North American Outdoors

Heidi Lyn Rao was hired by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) in 1998 and has recruited, trained, and retained volunteers, as the Hunter Education Specialist for Southeast Texas. In 2010 she also assumed the role as statewide Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) Coordinator. 

During her TPWD career, she developed many partnerships and organized many education & outreach events. She started “Take Me Outdoors Houston” in 2009, when the Texas Wildlife Expo ended, and brings this annual family-friendly, free, hands-on outdoor event to Discovery Green, Downtown Houston. She hosts wildlife workshops ranging from alligators to big game. She promotes hunting and outdoor safety to groups ranging from elementary-school aged to flying offshore via helicopter to speak to oil and gas employees in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico on a platform. From teaching firearm safety to Rodeo Clowns during the Houston Rodeo, to hosting Hunter Education classes at the Sam Houston (horse) Raceway, conducting National Archery in the Schools Program and Student Air Rifle certifications, and partnering with many hunting, shooting and conservation organizations across Texas.        

She has coordinated 27 statewide BOW workshops across Texas, including the first-ever VIRTUAL BOW in 2020. She has reached over 7,000 Ladies who have attended BOW and continued their outdoors skills ultimately becoming hunters, anglers, and archers, especially through mentored BOW hunts. To date, 10 Texas Outdoor Women Network (TOWN) groups have launched across the state because of the statewide BOW.

She received IHEA’s Professional of the Year; IHEA’s Executive Director’s Award; TPWD’s Terry Erwin Hunter Education LEGACY award, Houston Safari Club Educator of the Year and she is also in the Texas Hunter Education Halls of Fame. 

She and her (now retired) TPWD Game Warden husband of 25 yrs., John, have 4 boys: Dominic is 21 and works for Laser Shot Simulations in Houston; Matthew is 20 and is a sophomore at the University of Arkansas with a 4.0 and on his way to be a large animal vet; JohnJohn is 17 and is a Junior; and Luke is 14 and is in 8th grade. The Rao’s are avid hunters and enjoy camping, trapping, and the shooting sports together. 

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Hunting season is not only for adults. Many kids look forward to getting in the field with their parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, or any other adult role model. This is especially true if it is a kid’s first-time going hunting. Unfortunately, many adults do not understand what a huge responsibility this is. What happens on a kid’s first hunt can be a big factor in his or her decision to continue hunting.

The next generation of hunters are who will ensure that our hunting heritage continues. It is up to us to make sure that we recruit this new generation. How we recruit this next generation makes a difference. Adult mentors must take their role seriously. This means dedicating the time, expense, and providing the right equipment to first-time hunters for the best outdoor experiences.

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From as early as he could talk, he could sing! Luke loved to belt out the latest and greatest songs from an early age, and fortunately that has continued until his early teenage years. I can only hope he continues his journey growing his voice and talent! He's been in choir during elementary and middle school - and has earned solo spots over the years.

Although he was a bit hesitant, he quickly overcame his shyness after he warmed up his pipes! We do not own the rights to any of these songs - only using them in the background so Luke could sing along and keep the rhythm. Enjoy!

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Ever since Luke was a baby, our family takes an annual summer vacation to Yellowstone National Park. Over the years we've ventured further and further around the local communities throughout Wyoming and Montana in search of the best fishing spot. His memories have always included a summer adventure to the Northwest and across the woods and waters of the great outdoors.

We did what we could, fishing the banks and shorelines with the gear we had. Without much luck, we learned from our mistakes and struggles, and each year we did a little bit better. We'd visit with the local sporting goods stores, grocery stores which doubled as bait shops, and chatted with the individuals who lived in the communities. We'd gather tips and tricks, and heard of great spots to add to our fishing 'bucket list.'

This year we did something completely different - we bought an inflatable boat! We were tired of watching from the shoreline, everyone else catch fish on their boats over the years. We wanted to be "those people" too! And we were! It was one of the best trips we'd ever been on, and Luke said so himself! Enjoy!

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One of the most visited National Parks in the world is Yellowstone National Park, located in Northwestern Wyoming. Yellowstone is an incredible place to view wildlife. All the large mammals that were present when Yellowstone first became a National Park in 1872, are still roaming the landscape today. 

These wildlife species include grizzly and black bears, wolves, mountain lions, elk, bison, pronghorn, moose, and bighorn sheep. Not to mention the hundreds of other species ranging from birds to small mammals, reptiles to amphibians and aquatic life. For these larger animals, there are rules in place to keep not only the visitors safe, but the wildlife safe as well.

There are strict guidelines in place to keep everyone and every animal safe. One of the most important rules strictly enforced in National Parks is to never approach wildlife. If you are hiking or picnicking in an area and you see wildlife emerging nearby, leave the area safely. Never follow or approach an animal to attempt to touch it or try to get closer to it to take a picture.

Never feed a wild animal. If a wild animal is fed by humans, they may soon become desensitized to people and start approaching humans and become aggressive, resulting in the animal being trapped, relocated, or dispatched and removed from the population to prevent future human encounters. There is a saying “a fed animal is a dead animal.”   

Be a courteous and respectful wildlife watcher. Those around you are doing the same. Wildlife is here for everyone to enjoy. Those who abuse that privilege not only risk their own safety but the safety of the animal and rob others of the enjoyment of viewing these magnificent creatures. When an animal is removed from the population because someone did not follow the rules, the next generation of that animal is lost.

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We all take our safety and security seriously when we are at home, going to and from work, and while running errands around town. Sometimes we let our guard down and are lax when we go on vacation. Afterall, vacations are supposed to be fun and carefree, and a time when you should not have to worry about your safety and security. Many times, when you are on vacation, these are the times when you are most vulnerable and need to be most focused on safety. 

