Beginners in South Texas

[CPetersonWYO]

This post isn't so much for me as it is for my sister, her husband, and their kids ranging from newborn to 12yrs. They come visit in Wyoming and we go fishing and camping in the mountains and they love it! The older kids are beginning to show more and more interest in the outdoors. Their parents just don't know where to begin. If they were in my neck of the woods, no problem. But I am limited in my knowledge of outdoor recreation, hunting and fishing in Texas and where to get these kids started. I visited the TPWD website and have a little bit to go off of...but any hints at some resources, classes, expos, anything to fuel the wonderful fire for this family, would be greatly appreciated! And it might just lead me down to experience the outdoors of Texas myself. Thanks!

 

[LWC55]

Welcome! Good for you trying to get the kiddos involved in the outdoors. I live in north TX so not terribly familiar with their area. I will give you a resource that should get you headed in the right direction. Check out http://www.texasbowhunter.com/
It is called TX Bowhunter but don't let that fool you. It is not really just focused on archery. There are almost 80K members from not just TX but all over. Everything is discussed from hunting and fishing to kids sports and politics...and everything in between. Use the search function and there won't be much that hasn't been discussed. Hopefully you can help them started loving the outdoors.

 

[WestT]

The Texas Trophy Hunters Association has a series of shows they put on every year . That would be a fun time for them just to browse around and perhaps gain some interest in the outdoors.

Otherwise I would strongly urge them to take the hunters ed course [URL="https://tpwd.texas.gov/education/hunter-education"].

I have been hunting here in TX several times but only recently relocated down here from the Midwest. There are opportunities out there if you try hard enough.

 

[wytex]

TPW has great youth hunts and activities. In south Texas I bet some wildlife associations also do youth hunts and activities.
Get them into hunter ed then see how they take to shooting and hunting. Texas is very kid friendly for hunting, no minimum age. Many ranches and outfitter there offer special deals for kids and parents hunting together.

 

[RedRaider13]

To add to what others have said,

Cabela's, Bass Pro, and Dallas Safari Club all host different events to get kids involved in the outdoors regularly (Hunters Education, expos, classes). But I would probably direct them towards the state parks for starters, Texas has some great state parks, and my family really enjoys them.
https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/
https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/programs

Texas has some draw hunts, with special youth hunts if they were interested in applying:
https://www2.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/public/public_hunt_drawing/

Here is a link to a local forum that could supply some useful information for them:
http://texashuntingforum.com

As WestT mentioned, Texas Trophy Hunters Association has an expo in Houston, San Antonio, and Houston every year. If they are into the commercialization and exploitation of hunting... Its worth going to once, but I don't think ill ever go again.

Good luck, Hopefully they can find something that fits the bill!

 

[jabber]

Here is a program specifically for youth...http://www.tyhp.org/?print=true

They run all kind of hunts throughout the state with mentors there to assist. My son went on a number of these hunts, one of them was at the Double H Ranch in NM for cow elk.

 

[CPetersonWYO]

Thanks everybody. This is more than enough info to get them started! Keep your back to the crowd and your nose to the wind.