Texas Winter 2022 Issue 47 - nwtf texas
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Texas
Winter 2022
Issue 47
txnwtf.org
Wishing
you a
healthy &
bountiful
2022!
Texas
A few words from Tony.
Greetings fellow NWTF Texas members.
We made it through 2021 and even though We will again have the NWTF Polaris
we still felt the effects of Covid 19 it was Sportsman 450 H.O. ATV Raffle, sponsored
much better for NWTF Texas. by Hoffpauir Outdoor Superstore.
With that being said, local Chapters hosted The Texas 52 Gun Calendar will return.
19 banquets in 2021 and overall, they were It will again be managed and designed
very successful. A big thank you to all our completely by the Texas State Chapter.
Chapters, Banquet Committees and NWTF We learned a lot doing it ourselves this
Texas members for all your hard work, year and look to make improvements.
dedication, and support of the Texas NWTF
and its mission. The NWTF National Convention will return,
as a live event, in Nashville. Make plans to
As we move into 2022 things look a little attend. It is always a fun event.
brighter. The Superfund has been partially
reopened and with that news your State In closing, I would like to sincerely thank
Board has authorized and budgeted for all of our members, Banquet Committees,
funding of approximately $50,000 in Local Chapters and the State Board for
habitat conservation projects, As well as your support. I am finishing my 1st term as
funding for Eastern Wild Turkey restocking President and although I don’t think I
efforts and Outreach events. Although have been as successful as I would have
$50,000 doesn’t seem to be a significant liked, we were still able to hold on and
amount, these dollars normally receive a accomplish many things - considering the
minimum of 3 to 1 matching dollars so it obstacles we faced over the last 2 years.
does go further than you may think. These things would not have happened
without all of you and your dedicated
We were fairly conservative this year with support to the mission.
funding, opting to carry over an equal
amount to insure funds for next year. I look forward to seeing all of you January
15th in Lufkin at the State Awards and
The State Board has set a few goals for 2022 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.
to help improve and continue our mission
here in Texas: Respectfully,
• Improve communication with our Local
Chapters.
• Increase membership
• Help establish at least 1 new Outreach
event in JAKES, WITO and Wheelin’.
Anyone who is interested please contact a Tony Hawley
State Board member. President
NWTF Texas Chapter
Other items coming in 2022 - host the
Texas State Turkey Calling Contest. This
event returned in 2021 after several years
and was a very good event.
2
A Few Words From Tony page 02
District Biologist Update page 04
Outdoor Education Update page 08
Texas Parks & Wildlife Update page 10
Wildlife Officer of the Year page 14
Before Opening Day page 20
Save the Hunt page 22
Women in the Outdoors Update page 24
Upcoming Events page 27
Editor: Chris Womack
Design: shorthousesolutions
Many thanks to all our contributing writers!
Texas
Texas
C O N S E R V A T I O N
Annie Ferrell, District Biologist
afarrell@nwtf.net
Photo: Texas winter wonderland
4
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, exciting was recently announced, and I’m
everyone! proud to share it with you now.
As we are coming out the other side of NWTF has a new initiative called the
another year, the National Wild Turkey Waterways for Wildlife Initiative, addressing
Federation’s mission has critically urgent conservation needs in
not wavered. In Texas, NWTF is fortunate to riparian ecosystems throughout its
have great relationships with our America’s Big Six of Wildlife Conservation
conservation partners, so we have not regions. The Waterways for Wildlife Initiative
slowed down. In 2021, we have completed will bolster NWTF’s efforts to address
268 acres of timber thinning on Hickman degrading riparian health, specifically in
Branch units and 285 acres of mulching red- America’s Great Open Spaces and America’s
cockaded woodpecker areas of the Sam Western Wildlands Big Six regions. Through
Houston National Forest; several Super Fund this new initiative, the NWTF recognizes the
projects including 266 acres of Chinese critical role that water plays in all
tallow control on Alazan Bayou WMA, 330 aspects of life, specifically for wildlife habitat,
acres of aerial herbicide on James and builds on the successes of past NWTF
Daughtrey WMA, 12 acres of invasive species work such as the Northern Plains Riparian
mulching on Caddo Lake WMA, 66 acres of Restoration Initiative.
mechanical brush work and reseeding on
Waterways for Wildlife covers a 10-state area
Muse WMA, and 1,400 acres of mulching,
from Texas up to North Dakota, and
herbicide and prescribed burning on the ID
Montana south to New Mexico. The first
Fairchild State Forest; and over 5,000 acres
request for project proposals is now open
through the Habitat Incentive Program, a
through February 18, 2022. NWTF is
program designed for private
partnering with landowners, governmental
landowners in Northeast Texas.
agencies, conservation organizations and
We also continue to work with Texas Parks others to restore these vitally important
and Wildlife Department on Eastern Wild riparian ecosystems across the landscape.
