Texas Parks and Wildlife Welcomes Venessa Wallace as the New Hunter Education East (E) Region Training Specialist 

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Hunter Education Team is excited to announce Venessa Wallace as the newest addition to the Hunter Education team. A lifelong advocate for wildlife, outdoor exploration, and conservation, Venessa brings a unique combination of experience, passion, and purpose to her new role.

Prior to joining TPWD, Venessa taught Wildlife Management and coached in the Conroe Independent School District, where she led successful Hunter and Boater Education programs. Her enthusiasm and leadership inspired countless students to build lasting connections with the natural world. She is also an instructor for Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW), where she empowers women with the skills and confidence to enjoy outdoor pursuits. Her commitment to environmental education has earned her statewide recognition, including being named TCEQ Environmental Educator of the Year and TPWD’s Southeast Texas Region Instructor of the Year.

Venessa’s bond with nature began early. Inspired by childhood heroes like Steve Irwin, she’s turned that dream into reality. Today, she continues to live out her passion by leading workshops, exploring the outdoors, and sharing her love of wildlife and conservation with others.

She and her husband JD make the most of every opportunity to be outside—whether it’s hunting, fishing, paddleboarding, gardening, or discovering new destinations through travel. They’ve recently added camping to their growing list of outdoor adventures, always eager to deepen their connection to nature.

Beyond her professional life, Venessa is also an advocate for animal welfare. As vice president of a pit bull rescue group, she has helped give many dogs a second chance—adopting several herself. Her compassion extends across both people and animals, underscoring her deep commitment to making a positive impact.

Venessa Wallace brings energy, expertise, and a genuine devotion to conservation and outdoor education. Texas Parks and Wildlife is proud to have her on board, helping to shape the future of safe, ethical, and responsible hunting in Texas.

Matt Smith, Hunter Education Coordinator

Now Hiring: Hunter Education Specialist — Join the Mission at Texas Parks and Wildlife

Are you passionate about wildlife, the outdoors, and inspiring the next generation of responsible hunters? Texas Parks and Wildlife is now accepting applications for the role of Hunter Education Specialist for the Central/West (CW) Region—a dynamic position that blends conservation education, community outreach, and a deep connection to the great outdoors.

This is your opportunity to make a real impact across the state by leading hunter education initiatives, supporting volunteer instructors, and empowering Texans with the knowledge and skills to enjoy outdoor recreation safely and ethically. From organizing public events and workshops to partnering with schools, nonprofits, and outdoor programs, this role offers the chance to shape how people connect with nature for years to come.

The ideal candidate is a skilled educator and communicator with a love for conservation, a knack for engaging diverse audiences, and a drive to inspire outdoor stewardship. Whether you're an experienced instructor, a wildlife educator, or someone who's built a career around outdoor leadership—this is your chance to take your passion to the next level.

This is a full-time position with benefits that include enrollment into the state retirement plan, medical, and more.

Applications are open now through August 15, 2025. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to join a team dedicated to preserving Texas’s hunting heritage and fostering a new generation of safe, ethical, and enthusiastic hunters.

Ready to lead the way? Apply today and help shape the future of conservation education in Texas. Click the link below to full details and apply.

TPWD - Training and Development Specialist VI (Hunters Education Program Specialist)

Important Update on CWD Regulations in the 2025–2026 Outdoor Annual

Hunter Education Instructors across Texas should take note of a significant change in the 2025–2026 Texas Outdoor Annual Hunting, Fishing, and Boating Regulations. As part of the ongoing effort to streamline regulations and improve hunter communication, Texas Parks and Wildlife has removed Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) zones and the associated requirement to bring harvested animals to a TPWD check station within 48 hours. This change affects mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, and other exotic CWD-susceptible species (see the new Outdoor Annual for a complete list).

The updated Outdoor Annuals are now being shipped to instructors who have ordered classroom supplies, and the digital version will be available online beginning in August. We strongly encourage all instructors to thoroughly review the “Game Animals” chapter in the new publication to ensure you're up to speed on the latest changes and can accurately convey this information to your students. This will help prevent confusion during classroom sessions and ensure that hunters understand their responsibilities under the new regulations.

It’s important to note that while CWD zones and the 48-hour sampling requirement have been removed, statewide carcass disposal requirements remain in place. These guidelines help reduce the potential spread of disease and remain a critical component of Texas’s wildlife disease management strategy. The new Outdoor Annual provides up-to-date details on proper carcass disposal, so please review and reinforce these guidelines with your students.

Instructors should also be aware that there is currently a question on the "Hunter Education Texas Regulation Quiz" related to the former 48-hour check station requirement. This question has been updated on the revised version of the quiz. However, if you are using older copies of the quiz, please omit this question until new versions can be distributed to you.

As always, thank you for your dedication to safe and informed hunting in Texas. Your role in educating future hunters is invaluable, and staying current on regulation changes is a key part of that mission. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your regional coordinator if you have any questions or need updated materials.

Vo Knows: Planning Ahead Makes All the Difference!

As we head into the busiest part of the year for Hunter Education, I want to take a moment to thank you—our instructors—for everything you do to keep Texas hunters safe and informed. August is always a crunch time as we prepare for the upcoming hunting season, and with so many courses on the calendar, it’s no surprise that material requests are coming in fast and heavy. I know delays can be frustrating, but I ask for your patience as we work to get supplies to you. Supplies may reach you closer to your course start date than usual. If something isn’t adding up, don’t hesitate to reach out at instructor@tpwd.texas.gov. We’re here to help.