Depending on your destination there are certain things you need to be aware of. Many times, based upon your activities and what you are doing, you may need more than one firearm and different types of ammunition. Just like when you are at home, there is not one firearm for all purposes, just as there is no one correct type of ammunition for every purpose. Do your research and plan accordingly. 

There are four areas you need to be concerned with when vacationing with a firearm. 

1. Know the laws in all the jurisdictions that you will be in;

2. Traveling to your destination;

3. What to carry while at your destination; and

4. Knowing the correct ammunition to carry to address the potential threats you may encounter while at your location.

For many, summertime means vacation time. The last thing we want to happen while we are enjoying our time off is an unexpected encounter with a deadly threat. Do your research and be prepared. The safety of you and your loved ones depends on it.

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When I conduct a basic rifle class or lesson, I will get questions regarding trapdoor, rolling block, and falling block rifles. The questions will not be centered on the types or the operation of these rifles. Rather, the questions will be much more basic. Most of my students will have a puzzled look on their faces and ask, “What are these?”

If a student likes old guns and history, he or she knows what I am talking about when I mention trapdoor rifles, rolling block rifles, or falling block rifles. Unfortunately, most new gun owners are more interested in the latest and greatest innovations in firearms, not the classic guns that paved the way. Knowing and understanding these “primitive” firearms leads to the admiration of the soldiers who had to use them.

Single-action revolvers have a storied past that many young shooters are unaware of. Samuel Colt patented the first functional revolver in 1836. That is the year Texas won its independence from Mexico.  

Single-action revolvers are still in use today and are still very popular with gun enthusiasts. Colt, Ruger, and many other gun manufacturers still produce and offer new models of these “Old West” firearms. There are also Cowboy Action Competitions, where competitors use the classic single-action design in their events.

Many firearms trainers are starting to use single-action revolvers in their training. These firearms are proving to be invaluable in teaching new and old shooters alike, the proper knowledge, skills, and attitudes in properly and safely using a handgun.

Shooting a single-action revolver takes considerably more muscle memory than modern striker fire semi-automatic pistol. There are many more steps to follow from the time you load one to the time you fire it. 

These firearms have a very interesting history. Trapdoor rifles, rolling block rifles, and falling block rifles as well as single-action revolvers should be on every gun enthusiast’s shooting wish list!

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In the shotgun world, trapshooting is a specific form of clay target shooting. Trapshooting is a game of movement, action, and split-second timing. It requires the accuracy and skill to repeatedly aim, fire and break the 4 1/4" disc which is hurled through the air at a speed of 41 mph, simulating the flight path of a bird fleeing a hunter.

Shooters need to know that we have our roots in shooting. We have a responsibility to teach others we come in contact with, train or introduce to the shooting sports, our shooting history, tradition and proud heritage.

Trapshooting started it all. Trapshooting began in England in the late 1700's using live birds placed in shallow holes or under hats. Lines were attached to the hole covers or hats and when the shooter called "pull" the cord was pulled, knocking over the hat and freeing the bird to make an elusive target.

We've come a long way in the development of biodegradable, environmentally-friendly clay birds and clay throwing machines.

Visit your local shooting club to meet the league or squad of trap shooters, watch them, interact with them, and ask questions. Soon you will be invited into this very competitive and challenging game of trapshooting that will keep you coming back to the range frequently and often to improve your skills!

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The 2nd Amendment is for all Americans, not just those who traditionally exercise their gun ownership rights. The 2nd Amendment was written by our framers to give everyone the ability to protect themselves from tyranny, and from those who seek to do them harm. There are many reasons why Americans own guns. Some of these reasons include hunting, recreational and competitive shootings, collecting, self-defense and for personal protection. But the most complete and thorough answer is because we can! We all deserve a “seat at the table” when it comes to gun ownership and gun rights.   

Men dominate the market when it comes to firearms ownership, training, and even writing about this topic. Since men dominate the world of firearms, it would make sense that men have the most “seats at the table.” Generally speaking, this is because men own more firearms than women, take more training than women, and go to the range more often than women. But wait, do not give up hope!  

The “table” is getting larger. Much larger! Women make up the fastest growing demographics in the gun world.  It is important to remember that just because you deserve a seat at the table, does not mean you are going to get one! It takes more than pulling out the proverbial “chair” and just sitting down at the “table.” Like any subject matter, it takes work to become proficient in any topic. As an experienced participant in any activity, it takes research, dedication, training, and practice. Firearms are no different.

Unfortunately, we live in a world today where people equate watching YouTube videos with becoming proficient or an “expert” in any topic. There is no shortcut to excelling in any given activity. You have to put your time in.

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As we age, there are things that we cannot do as well as we could a few years ago. We all slow down, but it is the degree of that slowdown that affects how well we can instruct the next and younger generation. We all will, at some point, experience decreased strength, mental acuity, and stamina.  This is just a fact of life!  

Firearm Instructors, Trainers and Coaches are no different from any other type of instructors. Not only do instructors become physically and mentally compromised, but they become stale. This means that you get stuck in a rut. Everything changes; there are new advances in technology and equipment, and you have to become familiar with these new trends. Remember, your students are taking your course to learn about all types of firearms and actions, not just the ones you like. 

There are ways aging instructors can stay relevant. It might just take changing the way you teach. Small changes can make a big difference in the quality of your class. There are techniques to deal with physical and mental changes, as well as things to avoid being stale that instructors can do. But remember, when all else fails, recruit a teaching partner. If you do not know anyone that is familiar enough with guns to help teach, you can always approach one of your more outstanding students and ask them if they are interested in “team teaching” with you.   

Be mindful of your teaching techniques and style, stay current and recruit help when necessary!

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