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February 15, 2022 - Hunting-related accidents in Texas are at an all-time low since Hunter Education became mandatory in 1988, according to the 2021 Texas Hunting Accident Report released by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).
Of more than 49,000 certifications in 2021, Texas experienced only one fatality and 11 accidents statewide, according to the report.
“In 2021, three quarters of the incidents were what we call ‘swinging on game outside of a safe zone of fire,’” said Steve Hall, the Hunter Education Coordinator for TPWD. “This is the most common mishap in Texas besides careless handling in and around vehicles. The cardinal rule of hunting and shooting safety is keeping the muzzle of a firearm always pointed in a safe direction.”
This marks a significant decrease since 1988, when more than 18,000 Texans received their Hunter Education certification but reported 12 fatalities and 70 accidents throughout the state. As more Texans have taken to the field and obtained their Hunter Education certification, these numbers have greatly improved. Even prior to Hunter Education becoming mandatory in 1988, TPWD has offered hunter education courses since 1972, certifying nearly 1.5 million students. Today, Hunter Education is required for every hunter in Texas (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after Sept. 2, 1971. The minimum age for certification is nine years of age and certification is good for life.
There are two course options for anyone who needs to take Hunter Education. The basic classroom course includes six hours of instruction plus skill exercises, a review and then a final exam. These types of courses are most often held in schools or in an indoor venue. The online course, combined with a field course, has two parts: a free online course that should be completed first, and then the field portion that typically takes a minimum of four hours to complete. The field course contains a presentation on ethical and responsible hunting, participation in a hunting skills trail, a live-fire exercise, a review of regulations and a final exam.
There is also an online-only course that is restricted to anyone 17 years of age or older. Online coursework varies from two to four hours depending on pre-knowledge, age, reading level and other factors.
Hall offers other tips that will help ensure a safe experience for hunters whether they’re at their home, in transit to their hunting spot or spending time in the field.
- Unload all firearms when not in use, especially in the home, in transport and in the field until ready to shoot.
- Keep your fingers outside of the trigger guard until ready to take a shot.
- Waterfowl hunters should wear protective clothing, waders and approved life jackets while in boats or around water, especially in winter months. Drowning ranks as the number one hunting incident for these hunters.
- For dove, quail and pheasant hunters, the number one incident is swinging on game outside a safe zone of fire. Communicate and stick to your safe zone of fire and never shoot towards another hunter, buildings or structures, or domestic animals such as cows.
- Be sure of your target- what is in front of and behind the target.
- Wear blaze orange to be seen by other hunters.
Hunters must have proof of Hunter Education certification on their person while in the field. Hunters have access to their Texas proof of Hunter Education in the free Outdoor Annual mobile app for iOS and Android.
Learn more about Hunter Education, how to sign up for a course and find resources for students on the TPWD website.
February 15, 2022 - Officials with the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Sabine National Forest, have advised a prescribed burn today located in the East Hamilton North area Compartment 48 &49 (Block A and B only) 1,741 acres, with Helicopter support. The burn will be North of Farm to Market 2261, around the East Hamilton Cemetery.
Please drive with caution. Be advised, long range drift SMOKE may affect some of the areas.
February 12, 2022 - A pursuit that traveled just over seven miles ended on State Highway 87 (SH87) with the arrest of the driver Friday, February 11, 2022
Center Police Officer Brian Wright attempted to stop a black 2006 Chrysler 300 at around 8:35pm on Tenaha Street; however, they didn't comply and failed to stop.
A pursuit then began as the Chrysler continued up SH87 North heading in the direction of Timpson. The pursuit continued passed Mt. Gillion Community and around a mile and a half short of FM 1645 where it came to a stop.
Officer Wright was accompanied by a mass of law enforcement units from Center Police Department, Shelby County Sheriff's Department, Texas Department of Public Safety and Constables Precinct 4 and Precinct 5, and Tenaha Police Department.
Arrested at the scene was Eduardo Arcibar, 21, of Center who was charged with evading arrest/detention with vehicle, felony 3.
The Chrysler was later towed.
Click image to enlarge
February 11, 2022 - Officials with the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Angelina National Forest, have advised a prescribed burn today located in the Bannister WMA Compartment 17 (Block B only) 1350 acres, with Helicopter support. North East of Broaddus and East of State Hwy 147.