Turkey super stocking efforts in East Texas, Over the next 10 years, the NWTF seeks to
with even more in the works for this coming raise $10 million in private funding to
year. leverage with $40 million in matching
partner funds to improve 75,000 acres of
In line with NWTF’s landscape level
wildlife habitat along 1,500 linear miles of
approach to conservation, something very
waterways in the Great Plains. If you are
5
interested in learning more, please contact program, or other cost share programs in
me or Jared at jmcjunkin@nwtf.net. To find Texas, contact me for more information.
out how you can directly support this Eastern Wild Turkey in habitat created from a Habitat
Incentive Program prescribed burn in spring 2021.
exciting new initiative or any of the NWTF’s
landscape-scale initiatives, please email the
NWTF’s Development team at
development@nwtf.net.
In the Pineywoods, the Northeast Texas
Conservation Delivery Network’s Habitat
Incentive Program, a cost share program for
private landowners in Northeast Texas where
NWTF provides the operational oversight, is
still going strong. We’ve continued to see As you can see, the mission is still going
huge success with the program, so much so strong. I hope that you have a wonderful and
that we received two new grants to keep it safe holiday season, and as always, thank you
going through 2024. Since the HIP’s everyone. Be proud of this work, because
inception in 2017, we’ve conserved or without volunteers like you, my job would
enhanced over 16,100 acres on private lands not be possible. If you ever have any
and paid out $780,000 in incentive payments questions, comments or stories, please reach
in Northeast Texas, which is a 5,000 acre out to me at afarrell@nwtf.net or (903) 539-
increase from the winter 2020 newsletter. 0279.
Our conservation treatments include Until next time, stay warm and enjoy your
prescribed fire, exotic and invasive species winter!
control through chemical treatments, brush
management, timber stand improvement
(thinning and mulching), and reforestation. In
addition, there are 32 projects in progress,
accounting for about $285,000 in incentive
payments, treating close to 7,500 acres. If all
work is completed, it will be a record year for
the Habitat Incentive Program.
If you are interested in this cost share
8
6
2114 US-183, Goldthwaite, TX 76844 | 325 648 3341 | hpolaris.com
E D U C A T I O N
Kim Potts, Outdoor Education Coordinator
kpotts@reg8.net
Photos courtesy of Missouri Department of Conservation.
8
Hello everyone!
It is hard to believe that another year is If you would like to learn how to get one or
almost gone, not to mention another spring all these programs started at your district,
and fall turkey season. please do not hesitate to call me at 903-348-
1845.
I did not have the opportunity to experience
I would love to share more about what the
a fall turkey hunt this year but am fortunate
National Wild Turkey Federation can offer
to have been drawn for a 2022 spring turkey
your area.
hunt through the Texas Parks and Wildlife
draw hunts. If you have never heard of the
draw hunts, please visit the TPWD website at
Texas
Drawn Hunts - TPWD (texas.gov) and try
your luck!
The National Wild Turkey Federation and
Texas Parks and Wildlife also work hand-in-
hand to provide opportunities for kids, adults
and veterans to participate in mentored
hunts at little or no cost.
You can reach out to your local NWTF
chapter to learn more about these
opportunities or visit our website at
Programs — NWTF TEXAS Join Us!
(txnwtf.org) to learn more about these hunts
and our other programs and how to get
involved in those.
I am excited to see that schools offering
Outdoor Education/Outdoor Adventures are
gearing back up and participating in
outdoor events again with their archery
teams, fishing teams and outdoor
classrooms.
9H A R V E S T
Jason Hardin , TPWD Wild Turkey Program Leader
Jason.hardin@tpwd.texas.gov
Photo courtesy of Captured Views on flickr
21
10Texas observed very low nest success and poult Texas hosted approximately 54,000 turkey hunters
survival across most of the Rio Grande wild turkey during the 2020-21 hunting season and harvested
range in 2017 and 2018. However, timely rainfall in about 27,000 birds. Texas was historically a fall
2019 and 2020 resulted in a bump in turkey turkey hunting culture, but that has shifted over
numbers. This means a good number of 2 and 3- the past decade. The majority of Texas turkey
year-old toms will be scattered across most of hunting and harvest now occurs during the spring
central Texas during the 2022 Spring Turkey season. The Hill Country has long supported the
Season. The eastern portion of south Texas, most of highest density of turkey hunters and harvest
the Hill County, and north Texas once again saw followed by the Cross Timbers and South Texas.
