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