TPWD Proposals Aim to Streamline Hunter Education Process

AUSTIN – Proposed changes to the state’s hunter education certification program would streamline the process for the tens of thousands of Texans who take the course annually, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials.
Anyone born after Sept. 1, 1971, must successfully complete a Hunter Education Training Course to hunt in Texas.

Under current rules, hunters can take the traditional two-day course that must be spread over a minimum of 10 hours, or they can opt to take the self-paced knowledge-based portion online home study. Students must then complete a four-hour field training class for certification.

TPWD is proposing a suite of options that could reduce the time commitment for completion of the course by half. By streamlining the curriculum, officials suggest the classroom portion of the process could be reduced to five hours. The field training class length would remain unchanged. Nothing in the proposed changes prohibits students from taking advanced workshops on hunter education topics of special interest or more extensive curriculum offered in high school and college courses. This doesn’t prohibit any one from receiving an extended hunter education course in a school, camp, or club setting.

For students 16 years of age and older, TPWD is proposing the option of an online instruction only certification that would eliminate the required field training component. Active duty military and certain veterans are already exempted by law from the field training component of the course.

“Our hunter education courses serve a wide variety of students,” said Nancy Herron, TPWD Outreach and Education Director. “One may be a nine-year-old with a parent in tow, another a teenager taking a class in school, and then an experienced 60-year-old preparing for big game hunting in another state. Providing additional course options will make getting hunter certification more convenient and better fit our students’ needs.”

To pass the current course options, students must take a 50-question written exam and get 70 percent correct if they take the traditional two-day course or 80 percent if they take the course online. TPWD is proposing to standardize the passing grade for all options to a minimum score of 75.
The certification is valid for life and is honored in all other states.

Public comment on the proposed changes can be made online at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/business/feedback/public_comment/ or to Nancy Herron, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas, 78744; (512) 389-4362 (e-mail: nancy.herron@tpwd.state.tx.us). If adopted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission at its August 22 public meeting, students could begin taking advantage of the new process this fall.

Camp Clover Kids (at State Games)

WHO: Any enrolled Texas 4-H Clover Kid who will be attending the Texas 4-H Shooting
Sports State Games with family.

WHAT: Fun filled mornings! Games, crafts, hands-on educational activities on natural
resources and outdoor education related topics such as: camping, outdoor cooking, wildlife
and birds, bats, pollinators, and more! Includes a snack related to the day’s theme!

WHEN & WHERE: 9:00am-Noon. July 15-19 at the National Shooting Complex in San
Antonio and July 22-26 at the Callahan County Range near Baird.

WHY: Fun just for Clover Kids!

HOW: Register via 4-H Connect (texas.4honline.com) through June 24, 2013. One $20
registration fee allows Clover Kids to enroll in any or all possible Camp Clover Kids mornings
and includes all camp supplies, a special t-shirt, and a Camp Clover Kids award! There will
be no on-site registration.

Please contact the Texas 4-H Natural Resources Program office for more info or questions: tx4hnaturalresources@tamu.edu

or click HERE for a printable flier!

Adult Sporting Clays (at State Games) Registration Now Open

Registration for the Adult Sporting Clays event at Texas 4-H Shooting Sports State Games is now open via 4-H Connect. More information about this event will be posted and distributed soon!

Texas 4-H Shooting Sports State Games-Archery Schedule

Week of July 15-20, 2013, National Shooting Complex, San Antonio, TX

Monday- Field

Tuesday- 3-D

Wednesday- Modified 600/Clout

Thursday- Field/3-D

Friday- Modified 600/Clout

Saturday- Wand/Team Round/Awards

Texas 4-H Shooting Sports State Games Registration-Now Open!

Registration for Texas 4-H Shooting Sports State games is now open on 4-H Connect. Regular registration will be open through Monday, June 17, at a fee of $75. Late registration will be open June 18-24, at a fee of $100.

• Archery events will be held at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, TX on July 15-20, 2013.
• Shotgun events will be held at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, TX on July 17-20, 2013.
• Hunting & Wildlife, Muzzleloading, Pistol, and Rifle events in Callahan County, TX on July 22-27, 2013

The following is a list of important notes/changes regarding the registration and squadding process. Details on these items and more can be found in the Texas 4-H Shooting Sports State Games Handbook (available on the website).

• Individual 4-H Connect registration to be completed with parent and/or coach supervision by each youth participant or their representative
• No registrations accepted after the close of late registration
• Squadding for Shotgun only will be completed via the IClays system. 
• No additional IClays fees for shotgun events. All fees are included in the 4-H Connect registration fee.
• For information on entry of Shotgun teams, contact: Jack Burch, jack@hillcountryshootingsports.com, 830-995-5118.
• Registration for Adult Sporting Clays will be via a separate 4-H Connect event. Details to come.
• Registration for Camp Clover Kids will also be via a separate 4-H Connect event. Details to come.
  
• Self-squadding for Hunting & Wildlife, Muzzleloading, Pistol, and Rifle events will be completed via 4-H Connect registration. Participants should view the schedule on the Texas 4-H Natural Resources Program website or in the State Games Handbook (attached) and have a schedule planned out before attempting to register. Participants should have alternate schedule options in mind in case a relay they may choose has already filled. Participants are strongly encouraged to consult their coach(s) in planning of their schedules.
• Relays will be squadded in the order that registrations are submitted. Participants are encouraged to register as soon as possible to have the best selection of available relays.
• Archery, Hunting & Wildlife, Muzzleloading, Pistol, and Rifle team registration will take place on-site at check-in.
• Archery events will be squadded by Archery Match staff. All archery specific questions, including squadding related questions and requests, should be directed to: Ben Dybala, bfdybala@wcnet.net, 979-479-1478
• Clays Car Permits are only available for events at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, TX (No Clays Cars allowed at Callahan County Range). All permits must be pre-ordered via 4-H Connect registration--no permit sales on site. Permits are non refundable and non transferable. Only one permit may be purchased per registered competitor, additional permits may be purchased via additional competitor registrations. $5 per permit.
• All required forms (waivers, clays car permit agreements, etc.) should be brought to on-site check-in. No forms should be sent to the State Office.
• State Games apparel will be available for pre-order only from this LINK. Payment must be made at the time of order. Include your contact information AND THE LOCATION YOU WILL BE ATTENDING (San Antonio or Callahan County) on the order form. Orders will be distributed at the event.THERE WILL BE NO ON-SITE SALES.
• Following the close of late registration a list of entries will be emailed to coaches and counties for review. Any issues will then be handled on a case by case basis. Registrations will not be approved and payments will not be processed until following the close of the coach/county agent review period (approximately 2 weeks after the close of late registration). Participant status will remain as "Pending" until that time.

Please email tx4hnaturalresources@tamu.edu if you have any questions!

District 2 Coach Training June 1-2, Register Now!

The District 2 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Training will be held in Lubbock on June 1-2, 2013.

This training will provide certifications as Certified Coaches or Assistant Coaches in the selected disciplines including archery, pistol, rifle, or shotgun.

Registration for this training will be on 4-H Connect. Registration will close on May 22, 2013.
No late registration will be allowed. Anyone interested in registration must be currently enrolled in the 4-H system.

2013 Shooting Sports State Games HMPR Schedule

2013 Shooting Sports State Games Hunting and Wildlife, Muzzleloading, Pistol, and Rifle Schedule is now available here!

2013 Postal League Results

Congratulations to all 2013 Postal League Participants. You can find the 2013 Postal League Results here. 1st-3rd awards will be mailed to county offices.