the highest rates of production and recruitment However, there are good turkey numbers along
over the past few years. The Rolling Plains and major riparian areas throughout the central part of
western portion of south Texas have not Texas from the Panhandle to south Texas. Riparian
experienced good recruitment in several years. habitat, and in turn roosting habitat, is key to Rio
Grande wild turkeys in Texas. Rivers, creeks, and
Good turkey numbers don’t always equate to good streams offer tall roost trees and serve as travel
hunting. Timing of rainfall, the condition of corridors. Find a tall tree-lined waterway in central
individual hens, and when hens become receptive Texas and you will almost always find turkeys. The
to males all play a role on how turkeys will respond Coastal Sand Sheet of south Texas breaks that rule
to hunters. No matter how good a hunter, you will to some extent. Brooks, Kennedy, and Willacy
still have a hard time pulling gobblers off receptive Counties host large, scattered mottes of live oaks
hens. Texas provides an early season opener which make excellent roosting cover. These areas
relative to many states, especially in south Texas. In of south Texas have the capacity to support high
some years this provides hunters an opportunity to densities of wild turkeys.
chase long beards before hens are receptive
Continues on page 13
making for an exciting hunt due to eager toms.
However, in just as many years winter rains and
mild conditions lead to an early green-up and
receptive hens in mid-to-late March. While this is
great for recruitment (earlier nesting hens tend to
have more successful nesting attempts) it can
make for a frustrating hunt due to reduced
gobbling activity and fewer gobblers responding
to calling. A hen’s receptiveness to breeding can
be like switching a light on. It happens quick and
when it happens around opening weekend hunter
success declines rapidly. Stay flexible when
possible on hunt dates. Or better yet, scatter days
afield across the season and you will find more
receptive hens.
11Join us in Nashville! In February, the NWTF will take over Nashville for our 46th annual NWTF Convention and Sport Show, February 16-20, 2022 once again at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Our convention and sport show is the largest consumer show in Nashville with more than 350 exhibitors featuring some of the top companies and brands in the outdoor industry. Of course, you can’t experience Nashville without great music. The NWTF invites you to celebrate and enjoy convention week with three live performances! Get the party started Thursday, Feb. 17 in Nashville with our Kickoff Party, and enjoy a live show with Brother Maven, whose musical roots are deep in southern soul. Celebrate the stars of the NWTF at our Awards Dinner Friday, Feb. 18 and hear music from Stephanie Quayle, the first female country music ambassador of Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s. Returning to our Nashville convention for 2022 is Chris Janson! Janson is an ACM award-winner who has had four No. 1 hit singles, including “Buy Me A Boat,” “Fix a Drink,” “Good Vibes” and “Done.” The country music sensation will close out our convention with a live show Saturday, Feb. 18 following the NWTF Grand National Auction.
New This Season: Wild Turkey Restocking Efforts:
This past spring the TPWD Commission approved TPWD will continue to restock wild turkeys in
several regulation changes impacting turkey east Texas this winter. TPWD has a goal to
hunting in Texas. complete restocking efforts in Franklin and
Angelina Counties which were initiated in 2020
• TPWD closed the spring turkey season in Panola and 2021. If trapping efforts go well TPWD will
County in east Texas due to low harvest and a initiate new release sites along the Sulphur River
decline in the distribution of that local turkey and White Oak Creek in Hopkins County. There
population. are plans to conduct supplemental stockings of
• As mentioned earlier, TPWD now requires all Rio Grande wild turkeys along the Trinity River in
wild turkeys harvested in Bastrop, Caldwell, Navarro and Freestone Counties this winter. Staff
Colorado, Fayette, Jackson, Lavaca, Lee, also have a goal to initiate a new restocking
Matagorda, Milam, and Wharton Counties to be effort in western Anderson County along the
reported using the My Hunt Harvest App or Trinity River this winter. In total, staff need 240
online as described above within 24-hours of eastern wild turkeys and another 160 Rio Grande
harvest. This regulation makes harvest reporting wild turkeys this winter to meet our restocking
mandatory for all counties with a 1-bird annual goals in east Texas. This effort is made possible
bag limit. by our TPWD staff, the Texas State Chapter of
• Those counties with a 4-bird annual bag limit NWTF, other state agencies trapping efforts, and
fall within the North and South Turkey Zone. numerous private landowners. The goals of this
Historically the North/South zone line changed restocking project are to tie together
from the fall to spring season. Beginning this fragmented turkey populations across east Texas
hunting season that North/South zone line will and promote sustainable populations that will
remain consistent across the spring and fall provide future hunting opportunities to our
seasons. All or part of those counties along and Texas constituents. Hunters are paying the bills
north of HWY 90 west of San Antonio will be for these restocking efforts with their purchase of
part of the north zone (season opening the hunting licenses and stamps. We want to repay
Saturday closest to April 1) and all or part of those hunters by providing more birds to hunt
those counties falling south of HWY 90 will be across more areas in Texas.
