TEXAS YOUTH HUNTING PROGRAM: A NATURAL ALTERNATIVE

At a time when studies show that today's youth spend close to 8 hours a day consumed with alternate reality, from television to computer to video games, a real-world program created by two wildlife organizations, with help from private landowners, offers a natural alternative.

With the Texas Youth Hunting Program (TYHP), the Texas Wildlife Association and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department have joined forces to create a program designed to preserve the hunting heritage in Texas, instill in youth a basic understanding of practical conservation, and encourage wildlife habitat access, enhancement, and management. TYHP sponsors introductory instructive youth hunts for deer, turkey, hogs, javelina, exotics, dove, small game, waterfowl, varmints and other species. TYHP typically provides mentors, lodging, and meals for the youth participants. Private landowners also benefit by opening their gates to the program.

"In addition to giving our youth an initial positive and educational hunting experience, the program aims to assist landowners," said Doug DuBois, Jr., TYHP Area Coordinator. "Given their approval and harvesting targets, we are able to help landowners with their Wildlife Management program."

Participating landowners provide the place to hunt, with land access defined by their comfort level, and TYHP handles the rest, regardless of ranch size or facilities. The program provides liability insurance and promises safe, mentored, youth hunts.

"With over 90 percent of Texas under private control, we rely on folks like Plateau landowners," said DuBois. "Thanks to those who open their ranch gates, we are able to groom new conservation-minded hunters with the highest ethical standards in hunting."

For those interested in learning more about the program, visit tyhp.org or contact TYHP Executive Director Jerry Warden at 800-460-5494 or via email at JWarden@texas-wildife.org.