Get Your Tickets to the 2026 THEIA Convention

Attention THEIA members, the Conference 2026 will be held the weekend of May 15 - 17, 2026 at Big Country Baptist Assembly in Lueders, Texas. (32 miles north of Abilene).   A full slate of education has been created to assist you in your role as a volunteer Hunter Education Instructor.  We will also conduct a Hunter Education Instructor Training during the conference for any and all instructor prospects.  Additionally, we will have Muzzle Loading teaching refresher and Bow Hunter Education refresher for you.  

Leading off the agenda Friday evening will be a program update from TPWD Hunter Education Program Coordinator, Matt Smith and Administrative Assistant Kevin Vo.  The THEIA Business Meeting will be held Saturday morning with a vote on proposed By-Laws revisions and election of new officers and directors, along with other business. A full agenda will be published as soon as all topics and instructors have been nailed down.  

Big Country Baptist Assembly is a self-contained multi-purpose camp in the Big Country with on-site Archery Range, Rifle Range and Fishing Lake; with 30 double occupancy hotel rooms, plus dormitory lodging (linens not provided) for individuals. 

Registration for the two nights and five meals, including the Awards Dinner Saturday night is 

$50 for THEIA Members

$75 for Non Members

$45 for your spouse or + 1

Welcome to Andy Stanley our newest East Texas Region Area Chief

The Texas Hunter Education Program is pleased to introduce Andy Stanley as our newest Area Chief. Andy brings with him a long and distinguished career in safety leadership, having served as a safety representative for a Houston-based oilfield company for nearly 30 years. Throughout his career, Andy has been responsible for ensuring safety compliance and standards across operations statewide, both onshore and offshore. He has personally instructed hundreds of safety classes over the years, helping build a strong and lasting culture of safety across a wide range of audiences. His practical, field-tested experience makes him a trusted and effective voice in safety education.

Andy’s commitment to teaching and leadership extends well beyond his professional career. He previously served for 10 years as a youth camp director, where he developed strong instructional and organizational skills while managing large groups and leading engaging classes for crowds of more than 500 pre-teen campers. These experiences translate seamlessly into his role as an Area Chief, where communication, mentorship, and leadership are essential.

A lifelong outdoorsman, Andy has been an avid hunter for more than 60 years and comes from a family with over 120 years of hunting and fishing tradition in the same area of the state. This deep connection to the outdoors, combined with his passion for safety and education, makes Andy a valuable addition to the Hunter Education leadership team. We are excited to welcome him and look forward to the positive impact he will have supporting instructors and advancing hunter education in Texas.

Welcome to the Area Chief team Andy!

Texas Wildlife Association Selects Mason Huffman as the New TYHP Program Manager

We are proud to announce that Mason Huffman is TWA's newest team member as our TYHP program manager.

Here is a little bit about him.

Mason is excited to bring a lifelong passion for Texas wildlife, conservation, and hunting heritage to his new role. A native Texan, Mason was raised with a deep respect for the land and a strong sense of stewardship that continues to guide his work. He holds a BS in Wildlife Biology from Texas State University and has spent years hands-on in wildlife and conservation-focused roles. Mason brings more than a decade of leadership experience in hospitality, where he worked his way up from line cook to executive chef and general manager, developing a leadership style grounded in accountability, organization and leading by example. He has also served as lead hunting guide for Jesse Griffith’s New School of Traditional Cookery, mentoring hunters through ethical, responsible harvests and emphasizing the full connection from field to table. A lifelong hunter and dedicated mentor, Mason is happiest when igniting confidence and curiosity in others. He is intentional and detail-driven in teaching safe, ethical hunting practices that emphasize respect for wildlife and stewardship of the land. Through the TYHP, Mason is committed to expanding access, strengthening family involvement and building the next generation of responsible Texas hunters.

Congratulation on the appointment to lead one of Texas' most valuable hunting programs!

