories of hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. He enjoyed taking 4-H groups hunting, fishing, and camping all around Texas." As an instructor, Charlie taught for several decades and trained hundreds of students in the Southeast region. We'll miss his smiling soul! Rest in Peace, Charlie!
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Marisa Futral, Alabama HE Coordinator - Celebration of Life
Bill Cline, Florida Hunter Education Coordinator, speaks on behalf of all hunter education coordinators, state members of IHEA-USA, during a Celebration of Life for Marisa Futral, who passed recently. Below, Southeastern State Hunter Education Coordinators and U..S Fish and Wildlife Representatives attended the Celebration and participated in shooting and other activities in which Marisa competed and taught for several decades. She is greatly missed by her Alabama collegues and Hunter Education community, as well as IHEA-USA where she served as president, executive board leader and conference host.
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Administrative Staff Contact:
512-389-4999 - General Hotline
Email Support: Instructor@tpwd.texas.gov
Kevin Vo - 512-389-8142
kevin.vo@tpwd.texas.gov
Please contact your regional staff member (see below) for assistance, especially questions regarding the Online (Education) Registration System, setting up or closing out your courses! If your regional staff specialist is not available, contact Kevin Vo in Austin -- or to just say "HELLO!"
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 Steve Hall, Austin: steve.hall@tpwd.texas.gov; 512-389-8140 w; 512-550-7330 c
Morgan Harbison, C TX: morgan.harbison@tpwd.texas.gov; 512-413-0194
Heidi Rao, SE TX: heidi.rao@tpwd.texas.gov; 713-829-1377 c
Monica Bickerstaff, N TX: monica.bickerstaff@tpwd.texas.gov; 469-601-8349 c
Randy Spradlin, W TX: randy.spradlin@tpwd.texas.gov; 512-923-3509 c
Brock Minton, S TX: brock.minton@tpwd.texas.gov; 361-944-3617 c
Hunter Education Overview | Instructor Resources | Student Resources
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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
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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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