Texas Wildlife Association

The Texas Wildlife Association (TWA) and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) have joined forces to offer youth hunts that are safe, educational and very affordable. We sponsor introductory, instructive youth hunts for deer, turkey, hogs, javelina, exotics, dove, small game, waterfowl, varmints and other species. Normally, we provide mentors, lodging and meals.

To join the Texas Youth Hunting Program, you must...

9 to 17 years old.
Complete and submit the Texas Youth Hunting Program Application

To hunt with TYHP, youth must...

Complete the Texas Hunter Education Program and be able to provide a copy of your certificate, card or student registration form that shows your test score, etc. You must have Hunter Education to hunt with TYHP, regardless of age. If you are less than 12 years old, you cannot be certified by the Hunter Education program and must retake the course after your twelfth birthday. Call Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at (800) 792-1112 for more information and a schedule of upcoming Hunter Education courses in your area.
Have a valid Texas hunting license and appropriate tags or stamps when required.
Be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Our Mission

The Texas Youth Hunting Program was established to increase the numbers of youths participating in wildlife and hunting activities and to promote the hunting heritage in Texas.

Our Goals

To preserve the hunting heritage in Texas for present and future generations.
To instill in youth a basic understanding of practical conservation measures.
To encourage wildlife habitat access, enhancement and management.
To teach the basic skills, values, techniques and responsibilities of hunting.
To promote the highest ethical standards in hunting.
To give our youth an initial, positive, safe, educational, mentored hunting experience

Austin Woods & Waters Club Huntmasters

Huntmasters organize and lead the hunts for youth and their accompanying adult. They have been through a weekend of training to be certified as a Huntmaster, then are mentored on two hunts by the Area Coordinator or an experienced Huntmaster before leading hunts on their own. AWWC is fortunate to have a group of 26 Huntmasters in the organization.

The key TYHP event of the year for AWWC for the past two years has been the Cave Creek Wildlife Management Association Super Hunt. The Super Hunt involves 13 landowners and a Huntmaster on each ranch, plus a headquarters staff of 10 to host over 40 youth and their accompanying adult for the weekend.

There are Three Key Ingredients

For a successful Youth Hunting Program, there are three key ingredients:

YOUTH - We typically do not have a problem finding youth who want to go hunting.
VOLUNTEERS - You do not have to be a Huntmaster to volunteer to help on a youth hunt weekend. Volunteers can fill the role of cook, hunting guide, Hunter Education instructor, range coordinator, or mentor.
LANDOWNERS - These generous folks are the real key to our success. The landowner provides us access to their ranch and in some cases their lodge or bunkhouse. In return, we provide them with wildlife management assistance through the youth hunt with doe population control, varmint hunting, hog hunting, or cull buck hunting. Also, there is a $1 million limited liability insurance policy provided for the landowner through TYHP for each individual hunt.

More Information

For more information on being a TYHP volunteer, or donating the use of your land to host a youth hunt, contact TYHP Central Texas Area Coordinator/AWWC Board Member - Doug DuBois at 512-826-2472 or via e-mail at dedubois@tpca.org or dedubois@tpca.org