Mike Rantala of YHEC Outdoor Sports Announces the Upcoming YHEC Local Event

Lots of Fun and Learning at the Explore Bowhunting Event in South Texas

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

TYHP Hunt near Sinton, TX Produces Some Beautiful Harvests 

Throughout the weekend, youth hunters were guided by experienced mentors who reinforced safe firearm handling, shot placement, game identification, and ethical decision-making in the field. Several participants were successful in harvesting beautiful deer, marking meaningful milestones in their hunting journeys. Beyond the harvests themselves, the hunt focused on teaching responsibility, patience, and conservation principles that are central to Texas’s hunting heritage. Here, Kallie Espinoza (11), poses with another great looking eight-point harvest.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department thanks the Welder Wildlife Refuge staff, volunteers, mentors, and families who helped make this TYHP hunt a positive and memorable experience. By the end of the weekend, every participant left with a deeper understanding of what it takes to be a safe, responsible, and ethical hunter. These experiences continue to shape the next generation of conservation-minded sportsmen and women across Texas. Here, Ella Brewer (11) and her father Charles, pose with a nine-point buck she was able to harvest at this amazing event. 

Finishing Out this Hunting Season and Getting Reset for the Next

As we begin to wind down from another busy and successful season, I want to take a moment to sincerely thank each of our volunteer Hunter Education instructors for the time, energy, and dedication you continue to give. Your commitment to teaching safe, responsible, and ethical hunting practices makes a lasting difference in communities across Texas. Because of your efforts, thousands of students are better prepared to enjoy the outdoors safely and responsibly, and our hunting heritage remains strong for the next generation.

With the slower pace that comes after peak season, this is an ideal time to reset and prepare for the year ahead. I encourage everyone to reach out to your Area Chiefs and Regional Training Specialists to learn about upcoming instructor workshops and training opportunities. These sessions are a great way to reconnect, sharpen your skills, and stay informed about any updates or changes to regulations, policies, or curriculum before the next busy season begins.

Taking advantage of workshops now helps ensure you feel confident and prepared when classes start filling up again. On behalf of the Hunter Education program, thank you again for everything you do and for the professionalism you bring to every class and event. Your continued dedication is what keeps this program strong, and I look forward to working with you all in the year ahead.

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

Becoming an Outdoors Rifle-Woman

The Beyond Bow Rifle 101 class recently held at the Texas Game Warden Training Center provided participants with a welcoming introduction to rifle and hunting fundamentals in a supportive learning environment. Modeled after the popular Hunting 101 programs, these events are specifically designed to offer women a comfortable, encouraging space to build confidence while learning outdoor and hunting skills. The class focused on safety, basic rifle handling, and practical knowledge that participants can apply as they continue their outdoor journeys.

The event was led by East Region Training Specialist Venessa Wallace, with valuable assistance from members of the Texas Game Warden Training Center staff. Together, the team created an atmosphere that emphasized patience, understanding, and hands-on instruction, ensuring each participant felt supported throughout the experience. Their combined expertise and dedication played a key role in making the class both educational and enjoyable.

Beyond Bow Rifle 101 events help empower Texas women to get outside, try new skills, and connect with the outdoors in a positive way. These classes are an excellent stepping stone for women interested in attending a future Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) retreat, as well as a great opportunity for past BOW participants who want to expand their skill set or simply enjoy learning in a fun, safe environment. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is proud to support programs that continue to open doors and build confidence for women in the outdoors.

Bowhunters Get Certified at TYHP Hunt

A Bowhunter Education field day was held on Saturday, January 3, at the Texas Youth Hunting Program (TYHP) hunt in Bosque County, providing young hunters and their families with hands-on bowhunting instruction in a real-world setting. The field day was led by Area Chief Sandy Mason and Hunter Education Instructor Myranda Baker, who guided participants through the skills and knowledge needed to become safe, ethical, and successful bowhunters. Hosting the course alongside a TYHP hunt gave students an excellent opportunity to connect classroom learning with practical application.

Throughout the day, youth hunters and their dads learned essential bowhunting skills, including equipment safety, shot placement, range estimation, and ethical decision-making in the field. Sandy and Myranda emphasized safe practices and responsible hunting while keeping the instruction engaging and approachable for all experience levels. The supportive atmosphere encouraged questions, practice, and teamwork, helping participants build confidence with archery equipment.

Adding to the fun, the field day concluded with a friendly accuracy competition between the youth and the dads. In a close finish, the young hunters edged out the adults by a single point, earning bragging rights and the blue ribbon. The event was a great example of how Bowhunter Education field days combine learning, family involvement, and enjoyment, leaving participants better prepared and excited to continue their bowhunting journeys.

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.