Heidi Lyn Rao was hired by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) in 1998 and has recruited, trained, and retained volunteers, as the Hunter Education Specialist for Southeast Texas. In 2010 she also assumed the role as statewide Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Coordinator. During her TPWD career, she developed many partnerships and organized …

Hunting season is not only for adults. Many kids look forward to getting in the field with their parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, or any other adult role model. This is especially true if it is a kid’s first-time going hunting. Unfortunately, many adults do not understand what a huge responsibility this is. What happens on a kid’s first hunt c…

From as early as he could talk, he could sing! Luke loved to belt out the latest and greatest songs from an early age, and fortunately that has continued until his early teenage years. I can only hope he continues his journey growing his voice and talent! He's been in choir during elementary and middle school - and has earned solo spots over the ye…

Ever since Luke was a baby, our family takes an annual summer vacation to Yellowstone National Park. Over the years we've ventured further and further around the local communities throughout Wyoming and Montana in search of the best fishing spot. His memories have always included a summer adventure to the Northwest and across the woods and waters o…

One of the most visited National Parks in the world is Yellowstone National Park, located in Northwestern Wyoming. Yellowstone is an incredible place to view wildlife. All the large mammals that were present when Yellowstone first became a National Park in 1872, are still roaming the landscape today. These wildlife species include grizzly and black…

We all take our safety and security seriously when we are at home, going to and from work, and while running errands around town. Sometimes we let our guard down and are lax when we go on vacation. Afterall, vacations are supposed to be fun and carefree, and a time when you should not have to worry about your safety and security. Many times, when y…

When I conduct a basic rifle class or lesson, I will get questions regarding trapdoor, rolling block, and falling block rifles. The questions will not be centered on the types or the operation of these rifles. Rather, the questions will be much more basic. Most of my students will have a puzzled look on their faces and ask, “What are these?” If a s…

In the shotgun world, trapshooting is a specific form of clay target shooting. Trapshooting is a game of movement, action, and split-second timing. It requires the accuracy and skill to repeatedly aim, fire and break the 4 1/4" disc which is hurled through the air at a speed of 41 mph, simulating the flight path of a bird fleeing a hunter. Shooters…

The 2nd Amendment is for all Americans, not just those who traditionally exercise their gun ownership rights. The 2nd Amendment was written by our framers to give everyone the ability to protect themselves from tyranny, and from those who seek to do them harm. There are many reasons why Americans own guns. Some of these reasons include hunting, rec…

As we age, there are things that we cannot do as well as we could a few years ago. We all slow down, but it is the degree of that slowdown that affects how well we can instruct the next and younger generation. We all will, at some point, experience decreased strength, mental acuity, and stamina. This is just a fact of life! Firearm Instructors, Tra…

As an instructor, it is your responsibility to keep all your students safe, including those who may need a bit more special attention. Your responsibility of meeting the needs of your students begins long before the class starts. When you advertise a firearms training course, there is usually a way for potential students to register for the class o…

According to author Ms. Morin, there are 13 things mentally strong people do not do. By following each of these items, you can become a stronger person in your daily life. Each of these items can relate to the outdoors and shooting sports, as we teach, learn and are always on the quest for training. Not only must we train ourselves physically, it i…

Eye dominance is important when shooting a rifle or shotgun because it affects how the shooter aims and where the shooter places their shots. Eye dominance refers to which eye the brain primarily relies on for visual information, and it can be either the right eye or the left eye, and not necessarily the same as your dominant hand. When shooting a …

Safety is the #1 priority on and off the range. Everyone must do their part to prevent accidents. When properly trained, firearm incidents are rare. Those that happen are the result of ignorance (lack of knowledge) and/or carelessness (not following safe gun handling procedures). If we are trained and plan to instruct or coach others in the proper …

Throughout history, people have depended on wildlife for survival: as a source of food, clothing, and even tools. Loss of habitat and other factors began to impact many species, and there were no limits on the numbers of animals that could be taken. Once abundant species dwindled, and some became extinct. By the early 1900s hunters and conservation…

It is important that kids be taught the safe handling and rules regarding firearms, by removing the anomaly or the taboo surrounding them. The key to introducing kids to firearms is exposure. When kids were no longer exposed to firearms is when the mystic of guns took over. Not too long ago, it was common for firearms to be in nearly every home. Th…

