REMINDER-Upcoming Events

We know it's a busy time of year! Don't forget to register for upcoming Texas 4-H Natural Resources Program and related events! Safe and happy holidays to you all!

District 11 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Training
January 10-11, 2015
Victoria 4-H Activity Center
Disciplines offered:Rifle, Pistol, Archery, Shotgun
Registration via 4-H Connect –
Regular Registration ($120) November 14 – December 19
LATE Registration ($145) December 20 – January 5, 2015
For more information contact: Meredith Miller, macarter@ag.tamu.edu, 361-265-9203

4-H Archery Camp
January 23-25
Texas 4-H Center
Registration on 4-H Connect through January 8
For more information visit: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/shootingsports/

East Region 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Training 
January 24-25
Tyler, TX
Registration on 4-H Connect through January 8
For more information visit: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/shootingsports/

Advanced Wildlife Leader Training – White-tailed Deer 
January 31, 2015, College Station, Cost $45 to register contact Denise Harmel-Garza at dharmel-garza@ag.tamu.edu or 979-845-4865
This advanced training for 4-H volunteers/coaches and hunter education instructors will focus on the biology, management, and hunting of the white-tailed deer. The training will also include “how to teach” sessions and many resources. Resources provided to every participant will include the White-tailed Deer Hunting book and the White-tailed Deer Hunting Instructor’s Reference Text from the NRA Hunter Skills Series; the NRA Hunter’s Guide, and the NRA Wild Turkey Hunter Clinic Instructor’s Manual, these resources alone have a value over $45. Many other resources will be provided. Participants will gain knowledge about white-tailed deer biology, hunting and management. Additionally, they will gain skills and receive resources that will enable them to teach about white-tailed deer to their students, 4-H members and the general public.

Hunting & Wildlife Leader/Coach Training
February 14-15, 2015 – Texas 4-H Conference Center, Brownwood, TX
Registration Open on 4-H Connect January 1-29, 2015—$75/participant
Late Registration January 30-February 5, 2015—$125/participant
*NO additional late registrations after February 5; NO on-site registrations.
For more information visit: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/shootingsports/

Advanced Wildlife Leader Training – Wild Turkey
March 7 , 2015, College Station, Cost $45 to register contact Denise Harmel-Garza at dharmel-garza@ag.tamu.edu or 979845-4865
This advanced training for 4-H volunteers/coaches and hunter education instructors will focus on the biology, management, and hunting of the wild turkey. The training will also include “how to teach” sessions and many resources. Resources provided to every participant will include the Wild Turkey Hunting book and the Wild Turkey Hunting Instructor’s Reference Text from the NRA Hunter Skills Series; the NRA Hunter’s Guide, and the NRA Wild Turkey Hunter Clinic Instructor’s Manual, these resources alone have a value over $45. Many other resources from National Wild Turkey Federation and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension will also be highlighted. Participants will gain knowledge about wild turkey biology, hunting and management. Additionally, they will gain skills and receive resources that will enable them to teach about wild turkeys to their students, 4-H members and the general public.

East Region 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Training 
March 7-8, 2015
Monahans, TX
For more information contact: Charlene Belew,c-belew@tamu.edu

2015 4-H Shooting Sports Texas Team

Congratulations to our 4-H members chosen to participate as the Texas Team in the 4-H Shooting Sports National Invitational in June of 2015 in Grande Island, Nebraska.  The competition for a team position was tough with more than double the applications needed to fill the 45 positions.  This group will attend the Texas Team Rendezvous in February at the Texas 4-H Center to begin preparations.  After that each individual team of 4 or 5 will work with their assigned adult team coach to practice and sharpen their skills for the summer event.  Not only was the Texas Team chosen to represent Texas 4-H in the various competitive shooting events at the Invitational, each 4-H member and adult coach was chosen for their ability to represent Texas 4-H and the state of Texas as a sample of our positive activities and growth through 4-H.

