Overview: Blast & Cast will be hosting four hunts for youths aged 7-17 during the 2022-2023 Texas hunting season. Participants will be selected via an application process. Applicants may apply for multiple hunts with a single application. The application deadline for all hunts is August 15, 2022.
Purpose: To build meaningful relationships with other outdoorsmen for the purpose of leading them to, or back to, Jesus Christ while simultaneously assisting landowners with whitetail population reduction efforts.
Dates:
October 28-30 – Houston County Boys Hunt
- 6 youth hunters, boys only
- Hunt Coordinator: David Park [email protected]
November 18-20 – Comanche County Girls Hunt
- 10 youth hunters, girls only
- Hunt Coordinator: TJ Owens [email protected]
December 16-18 – Comanche County Boys Hunt
- 10 youth hunters, boys only
- Hunt Coordinator: Jerrod Hancock [email protected]
January 13-15 – Trinity County Boys Hunt
- 6 youth hunters, boys only
- Hunt Coordinator: David Park [email protected]
Lodging: Lodging for all hunts is included.
Meals: Meals for all hunts are included.
Giveaways: Each youth hunter will receive an event t-shirt and a door prize.
Hunting:
All Comanche County hunts will take place on land owned and operated by the Army Corps of Engineers surrounding Lake Proctor. Park staff will be on hand to aid in transportation to and from hunting locations. Blast & Cast volunteers will be available to sit with participants in the blind if requested. Harvest goals and limits will be established by park staff prior to the season, but limits usually include at least two whitetail does and any feral hogs encountered.
All Houston County and Trinity County hunts will take place on private land. Landowners and volunteers will be on hand to aid in transportation to and from hunting locations. A Blast & Cast volunteer will sit with each father/child in the blind to help ensure that harvest goals and restrictions are met. Participants will be allowed to harvest one whitetail doe and any feral hogs encountered.
Requirements:
- Youth aged 7-17 are eligible, and only youth may harvest game. A parent or legal guardian must attend with the youth hunter, and both parent and youth must have a valid TPWD hunting license.
- Scoped centerfire rifles only. .243 caliber minimum. No archery and no shotguns.
- All youth hunters must successfully pass a range test prior to hunting. Each youth must be capable of consistently hitting a paper plate at 100 yards to participate. Decision of the Range Boss to pass/fail is final. Please sight in your rifle and have your youth hunter practice prior to the event.
- All rules and regulations for Texas Parks & Wildlife apply. It is suggested that you read all county regulations and download the TPWD app (https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/app/) prior to the hunt. Youth hunters and guardians should familiarize themselves with antler restrictions.
- All guns around camp must remain unloaded, in a gun case, and inside a locked vehicle at all times. No guns inside the lodge or camp area. During transport to and from hunting locations, all guns must be kept unloaded with action open at all times. No guns should be loaded until the vehicle dropping off is out of sight. Guns should be unloaded with action open at least ten minutes before arranged pick up times.
- Both parent and youth must wear a hunter orange cap and vest at all times in the field.
- Hunters/parents are encouraged to mark where an animal was shot but may not leave sight of the blind. A Blast & Cast volunteer will assist with wounded animal recovery.
- Gutting your harvested animal at or near your hunting area will not be allowed. There will be designated areas to process game.
- Hunters/parents must field dress and quarter their own animals. Blast & Cast volunteers will be present to assist anyone that does not know how.
- No consumption of alcoholic beverages allowed before or during hunting hours. Drinking in moderation will be allowed after hunting. Drunkenness will not be tolerated.
- BE YOURSELF…please do not be someone you are not.
Donations: Donations and sponsorships are tax deductible! These hunts are free to all participants, so all costs associated will be covered by donations. We are currently seeking individual, corporate, and church partnerships to assist in our effort to reach outdoorsmen. Financial and merchandise donations accepted. Financial donations can be made at Give Here by selecting “Youth Hunt Sponsorship” from the drop down menu. Merchandise donations can be made by contacting the hunt coordinator directly.
More info: For more information on a specific hunt, please contact the hunt coordinator directly at the e-mail address listed above. Schedules and directions will be provided to selected applicants prior to each hunt.
Applications: Due to space limitations, not every applicant will be selected for a hunt. The application deadline is August 15. Selected applicants will be notified via e-mail and telephone in early September. If additional openings become available later in the year, hunt coordinators may reach out to additional applicants.