General Info. "Required Reading" FOR ALL FIRST-TIME WEB SITE VISITORS/PARTTCIPANTS
Hunter Education Course Frequently Asked Questions & Study Links
Open House/Orientation Schedule/Appointments
Flower Mound Community Activity Center Classes
Concealed Handgun License (CHL) Courses
Registration Form for All Non-Hunter Ed. Classes
Private Sessions for Inexperienced Shooters
Need to know accurate f..p.s? Chronograph Services
---------------------------------
General Info. "Required Reading" FOR ALL FIRST-TIME WEB SITE VISITORS/PARTTCIPANTS
Hunter Education Course Frequently Asked Questions & Study Links
Open House/Orientation Schedule/Appointments
Flower Mound Community Activity Center Classes
Concealed Handgun License (CHL) Courses
Registration Form for All Non-Hunter Ed. Classes
Private Sessions for Inexperienced Shooters
Need to know accurate f..p.s? Chronograph Services
----------------------------------
General Info. "Required Reading" FOR ALL FIRST-TIME WEB SITE VISITORS/PARTTCIPANTS
Hunter Education Course Frequently Asked Questions & Study Links
Open House/Orientation Schedule/Appointments
Flower Mound Community Activity Center Classes
Concealed Handgun License (CHL) Courses
Registration Form for All Non-Hunter Ed. Classes
Private Sessions for Inexperienced Shooters
Need to know accurate f..p.s? Chronograph Services
------------------------------------
General Info. "Required Reading" FOR ALL FIRST-TIME WEB SITE VISITORS/PARTTCIPANTS
Hunter Education Course Frequently Asked Questions & Study Links
Open House/Orientation Schedule/Appointments
Flower Mound Community Activity Center Classes
Concealed Handgun License (CHL) Courses
Registration Form for All Non-Hunter Ed. Classes
Private Sessions for Inexperienced Shooters
Need to know accurate f..p.s? Chronograph Services
---------------------------------------
General Info. "Required Reading" FOR ALL FIRST-TIME WEB SITE VISITORS/PARTTCIPANTS
Hunter Education Course Frequently Asked Questions & Study Links
Open House/Orientation Schedule/Appointments
Flower Mound Community Activity Center Classes
Concealed Handgun License (CHL) Courses
Registration Form for All Non-Hunter Ed. Classes
Private Sessions for Inexperienced Shooters
Need to know accurate f..p.s? Chronograph Services
-----------------------------------
General Info. "Required Reading" FOR ALL FIRST-TIME WEB SITE VISITORS/PARTTCIPANTS
Hunter Education Course Frequently Asked Questions & Study Links
Open House/Orientation Schedule/Appointments
Flower Mound Community Activity Center Classes
Concealed Handgun License (CHL) Courses
Registration Form for All Non-Hunter Ed. Classes
Private Sessions for Inexperienced Shooters
Need to know accurate f..p.s? Chronograph Services
-------------------------------------
General Info. "Required Reading" FOR ALL FIRST-TIME WEB SITE VISITORS/PARTTCIPANTS
Hunter Education Course Frequently Asked Questions & Study Links
Open House/Orientation Schedule/Appointments
Flower Mound Community Activity Center Classes
Concealed Handgun License (CHL) Courses
Registration Form for All Non-Hunter Ed. Classes
Private Sessions for Inexperienced Shooters
Need to know accurate f..p.s? Chronograph Services
-------------------------------------
General Info. "Required Reading" FOR ALL FIRST-TIME WEB SITE VISITORS/PARTTCIPANTS
Hunter Education Course Frequently Asked Questions & Study Links
Open House/Orientation Schedule/Appointments
Flower Mound Community Activity Center Classes
Concealed Handgun License (CHL) Courses
Registration Form for All Non-Hunter Ed. Classes
Private Sessions for Inexperienced Shooters
"Home Study" Links / FAQs / Skills Trail Questions
This page is set up so that prospective hunter ed. students (or friends or family of same) can determine within 5 to 6 minutes whether or not they want to check out further details on an OPTION to spend 5 to 6 hours at Denton County Sports Association, Inc.
It is often important for some individuals
to understand initially that DCSA is a private facility and, unlike a hand
full of others, does not receive (or want) any monies whatsoever (or the
strings attached) from Pittman-Robertson Act funds or Texas Parks &
Wildlife (or Denton County). Translation: Just because a resident of any
county has completed the "on-line" portion of a home study
course, DCSA has no obligation to schedule "field day
completions" - at any price. (And no, we do not take payment for
short-cuts.)
