Former Soil Conservation Service employee and longtime writer Mat Taylor offers his outdoors column for Dispatch Record readers. He can be contacted at (254) 518-2262 or via e-mail at mntaylor@agristar.net. I recently received an e-mail from Rick Baxter, Lampasas 4-H Shooting Sports Club director. He said the club is more than two years old and is recruiting new members.

Five members recently participated in the State 4-H shotgun match in San Antonio, Baxter said. They shot in various shotgun events.

The club is for youth ages 9-18. Members learn how to shoot a shotgun with adult instruction and supervision. They can shoot trap, skeet and sporting clays. Gun ownership is not required, the director added.

"Club members can enjoy all the adventures of 4-H monthly fun shoots and participate in organized events and competitions," Baxter said. "The club allows youths to shoot year round, not just during hunting seasons."

Those interested in the club should e-mail Baxter at diamondbax@hughes.net or call the Lampasas Agrilife Extension Office at 556-8271 for more information.

Speaking of hunting seasons, the archery deer and turkey season opened last Saturday. The season runs through Nov. 6. Hunters are reminded that crossbows are now legal to use during the archery season, however I wouldn't recommend you use one until you have become familiar with the weapon and have done a lot of practicing.

The youth-only hunting weekend is slated for Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. The weekend hunt is for those ages 16 and younger, and they can use any legal means to take deer and turkey. Young hunters are required to have a regular or a special youth hunting license. Also, if they have not completed a hunter's education course, an adult with a hunting license must accompany them.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is reminding Texas hunters the deadline to enter this year's Big Time Game Hunt is Oct. 15. Winners will be called before the end of October so they have time to make hunting trip preparations.

The Big Time Texas Hunts offer a chance to experience the best hunting packages in the Lone Star State with an opportunity to win one of the top guided hunts with food and lodging provided, as well as taxidermy in some cases.

The crown jewel of the program is the Texas Grand Slam Hunt package, which includes four separate hunts for Texas' most prized big-game animals -- the desert bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, mule deer and pronghorn antelope.

Other hunts include the Texas Premium Buck Hunt in which one hunter and a guest will enjoy the finest deer-hunting trip Texas offers. Another trip is the Texas Whitetail Bonanza. Ten winners each get to experience a highquality deer hunt on private ranches or on the Chaparral WMA.

Persons also may enter the Texas Exotic Safari. Two winners will experience the thrill of hunting African exotic game on the Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area.

Another unusual hunt is the Texas Gator Hunt in which one winner and a guest can hunt Texas alligators at the J.D. Murphree WMA on the Gulf Coast.

Waterfowl hunters can enter the Texas Waterfowl Adventure. One winner and up to three guests will win a guided hunt for snow, blue and white-fronted geese, along with two different duck hunts.

One unique hunt is the Texas Big Time Bird Hunt. One winner and three friends will enjoy a quail and pheasant hunt in the Panhandle, and two afternoons of dove hunting. The winner and a guest will participate in a two-day guided spring turkey hunt.

Entries are available online at www.tpwd.state.us/bigtime for $9 each or for $10 at retail locations where licenses are sold.

There is no limit to the number of entries an individual may purchase. Purchasers must be 17 years of age or older.

The Big Time Texas Hunts generate hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, with proceeds dedicated to providing more public hunting opportunities and to funding wildlife conservation and research in Texas.