When I first met “Shorty” Powers (see photo – RIP) who created Turning POINT, I began to really understand what the outdoors could do for those with physical (and mental) disabilities.  Another mentor, Richard Louv, who wrote the book, Last Child in the Woods, demonstrated how nature builds a solid foundation for children’s (anyone’s) quality of life, social interplay, achievements and performance throughout life. Such people know that the outdoors (hunting) ultimately means health & well-being.

My own father, Dr. Lou Hall (RIP), introduced our family of ten kids to an outdoors lifestyle, and I am convinced that such an upbringing not only helped us mentally, physically and spiritually, it gave dad and mom a way to avoid putting half of us children on some form of ADD medicine.  The OUTDOORS was our medicine, and, believe me, a few of us Hall kids were extremely active and lacked attention at times (no names…)

Of all of the activities we shared as a family, hunting easily ranked #1. Why?  Because it involved a much higher level of responsibility than camping, hiking, climbing, boating and wildlife watching.  Hunting and fishing (another form of hunting), involved more than SAFE, LEGAL & RESPONSIBLE outdoor practices, familiarization & skills with the equipment and knowing where to go.  Hunting involved the taking of an animal, the emotions involved with that process, and being responsible enough to go from shot (hook set); to trailing (landing); to field dressing; to skinning; to butchering; to packaging; to freezer; to cooking.  You don’t learn that process overnight! You learn it through constant guidance, trial, and continuation with and without support.

So what does one do when he/she doesn’t have an upbringing or family whose way of life involves hunting & outdoor experiences to the betterment of themselves?

Steve Hall, HE Coordinator

In October, CLFT (Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow) completed its 100th workshop at McGraw Foundation in Dunfee, Illinois, the primary sponsor and coordinator of the program, nationally.

I inadvertently left a few folks off of the CLFT national instructor trainer list in my last week’s blog. (I worry about my mind these days.)  One of them is one my absolute favorite people and instructors — Misty Sumner, TPWD Wildlife Biologist from W. Texas, who is a leading hunter educator on behalf of biologists in Texas and nationally.  Misty has worked integrally with Randy Spradlin, W TX Hunter Education Specialist, in getting biologists and game wardens from W TX trained as hunter education instructors and recently hosted such a training in Fort Davis.  Another instructor/friend, Jerry Warden, former TX Youth Hunting Program Director, also has been trained. I’m sure I may have even left other TX hunter education instructors off the list, but I ask for Misty’s and Jerry’s forgiveness for this huge omission.  No excuses — other than less brain cells these days.  THANKS Misty for all you do for TPWD, hunter education and CLFT!  Thanks Jerry for all you did getting the TYHP program off and running in TX!  – Steve Hall

(Photo of Misty Sumner by Mandy Corso, CLFT Instructor Training, Sinton, TX)

THE ORS is about ready to go –whew!  Much has gone into the application. THANKS to HE instructors that helped TEST the system this past month to work out a few kinks — called “bugs” in the training and testing process.

The goal now is to roll out the system in January 2017 for three reasons.

1. We can tabulate incentive awards using the HABES system for 2016 prior to modifying the system in ORS.
2. It’s after the peak season — which enables us to transition to the new ORS over the next several months to ensure everyone is on board and/or trained as needed.
3. The calendar year makes for a good starting point, fresh after the holidays.