A Great New Year Ahead

As we welcome the new year, we want to take a moment to reflect on what an outstanding 2025 season it has been for Texas Hunter Education. This success would not be possible without the dedication and passion of our Volunteer Instructors, Area Chiefs, and Regional Training Specialists. Your countless hours in classrooms, at ranges, and in the field continue to make a meaningful difference for students across the state, and we are deeply grateful for the commitment you bring to this program year after year.

We also extend a special thank you to the Texas Hunter Education Instructor Association (THEIA), the Texas Youth Hunting Program (TYHP), Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, and the many partner organizations that support and strengthen hunter education in Texas. Your collaboration, resources, and shared vision help ensure that our program remains strong, relevant, and impactful. Together, these partnerships allow us to reach more Texans and deliver high-quality education rooted in safety, ethics, and conservation.

Because of your collective efforts, more than 55,000 new students were successfully trained in Hunter Education during 2025, and over a hundred mentored hunts were conducted statewide. These numbers represent far more than statistics—they reflect new hunters entering the field with the knowledge, skills, and respect for the outdoors that will carry our hunting heritage forward for generations to come.

As we look ahead to 2026, there is much to be excited about. Your ongoing commitment to teaching outdoor skills and preserving hunting traditions is what makes this program exceptional. In the coming year, you can expect new Hunting 101 courses, updates to the Texas Hunter Education curriculum, expanded instructor workshops, and many additional improvements designed to support instructors and enhance the student experience. With your continued dedication, 2026 is shaping up to be one of our best years yet.

2025 Saw the Passing of Instructors and Friends

“Honorable Hunter” Passes, but his Lessons Live on with Hunter Education Instructors and TYHP Huntmasters!

Michael Sabbeth, a Denver lawyer and longtime hunting and shooting sports author and advocate, passed away quietly in his home on November 24^th, surrounded by family. Michael is survived by his wife of 42 years, Nancy, and three children: Elise, Annie, and Erik 

Mike served as a keynote speaker at many Texas Hunter Education Instructor conferences & workshops.  In a 2021 collaboration with former hunter education coordinator, Steve Hall, Sabbeth wrote and distributed the book, “The Honorable Hunter Instructor Training Manual.”  Texas Hunter Education Instructors received a copy of the book during Michael’s lectures throughout Texas, and so, too, did instructors in many other states.  His lecture style was like no other, combining a lawyer’s tenacity in seeking facts to support an argument, with his charming wit and joke-telling memory and ability.  He also penned the book, “The Good, The Bad & The Difference: How to Talk with Children About Values” which continues to be available to instructors, while supplies last. Please email Kevin.vo@tpwd.texas.gov for your free copy of either or both of Mike’s books.

Texas will most certainly miss Mike, for he was a staunch advocate for our hunter education mission – and for keeping the hunting and shooting sports heritage very much alive throughout North America.  As he wrote in his article entitled, Follow Honor, Not Your Feelings, “The honorable hunter always asks this question: “Is the world better because I am in it?”

Hunter Education was indeed better with you in our lives, Mike!  May you now Rest in Peace!

Michael Sabbeth Obituary – the Denver Post

thehonorablehunter.com

Planning for the 2026 THIEA Conference and Hunter Education Instructor Awards Banquet

Planning is already well underway for the 2026 Annual THEIA Conference and Hunter Education Instructor Awards Banquet, and we are excited to share an early look at what’s ahead. This year’s conference is tentatively scheduled for May 15–17, 2026, and promises to be another outstanding opportunity for instructors, partners, and supporters to come together to learn, connect, and celebrate the achievements of our Hunter Education community.

The 2026 conference will be hosted at the Big Country Baptist Assembly in Lueders, Texas, located just 30 minutes north of Abilene. This beautiful and welcoming facility will proudly host all conference events and activities, providing a great setting for training sessions, networking, and fellowship. The camp’s central location and amenities make it an excellent venue for a memorable and productive weekend.

While many details are still being finalized, planning is moving forward at a steady pace. Attendees can expect engaging sessions, valuable updates, and the always-anticipated Hunter Education Instructor Awards Banquet. Be sure to stay on the lookout for the official announcement, detailed agenda, and registration information, which will be released as plans are finalized.

If you have questions about the conference or would like to help support or assist with the event, please contact THEIA through their website at txheia.org. For those interested in learning more about the venue, additional information about the Big Country Baptist Assembly can be found at bigcountrycamp.com. We look forward to sharing more soon and hope to see you in Lueders for what is shaping up to be another great THEIA conference.

Successful Hunting in Uvalde

Area Chief David Rios recently submitted highlights from an outstanding Deer Hunting 101 class conducted with wildlife students from Southwest Texas College in Uvalde. Held December 4–6, this private course was designed to give students hands-on experience and foundational knowledge in white-tailed deer hunting—many for the very first time. The hunt took place at the Kincaid-Garwood Ranch in Uvalde County, with classroom instruction supported by Southwest Texas College, the Uvalde Gun Club, and on-site sessions at the ranch itself.

The course was generously hosted by the Garwood Family—Brian, Stella, and Katie—and included primitive tent camping along the Frio River. With a small class size of six students and a dedicated staff of nine instructors, guides, and volunteers, the program provided a highly personalized learning environment. Students were selected from the Southwest Texas Junior College Wildlife Program based on strong academic performance and interest in deer hunting, ensuring a motivated and engaged group of participants.