To help ease the pressure on everyone during this high-volume season, here are a few things I strongly recommend:

Post your classes early. The sooner a course is scheduled and entered; the sooner we can process your supply request and ensure on-time delivery.

Double-check your orders. Accuracy on the front end saves a lot of stress on the back end—especially when you're days away from your class and scrambling for missing materials.

Use your regional support. Your regional Hunter Education Training Specialists are valuable resources. Don’t hesitate to contact them with questions or needs—they're here for you.

We all have the same goal—getting new and returning hunters the training they need to be safe, responsible stewards of the outdoors. Your commitment during this high-demand season is what makes this program strong. So thank you again for your time, your effort, and your leadership. Let’s keep pushing forward and make this another successful hunting season for Texas.

Kevin Vo, Hunter Education Course Administration Expert

Kicking Off the Season Right in the Rio Grande Valley

"Hi there everyone. The Rio Grande Valley is out to a great start for the upcoming 2025-2026 hunting season. Students were introduced to Firearms Safety in the field, wildlife identification and conservation to include the importance of protecting Texas' Natural Resources and Hunting Heritage. Thank you, Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park Staff and Park Ranger Roy J. Rodriguez, for providing a beautiful classroom and sharing the park's history to our students. A special thank you to TPWD Game Wardens Natali Merez and Michael for sharing their knowledge of wildlife habitat and answering many of the great questions our youth had for them."  - Fernando "Fernie" Rocha

Events like these play a crucial role in shaping future hunters who understand not just how to hunt safely and legally, but why it matters. By combining lessons in safety, biology, and heritage with local natural resources and expert guidance, students come away with a deeper respect for the land and the life it supports.

As we continue into the season, efforts like this in the Rio Grande Valley remind us of the importance of outreach and early education. Thank you again to all the partners, staff, and instructors who helped make this possible—and to the students, whose curiosity and enthusiasm inspire us to keep delivering meaningful Hunter Education programs across the state.

Celebrating 40 Years of Conservation and Leadership: TWA and Chris Mitchell Honored

Congratulations to the Texas Wildlife Association (TWA) on hosting its 40th Annual Convention—an incredible milestone for one of the state’s leading advocates of wildlife conservation, private land stewardship, and outdoor education. For four decades, TWA has served as a cornerstone of the Texas hunting and conservation community, bringing together landowners, educators, biologists, and volunteers committed to preserving our state’s natural heritage and outdoor traditions.

This year’s convention was particularly special as it also served as the platform to recognize one of our own—Chris Mitchell—who was awarded the 2024 International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) Professional of the Year award. This prestigious honor highlights Chris’s outstanding service not only within Texas but also on an international scale, reflecting his deep commitment to hunter education and mentorship.

As Director of the Texas Youth Hunting Program (TYHP), Chris leads with passion, integrity, and vision. Under his leadership, the program has introduced thousands of young Texans to safe, ethical hunting while building lifelong connections between youth, mentors, and the land. His efforts go far beyond administration—Chris is known for rolling up his sleeves to work directly with Huntmasters and instructors, empowering them to pass on valuable skills and conservation values to the next generation.

Chris’s dedication, humility, and tireless work have made a lasting impact across every level of the hunting community. Whether he's mentoring volunteers, speaking at events, or guiding youth hunts, his influence can be felt statewide—and now, rightfully, across international borders. He has truly solidified himself as a pillar in hunter education, and Texas is lucky to have him representing our values on a global stage.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to both TWA and Chris Mitchell. The success of the 40th Annual Convention and Chris’s well-deserved recognition are reminders of what we can achieve when passion, leadership, and education come together in support of wildlife and future generations of hunters.

Above right: Chris Mitchell accepts the IHEA Professional of the Year Award

TWA Events - Texas Wildlife Association

If you are interested in upcoming Huntmaster certification opportunities click the link above to see a complete listing of TWA events including Huntmaster training courses. 

New Hunter Education Instructors at ATAT Conference

Hunter Education staff had a strong showing at the Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas (ATAT) Professional Development Conference held July 21–25 in Corpus Christi. Instructors led a full-day certification course on the first day of the conference, certifying 40 Texas agriculture, wildlife, and outdoor education teachers as new Hunter Education Instructors. This collaborative effort is part of TPWD’s ongoing mission to expand hunter education access across the state by empowering educators to reach students in their own communities.

The training, which included both classroom instruction and hands-on components, equipped teachers with the tools and knowledge needed to deliver Hunter Education programs in their schools. Topics covered included hunting laws and regulations, wildlife conservation, outdoor ethics, and safe firearm handling. By the end of the day, every participating teacher walked away certified and ready to teach the next generation of safe, responsible hunters.

A key component of the course was the live-fire exercise and range demonstration, hosted at the Corpus Christi Gun Club. There, instructors guided participants through safe range setup and operation, while modeling how to supervise and instruct students in a controlled, educational setting. For many of the attendees, this experience was a highlight—giving them firsthand confidence in teaching safe shooting practices in their own classrooms and outdoor programs.

The addition of 40 certified teachers across Texas represents a major boost to youth outreach and hunter education efforts. These instructors will now be able to integrate hunter safety into agricultural and outdoor skills curriculums at the local level, reaching students who may not otherwise have access to formal Hunter Education opportunities.

TPWD thanks the ATAT for the opportunity to be a part of this important conference and extends gratitude to the Corpus Christi Gun Club for providing a professional and safe training environment. Together, we’re building a stronger network of educators dedicated to teaching firearm safety, conservation ethics, and the rich traditions of hunting in Texas.