part of the south zone (season opening the
Saturday closest to March 18). For more information on TPWD’s Wild Turkey
Program please contact TPWD’s Wild Turkey
Be sure to review the Outdoor Annual Program Leader, Jason Hardin, at 512-934-8306
or TPWD website prior to going
or email at jason.hardin@tpwd.texas.gov
hunting to stay up to date on local
hunting regulations.
https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/out
door-annual/regs/animals/turkey
13C O N G R AT S !
14Public Outreach: Game Warden Trey others and sharing his passion for
Kram has served the communities of excellence through passing on his
DeWitt County for over 5 years and has knowledge, skills, and abilities to his
established a remarkable relationship fellow wardens and peace officers.
with landowners, resource users and the Warden Kram has a true ability to
public. He has remained accessible and persuade his partners to be engaged and
approachable and is known in Cuero and to step out of their comfort zones to
the surrounding communities as “Their continue to learn. Warden Kram has
Game Warden”. Warden Kram has taught Standard Field Sobriety Test
consistently excelled in performing updates and wet labs for the past four
community service-oriented activities to years in his assigned region and district as
educate, inform and exchange ideas to well in neighboring regions and districts.
include water-safety, hunting, fishing, and Warden Kram’s efforts in educating
general information & education topics at fellow officers in the detection of
the DeWitt County Soil Water and intoxication related offenses, without a
Conservations Ag Days, the Cuero & doubt, safeguards innumerable lives of
Yoakum Lions Clubs, Cuero Young Texans each year. In addition, warden
Farmers, Cuero Rotary Club, Wildlife Kram has taught SFST’s at the Victoria
Management Associations of DeWitt, and College to students attending the Victoria
in all the local schools in his assigned Police Academy for the past four years
area. Warden Kram also sets the standard and game warden cadets at the Game
for other wardens in his district to follow Warden Training Center for two years.
by hosting numerous “Operation Warden Kram was also requested by the
Outdoors” per year in DeWitt County, Department of Public Safety to assist in
where his efforts focus on the future team teaching the DPS intoxilyzer course
generations of Texas. Warden Kram’s to numerous agencies this past year.
annual Operation Outdoors include the
Attitude: Game Warden Trey Kram is a
Cuero ISD Special Education Catfish
core member of the invincible team in his
Round Up, Friar-Thomas Ranch Youth
district, where his upbeat and positive
Hunt, and the CSCV Ranch Youth Hunt.
attitude inspires team spirit and
Excellence: Game Warden Trey Kram has camaraderie with his fellow wardens.
demonstrated the willingness to go Warden Kram has provided his leadership
beyond the call of duty by motivating with constructive feedback and input on
Continues on page 17 16
15An awesome time was had by all at the
latest WITO Houston Chapter Deer Hunt.
16several law enforcement division matters. Kram has planned a multitude of
Warden Kram doesn’t believe in simply compliance patrols with his partners and
complaining about a problem, but rather travels over an hour to reach some areas
approaches each with an open mind to of responsibility in his district. During
view them from different perspectives to these planned patrols, Warden Kram and
offer potential solutions. For example, his partners have encountered
warden Kram volunteered to participate commercial oyster boats operating at
on a committee that was tasked with night, a commercial shrimp boat hiding
reviewing wildlife regulations pertaining 66 flounder over the limit, multiple BWI’s,
to the transportation of specific wildlife and an illegally taken Rio Grande turkey.
parts across state lines. While serving on Warden Kram has also provided valued
this committee he provided pertinent advice to leadership on multiple oyster
information from a field warden and and border related operation After Action
hunters perspective. Warden Kram is also Reviews and the district water safety
a Field Training Officer (FTO) that has enforcement plan, providing additional
guided and provided direction to efficiency and effectiveness for future
probationary wardens, where he operations. As mentioned in sections
demonstrates optimism in embracing the above, warden Kram is passionate about
department and division missions. sharing his knowledge, skills, and abilities
Warden Kram’s contagious attitude has in SFST. He communicates exceedingly
supported the harmonious work well with the students he teaches and
environment within his current district. has worked with several local and state
agencies to keep officers up to date in
Teamwork: Game Warden Trey Kram
their training requirements. Warden
may serve in a one-man duty station, but
Kram also communicates information
he doesn’t shy away from district
with his neighboring partners and is an
responsibilities and enforcement
action-oriented officer. For instance,
priorities during water-safety season, gulf
warden Kram received information from
patrols, or commercial oyster
a partner warden concerning a convicted
enforcement efforts. Warden Kram is the
felon who was suspected of hunting in
embodiment of reliability,
several counties with firearms. Ultimately,
trustworthiness, and a teammate who
warden Kram filed numerous felony cases
shares the rewards and responsibilities
through his collaboration with partners
with his partners. For example, warden
and his exhaustive investigative skills.
