The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will be conducting a free Hunter Education New Instructor Training Workshop June 2, 2012, in Tyler, Texas. The workshop will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s East Texas Ecological Center located at 11942 FM 848, Tyler 75707.

“We will be training new applicants and currently certified instructors in skills trail, live firing exercises and home study procedures,” said Robert Ramirez, hunter education specialist with TPWD. “The training puts fun and exciting activities into the learning experience. Students will benefit by going through actual hunting simulations and by making their own decisions regarding responsible actions using ‘shoot-don’t-shoot’ scenarios.”

Before you attend this workshop, you must go to the following web site and prepare yourself by going over the Introduction and the first 4 chapters of the instructor training manual. You will sign an acknowledgement and release that you have done this pre-workshop assignment as part of your training. The site is as follows: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/hunter_education/instruct.phtml.

Every Texas hunter born on or after September 2, 1971, must successfully complete a hunter education course. The hunter education program’s goals are to reduce hunting-related accidents and violations; promote safe, responsible and knowledgeable hunting; and enhance hunting traditions and values.

Hunter education provides instruction in Texas hunting regulations, wildlife management and identification, conservation, ethics, firearm and hunting safety and responsibility and outdoor skills.

“By understanding hunting through education, hunters and non-hunters alike will help make a bright future for the sport. Now is the time to become involved, so let us know if you are interested in becoming an instructor,” Ramirez said.

To register, contact Phil Brakebill, TPWD Hunter Education Area Chief, at (903) 569-5882.