Texas Hunter Education Instructors Association

08/20/2026

What the heck is YHEC??

It is the Youth Hunter Education Challenge and the Texas State Challenge will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Saturday, September 26, 2026 at the Arlington Sportsman's Club, 11500 CR 525, Mansfield, TX 76053.

Challenges will include Shotgun, Muzzle loading Rifle, Skills Trail, Wildlife Identification, Orienteering/Map Skills.

Youth must have completed Hunter Education before this event.

Registration is $50.00 and pre-registration is required.

Please visit www.texasyhec.com for more information, or email [email protected].

This event is hosted by YHEC Outdoor Sports!

Send a message to learn more

08/20/2026

For anyone in the New Braunfels/San Marcos area, there is Hunter Education Instructor certification Course set for September 19th at the Headquarters of the Texas Wildlife Association.

Become a Texas Hunter Education Instructor. Make a difference in your community by teaching safe hunting and conservation of Texas resources. Want to learn more? Link in profile.

08/01/2026

Hunting Season is right around the corner -- make sure you are legal -- enroll in the mandatory Hunter Education class today!
# Anyone born after Sept. 2, 1971 must complete hunter education to legally hunt in Texas;
# 9 is the youngest age for certification.
# Certification is lifetime and reciprocal in all of North American, including Canada, Mexico, and several other countries including Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Peru, and many more.
# *if you are born before 1971 and are “exempt” from taking Hunter Education in Texas, if you ever have the chance to go beyond Texas to hunt, this certification is required in addition to a valid hunting license.
# Every state has their own ‘born-after’ date where Hunter Education is required, and most all require non-residents to have the certification as well.
# Many Texas landowners also require Hunter Education before hunting on their property, as well as TPWD drawn hunts which require the certification as well.
# This course covers the core competencies of firearm and hunting safety, hunting ethics and wildlife conservation.
# All materials are provided.
# State fee = $15.00 for Hunter Education certification
--> upcoming classes Hunter Education classes held in Seguin -- (check links below for course location and times):
August 15th, 2026
https://tpwd.elementlms.com/.../hunter-education.../
September 12th, 2026
https://tpwd.elementlms.com/.../hunter-education.../
October 3rd, 2026
https://tpwd.elementlms.com/.../hunter-education.../ See less

07/14/2026

The US Government response to the New World Screwworm is being led by Rear Admiral Michael Schmoyer, PhD. (US Public Health Service), who is working with the US Department of Agriculture as Associate Director of their Animal & Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) and Director of NWS Directorate.

In Texas he is working closely with the Texas Animal Health Commission the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and Texas AgriLife, along with producer groups such as the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Texas Farm Bureau and the Texas Wildlife Association to identify areas of NWS impact, to trigger the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) to address the problem.

The most current information regarding the response to NWS can be found at www.Screwworm.gov, which is updated regularly. Please check it out for the latest information.

Learn how the U.S. Government prevents New World screwworm and what to know about risks, surveillance, sterile-fly control, travel, and more.

07/11/2026

Introducing Mrs. Monica Spradlin - THEIA Treasurer for 2026 - 2027:

I'm honored to serve on the THEIA Board as Treasurer. I have a passion for Hunter Education, responsible firearm ownership, and for helping others discover and enjoy the outdoors.

My journey into Hunter Education began with a simple desire to spend more time volunteering alongside my now-husband, Randy, while we were dating. What started as an opportunity to be together quickly grew into a genuine commitment to the Hunter Education program and the incredible volunteers who help make it successful.

Since becoming an instructor, I've assisted with Hunter Education classes and supported numerous events behind the scenes. I'm also an NRA Recruiter, and I enjoy encouraging safe, ethical hunting while helping introduce men, women, and children to hunting, shooting sports, and our outdoor heritage.

Outside of my volunteer work, I own Sage & Stitch, a small handcrafted business where I manage the finances, operations, and day-to-day responsibilities. My experience as a small business owner has strengthened my organizational and financial management skills, and I'm excited to bring those skills to my role as THEIA's Treasurer.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside such a dedicated board and look forward to supporting THEIA's mission and helping our organization continue to grow and make a positive impact in the hunting and outdoor community.

07/04/2026

Happy Independence Day!!
The Land of the Free, Because of the Brave!!

06/29/2026

Introducing Ms. Myranda Baker, THEIA Secretary for 2026 - 2027:

The best way to describe me is: jump in feet first and do the best I can. I have always been told by my parents that my first hunting experience was in the blind in diapers cause my dad missed me.
My first hunt I remember is with my dad and my Uncle Jeff who was quadriplegic in ground blind learning how to set up the rifle stand to his chair and playing with a knife sharper I called a “baby dinosaur”. When I was 16 one of the Ag classes I took ended up getting my hunter education card, that Christmas I got my first rifle and was taken on my first hunt for myself. Ever since then I started assisting in Hunter Ed classes with Sandy Mason, and over time it turned into setting and tearing outreach event set ups. In my last semester of college I helped in the kitchen on a Youth Hunt, the next hunt I was trained as a guide and have been on every hunt I can since. Along with taking up Youth Hunts, Sandy asked me to think about taking and getting certified as a Hunter Ed Instructor…safe to say I did not think twice and signed up right away.
Now I am not only a Hunter Ed Instructor but a Bow Hunter Ed Instructor and have integrated that into the Youth Hunts. Labor Day weekend 2025 I received a call asking if I would take over the Secretary position of THEIA…once again feet first I did and have now been officially elected for this position by my peers. The one thing I did not expect and still in shock over is receiving the statewide Hunter Education Instructor Award of 2025. I hope to continue to live up to that accomplishment and further the education of the youth in Texas and always make my Uncle Jeff proud in Heaven.
• Myranda Baker

06/23/2026

THEIA President, Doug DuBois, Jr. will be teaching a Hunter Education Classroom Course, Thursday, August 6, 2026 at the offices of the Texas Wildlife Association. Only 12 seats are available for this six-hour classroom course.

"I hope to see you there."

https://tpwd.elementlms.com/course/hunter-education-classroom-course-12914/

04/14/2026

Time is running out to sign up. Get Signed up today. Use code PayAt in the discount option if you wish to pay at conference.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-hunter-education-conference