16
17Warden Kram successfully worked a case Saving” award. Through his career as a
with a partner across the state in Texas Game Warden from the Panhandle
conjunction with wardens from the to the Gulf Coast, Warden Kram has
Pennsylvania Game Commission where a consistently and fairly enforced the game
non-resident harvested multiple animals laws in regard to Texas’ wild turkeys. In his
without obtaining a license. time as a warden he has investigated
multiple violations of turkey regulations
Achievements: Warden Kram is
to include; hunt turkey during closed
considered a consummate and quiet
season, possess turkey hen during closed
professional amongst his peers, seldom
season, no upland gamebird stamp,
mentioning his many accomplishments
possess untagged turkey, hunt without
and cases he has experienced thru his
landowner consent, and criminal trespass.
tenure as a Texas Game Warden. Warden
In total, warden Kram has completed 7
Kram is certified as a Master Peace Officer
cases in his career relating to the
in the State of Texas. Warden Kram
enforcement and conservation of Texas’
applied for and was selected for the Law
wild turkey population.”
Enforcement Division Field Training
Officer program, which places a heavy Efficiency/Innovation: Game Warden
responsibility on his shoulders. Warden Trey Kram is a tech savvy officer who
Kram is an accomplished and certified seeks out new avenues to apply his skills
TCOLE Instructor who utilizes his to provide a better product for his
teaching abilities to mentor and help constituents. For illustration, he has
other wardens and officers realize their applied these skills in a forward-thinking
potential. This past year in a recent manner by utilizing department phone
flooding event in his district, Warden apps to correlate information during
Kram responded to a call of a person investigations and discover potential
stranded in a tree off a roadway. Once on game violations that would more than
scene he immediately assessed the likely go unnoticed. Once he discovered
situation and acted without hesitation. how to apply the phone apps during his
Due to Warden Kram’s experience and patrols, he then passed the knowledge on
ability to assess the situation quickly and to his co-workers. As a Field Training
safely, he rescued the person without Officer, warden Kram has utilized
incident. For his actions on that day, he computer-based programs to track,
has a pending nomination for a “Life record, and compile each trainee’s
16
18performance to provide an accurate and program. Warden Kram is known to be
consistent assessment of their progress the first warden to show up and the last
through the program. Warden Kram’s to leave in all situations he is a part of. He
efforts to document each probationary never hesitates to aide his partners with
warden in a fair and consistent manner enforcement priorities out of his assigned
through these computer programs duty station and has assisted with JEA,
accelerates the education of each new NRDA, commercial oyster, dove, and
warden and sets them up for success in natural disaster response throughout the
their careers. During a recent open state. Warden Kram strives to achieve the
records request, warden Kram utilized his highest standards of behavior day in and
knowledge to upload, transfer, and share day out and he does the right things for
large video files from his Body Worn the right reasons.
Camera to his supervisor, allowing for a
Enjoy the great outdoors at the next WITO event!
faster resolution to the request while
cutting costs associated with travel.
Leadership: Game Warden Kram models
the fundamental values of integrity,
professionalism, dedication, and flexibility.
Recently, warden Kram volunteered to be
the Point of Contact for his district while
his supervisor had taken time off to be
with family. While POC he successfully
handled district business during this
assignment, while maintaining his work
performance and attending a weekly
senior leadership teams meeting. He has
consistently led his district in not only
quantity but quality of cases, arrests, boat
hours, and outreach programs. Warden
Kram can articulate a vision for others to
follow as evident in his instruction to his
fellow officers during trainings and to
probationary wardens in the FTO
16
19A GUIDE TO GOBBLER SUCCESS
20Why do 10% of the turkey hunters “turkey poop” and loose feathers. Make note
of these spots. Always Look ahead and try
kill 90% of the turkeys?
not to “bust” any wild turkeys. If you see
turkeys just standing under a tree —make
There are many reasons. The better turkey
note of the time - they will probably be
hunters kill anywhere from 3 and even up to
nearby tomorrow- same time.
