Moore Wins Big at Press Club

TEXAS FISH & GAME Editor-In-Chief Chester Moore won big at the Southeast Texas Press Club awards held November 13.

The awards, which recognize media based out of Southeast Texas, are a prestigious honor covering all facets of electronic, print, and broadcast media. Moore won first place in radio talk show for Moore Outdoors on Newstalk AM 560 KLVI for his interview with Wild America creator and host Marty Stauffer.

Moore also won for investigative radio program for his special program on human dangers in the woods including examining the “Missing Texas 40” cases around the Sam Houston National Forest that aired on Newstalk AM 560 KLVI.

He won first place for an individual blog for his mountain and forest wildlife blog “Higher Calling Wildlife.”

Additionally, he took first place for radio public service announcements for his ongoing Wildlife Journalist Chronicles.

He took second place for specialty publications for his Turkey Revolution tabloid and his “Higher Calling Wildlife” story in the Pet Gazette for the news release category as well as taking third in social media for his work on Instagram.

“It’s an honor to be a member of the Press Club of Southeast Texas, much less to win these awards,” Moore said. “It’s always exciting to be recognized for the hard work I put into my wildlife journalism career. This year’s entries were especially important to me as I have been on a certain trajectory with mountain and forest wildlife, turkey, and the whole human dangers in the outdoors topics.

“It’s such a privilege to see my name popping up alongside other great journalists and media professionals in these awards. There are some truly great people in this profession in Southeast Texas and I’m blessed to be able to live and work in that area.”

Last year Moore won the “Advocatus Magni” award from the National Wild Turkey Federation-Texas for his work with wild turkeys. In 2017 he was given the Mossy Oak Outdoors Legacy Award for his work with wildlife and children.

Does Hunter Education Make A Difference?

ACCORDING TO THE 2019 Texas Hunting Incident Analysis, Texas has seen a substantial decrease in hunting-related accidents and fatalities since Hunter Education became mandatory in 1988. That year, more than 18,000 Texans received their Hunter Education certification, but 12 fatalities and 70 accidents were still reported throughout the state.

As more Texans have taken to the field and obtained their Hunter Education certification, these numbers have improved. More than 56,000 certifications awarded in 2019. Only 1 fatality, and 21 accidents, were reported statewide.

“The number one hunting incident during the general season is careless handling of a firearm in and around vehicles,” said Steve Hall, the Hunter Education Coordinator for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). “Keep a firearm pointed in a safe direction at all times. This is the cardinal rule of hunting and shooting safety.”

Even prior to Hunter Education becoming mandatory in 1988, TPWD has offered hunter education courses since 1972 that have certified nearly 1.5 million students. Today, Hunter Education is required for every hunter in Texas (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after September 2, 1971. The minimum age for certification is nine years of age and certification is good for life.

There are two course options for anyone who needs to take Hunter Education. The basic classroom course is six hours of instruction and includes skill exercises, a review and then a final exam. These types of courses are most often held in schools or in an indoor venue.

The online course, combined with the field course, has two parts:  a free online course that should be completed first, and then a field course that typically takes a minimum of four hours to complete. The field course contains a presentation on ethical and responsible hunting, participation in a hunting skills trial, a live-fire exercise, a review of regulations and a final exam.

There is also an online-only course that is restricted to anyone 17 years of age or older. Online coursework varies from two to four hours depending on pre-knowledge, age, reading level and other factors.

Hall offers other tips that will help ensure a safe experience for anyone whether they’re at their home, in transit to their hunting spot, or spending time in the field.

• Unload all firearms when not in use, especially in the home, in transport and in the field until ready to shoot.

• Keep your fingers outside of the trigger guard until ready to take a shot.

• For waterfowl hunters, the number one hunting incident is drowning, mostly because of capsizing and exposure to cold waters. Always wear protective clothing, waders and approved life jackets while in boats or around water, especially in the winter months.

• For dove, quail and pheasant hunters, the number one incident is swinging on game outside of your safe zone of fire. Communicate and stick to your safe zone of fire and never shoot toward another hunter, domestic animals such as cows, or buildings or structures.

• Be sure of your target, and what is in front of and behind the target.

• Wear blaze orange to be seen by other hunters.

Hunters must have proof of their Hunter Education certification on their person while in the field. Hunters have access to their Texas proof of Hunter Education in the free Outdoor Annual mobile app for iOS and Android.

Learn more about Hunter Education, how to sign up for a course and find resources for students on the TPWD website.

Firearm safety doesn’t just include knowing how to property handle a gun, it also includes knowing how to keep it from getting in the wrong hands. The Texas Department of Public Safety has launched a statewide campaign to encourage safe gun storage. Find resources, including safe gun storage checklists, and learn how to “Keep ‘Em Safe, Texas!” at SafeGunStorageTexas.com.

Pier At Goose Island Reopens

After suffering damages from Hurricane Harvey more than three years ago, Goose Island State Park has reopened its new fishing pier, bayfront area and bayfront campsites to the public.

When Harvey hit the park, the high wind speeds tore off most of the lights throughout the pier and removed large portions of floorboards. The running boards, which support the floorboards of the pier, were flexed to a point where stress fractures could be seen throughout the length of the pier. Almost all the handrails had also been destroyed.

The new pier spans 1,620 feet into St. Charles and Aransas Bay. Visitors will be able to cast a line and try to hook spotted seatrout, snook, red and black drum, mullet and flounder. Fishing licenses are not required when fishing from the pier or shoreline in a state park.

Anyone planning a trip to a Texas State Park should keep in mind that parks are operating at a limited capacity. So reserving day passes and overnight camping spots in advance is highly recommended since some parks are expected to reach their capacity limit. Day passes and overnight reservations can be booked online though the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website or over the phone by calling (512) 389-8900.

—from TPWD

 

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