By Craig Nyhus, Lone Star Outdoor News
Copyright 2020 Lone Star Outdoor News . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
In 2012, Lone Star Outdoor News Foundation was formed with the goal of “creating hunters for a lifetime.”
Since then, many new hunters have taken their first hunting adventure, receiving a true hunting camp experience, and read about it in the pages of Lone Star Outdoor News.
Although hunters of all ages were taken, the focus remained on young adults who had the desire to hunt, but for whatever reason, never had the opportunity.
“They are the forgotten group,” said foundation board member David J. Sams. “There are several fine nonprofits that introduce the activity to youngsters and children from the inner city, but that doesn’t necessarily translate into future hunters. I recognized the forgotten group was the educated professionals who have never had the chance to hunt. Spending the money to go hunt a deer for the first time is very confusing. If a young adult isn’t taken as a child, the chance of him or her hunting as an adult is pretty low.”
Now, several other groups are offering mentored hunts, offering chances for adults to get involved in hunting.
“After eight years of proving this model works, several other groups are taking our idea to the next level,” Sams said. “It’s a big sign of flattery that the idea is being copied.”
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Select state parks and wildlife management areas will conduct mentored hunting workshops designed to introduce first-time hunters to the hunting experience, educate them on the skills they will need to be successful in the field and build a foundation for their hunting tradition. These workshops are followed by a mentored hunt on the area. Mentored Hunting Permits required for these workshops are offered to qualified first-time hunters.
This season, the hunts and workshops are offered at nine state parks and wildlife management areas.
Young adults learning to hunt from their peers can jumpstart their way into a hunting lifestyle. That’s the goal of Stewards of the Wild, the young professionals group within the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation. Targeting members from ages 21-45, first-time or novice hunters have the chance to participate in mentored hunts throughout the year, and the hunts are mentored by other members of the group, teaching the new hunters wildlife conservation and emphasizing cooking, processing and eating wild game.
Texas Wildlife Association, which has taken thousands of youth hunters through its Youth Hunting Program, expanded the program this year through its Adult Mentored Hunts, focusing on novice hunters with an interest in forging a connection between conservation hunting and sustainable eating.
The mentored hunts are typically 3 days/2 nights and consist of firearms train- ing and safety, harvest shot placement techniques and a personal guide/mentor for each hunter. Participants also will learn valuable skills related to skinning, butchering and cooking techniques of wild game.
Sams said he’s glad to see the opportunities for new adult hunters on the increase.
“We are still doing all the hunts we can,” he said. “But these groups have more resources and can give that first hunting experience to more new hunters.
“The more people we introduce to the passion, the better. It’s all about growing our industry and giving back.”