Introducing the 2015 Texas Team:

Air Pistol

• Morgan Myers, Burleson County
• Nathan Taylor, Coleman County
• Claire DePenning, Waller County
• David McDaniel, Runnels County
• Brandon Kubenka, Lavaca County

Air Rifle

• Megan Taylor, Coleman County
• Chase Taylor, Washington County
• Madison Myers, Burleson County
• Morgan Fulgham, Callahan County
• Nolan Marcus, Kerr County

Compound Archery

• Josh Kim, Brazos County
• Amanda Cooper, Herderson County
• Andrew Paredez, Howard County
• Erin Bagnall, Howard County
• Luke Cowan, Midland County

Hunting and Wildlife

• Annie Perez, Brazos County
• Matt Engle, Hood County
• Donna Dezendorf, Johnson County
• Peyton Modesitt, Palo Pinto County
• Louden Hamill, Johnson County

Muzzleloading

• Alexander Dietrich, Bexar County
• Deanna Utz, Falls County
• Michael Blair, Johnson County
• Matthew Hanson, Montgomery County

Recurve Archery

• Danielle Pedroza, Milam County
• Parker Watson, Bexar County
• Shelby Watson, Bexar County
• Joseph Moore, Clay County
• Samantha Franklin, Waller County

Shotgun

• Chance Hunsaker, Nueces County
• Brandon Hobbs, Callahan County
• Tara Creighton, Madison County
• Melissa Barringer, Victoria County
• Rachel Barringer, Victoria County

Smallbore Pistol

• Kailey Hart, Callahan County
• Taylor Gibich, Travis County
• Cole Ritchie, Hays County
• Peter Marcak, Lavaca County
• Bailey Teague, Kerr County

Smallbore Rifle

• Darby Ballard, Val Verde County
• Hayley Ancinec, Callahan County
• Jade Reneau, Hood County
• Taylor Haffner, Kendall County
• William Burgi, Val Verde County

4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest

Notice:  The post made earlier in November about this contest had an incorrect theme listed.  See the revised version of the announcement below.

The revised theme for the 2014-2015 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest is “Planting for Bees from Backyards and Up." 

Registration is open to all 4-H ages with the deadline of January 9, 2015. 

Texas Cash Prizes to 3 Top Winners:

1st Place: $300.00

2nd Place: $200.00

3rd Place: $100.00

Texas Contest Sponsored by: Alamo Area Beekeepers Assn., Central Texas Beekeepers Assn., Collin County Hobby Beekeepers Assn., Dino-Bee Beekeepers Assn., East Texas Beekeepers Assn., Harris County Beekeepers Assn., Marshall Beekeeping Assn., Trinity Valley Beekeepers Assn., and Williamson County Area Beekeepers Assn.

National Cash Prizes to 3 Top Winners:

1st Place: $750.00

2nd Place: $500.00

3rd Place: $250.00

National Contest Sponsored by: The Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc.

Full rules and details are attached and can be found at http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/project_entomology/beekeeping/.  

Event Registrations Currently Open on 4-H Connect

With the school year ending and the holiday season beginning, there is a lot going on in everyone's corner of the world.  Here is a reminder list of events that are currently open on 4-H Connect:

4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Project Practice Contest to held January 10th in Richmond - Registration is currently open and will close on December 11th.

4-H Archery Camp to be held on January 23-25 at the Texas 4-H Center - Registration is currently open and will close on January 8th.

East Region 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Training to be held on January 24-25 in Tyler - Registration is currently open and will close on January 8th.

Select each title to open additional information.

REMINDER - Major Livestock Show Shotgun Shoots

The Houston and San Antonio livestock show shotgun shoots both have deadlines that are coming up soon.
The HLSR Young Guns Shoot registration deadline is December 1, 2014.
The SALE Junior Shoot Out registration deadline is December 15, 2014.

Contact your County Extension Agent to register for either of these events.

Educational and Contest Opportunity--Wildlife Alliance for Youth (WAY)

The Wildlife Alliance for Youth (WAY) is a contest developed for Texas youth to study and learn wildlife biology, ecology, habitat management, and hunting skills. WAY has been adopted and used in FFA competition for several years. Although each contest has a 4-H Division, 4-H participation has never been large. WAY offers another potential activity for 4-H members.