There are things that hunters, hikers, and backpackers can do in the backcountry to minimize the risk of bear and human encounters. Knowing how to handle food, meat, and other “smellables” is critical to staying safe while in the outdoors. It is also important to know the correct way to hang a bear when in bear country. Knowing these skills can be …

Who would have ever thought that you could do all that we can now do, right on the comforts of your phone. As our life gets easier, we have all become spoiled when it comes to research and communications. A technological type of shorthand is developing right before our eyes. In the past, written documents, papers, or articles would have the acronym…

Our Founding Fathers had the vision to give us the 2nd Amendment. Giving citizens of the United States the power to resist tyranny, the 2nd Amendment allows for security and safety in our society. The United States was founded on the belief that a good citizen is responsible for their own security. The time it takes Law Enforcement to respond to a …

Many times when we visit the shooting range, we only are practicing our marksmanship and trying to get a nice and tight grouping on the target. What about stepping up our training and practicing real potential situations. How many times have you actually practiced drawing your firearm from a concealed position and then shooting for consistency and …

Mindset is the habitual mental attitude that determines how you will respond to a situation. How you train is a good indication of how you should react to any situation you might encounter. Develop an individual personal protection plan to suit your particular needs, including a plan of what to do to avoid a confrontation. Visualize scenarios you m…

Firearms have always been a part of our lives, and we raised our four boys to respect them and know how to use them. Listen to 13-year old Luke share his upbringing around firearms, the training and safety he learned, and introduction to hunting from as far back as he can remember. "It's just something we've always done." Luke talks about youth hun…

Situational awareness is keeping your head on a swivel, checking, and assessing your surroundings at all times. You never want to be in a position where your "guard" is let down, making you a "soft target" and not being mentally or physically prepared for a potential attack or encounter. It is important to know the four levels of awareness: UNAWARE…

With our 2nd Amendment right to own firearms come responsibilities. It is our responsibility to store, operate and maintain his or her firearms safely. It is our responsibility to ensure that unauthorized or untrained individuals cannot gain access to our firearms. It is our responsibility to learn and obey all laws related to the purchase, possess…

Why do we hunt? What is it that lures us into the woods, fields and waters each year during hunting season, and throughout the "off-season?" Not only is hunting a lifestyle - it is also a state of mind. But where did it all come from and how did we get where we are today? To be where we are today requires an understanding of where we've been. We as…

With so many hogs, you would think that every time you head to the field, you can count on bagging a hog. It is just the opposite. Feral hogs are considered an invasive species. There are an estimated 9 million hogs nationwide doing about $2.5 billion worth of damage annually. The reason why feral hogs are such a problem is because of how fast they…

Anyone who has ever been hunting will tell you, it is after you take your animal that the real work begins! Game recovery is not only taking possession of game animals, but field dressing and legal quartering. Depending on the state, legal quartering is how far you can cut up the animal in the field. Legal quartering is usually two shoulders, two h…

There are things that you can do to help you fill your tag during this time of year. You must take advantage when deer, especially trophy bucks, drop their guard and make a mistake. That does not mean that they are just going to throw caution to the wind and prance around in a meadow, presenting the best broadside shot for you. This means that the …

I just can't get enough listening to Matthew play his guitar. He picked it up while recovering from a knee injury during football his Junior year of high school. While recovering, he began picking away. It wasn't long before he became really good at it! Enjoy some of his progress... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Learn all about the world of cutting horses through the eyes and experiences of Matthew. Since he graduated high school in 2022, he moved to Northwest Arkansas and became a Razorback, attending the University of Arkansas. His degree is in Animal Science with a focus of large animals and equine, and possibly as a pre-vet student. During the first we…

Teaching is a skill. There is an entire industry and profession dedicated to being a good communicator through teaching. This also applies to a firearms instructor. I have encountered many beginner shooters who were reluctant to go to the range a second time because of their first experience. Unfortunately, I think we have lost many individuals tha…

By Heidi Lyn Rao

What does it mean to be a courteous and ethical firearm owner? Most all of us were raised to follow the “Golden Rule” of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This same rule applies to all those who own firearms. It is our duty to maintain a high level of responsibility and respect any time we are around firearms or are handling them…

Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction; Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot; Always keep your firearm unloaded until ready for use; Always treat every firearm with the same respect as if it were loaded; Always use proper ammunition for the firearm; Always be sure of your target and what is beyond; Always handle …