With that said, it is also important for prospective students or parents to understand that DCSA cheerfully and expediently conducts far more hunter ed. "completion classes" than any other facility in the state, often becoming a "pressure relief valve" for students from across the entire region.
AS SUCH, SINCE JULY OF 2002, COMPLETELY READING A TOTAL OF 5 SPECIFIC PAGES (INCLUDING THIS ONE) ON THIS WEB SITE HAS BECOME A MANDATORY PART OF THE "HOME STUDY" FOR ANYONE OVER 14 YEARS OLD REGISTERING TO TAKE OUR "COMPLETION COURSE".
Doing so will increase comfort, safety and eliminate confusion for multiple parties by answering common questions such as:
Question: "I can't find the current hunter ed. class schedule on your web site. How can I get registered ASAP?"
Answer: There is a link to the page with the schedule and registration form, but you FIRST need to COMPLETELY READ the page (this one) entered by clicking on any of the links that have yellow text. DCSA "completion classes" are geared for those who can INDEPENDENTLY make time to thoroughly read and independently plan ahead accordingly.
The SCHEDULE on the NEXT REQUIRED READING page here is updated sporadically, yet as frequently as practical. The schedule includes the MOST CURRENT KNOWN AVAILABILITY of slots in any given class.
Please do not call to ask how many slots are available or for a GUESS as to your chances of getting in as a "walk on". Anyone answering (likely a cell phone) is not necessarily going to be on site to have access to the class files and DCSA does not accept any type of telephone reservations, electronic reservations or credit cards.
"Slot" assignments are made in the order received ONLY via one of the 4 options indicated below.
Question: Why does the DCSA schedule not include all of the same dates shown on Texas Parks & Wildlife's web site?
Answer:
Our relatively small classes sometimes fill quickly with individuals,
families or groups from cities ranging from Waco to Wiley to Wichita
Falls. (A reason we suggest a "2'nd choice date" on the
registration form.) In short, dates may sometimes "disappear"
from the DCSA web site before they can also be removed from Texas
Parks & Wildlife's web site.
Question: "I'm
50 years old and been hunting since I was a kid! Can't I just show
up, take the written test, get my certificate and then leave?"
Answer: No. We do not make the laws. We simply offer classes for compliance with the laws - in conjunction with administrative and safety procedures of our own. Whether it actually takes more time or less time, Texas students are allowed 6 hours credit for their "home study". Thereafter, the "completion courses" (also known as "Field Day") require a minimum of 4 hours at a testing site, regardless of age or background.
symbol = expect to put forth some energy
With DCSA's mandatory safety orientation conducted at the beginning of all types of classes, new students and/or parents should arrange to be on time and plan to spend at least 5 continuous hours. This is exactly 1/2 the minimum time required in "traditional" minimum 2-day/minimum 10-hour courses. So, just think of it this way: Consider the time spent on the specified "Required Reading" pages of THIS web site a part of your "home study", a "trade off" so to speak, IF you are seriously seeking certification via a 1-day (minimum 5-hour) course at our location.
Question: Do I need to buy one of the Outdoor Life Home Study Packets?
Answer: No, not necessarily. You can do your home study using one of the packets OR you can do your study "on line" via Texas Parks & Wildlife's web site. The 1 (of 3) on-line study option that we suggest (and reason for same) is indicated on a subsequent page here. Regardless of the "home study" option selected, IF you (or your spouse, child, friend, etc.) plan to take a class at DCSA, the balance of this page plus ALL 4 pages listed below are REQUIRED READING FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS (AND A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF ANY STUDENT UNDER 18.)
Question: Do I need to bring a gun?
Answer:
No, absolutely not. (Unless, as a CHL holder, you opt to carry, and it
remains constantly concealed). All guns and ammunition used
in DCSA hunter ed. classes are provided.
Question: What do I need to bring?
Answer: The loooooong hunter ed. page on DCSA web site explains what to bring - and what not to bring.
Question: Why can't I just call, e-mail or fax in my registration?
Answer: DCSA does not take credit cards, has no fax machine and no "standard office hours" other than those shown on "Open House" page.
For those seeking a confirmed slot for any given date, there is a STRICT and SIMPLE POLICY of FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED via RECEIPT of a legibly completed registration form and pre-payment of $46.88 per student, either
(1) via mail
(2) a courier (signature not required; see next page)
(3) in person when Open House sign is visible or
(4) the 24/7 drop box shown in photo below.