Please drive with caution. Be advised, long range drift SMOKE may affect some of the areas.
Click image to enlarge
February 11, 2022 - Officials with the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Sabine National Forest, have advised a prescribed burn today located in Compartment 110 Block E Only, 1,528 acres, with Helicopter support. This burn is located around the Lake View Recreation Site, Oak Hill Road & Pin Oak Drive. Winds are predicted from the Southwest at 10-17 mph. Please drive with caution. Also, we advised and long range drift SMOKE may affect some of the areas.
February 10, 2022 - U.S. Highway 59 in Tenaha was the scene of a crash involving two truck-tractors on Tuesday, February 8, 2022.
According to Tenaha Police Officer Chris Benton, at 7:28pm a white 2007 Freightliner driven by Darnell Bradford, 37, was hauling a lowboy trailer with a sand container on the back and was exiting the Express Stop fuel station making a right turn toward the U.S. Highway 59 overpass.
At that time a white 2017 Freightliner driven by Harold Hillard, 46, was eastbound on U.S. Highway 59 hauling a cargo trailer containing non-hazardous chemicals. As Bradford exited the fuel station he failed to yield right of way to Hillard causing the trucks to collide.
The 2017 Freightliner struck the driver's side of the 2007 Freightliner, causing damage to both vehicles. The 2007 Freightliner was turned to face east by the impact and the 2017 Freightliner continued until it finally came to a stop on the eastbound shoulder.
Carey Mims, 36, was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center for treatment of injuries.
Bradford was issued a citation for failure to yield right of way.
Assisting at the scene were the Tenaha Volunteer Fire Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Constables of Precinct 4 and Precinct 3, and the Shelby County Sheriff's Department.
INNOVA is Latin for ‘Renew’
February 4, 2022 - The Center Economic Development Corporation is seeking applications from businesses within the city that want to improve the appeal or make updates to their properties.
The INNOVA Grant seeks to provide financial assistance to any Center business located in downtown, a commercial or industrial zone. The program will reimburse the applicant 50% of qualifying improvements up to a certain dollar amount.
For more information, please contact Brianna Suell at (936)598-2941. (Updated phone number) INNOVA applications can be picked up at Center City Hall located at 617 Tenaha Street, Center Texas.
INNOVA Grant recipients include: 936 CrossFit, Bob’s Pawn and Gun, Bounds Insurance Agency, Center Floral, Center Glass, David’s Auto and Diesel Repair, Hughes Florist, Johnstone Financial, Morrisons Insurance, Payne and Payne, Pine Colony Inn, Pinewood’s Beverage, Shoop Insurance Agency, Taco Bell, The Forge, Thomas R. McLeroy Jr. Attorney-at-Law, and many more…
February 10, 2022 - Officials with the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Angelina National Forest, have advised a prescribed burn today located in the Bannister WMA Compartment 23 (Block C&D only) 908 acres, with Helicopter support. North East of Broaddus and East of State Hwy 147.
Please drive with caution. Be advised, long range drift SMOKE may affect some of the areas.
February 9, 2022 - Officials with the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Angelina National Forest, have advised a prescribed burn today located in Compartments 58 (Block C) 1,022 acres, with Helicopter support. Please drive with caution. Also, we advised and long range drift SMOKE may affect some of the areas.
Photos courtesy West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department.
February 8, 2022 - State Highway 7 West in the Mt. Herman Community was the scene of a single-vehicle crash Tuesday, February 1, 2022.
According to Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Taylor Buster, at 7am a grey 1999 Chevrolet C1500 pickup truck driven by Daniel Mejia, 19, of Nacogdoches was eastbound on State Highway 7 West when he failed to drive in a single lane around six and a half miles west of Center.
The Chevrolet left the roadway to the right before crossing back onto the roadway in a side skid and flipping several times. The truck struck a gas meter before coming to rest upright.
Mejia was transported by ambulance to Nacogdoches Medical Center - Shelby Emergency Department fo treatment of possible injury.
Mejia was issued citations for failure to drive in a single lane, and no insurance.
The West Shelby County Volunteer Fire Department and Shelby County Sheriff's Department assisted at the scene.
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