7 gobblers a year. This is because they hunt
Texas and other states. Plus, they utilize a
Roost protection. If you are going to use a
formula prior to the opening of season. Now I
blind—“store bought or hand-made brush”—
am sharing that formula with you.
put up that blind at least a week before the
season so that the turkeys get used to seeing
First—Be hunting on a ranch or public area
it. Keep at least 75-100 yards away from the
with a good turkey population. Your hunt,
Roost. Always protect the roost.
actually, begins 2-3 weeks “before” opening
day. Here is the process.
Last — a couple of evenings, an hour before
sunset, move in close enough to the blind to
Get up early and go listen. This is for two
hear the birds fly up — or a gobbler call out in
reasons; (a. To find the roost (b. try and
the twilight. You might owl hoot once or
“guesstimate” as to how many gobblers
twice at dim dark just to see where the
might be in that area. When you are on “a
gobblers are roosting. Know that if you only
listening quest”—listen for about 15-20
hear one, that there might be as many as 3 or
minutes (in the dark) and then move on to
4 that The Boss will not let gobble.
another potential spot. You can do this from
your truck and never get out. Most turkeys
OK. If you have done your diligence—NOW
will be near a creek, pond or some water
you are ready for opening morning. Get set
source—or even a food source. Make note of
up 30-40 minutes before light, so you are
these areas. That is just your start. Why?
sitting still for the first gobble in the dark.
NOW, you have to do this about 3 mornings a
week for 2 weeks. . DAYTIME?—walk around Good Luck!
your proposed hunting area—Why? To find
strutting zones, to find dusting areas, to find Robert Linder
“wing drag marks in the dirt” and to find Texas State Chapter NWTF Board of Directors
Rlinderhaus@aol.com
Texas
2122
NEW HUNTERS NEEDED
Enjoy the Outdoors
Those of us that have done this our whole the door to this world for you. Most of us
lives take it for granted. Getting out in the weren’t born in the wild. We didn’t have
woods watching the sun rise. The world to hunt if we needed food, like our
coming to life all around us. Birds ancestors. We hunt for the sheer joy of
chirping and leaves rustling in the breeze. being in the wild. And if successful, we
God gives us direction if we take the time feed our family some of God's renewable
to listen and can interpret what is being resources.
said. Nature is a miraculous thing and
It’s absolutely vital that we carry on our
brings so much serenity to your soul.
hunting heritage. If we don’t share with
As hunters and outdoorsmen, we should others, our way of life could change
strive to share this with those who know forever. New hunters are a must. If you
nothing about the excitement we get have a place and the ability to share, take
when that little bitty squirrel sounds like a someone with you. Their lives will be
herd of deer coming our way. Y’all know changed and surprisingly you, as well, will
what I’m talking about. get so much out of it.
Now take a minute and think what your Save the Hunt.
life would be like if no one ever opened
Tim Webster
Texas NWTF Save the Hunt Coordinator
Timw_@live.com
Texas
23WITO
Jessica Fitch , Texas Women in the Outdoors Coordinator
witohouston@gmail.com
Photo by WITO Houston
24We had another successful year! grilled kabobs. I think all the ladies were
pleasantly surprised at how good it all was.
Starting in the spring, we hosted our second
We have a lot of hunts and activities planned
annual Women Only Weekend at Tara
in 2022. Expect us to coordinate budget
Farms in Killeen Texas. During the event,
friendly ladies hog hunts, doe hunts, a white
sixteen women spent their Saturday
bass fishing trip, a turkey hunt, a dove hunt,
morning learning gun safety from our range
and a duck hunt. Plan to also attend Women
instructor, Allen Bassett, followed by
Only Weekend, ladies range nights, social
precision pistol and rifle shooting. After
gatherings like Friendsgiving and axe
lunch we spent the afternoon in the field
throwing, etc. and local banquets.
gearing up for dove season by knocking
clays out of the sky. We finished up the
evening with a fish fry and dutch oven
presentation.
This past September, although a slow
opener, we were able to introduce a few
women to dove hunting, where they were
Shooting safely is important at a WITO event!
able to put their skills to the test. Yeti's
sponsorship enabled us to have a
If you are interested in being a part of
membership raffle and a “field to plate”
Women In The Outdoors, please like and
presentation where ladies had the
follow us on Facebook, @witohouston, to
opportunity to clean and taste dove
stay up to date with everything we have
poppers!
going on. If you are not on Facebook, email
We finished the year with a ladies mentored Jessica Fitch, witohouston@gmail.com, your
doe hunt in Sonora, Texas at the Bruley contact information to ensure you are
Ranch. Six ladies were able to harvest a doe, included in email updates.
most being their first time out hunting.
