La Sal Del Rey National Wildlife Reserve Partners with TPWD to Host 2nd Annual Explore Bowhunting Event

La Sal Del Rey National Wildlife Reserve Partners with TPWD to Host 2nd Annual Explore Bowhunting Event

Dec. 17, 2025

Media Contact: TPWD News, Business Hours, 512-389-8030

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AUSTIN -Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's (TPWD) Community Archery Program is joining forces with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on Jan. 17 to help the public "Explore Bowhunting" at the La Sal Del Rey National Wildlife Reserve (NWR) in Edinburg.

With the help of Texas Game Wardens, Operation Game Thief, the Texas Youth Hunt Program, TPWD Hunter's Education, Outdoor Tomorrow Foundation, Archery Trade Association and other local partners, this event gives participants an opportunity to learn more about hunting with a bow and how to properly prepare to use archery equipment during hunting season.

"We are excited to once again partner with USFWS at La Sal Del Ray NWR, to bring to the public this one-of-a-kind archery event," said Adam Lewis, TPWD community archery specialist. "Whether you are a seasoned archer, beginner or just starting to gain interest in the sport of archery and bowhunting, this is a great event to hone your skills, further your knowledge and understand what it takes to be a successful bowhunter."

The workshop, scheduled for 10 a.m.-2 p.m., is free with park entrance and open to anyone interested in learning more about bowhunting. Equipment is provided, so participants do not need to bring their own archery gear.

"The event will focus on the necessary gear, proper concealment, anatomy and shot placement to improve accuracy and in turn reduce recovery time and the processing of your animal after a successful hunt," added Lewis. "This is an all-ages event and is a great way to spend some time outdoors with your family and friends."

The event includes a state-of-the-art archery trailer with interactive archery games and a range for adaptive archers, an introductory range with 3D targets focusing on anatomy and shot placement, animal processing (skinning/quartering/butchering) demonstration, cooking conversations, gear examples and hunting simulation activities for youth. Additionally, staff will be available to answer questions related to public hunting, regulations and more.

The TPWD Community Archery Program, which is facilitating this workshop, works on a "train the trainer" model - training teachers and leaders through a National Archery in the Schools Program curriculum in range set-up, safety, program design and coaching. The curriculum is built for community groups like schools, military bases, veterans' groups, scouts, camps, parks and recreation departments and more. It also provides resources and certification to host a mobile archery range with an audience.

Community archery specialists provide "Explore Bowhunting" and "Explore Bowfishing" programming that introduces these skills to new audiences through activities and discussion. Some of the curriculum will be on display in the activities hosted at this event. TPWD provides the programs and the gear needed to interested instructors who have access to an existing audience.

Learn more about how to contact a community archery specialist in your region on the Community Archery Program webpage on the TPWD website. Watch a video of an Explore Bowhunting event on the TPWD YouTube channel.