APPLICANTS WERE SELECTED ON DECEMBER 2, 2021. THE APPLICATION PERIOD HAS NOW ENDED.
This season we will be hosting our first ever youth deer hunt in East Texas. The hunt will be based out of the Pineywoods Camp near Groveton, TX. All hunts will be conducted on nearby private property to assist landowners whitetail doe and feral hog harvest numbers. The hunt will be free for youth hunters and their parent/guardian, and youth hunters will be selected via an application process.
Purpose: To build meaningful relationships with other outdoorsmen for the purpose of leading them to, or back to, Jesus Christ, while simultaneously assisting local landowners with whitetail deer and feral hog population control efforts and providing youth an opportunity to hunt.
Dates: The hunt will take place January 14-16 during the special youth season. Check in, safety orientation, and range test will occur on Friday evening so all participants must check in by 2pm on Friday. Hunting will take place on Saturday, with check out on Sunday morning.
Lodging: Lodging will be provided at Pineywoods Camp near Groveton, TX. It’s located at 6272 US-287, Woodlake, TX 75865.
Meals: Meals will be provided. Drinks and snacks will be available in limited amounts. It’s recommended that participants pack their favorite soft drinks and blind snacks.
Hunting: All hunting will take place on various parcels of private land located within 30 minutes of the camp. Volunteers will transport participants to and from hunting locations, and most participants will be hunting with a volunteer chaperone to help ensure that only whitetail does are harvested. Plan to hunt Saturday morning and evening. Youth that do not harvest an animal may have the option to hunt on Sunday morning, but space will be limited. Note: If you have land or a lease in this area and would like to take a youth hunting, please contact David Park at 936-788-4006.
Requirements:
- Youth aged 7-17 are eligible, and only youth may harvest game. A parent or guardian must attend with the youth hunter, and both parent and youth must have a valid TPWD hunting license. If requested, a chaperone can be provided to hunt with and teach the parent and youth throughout the weekend.
- 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, guardians, and chaperones should familiarize themselves with distinguishing between nubbin bucks, bucks that have shed their antlers, and does. Only whitetail does and feral hogs may be harvested.
- All guns around camp must remain unloaded, in a gun case, and inside a locked vehicle at all times. 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/or vest at all times in the field.
- Chaperones will assist with all wounded animal recovery.
- The preferred location for gutting and processing your animal will be up to the landowner. Your chaperone will Gutting your harvested animal at or near your hunting area will not be allowed. There will be a designated area to process game at the Proctor Lake Lodge.
- Hunters/parents must field dress and quarter their own animals. Chaperones can assist anyone that does not know how, but it should be considered a learning experience because this is not a guided hunt.
- No consumption of alcoholic beverages allowed before or during hunting hours. We normally allow drinking in moderation after hunting hours, but this youth-oriented camp does not allow alcohol on the premises.
- BE YOURSELF…please do not be someone you are not.
Freebies/Door prizes: Each youth at the event will receive a t-shirt and be eligible for door prizes.
Donations: Donations and sponsorships are tax deductible! This is a free event, 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. Please contact David Park at [email protected] for more information.
What to bring:
- Valid Texas hunting license (for both guardian and youth hunters) with hunter’s education requirements.
- .243 minimum caliber scoped centerfire rifle with at least one full box of ammunition
- Hunter orange vest/cap for both guardian and youth hunter
- Soft drinks and snacks for the blind
- Appropriate clothing for both warm and cold weather sits. It’s Texas, so we could see both.
- Black or blue pen to fill out deer tags, string or zip ties to attach them
- Freshly sharpened knife for field dressing and cleaning
- Large ice chest and at least 2 bags of ice
- Positive attitude, willingness to make it work, and a desire to help other youth hunters have an enjoyable and memorable weekend.
- Optional – bring only if you have already: stools/chairs, shooting sticks, thermocell, and any hunting gear you think may help you or others.
Contact info: The event chairman is David Park. If you need information prior to the event please contact David via e-mail at [email protected]. If you need assistance on the road or during the event, please contact him via phone at 936-788-4006.
Applications: [The application period has now ended.] Due to space limitations, not every applicant will be selected for the hunt. We will review applications in October and notify selected applicants via personal e-mail or telephone.