Classes frequently fill up in advance and we may or may not be in a position to take "walk-ons". Believe it. Please do not call or e-mail requesting exception to the chaos-prevention procedures explained on these pages because you will be told:
"To pre-register for a class at DCSA, simply FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS at www.dentoncountysports.com"
For clarity and convenience, at the very bottom of this page are links to the
4 other specific pages
that should be considered
Required Reading
by ALL prospective students (and, if under 18, a parent) if serious about the option of a "Field Day" at DCSA.
Should you choose to continue exploring options with us at this time, the balance of the
Required Reading
for ALL hunter ed. participants at DCSA takes approximately another 30 to 60 minutes - and will likely answer at least 98% of any remaining questions.
IF you have a problem with what you have read here thus far
OR
IF you (and/or the student you are researching for) can not make time to read
(1) all of the Questions and Answers shown above,
(2) the balance of this page and
(3) all 4 of the pages indicated at bottom of this page,
please click now on the small x in the extreme upper right corner of your screen.
The 5-HOUR "Hunter Education Home Study Completion" Course at DCSA includes an approximately 1-hour segment comprised of a "Hunter Skills Trail", which is partially described below.
About the DCSA Hunter Skills Trail ...
The turkey below is frequently used to simulate a potential "target" in one of several "shoot or don't shoot" scenarios. The 3 most common questions at various stations are:
(1) Is it a safe shot?
(2) Is it legal?
(3) Is it ethical?
Students will be asked to verbalize answers for instructor and other students.
I. Assume it is 10 a.m. on the Saturday before Thanksgiving in the county in Texas where you deer hunt. Having seen nothing but a couple of very distant does since sunrise, you are about to quit hunting for the morning when this turkey strolls out of the woods 50 yards away. Assuming that you are hunting with the 30/06 rifle (held by student on right) and all other students in the class have agreed with you that conditions are OK for a safe shot:
Is it legal?
Is it an ethical shot?
Please Explain.
Assuming the same time, date, location and 50 yard range as in scenario above, only you have the 12 gauge shotgun held by student on left:
Is it a legal shot?
Is it ethical?
Please explain.
II. Assume you are out hunting alone and without a dog. Although the birds pictured below are actually dove decoys, let's pretend they are a covey of quail 25 yards away.
Is it a safe shot ?
Is it legal?
Is it ethical?
Or let's pretend they are ducks on a pond.
Is it safe? Is it legal? Is it ethical.?
With well over 3,000 students having completed DCSA's Hunter Skills Trails, it has become obvious that many students - both young and old - will not necessarily know the "correct" answer to each of these questions at the various stations. However, potential participants should understand that the intent is for everyone to LEARN -
AND TO HAVE SOME FUN WHILE DOING SO!
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OPTIONAL Mini Essays
The following opportunities to complete and submit brief "mini-essays" have been added as an OPTION for DCSA's Hunter Education students. Using 300 words or less, youth or adult students are encouraged to put their thoughts on paper regarding either or both of the following "real world" scenarios.
III. The following photograph was taken on 12-31-2000 along I-20 approximately 60 miles west of Fort Worth.
As a hunter, what to you recognize in this scenario?
If you were a non-hunter, what would you think if you passed this vehicle?
IV. The photo immediately below was taken in March of 2002 on the Santa Anna Hunting Preserve west of Brownwood, Texas.
Does it appear to be it a safe shot? Is it legal? Is it ethical?
What other questions might you have and what else goes through your mind in attempting to answer these questions?
Students should understand that the mini-essays above are strictly an option. However, Hunter Ed. classes often involve instructor judgment regarding pass/fail, scheduling re-takes of written tests, and/or may be based upon an individual's "knowledge, skills and attitude".
Those who would like to submit mini-essays are welcome to submit printed copies upon arrival (please mention to instructor at beginning of class). Or optional essays may be e-mailed (no attachments please) well in advance to dcsa1996@yahoo.com.
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Per above, following are links to the other "required reading" pages for all prospective participants:
(1) DCSA Hunter Ed. Home Study Completion Course Info.
(3) Facilities & Class Fees (at least top box text: 30 + 1.88 + 15 = $46.88; there are some who do the classes for a total of $15, but DCSA is not one of them. )
(4) Directions to DCSA Do not rely on maps or directions by others!
Thank you.