The Hill Country Bowhunters

The Hill Country Bowhunters History
(HCB)

When it comes to the sport of archery, hunting is optional. This means that Hill Country Bowhunters has a lot to offer a lot of people! Their primary goal is simple: to introduce young people not only to bow hunting and the great outdoors, but into the exciting world of archery. But HCB is more than an archery club or just an organization. It is a family-oriented group with strong family values who enjoy fun family activities.

How it all came about is pretty interesting! In March of 1999, while conducting a wild hog hunt in a wildlife area of Granger Lake, seven bowhunters- Steven “Arrowflinger” Wolff, Danny “Wildman” Evans, Robert “RiverRat” Lee, Roy “Oleman” Wolff, Chris “Spur” Gott, Albert “BigAl” De Los Santos, and Denton Goodson- talked about forming a club for bow hunters interested in the sport of bow hunting and introducing it to young people.

Talk led to nominating and electing officer volunteers: Danny as president, Steve as vice president, Albert as secretary, Robert as treasurer, and Chris as Sgt.-at-arms. With much hope and eagerness, these officers planned the formation of the Hill Country Bowhunters.
As word traveled fast, many more people wanted to help organize the HCB. After much hard work, the organization became recognized on websites, acquainted with other bow hunting clubs, and known by State organizations such as Texas Parks and Wildlife. HCB had played an important role in uniting the bow hunting community in its common goal to promote archery!

Wanting a ranch to sponsor a youth hunt for HCB youth, a hunting ranch manager heard their plea and the first activity involving youth in archery was organized. As a result, five hunters and five non-hunters participated in the first youth hunt at the Buck & Boar Ranch in East Texas. This opportunity paved the way as several more hunts were conducted at other area ranches.

In 2002, HCB sponsored the “Last Pow-Wow” under guidance of the YMCA which gave over three hundred young people the opportunity to participate in the sport of archery in a non-hunting situation.

Now involved in 3D archery, the HCB is a non-profit association with over 50 members with much emphasis on fun, fun, and more fun! In 2003-04, HCB joined forces with Texas Parks & Wildlife, Texas Wildlife Association, the City of Austin, Lone Star Bowhunters Association, Texas Star Rodeo, Boy Scouts of America, and 4-H Clubs to sponsor youth in outdoor adventures. Been rather busy, haven’t they?

In 2003, several members of HCB were rewarded with their first turkey bow kill, one hunter with a double, when the first HCB Turkey Hunt in Menard County was established.
Also in that year, twelve HCB members attended Huntmaster training conducted by the Texas Wildlife Association and sponsored by Texas Parks & Wildlife. HCB now has eleven men and one woman who are certified TWA Huntmaster members!

Following guidelines established by the Texas Wildlife Association, the HCB Huntmasters have conducted two youth hunts (which included both boys and girls). The young people are what they are all about! The 3D fund has enabled the HCB to make donations to other organizations that sponsor youth activities, including families in need. Members of the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts have even been able to earn their Archery Badge through the HCB!
With donated equipment-bows, arrows, and all accessories-that were refurbished by HCB volunteers, a youth from the Texas Baptist Children’s Home in Round Rock and one from Burnet, were able to experience the joy of archery through HCB’s sponsorship.
This year has gotten off to a great start for the Hill Country Bowhunters. At their first established HCB Doe and Spike Hunt, several does were taken, two of which were donated to the Mason County Food Pantry. Their 2nd Annual Turkey Hunt in Menard County was successful too. At this event, all of the hunters were afforded shots, with some doubles being taken by two of the hunters.

Membership includes 50 families. In the summer every year, HCB has “family day,” no archery activities, just a fun-filled day of family oriented activities. The HCB grows each year, with an average of thirty and more young people from only five years old through 17 now participating in their many sponsored activities. The goal of HCB is to see this youth hunting heritage continue. In the near future, they plan on sponsoring many more exciting youth activities.
For the past three years, HCB has been conducting 3D Shoots on 36 acres here in the Liberty Hill area on CR 258, just north of Seward Junction. The shoots are held on the 4th Sunday of each month from February through August every year. These shoots raise funds to sponsor youth activities, which are so very important to HCB. Thirty-three Burnet County 4-H youths, ages five through sixteen, attended an HCB sponsored 3D shoot.
The members of the HCB believe that if they continue to find places for our young people to come out and spend some quality time, then they can continue with its adventures. It has been recognized for its involvement in the promotion of our youth into the sport of archery, fishing, hunting, and the outdoors in general. HCB can provide many opportunities for young people to experience the outdoors.
A map to the 3D range, dates of HCB events, all HCB news, and information about the organization can be found on their website: www.hillcountrybowhunters.com

If you would like to become involved with Hill Country Bowhunters, open, print, fill out, and submit the Membership Application below. And remember, it’s about FUN and FAMILIES and our young people!