by TYHP Director Chris Mitchell
The idea of leaving it better than you found it is a core idea in Hunter Education and TYHP. Not only is it the right thing to do as a guest at a property, you can also think of it as a way to generate a return or be invited back. Little things like not using landowner’s linens and bedding can ensure we return, as we are not burdening them with cleanup work. Gate etiquette is important too – if you find a gate closed leave it that way, or the reverse, if a gate is open leave it that way.
We do pretty well. There are TYHP Landowners who have invited us back for two decades. The mother of all Super Hunts will celebrate its 20th year during the 2022-2023 season. This happens because volunteers understand how to get invited back. Of course, there is always room for improvement. The landowner album is one area we can improve on.
I recently read a nice landowner evaluation. The landowner wrote most of those things you want to read. “I enjoy seeing the kid’s faces when they make their first harvest, the ranch was cleaner after TYHP left than when they arrived” or my personal favorite, “we cannot wait until next season”. Unfortunately, the nice note was diminished when the landowner complained they have yet to see a landowner album.
Landowner’s albums are compiled by the Lead Huntmaster or by the TYHP team in New Braunfels. If team TYHP is going to put the book together, we need the pictures from the hunt and the Thank You letters that our hunters and parents compose. We will reimburse you for the expense, within reason. As much as we would like to keep Shutterfly in business that is a bit rich for our nonprofit blood.
Our volunteers do so much and we know the post-hunt period is hectic, but if you can help us with getting us the photos and Thank You letters we can take it from there. Who knows, it may be the difference between generating a return invitation or not. Thanks for all you do!!!
P.S. Post a picture of one of your LO books. We would love to see them.