Though most locations are yet to be determined, the following dates have been finalized for 2014-2015:

Region 1-April 14, 2015
Region 2-April 21, 2015
Region 3-April 16, 2015, Welder Wildlife Foundation, Sinton, TX
Region 4-November 5, 2014
Region 5-April 15, 2015

For any 4-H leaders interested, the study guide is referenced as (4400) Wildlife/Recreation CDE Guide, 2011. This study guide is available for $25 from:
Instructional Materials Services, Texas A&M University
2588 TAMUS
College Station, TX 77843-2588
http://store.im.tamu.edu/4400-WildlifeRecr-CDE-Guide-2011-P621.aspx

The best way for 4-H Leaders to find information on local and regional contests is to communicate with ag science teachers at the local high school(s), or to check online at http://www.JudgingCard.com in the "Calendar of Events".

Texas 4-H Photography Workshop

Texas 4-H Photography Workshop, December 6, 2014, Houston, Texas

The Texas 4-H Youth Development Program is excited to team with the Harris County 4-H Photography Leaders to host a statewide photography workshop on Saturday, December 6th at the Harris County Extension Office in Houston, Texas.  This workshop will be a hands-on workshop filled with interactive experiences for 4-H members and leaders in the photography project.  Volunteers from various professional photography clubs in the Houston area have teamed up to lead the innovative and creative workshops (see flyer linked below for descriptions).

One of the sessions that may be of particular interest to 4-H Natural Resources Project participants is the "Nature Seekers" Session:

Nature Seekers

Cletus D. Lee

Houston Camera Club

Nature Seekers will explore the unique beginnings to a new perspective on nature photography and take you on a journey to perfect your hunting skills. This session will cover all the basics from equipment to shutter speed and seeking out the right subject.  Cletus will provide a short field experience filled with nature observation and still life set up. Bring your camera and adventurous spirit.

The workshop is limited to the first 100 registration due to the structure of the sessions.  Participants will be able to participate in two sessions in the morning and two in the afternoon, with lunch time photography opportunities as well.  Registration is only $25.00 and covers all registration materials and lunch.  Deadline for registering on 4-H CONNECT is November 28th, but early registration is encouraged due to the limited number of slots.

For more details including complete session list/descriptions, click HERE.

2015 Texas Team Application Deadline Approaching

REMINDER

The deadline for the 4-H Shooting Sports Texas Team Application for the 2015 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational is coming up later this week at midnight November 13^th.  At this time, the application pool is low with some disciplines having minimal applicants.  The Hunting and Wildlife discipline has no applicants at this time. 

Please help spread the word so we can be sure everyone in your counties who may be interested has this information.  The application is made on 4-H Connect through personal profiles.

Thanks for your attention to this.

2015 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest

Texas 4-H is very excited to announce the theme and guidelines for this year's 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest. This year's theme is “Reducing the Usage of Bee-Killing Pesticides in my Community." 

 

The deadline for this contest is January 9, 2015. These essays will be submitted to the National contest facilitators and are all eligible for cash prizes as follows: 

 

AWARDS:

National Cash Prizes to 3 Top Winners:

1st Place: $750.00

2nd Place: $500.00

3rd Place: $250.00

 

National Contest Sponsored by: The Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc.

Texas Cash Prizes to 3 Top Winners:

1st Place: $300.00

2nd Place: $200.00

3rd Place: $100.00

 

Texas Contest Sponsored by: Alamo Area Beekeepers Assn., Central Texas Beekeepers Assn., Collin County Hobby Beekeepers Assn., Dino-Bee Beekeepers Assn., East Texas Beekeepers Assn., Harris County Beekeepers Assn., Marshall Beekeeping Assn., Trinity Valley Beekeepers Assn., and Williamson County Area Beekeepers Assn.

For detailed information and full rules click HERE

Level 1 Rifle Coach School

An NRA/USAS/CMP-sanctioned Smallbore Rifle/Air Rifle Coach Course will be held 0800 Nov 22-23, 2014, at Hill Country Shooting Sports Center, Kerrville Texas.

