ROAMING THE WOODS AND WATERS, CREATING MEMORIES THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME
As firearm instructors, we have a duty to keep our students safe both in the classroom and on the range. We want to remove all distractions that a student or instructor candidate may experience, while keeping our focus on safety. Teaching marksmanship is important, but instilling a safety mindset and proper behavior will leave a…
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THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF HOUSTON SAFARI CLUB FOUNDATION • SUMMER 2026 BY HEIDI LYN RAO As hunting seasons around the country draw to a close, most hunters are “winterizing” their firearms for the “long sleep” until the next season opener. This is the time that we reflect on the hunts of the past season, plan…
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If you have served in U.S. military and received compensation, you can thank a woman, because the story of America does not stop with the “Founding Fathers.” The story of the American Revolution is one of bravery, ideology and sacrifice. The Revolution created the best nation the world has ever known, one that will continue…
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Some of the greatest vacation destinations are our national parks, which are the envy of the world. President Woodrow Wilson signed the “Organic Act” in 1916, which created the National Park Service. Since then, the National Park System has expanded to 433 individual units covering more than 85 million acres across all 50 states, Washington,…
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Like a lot of people who love nature, I’ve spent most of my life outdoors. Every chance I get, you will find me hunting, shooting, fishing or camping. We raised our four boys in Scouts, and we were on a campout every month and a week-long summer camp each year. In addition to all the…
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June is National Great Outdoors Month, and that means it is time to go camping! Getting out into the wild should not be limited to hunting season. For me, venturing into the woods is a year-round activity. One of the best parts of camping is cooking over an open fire, as everything tastes better when…
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If I were to give advice to any new gun owner on purchasing a first firearm and subsequent training, it would be very simple and to the point: Don’t always trust the “experts,” and look to NRA Certified Instructors for accurate information. Some of the “experts” to avoid include internet and social media influencers; workplace watercooler wranglers;…
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Semi-automatic pistols are today’s reigning king of self-defense guns. When I teach the NRA Basic and Instructor Pistol Courses, most of my students—of all ages—cringe at the thought of shooting the revolvers I incorporate into the range portion of the class. But many of my students endeavor to become NRA Certified Pistol Instructors, so I must sign off…
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The stock is the first thing you notice about a rifle. Here’s why the wood chosen for a particular model firearm is anything but random. Many different types of wood are used in the manufacture of firearm stocks, the most common being American walnut, Turkish walnut, Claro walnut, Birch and Figured. But here’s why the…
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With each generation, archaic phrases can seem like a whole new language. If you are from “back in the day,” here’s how to handle the passing of the torch to new—and younger—instructors. There is one thing that we “seasoned” (older) firearms instructors have over younger instructors: experience. We tend to also have a broader contextual…
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