2025-2026 East Texas Youth Whitetail and Feral Hog Hunts

Overview: Blast & Cast will be hosting two hunts in East Texas for boys aged 7-17 during the 2025-2026 Texas hunting season.  Participants will be selected via an application process.  Applicants may apply for both hunts with a single application.  The application deadline is September 1, 2025.

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 and feral hog population reduction efforts.

Dates:

October 24-26 – Trinity/Houston County Boys Hunt (Event Chair: David park – cell (936) 788-4006)

January 9-11 – Trinity County Boys Hunt (Event Chair: Lance Efird – cell (281) 253-2885)

Cost:  Free.  This is a donor-supported event.  If you would like to help support the costs associated with the event, please see the donations section below.

Lodging:  Lodging for all hunts is included.  Location and directions will be provided to hunt participants in advance of the hunt.

Meals:  Meals for all hunts are included.

Giveaways:  Each youth hunter will receive an event t-shirt and a door prize.

Hunting:

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 male 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.
• 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 David Park at droptine01@gmail.com.

More info:  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 September 16.  Selected applicants will be notified via e-mail and telephone.  If additional openings become available later in the year, hunt coordinators may reach out to additional applicants.