New hunters enjoy variety of chances to learn
COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of the outdoors, wide-open spaces to social distance and activities that can be done safely amid a pandemic.
With several open seasons only weeks away, hunting is poised to join an outdoor renaissance.
Anticipation for hunting season is high. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department reports that there were more than 20,000 additional hunting licenses sold on Aug. 15 than the first day of sales last year. Justin Dreibelbis, TPWD’s private lands and public hunting program director, said applications for the first round of the public hunting draw system were up nearly 50 percent from the same period in 2019.
The pandemic has created a unique opportunity to spend more time afield, for veteran and newcomer alike. However, the first-time hunter might be hesitant to make the plunge, not knowing where to start.
TPWD’s mentored hunting workshops can lend a hand.
“We’re focusing on firsttime hunters who don’t have any experience but have an interest,” Dreibelbis said.
“It can be pretty intimidating for somebody who didn’t grow up hunting and are trying to get started. That’s what we’re trying to help with.”
TPWD’s mentorship program has been teaching people how to hunt since 2008. The program’s workshops cover a wide array of fundamentals like gun safety, animal behavior, woodsmanship, field dressing and cooking. The pupils then get to put what they’ve learned into practice.
“It’s a pretty cool program and one that the agency has really made a priority over the last few years. We’ve made some major efforts to expand it,” Dreibelbis said.
The program has grown from a handful of hunts to the 12 slated for 2020-21, barring any COVID-19 developments that might prevent them.
This year, the application process has moved online. There are a few screening questions to identify the hunter’s level of experience, which helps TPWD offer priority to those taking their first steps into the pastime.
Camping as well
Another addition to this year’s workshops will be an instructional family camping component. The family camping workshop will be held at Copper Breaks State Park, San Angelo State Park and one of the three whitetailed deer hunts set for Inks Lake State Park.
The other workshops and hunts include a feral hog hunt at Abilene State Park, a squirrel hunt at Gus Engeling WMA, waterfowl hunts at Middle Trinity River Ecosystem Project and Purtis Creek State Park, a multispecies hunt at Alazan Bayou WMA and white-tailed deer hunts for disabled youth and veterans at Palo Duro Canyon State Park.
Hunting mentors are often TPWD staff or conservation partners, but Dreibelbis said the department is open to those who are interested in becoming one, and that it is fulfilling for those who participate.
“To just see a new hunter come in and get that confidence over those few days and be able to go out and participate in something that we all find very important is a truly rewarding experience for the mentors and Parks and Wildlife staff,” Dreibelbis said.
TPWD will accept applications for its mentored hunting workshops through Sept. 15.
For those who don’t get selected or miss the deadline, there are many more chances to attend a mentored hunt through some of TPWD’s partners, like the Texas Wildlife Association.
TWA’s Texas Youth Hunting Program has been fostering the next generation of hunters since 1997. More than 70,000 people, including volunteers, parents and more than 25,000 young hunters, have participated since its inception.
Just last year, the program took nearly 1,200 kids on 225 hunts donated by landowners and other allies.
“It is the largest hunting mentorship program in the country,” said Chris Mitchell, director of TYHP.
The program is reserved for kids 9-17 years old who have completed hunter education. This year, because of some of the pandemic-caused difficulties, TYHP is offering some of their hunts with a hunter education course incorporated. The mentored hunts reinforce in the field what is learned in the classroom.
“A TYHP hunt is an extension of hunter education,” Mitchell said.
The benefits of the program are not restricted to Texans, either. Mitchell noted the state’s generosity with youth licenses. Both residents and nonresidents under the age of 17 pay $7 for a Texas hunting license.
“If someone from New Mexico, Oklahoma or Kansas wanted to come to Texas on one of our hunts, they could,” Mitchell said.
There isn’t a hard deadline, either. Mitchell said as long as there are hunts available, TWA will take applications. Hunts will extend into May with spring turkey season.
Hunters can be picked more than once, but firsttime hunters have the best shot at selection.
“Our priority when we’re selecting hunters is to pick those kids who’ve never hunted with us before. So, if you’re a new hunter and you come to TYHP.org and you sign up for a hunt — and you’ve never hunted with us — you’re going to get selected before someone who has hunted with us,” Mitchell said.
The TYHP website is currently under construction, but TWA hopes to have it operational by early September. Applications are free and there is a $150 fee if selected. Scholarships can be requested.
Not just for kids
TWA also has recently begun outreach programs for adults. In 2016, the first Hunt to Table dinner was hosted and the first mentored hunt for adults was hosted the following year. About five adult hunts are offered each year and TWA hopes that will grow.
The hunts are open to any first-time adult hunters, with a focus on game processing and cooking.
“So far we have been very successful in reaching a new group of hunter in Texas, people that don’t have a family connection to hunting but have the interest and desire to take part in the shared Hunting Heritage of Texas and the U.S.,” said Bryan Jones, TYHP field operations coordinator and leader of the adult program.
The fee after being selected is $100 and $50 for a non-hunting guest. Participants will be given a free membership to Friends of TWA upon completion.
More hunting mentorship opportunities exist with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation’s Stewards of the Wild program.
Stewards of the Wild is TPWF’s young professionals’ program, aimed at gathering people aged 21-45 under one Texas conservation umbrella. The program began in 2013 and has expanded to 10 chapters statewide, including a Houston one in 2015. In September 2019, Stewards of the Wild hit the 1,000-member milestone.
“It’s a really cool place where young professionals can meet each other, interact with one another and meet other people who are interested in hunting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, camping; the outdoors of Texas,” said Matthew Hughes, engagement manager for TPWF.
This is the third year the program has offered mentored hunts, targeting disadvantaged and first-time adult hunters. It has grown every year, with one hunt the first year and eight slated for 2020. Applicants are currently being chosen for this year’s hunts.
These mentored hunts are available to any member of Stewards of the Wild, but non-members can also express interest and then purchase a membership and participate if selected.
Membership to Stewards of the Wild is currently at a discount thanks to an ongoing, short-term promotion from TPWF, the official non-profit partner of TPWD.
The cost for a single membership is $65. A single plus TWA membership is $80. A double membership is $110 and a double plus TWA is $125.