For more information, click HERE 

Somervell County--4-H Shooting Sports gains steam

Great article about a great county 4-H Shooting Sports project! http://www.yourglenrosetx.com/news/somervell_co_youth_fair/article_bab0a81e-60b8-55af-a021-203bff88ef75.html?mode=jqm

Wildlife Habitat Education Project Practice Contests

The Wildlife Habitat Education Project, also known as 4-H WHEP, is a study in wildlife biology, ecology, and habitat management.  The curriculum doubles as the study guide for 4-H WHEP contests held in various locations around the state and around the calendar.  This curriculum, the 4-H WHEP Manual, is available on the 4-H Wildlife webpage (http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/project_wildlife/wildlife/) under the title 'Wildlife Habitat Education Project' in 6 separate pdf files.  Each file basically makes up a chapter of the manual.  As a curriculum, it provides education from a basic to advanced wildlife study depending on the depth a group would like to go.  Other resources would be necessary to provide a complete wildlife and habitat management study if the goal is in that direction. 

As a contest resource, any 4-H WHEP contest around the state uses the manual as a study guide and a contest format.  The only portion that is not used for state level contests is the contest rules printed in the Manual, which are written for the National WHEP Invitational.  Separate Rules and Procedures are written for each contest within the state and posted with each contest's information.  A set of Generic Rules and Procedures are available on the webpage for use in getting to know the material and the contest in general. 

Practice Contests are held during the year to help prepare county teams and leaders for upcoming contests.  These practice contests are modified to accommodate a one day format.  The practice contests also differ in that official answers to the contest activities are provided verbally following each activity along with discussion and question answering providing a learning atmosphere.  Another difference is that adults are encouraged and expected to actively participate in the practice contest to better understand the contestant's point of view and to learn alongside of their youth.

Two Practice Contests are on the calendar at this time:
   December 13, 2014 in Dallas (registration opens October 25th)

• Information
• Rules

    January 10, 2015 in Richmond (Fort Bend County)

•  Information
• Rules

Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador Program

The Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador Program has been restructured and updated.  This includes the application process that is about to be open on 4-H Connect (http://texas.4honline.com).  Basic requirements and expectations and application instructions are available on the Texas 4-H Shooting Sports webpage (http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/shootingsports/) or by clicking on this link.

Check it out to be a part of this leadership opportunity!

Muzzleloading Coach Training

November 22-23, 2014 – Texas 4-H Conference Center Brownwood, TX

Registration Open on 4-H Connect October 9-November 6, 2014, $140

Late Registration November 7-13, 2014, $180

Visit the 4-H Shooting Sports Webpage for more information: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/shootingsports

2014-2015 Texas 4-H Shooting Sports State Postal Leagues

What are Postal Leagues? Originally named “Postal Leagues” because the targets were mailed in for scoring via the U.S. Postal Service, Postal Leagues are a state-wide competitive shooting match in which participants can compete with others across the state without having to travel outside their home county. Participants complete their course of fire locally over an extended designated time frame. Thus, allowing for greater flexibility of schedules and eliminating the cost of travel to an event. Following the close of the matches, scores are submitted electronically to the State Office.

Events include: 3-P Smallbore Rifle, Air Pistol, Archery, BB Gun, Light Rifle, Precision Air Rifle, Sporter Air Rifle, Smallbore Pistol, Muzzleloading Rifle, Muzzleloading Pistol, Trap, and Skeet. Participants may compete in as many events as their county/club will allow. All shooting must be supervised by a 4-H Shooting Sports Coach certified in the appropriate shooting discipline (Archery, Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, Muzzleloading).

Full information including Registration & Score Submission Instructions, courses of fire, rules, etc. is available HERE on the Texas 4-H Shooting Sports web page.

Competition begins November 3, 2014.

S.A.L.E. Junior Shoot-Out

S.A.L.E. Junior Shoot-Out
February 18-21, 2015

Visit the Junior Shoot-Out webpage for detailed information: http://www.sarodeo.com/livestock-show/s.a.l.e.-junior-shoot-out

HLSR Young Guns Sporting Clays Shoot

Young Guns Sporting Clay Event
February 28 and March 1, 2015
American Shooting Centers, Houston, TX

Click HERE for the flyer, and HERE for more detailed information.

District 9 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Training

On November 22-23, 2014 District 9 4-H will host a Shooting Sports Coaches training at the Walker County Storm Shelter, in Huntsville, Tx.  The registration is $150 and can be completed on 4-HConnect.

Click HERE to visit the District 9 website for more information.

