All hunters born on or after September 2, 1971, and 17 years old or older must have completed a Texas Hunter Education class to legally hunt in Texas, unless they purchase a one-time Hunter Education Deferral. As necessary as hunter education classes are, they can not be offered without trained instructors. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will be conducting a free hunter education new instructor training workshop on Saturday, March 12, 2011, in Waco.
The hunter education program’s goals are to reduce hunting-related accidents and violations; promote safe, responsible and knowledgeable hunting; and enhance hunting traditions and values. Hunter education provides instruction in Texas hunting regulations, wildlife management and identification, conservation, ethics, firearm and hunting safety and responsibility and outdoor skills. The hunter workshop will be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 8451 Gholsen Road in Waco.
Instruction will be offered for new applicants and currently certified hunter education instructors in skills trail, live firing exercises and home study procedures. The training puts fun and exciting activities into the learning experience. Students will benefit by going through actual hunting simulations and by making their own decisions regarding responsible actions using “shoot-don’t-shoot” scenarios.
Before attending this workshop, you must go to the following web site and prepare yourself by going over the hunter education instructor training manual. You will sign an acknowledgement and release that you have done this pre-workshop assignment as part of your training. The site can be found here.
Once again, every Texas hunter (whether a resident or non-resident) born on or after September 2, 1971, must successfully complete a hunter education course. By understanding hunting through education, hunters and non-hunters alike will help make a bright future for the sport. To register to become a hunter education instructor, contact TPWD Area Chief Brent Heath at (254) 722-5660.