TYHP Volunteer FAQ
Welcome to the Texas Youth Hunting Program Volunteer FAQ! Whether you're a seasoned Huntmaster or new to the program, this guide answers the most commonly asked questions. Thank you for donating your time, energy, and passion to introduce youth to the outdoors and the heritage of hunting in Texas.
GENERAL VOLUNTEER QUESTIONS
Q: Who can volunteer for TYHP?
A: Anyone 13 and older with a passion for youth mentorship, hunting, and the outdoors. Volunteers 18 and over must pass a background check.
Q: What are the different types of TYHP volunteers?
A:
- Lead Huntmasters: Plan and execute and ensure a safe, educational experience for the youth. Additionally, they are responsible for coordinating logistics, safety, and communication with TYHP staff.
- Huntmasters: Help plan and run hunts, assist the Lead Huntmaster, and ensure a safe, educational experience for youth.
- Assistant Volunteers: Ages 13-17, help with camp chores, meals, safety, and youth mentorship.
- Guides: Provide mentorship and guidance in shot selection, hunting strategies, and all things in the field, must be 18 years or older.
- Cooks: Provide meals for all participants throughout the hunt or event. Will usually do grocery shopping and meal planning ahead of time.
- Landowners: Provide access to safe, huntable land for TYHP events.
Q: How do I sign up to volunteer?
A: Visit https://tyhp.org/become-a-volunteer/ for all the information you need to become a TYHP volunteer.
TRAINING & REQUIREMENTS
Q: What is Huntmaster Training?
A: It's an in-person workshop that covers youth safety, hunt logistics, and TYHP policies. Completion is required to lead a hunt.
Q: Do I need a Hunter Education certificate to volunteer?
A: Although not required, we do prefer that all participants complete hunter education. For ages 17 and older you can take the online course at https://tpwd.texas.gov/education/hunter-education/online-course-for-certification.
Q: How often do I need to renew my background check?
A: Background checks are renewed every 2 years automatically through your TPWD Samaritan account.
HUNT EVENTS
Q: What does a typical TYHP hunt weekend look like?
A: Most hunts begin Friday afternoon and end midday on Sunday. Activities include orientation, safety briefings, shooting range, guided hunts, meals, conservation talks, and campfire time. Everyone stays at camp the entire weekend.
Q: Do volunteers need to bring their own gear?
A: Yes, volunteers should bring a blaze orange hat and vest, as well as any gear needed for their assigned role. If you're unsure what's needed, just ask TYHP—we’re happy to help. For tent camping events, you'll also need to bring your own tent and personal camping supplies.
Q: Are meals provided for volunteers?
A: Yes! Volunteers and families typically share meals during the hunt weekend. You may be asked to help cook and clean up, or other camp chores.
Q: Can I bring a friend or family member to help?
A: Check with your Lead Huntmaster before bringing a guest. There can be limits to the food budget and lodging accommodations.
LANDOWNER OUTREACH & SUPPORT
Q: I know someone who owns land. How do I refer them to TYHP?
A: That’s great! Just connect them with a TYHP staff member—we’d love to talk with them. Staff contact info can be found at the bottom of our homepage at www.tyhp.org.
Q: Can I help recruit new landowners or volunteers?
A: Absolutely. You’re one of our best ambassadors! TYHP staff can provide brochures, talking points, and outreach materials.
STAYING INVOLVED
Q: How do I find hunts to help with?
A: One of the best ways to find hunts to help with is by checking our Hunt Schedule and letting a staff member know which ones you're available for. We’ll connect you with the Lead Huntmaster to see if they need extra help.
You can also create a volunteer account with TPWD at https://tpwd.samaritan.com/custom/1353/volunteer_home and join a Texas Youth Hunting Program area—this helps ensure you’ll get notifications when volunteers are needed in your region.
Q: I haven’t heard back after signing up to help. What should I do?
A: Reach out to your area staff person
Q: How can I stay updated on TYHP news and opportunities?
A: Join our monthly TYHP Volunteer e-newsletter, follow us on social media
OTHER COMMON QUESTIONS
Q: What if I need to cancel my participation in a hunt?
A: Please notify the Lead Huntmaster as soon as possible. This helps ensure a safe and well-staffed experience for our youth.
Q: What should I do if I witness unsafe behavior or have a concern?
A: Safety is our top priority. Speak to the Lead Huntmaster immediately or contact TYHP staff.
Q: Can I earn volunteer hours for school or work?
A: Yes! TYHP can provide documentation of your service hours—just let us know in advance.
THANK YOU
Your dedication is the heart of TYHP. Every time you show up, you’re changing lives—introducing youth to the outdoors, modeling safe and ethical hunting, and building a stronger conservation future for Texas.
Get Involved with TYHP!
When? The 2nd Thursday of each month, March – September
Where? Online via Zoom (30-minute session)
Why Join? Chat with one of our Field Operations Coordinators and discover how you can make a difference!
✅ Sign up for the next session Sign Up!
🔗 Create your volunteer account: [https://tpwd.texas.gov/volunteer/]
📩 A Zoom link will be emailed to you the week of your scheduled training. We can't wait to meet you!
Interested in Manning a TYHP Booth?
Thank you for your interest in helping spread the word about the Texas Youth Hunting Program! If you'd like to volunteer at an event, please download our TYHP Booth Volunteer Guidelines to learn how to prepare, engage with visitors, and make the most of your time at the booth.
TYHP Booth Volunteer Guidelines
Interested in volunteering for other Texas Wildlife Association (TWA) events? Check out the events calendar at Texas Wildlife Association and contact Nicole at [email protected] to get involved!
https://www.texas-wildlife.org/twa-events/
By popular demand, TYHP is gathering your favorite recipes for cooking for a crowd! Whether it’s a go-to wild game dish, a hearty camp meal, or a simple but delicious recipe that keeps everyone coming back for seconds, we’d love to hear from you. Share your best crowd-pleasing recipes with us, and they might be featured in an upcoming TYHP resource!
Don't miss out on our newsletter and volunteer opportunities! Sign up for the TYHP Newsletter here.
Through Samaritan, you can log your volunteer hours, track your participation, and receive important updates via email. Sign up now!
- Follow this link to get started https://tpwd.samaritan.com/custom/1353/volunteer_login
- Click on FIND AN OPPORTUNITY
- In the 'keywords' field enter TYHP, then click enter.
- Select your area, then continue to the application.
Join our private Facebook group pages to network with fellow volunteers, share tips, ask questions, and stay up to date on opportunities near you!
✅ Find and connect with other Huntmasters in your area
✅ Share experiences, advice, and best practices
✅ Stay informed about upcoming hunts and volunteer needs
✅ Be part of a supportive community that helps get more youth outdoors
Area 1 https://www.facebook.com/groups/TYHPArea1
Area 2 https://www.facebook.com/groups/TYHPArea2
Area 3 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1869699980011392
Area 4 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1584194168308418
Area 5 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1722286154489415
Area 6 https://www.facebook.com/groups/388353774917155
Area 7 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1950632388490567
Area 8 https://www.facebook.com/groups/338573263234801
Thank you for sharing your experience, tips, or stories with the TYHP community! We welcome stories about memorable hunts, lessons learned, mentorship experiences, land stewardship, and helpful advice for new volunteers and youth hunters.
👉 Submission Guidelines:
- Keep submissions between 300–1,200 words.
- Please proofread before submitting.
- If including photos, ensure you have permission to share them.
- TYHP may edit submissions for clarity and length.
https://forms.gle/nU6xvporgARhP48q8