4-H Whiz Bang Shotgun Rules

The 4-H Whiz Bang rules have recently been revised by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.  This agency's Outdoor Education branch has been a long time supporter of the 4-H Shooting Sports Project and has operated the Whiz Bang Program for many years for our youth.  The revised rules are now posted on the 4-H Shooting Sports webpage (http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/shootingsports).  These rules and procedures will help county 4-H shotgun projects understand the event as it is held not only at the 4-H Shooting Sports State Games in July, but at the local events as well which serve as qualifying shoots for the overall finals held in October each year.  To learn more about this event or to see the revisions, go to the 4-H Shooting Sports webpage and choose the 'Whiz Bang' link under the 'Rules' title box.  A schedule of county 4-H projects holding a Whiz Bang event is posted on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department webpage (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/outdoor-learning/hunter-education/shooting-sports-opportunities/sporting-clays-schedule).  This schedule will be updated prior to the season beginning in the spring.

2014-2015 4-H Shooting Sports Texas Teams Application

The application information and instructions for 2014-2015 4-H Shooting Sports Texas Teams is available on the shooting sports website: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/files/2014/09/nat_res_ss_texas_team_application_2015.pdf

The application itself is available on 4-H Connect. Application deadline is Thursday, November 13, 2014.

Please share this information as applicable.

Let us know if there are any questions regarding the application or application process.

Email questions to tx4hnaturalresources@tamu.edu 

2014-2015 Event Schedule

Please check with the link below for the most recent Texas 4-H Natural Resources event schedule. Under Calendar & Events you will be able to find a list of all the contests, trainings, camps, and more that are put on by the Natural Resources Program.

Check back with this link throughout the year for updates and revisions. 

Texas 4-H Natural Resources

Upcoming 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Training Opportunities

District 10 Shooting Sports Coach Training--Kerrville, Texas: September 13-14, 2014. Registration via 4-H Connect August 18-31. Contact Megan Logan for additional information, mmlogan@ag.tamu.edu 

District 12 Shooting Sports Coach Training—Alice, Texas: September 27-28, 2014, Registration via 4-H Connect September 1-September 21. See District 12 website for more information.

West Region Shooting Sports Coach Training--San Angelo, Texas: September 27-28, 2014, Registration via 4-H Connect August 18-September 18. See Shooting Sports website for more information or contact tx4hnaturalresources@tamu.edu.

South Region Shooting Sports Coach Training--Victoria, Texas: October 11-12, 2014, Registration via 4-H Connect August 21-September 18. See Shooting Sports website for more information or contact tx4hnaturalresources@tamu.edu.

 

 

2014 State Games Registration

State Games registration Step Two  is now open. This will be done on iClays.com

You can find instructions for this step by clicking HERE.

You must register on 4-H Connect before proceeding to the iClays step of registration. Please keep your confirmation email from the iClays site after submitting.

*no fees are due to the iClays site

2013-2014 Postal League Results

Congratulations to all of 4-H Members across the state who participated in the 2014 Postal Leagues!!!

You can find results HERE.

All awards and patches will be mailed to county offices within the next few weeks.

Callahan County Archery Shoot--Summer Blast 14

Callahan County Archery Shoot

June 21, 2014

Summer Blast 14

Deadline for registration June 13, 2014

must be postmark by June 13th

$10.00 late fee (per shooter) after deadline, call for availability

Limited to the First 100 Shooters

Click HERE for details or contact:

Mike McCormick at 325-864-6899 or mwm@camalott.com

Important Announcement--2015 Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Teams Selection

Selection of the 2015 Texas Teams for the National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational

After much consideration from various perspectives, it has been determined that selection of the 2015 Texas Teams for the National Invitational will not be done by qualification using any of the events of the 2014 Texas 4-H Shooting Sports State Games.  The selection process will remain an open application process for enrolled 4-H members who meet the basic requirements.  This application process will be announced sometime during the late summer so that completed applications can be submitted early in the 2014/2015 4-H year.

Announcement of the application timeline and process will be distributed to AgriLife Extension County and District Offices, posted on the 4-H Shooting Sports Website, blog, facebook page, and announced via the text message/email update system. Signing up for text/email updates will alert you the moment the information is available.  See below for links to all of these information outlets.

Website: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/natural

Blog: http://tx4hnaturalresources.blogspot.com Visit the blog to sign up for email updates and learn how to subscribe to text message updates!

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/tx4hnaturalresources