Hunter Education Course Frequently Asked Questions & Study Links
Handgun Safety, Operation and Marksmanship 101
Concealed Handgun License Courses
Open House/Orientation Schedule/Appointments
Registration Form for All Non-Hunter Ed. Classes
Private Sessions for Inexperienced Shooters
Instructors
An avid hunter since childhood, DCSA Range Officer Lonnie Ward has over fifty years experience with various types of rifles, handguns and shotguns. The DCSA telephone is commonly kept on call-forwarding to his cellular phone for onsite and offsite communications with members and/or pre-registered students. He serves as the primary contact during most "open house" periods, orientations, scheduled and private classes.
National Rifle Association Instructor Certifications:
Basic Pistol
Basic Rifle
Muzzleloading Rifle
Home Firearms Safety
Personal Protection
Range Safety Officer
State Instructor Certifications:
Texas Department of Public Safety - Concealed Handgun License
Texas Parks and Wildlife - Hunter Education
Texas Parks and Wildlife Hunter Education "Hall of Fame" 2002
On September 1, 1995, Lonnie Ward was among the first group of instructors certified by Texas' Department of Public Safety to conduct the CHL training. He has certified over 6,000 students in scheduled and private courses. He utilizes a broad range of firearms in classes at DCSA and, when applicable, at other locations.
Ward stays busy on and offsite with DCSA operations and "expeditions" nationwide, often (intentionally) with no computer or cell phone access, so some inquires (especially during hunting seasons) may not get a very rapid response. e-mail: dcsa1996@yahoo.com
Lonnie and Rick Jourdan retain "braggin' rights" as Defending Team Champions of the Lewisville Western Week "Outhouse Race" in the DCSA-sponsored "Geezer Streaker".
Fair Warning: When unsuspecting CHL folks or cops think they are getting pretty good with their semi-auto pistols, Lonnie has been known to take a few paper plates, an old Glock or a snubnose .38 and "introduce" them to a few one-hand rapid fire drills called "Dollar A Hole". This little "challenge" may start out innocently enough with something along the line of "How much ammo did you bring out for that thing?"
Particularly just prior to and during hunting season, volunteer instructors conduct completion classes for Texas Parks & Wildlife's home study option.
The following is included to save time for multiple parties, especially CHL instructors.
Sporadically, phone calls come from those seeking a new place to conduct or reschedule the mandatory shooting portion of DPS Concealed Handgun License courses. Typical INCOMING COMMENTS from Instructors and CHL people:
"The public range that I have been using is getting downright scary! I was looking down the line and saw_______________________________________________."
"There was a guy just down from us shooting a (expletive) ____________(deer rifle, machine gun, .454, 12 gauge, etc.). The noise in there was horrendous."
"It is a long way out there and they close at dark. When the weather does not cooperate, we have to reschedule."
"We had to walk downrange in the mud, then the wind kept blowing the targets off the frames before we could shoot."
"There were fire ants everywhere. If you stayed still, they were all over you. I gave up trying to pick up my brass."
However, when informed of DCSA's private indoor setup, mandatory safety orientation checklist/liability release and initial use fee of $31.88 per student, a common instructor response is "But that's too much. You are too high for what I'm charging for these classes! At so and so's range we only have to do such and such and pay x amount."
SOP RESPONSE: " It sounds like you are getting what you pay for ... "
With the above said, it should be understood that DCSA facilities were specifically designed and constructed for efficient administration of the DPS CHL shooting tests in a controlled environment. From site selection to year-round parking to electric target carriers and lighting, the DCSA range is geared for safe, timely, often private completions of scheduled training during or after adverse weather.
Certified instructors with serious interest in utilizing the DCSA range for student training purposes should schedule an appointment with Mr. Ward after reading this and all other specified pages on this web site.