If you are able to donate a hunt, a place or
Everyone got their hands dirty learning how
venue to host events, lodging, and/or funds
to field dress their deer. We also had the
in order to keep the cost of hunts and events
opportunity to make venison breakfast
down for Women In The Outdoors, please
sausage to try at breakfast and take a few
email witohouston@gmail.com or call
pounds home for later. We finished the
Jessica Fitch 281-256-5152
nights with chicken fried deer steak and
25www.nwtf.org
Upcoming Events
Texas State Dinner Cross Timbers Chapter Palo Pinto County
01/15/2022 - 5:00 PM 03/04/2022 - 6:00 PM 03/24/2022 - 6:00 PM
Lufkin Civic Center Decatur Civic Center Palo Pinto Co Sheriffs
601 N 2nd St 2010 West US 380 Posse Building
Lufkin, TX 75901 Decatur, TX 76234 Mineral Wells, TX 76067
Contact: Contact: Contact:
Tony Hawley Mike Barrow Randy Formby
(830) 889-5819 Jbarrow1994@gmail.com jformby1492@gmail.com
fbg710@yahoo.com (940) 393-8908 (940) 452-8430
Houston Chapter Washington County Banquet Cowtown Strutters
02/05/2022 - 5:30 PM 03/06/2022 - 6:00 PM 03/24/2022 - 5:30 PM
The Stein Room Firemans Training Center Fort Worth, TX 76543
Houston, TX 77066 1101 Hwy 290 West Contact:
Contact: Brenham, TX 77833 Erika Martinez
Ray Fitch Contact: (580) 305-2389
(713) 515-7796 Buddy Northrup
rfitch0163@yahoo.com buddy.jzt09@yahoo.com Hopkins County Longbeards
(979) 530-7011 03/26/2022 - 6:00 PM
Brazos Longbeards Banquet Hopkins County VFW 8560
02/17/2022 - 6:00 PM Tri-County Longbeards Veterans 1
The Swinging Door 03/10/2022 - 6:00 PM Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
3818 FM 359 Seaton Star Hall Contact:
Richmond, TX 77469 10827 State Hwy 53 Dale Thompson
Contact: Temple, TX 76501 (903) 348-737
Michael Shouse Contact:
Michael Lindberg Panola County
Pioneer Chapter of N.E. Texas mdlberg67@gmail.com 03/31/2022 - 6:00 PM
02/24/2022 - 6:00 PM (254) 721-8481 Carthage Civic Center
McKenzie Memorial United 1702 South Adams ST.
Methodist Church April Awol Carthage, TX 75633
Clarksville, TX 75426 03/11/2022 - 6:00 PM Contact:
Contact: Nacogdoches Civic Center Andrea Webb
Daniel Roraback 3805 Northwest Stallings Drive andrea.webb@tpwd.texas.gov
(903) 219-1874 Nacogdoches, TX 75964 (936) 248-4583
dan7248@aol.com Contact:
Don Irwin Northeast Texas Chapter
Smith County (936) 552-4690 04/09/2022 - 6:00 PM
Conservation Gala Pine Roost
02/25/2022 - 6:00 PM Red River Valley 433 CR 1765
The Orchard at 03/11/2022 - 6:00 PM Mt. Pleasant, TX 75455
Martains Pecanville Love Civic Center Contact:
23033 CR 117 2025 S Collegiate Drive Giles Mccarver
Bullard, TX 75757 Paris, TX 75462 gr.mccarver@yahoo.com
Contact: Contact: (903) 563-4748
Brent Epps Aaron Driggers
westboundbrent@gmail.com adrig2330@gmail.com
(903) 724-1853 (903) 715-2461
Keep up to date with all the NWTF event information
across Texas by visiting www.nwtf.org/events. Texas 27Board of Directors and Officers
President Women in the Outdoors A. Dean Castillo Annie Farrell
Turkey Hunters Care Coordinator Coordinator 5317 Sandalwood Drive District Biologist East Texas
Tony Hawley Jessica Fitch McKinney, TX 75072 PO Box 2670
PO Box 146 281-256-5152 469-525-6551 Lindale, TX 75771
New Baden, TX 77870 witohouston@gmail.com adcibt@aol.com 903-539-0279
830-889-5819 afarrell@nwtf.net
fbg710@yahoo.com Wheelin’ Sportsmen Justin Curry
Save the Hunt Coordinator 175 Tejas Street Jamie Hooker
Past President Tim Webster Carthage, TX 75633 Forester
2020 Robert Latham Award 8325 FM 2727 903-404-2722 936-234-0550
Recipient Terrell, TX 75161 Curry2316@gmail.com jhooker@nwtf.net