We all have an image in our heads of what a strong woman is. Especially NRA Women who are empowered to take charge of their lives and provide for their own safety by exercising their Second Amendment rights. I consider myself a strong NRA Woman. Like most other strong modern women, I rely upon all the conveniences of a large city. My day-to-day iss…

As firearms instructors and trainers, we all use several common phrases when teaching others. These include: Keep your muzzle pointed in a safe direction Keep your firearm unloaded until ready to use Your firearm should "surprise" you when it discharges All of these statements are correct, but when teaching others about firearms, you need to be abl…

Have you ever attended a meeting, presentation, or listened to a speaker who was a self-proclaimed "expert" on a particular subject? Worse yet, if you as the listener have knowledge of that particular subject matter and the speaker is completely off-topic, off-track, or just giving wrong information? What does that do to your opinion of that speake…

Above and beyond the hunting backpack basics, such as binoculars, a range finder, extra ammo and knives, there are other items you may not think about until you are deep into the field and realize you may need them. These items include extra pens, ziplock and trash bags, duck tape, toilet paper and a haul line. But on top of all of these items, the…

If you hunt, you probably have a hunting backpack that stays packed year-round. Every hunter I know keeps their pack filled and ready to go in case a hunting opportunity presents itself. The items every hunter should keep in their hunting pack are things needed for a successful hunt. These include binoculars, range finders, extra ammunition, and sk…

Firearms instructors everywhere will tell you that business has never been better. With crime increasing in nearly every city in the United States, gun owners are looking to become responsible for their own security and protection. The National Rifle Association’s efforts in defending our Second Amendment rights is working, and more people are gett…

From the moment you get up and ready for your day, you should have a plan. Have an idea of where you will be traveling, the stops and errands you will be running, and if you will be carrying your firearm on your body - where you can and cannot go. Based on your answers, this will determine what type of clothing you will be wearing for the day. Ladi…

Your home is your safe space. It's a place for you to relax, unwind, and let your guard down. Until it isn't... Are you in the proper mindset...not "IF, THEN..." IF this happens, THEN I will... but "WHEN, THEN..." WHEN this happens, THEN I will... Are you always aware of your surroundings, even in your safe place? Is your home an easy target? Are t…

There is a specialized law enforcement department that has the sole responsibility of protecting our natural resources. Collectively referred to as game wardens or conservation police officers, these men and women are the ones who interact with hunters and fishermen to make sure those taking our natural resources are following the rules. Ensuring t…

What is baiting and what is considered a baited field? These are the most common questions I get from migratory bird hunters. The first thing you must remember is that hunting migratory birds over bait is both a federal and a state violation in every state in the U.S. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), “Baiting is the direct o…

If there is an accident involving a firearm in your class or firearm training session, it is the instructor who is ultimately responsible. This includes any firearms training course being taught, either an NRA or non-NRA Course. The level of the instructor’s liability is dependent upon several factors. By allowing the wrong firearm and ammunition c…

Choosing the right shotgun is more than personal preference. Different types of hunting call for different types of shotguns. When bird hunting, you need to know if the game birds you are hunting are classified as an upland game bird or a migratory game bird. You also need to know what type of environment you will be hunting in. Is it open prairie,…

Dove Season is the unofficial start of the hunting season. You can see the excitement and anticipation on the face of every hunter, regardless of if they hunt dove or not. This is because dove season is the official count down to all the other types and species of hunting. If you do participate in dove hunting, you want to make sure that you have t…

There are many laws you need to follow when you are waterfowl hunting. Many laws address equipment, such as using a shotgun that is not capable of holding more than three shells. There are laws that address when and where you can hunt, such as the prohibition of hunting over a baited field. There are also laws that address licensing requirements, s…

As a firearm instructor or trainer, it is important to do everything you can to keep safety at the forefront. By following simple three rules, you can ensure you have a stress-free class. The three rules are: ALWAYS ask questions ALWAYS anticipate emergencies ALWAYS inspect firearms These rules will help you, the instructor, to create a safe and en…

As we are driving north to start a new chapter of our lives, Matthew will soon be a University of Arkansas Razorback. Reflecting on these past few weeks as we pack him up, and sort through his bedroom of 18 years, what is a MUST to bring along, what can be passed onto his brothers, and what can head to Goodwill - it dawned on me that I have raised …