Throughout the workshop, students received instruction on a wide range of topics essential to ethical and successful deer hunting in South Texas. Course material included game laws, hunting methods, scouting, field judging, marksmanship, tree-stand safety, and hunter ethics. Emphasis was also placed on practical skills such as planning and packing for a hunt, game recovery, harvest data, field photography, and proper game care—including field dressing and quartering. Classroom lessons were reinforced through real-world application in the field.

This Deer Hunting 101 class is a great example of how Hunter Education continues to evolve by offering advanced, experience-based learning opportunities. Thanks to the leadership of Area Chief David Rios, the support of Southwest Texas College instructors, and the generosity of landowners and volunteers, these students gained skills and confidence that will serve them for a lifetime. Programs like this not only introduce new hunters to the field but also strengthen the future of hunting by building knowledgeable, ethical, and conservation-minded outdoorsmen and women.

Trapper’s Camp Brings History, Hands-On Learning, and Conservation to Life

Final Class of 2025 is the Beginning of Texas Youth's Hunting Legacy

Submit Valuable Insights and Opinions Related to Hunter Education or Hunting Safety and You Could Be Featured in an Upcoming Target Talk

Youth Hunt at Sal Del Rey Showcases Conservation, Heritage, and Hands-On Learning in the Rio Grande Valley

Sal Del Rey—translated as “The King’s Salt”—is a remarkable natural feature unlike anything else in Texas. One of several salt lakes in the area, this hypersaline lake rests on an estimated four million tons of salt, making it more than four times saltier than seawater. Its striking appearance and ecological importance provided an unforgettable backdrop for learning and exploration, adding a powerful sense of place to the youth hunting experience.

Working in partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Game Wardens, instructors introduced boys and girls to a variety of hunting techniques while pursuing the elusive and majestic Nilgai. Known as the “blue cow,” the Nilgai is the largest antelope species in Asia and has a unique history in Texas. First introduced in 1924 by Caesar Kleberg on the King Ranch, Nilgai have since flourished across ranchlands in South Texas, offering hunters a year-round opportunity to pursue this challenging game animal.

Beyond the hunt itself, students were immersed in wildlife observation and outdoor learning. While visiting the salt lakes at Sal Del Rey, young hunters encountered a wide variety of species including javelina, quail, turkey, deer, dove, and Nilgai. These encounters reinforced lessons about habitat diversity, species identification, and the interconnectedness of Texas ecosystems.

Throughout the hunt, instructors emphasized firearms safety in the field, ethical decision-making, and the importance of proper shot placement to ensure a humane harvest. Just as importantly, youth were taught the responsibility that comes with hunting and the role hunters play in conserving Texas’ natural resources. Thanks to Ferni Rocha and the dedicated team of Huntmasters, instructors, and partners, this youth hunt delivered lasting lessons, unforgettable experiences, and a deeper appreciation for conservation and hunting heritage.

On the Hunt for the Next Great Area Chief

As Assistant to the Hunter Education Program Coordinator, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for the time, passion, and professionalism you bring to this program. Our volunteer instructors are the backbone of hunter education in Texas, and as the program continues to grow, so does our need for strong, experienced leaders. One of the most impactful ways to step into that leadership role is by becoming a Hunter Education Area Chief.

Area Chiefs play a vital role in supporting instructors, mentoring new candidates, and serving as a key link between volunteers and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff. If you’ve been an active instructor for a few years and enjoy helping others succeed, this may be a great next step for you. To be eligible, instructors must be in good standing, have at least three (3) years of teaching experience, and have certified a minimum number (50) of students or accumulated the required incentive points (100) through teaching and program involvement.

In addition to meeting the experience requirements, prospective Area Chiefs are expected to demonstrate leadership, professionalism, and a commitment to the mission of hunter education. Area Chiefs help train new instructors, assist with instructor workshops, and stay engaged through meetings and ongoing communication with TPWD staff. While the role does come with added responsibility, it also offers the opportunity to make an even greater impact on the future of hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor education in Texas.

If becoming an Area Chief sounds like something you’d like to explore, I encourage you to reach out to your Regional Hunter Education Training Specialist to learn more. They can walk you through the requirements, application process, and expectations, and help determine if this role is a good fit for you. We are always grateful for instructors who are willing to step up, lead, and help strengthen the program for generations to come.

If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out at instructor@tpwd.texas.gov. We’re here to help.

Kevin Vo, Hunter Education Course Administration Expert

No Age Limit

Texas Hunter Education Instructor Ken Baker recently taught a class on Saturday, December 13, that proved hunting education truly has no age limit. The class included 18 students, highlighted by two of the oldest participants Ken has ever instructed—brothers Giovanni Leal, age 80, and Vito Leal, age 78. The brothers shared that they enrolled in the course so they could participate in an upcoming veterans deer hunt in South Texas, demonstrating that the desire to learn and hunt safely spans generations.

Their participation served as a powerful reminder that hunter education is about opportunity, inclusion, and lifelong learning. From first-time youth hunters to seasoned veterans preparing for a special hunt, classes like this underscore the importance of safety, ethics, and accessibility in our program. Thanks to Ken Baker’s dedication, this class closed with meaningful instruction—and perhaps even set a memorable record worth celebrating.

Bowhunters Get Real Field Experience

Texas Hunter Education instructors Myranda Baker and Area Chief Sandy Mason recently led a Bowhunter Education class on December 20, 2025, culminating with a field day and practical skills test held during a Texas Youth Hunting Program (TYHP) hunt in Mills County. Integrating the course requirements into a live hunt setting gave students valuable, real-world experience while reinforcing safety, ethics, and proper bowhunting techniques. Congratulations to these newest Bowhunter Education graduates, whose successful completion of the course reflects both their dedication and the quality instruction provided by the TYHP and Hunter Education team.

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.