Craig White 214-558-8592
PO Box 714 Timw_@live.com Paul Korthuis Jason Hardin
Huntington, TX 75949 Houston, TX 77042 TPWD Wild Turkey Program
936-552-1942 Outdoor Education Program 713-578-0505 Leader
craigswhite@yahoo.com Coordinator paul.korthuis@gmail.com 2020 Robert Latham Award
Kim Potts Recipient
VP - West Texas Region 7623 FM 514 Larry Noble 4652 CR 2612
Richard Sewall Emory, TX 75440 2705 Red Hill Drive Oakwood, TX 75855
391 HCR 3134 North 903-348-1845 College Station, TX 77845 512-934-8306
Hillsboro, TX 76645 kpotts@reg8.net Home: 979-693-2040 Jason.hardin@tpwd.texas.gov
254-855-2902 Mobile: 281-639-9185
rsewall@sbcglobal.net Past President noble.turkeyman@gmail.com
2016 Robert Latham Award
VP - East Texas Region Recipient Preston Northrup We recruit all kinds of
Bobby Engledow Robert Linder 14430 Highway 290 West hunters through our hunter
120 Pawnee Way 3302 Vista Lane Burton, TX 77835 education programs and
Sommerville, TX 77879 Marble Falls, TX 78654 979-451-2302 mentored hunts.
979-229-7372 Home: 830-693-9515 prestonnorthrup@yahoo.com
brengledow@yahoo.com Mobile: 713-825-0425 We support public hunting
Rlinderhaus@aol.com Lee Zimmerman access through lease
VP - South Texas Region PO Box 428 programs.
Jakes Coordinator Government Affairs Liaison Tomball, TX 77377 We embrace all outdoor
Lance Gray Mike Shouse 713-823-2958 enthusiasts of any age and
1850 CR 404 512-966-9539 Texaz7@outlook.com
encourage anyone to
Spicewood, TX 78669 ms82134@yahoo.com
become a member of our
830-385-6059
growing family.
lancegray43@yahoo.com Living Legacy and Rare
Breed Award Recipient NWTF TEXAS TEAM We believe the outdoors is
VP - North Texas Region Dr. Sam McManus for everyone to enjoy.
Communications Officer 11424 Richmond Ave. #122 Barry Woods
Chris Womack Houston, TX 77082 National Director of Event
129 Birdsong Lane 713-851-9349 Fundraising
Terrell, TX 75160 620-417-0692
972-965-7768 Scholarship Coordinator bwoods@nwtf.net
W2cmack@hotmail.com Cory Harris
Giddings, TX 77000 Tom Spezze
Treasurer Home: 979-542-5060 National Director of Field
Warden of the Year Coordinator Mobile: 337-789-6358 Conservation
Eddie Hines cory@giddingsinsurance.com (c)970-765-4231
7673 CR 162 (o)970-641-2550
Iola, TX 77861 State Calling Contest tspezze@nwtf.net
Mobile: 903-227-2006 Coordinator
hines.eddie@yahoo.com Norm Wade Shawn Roberts
4902 Connorvale Road Regional Director | Convention
Secretary Houston, TX 77039 Fundraising Coordinator
Stuart McManus 281-682-3264 903-573-4570
40910 Roundup Road lastofmochians@yahoo.com sroberts@nwtf.net
Magnolia, TX 77354
281-684-3584 Erika Martinez
smcmanus@corn-inc.com Regional Director
BOARD MEMBERS 580-305-2389
Past President emartinez@nwtf.net
G.R. (Dick) McCarver Jennifer Barrow
425 Tennison Road 121 CR 3131 Jared McJunkin
Mt. Pleasant, TX 75455 Decatur, TX 76234 Director of Conservation
Home: 903-717-8670 Work: 940-627-5475 Operations - Central
Mobile: 903-563-4748 Mobile: 940-393-8908 785-844-1055
gr.mccarver@yahoo.com jbarrow1994@gmail.com jmcjunkin@nwtf.net txnwtf.orgTEXAS STATE CHAPTER
Saturday, January 15th, 2022 at 5:30 pm.
LUFKIN CIVIC CENTER
601 North Second St, Lufkin, TX 75901
Singles $50, Couples $80, Reserved table for 8 people - $500
Includes admission, dinner and drinks!
GAMES RAFFLES AUCTIONS PRIZES
For more information and to purchase tickets contact:
Craig White: craigswhite@yahoo.com or 936-552-1942
Tickets available online at:
https://events.nwtf.org/431170-2022/tickets
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