In 1959, The Anglers Club of San Antonio began a tradition of honoring individuals who demonstrate superior outdoorsman skills and exhibit an equal dedication to giving back to conservation and/or hunting heritage in Texas. In 2006, the former Outdoorsmen decided to rename the honor as Texas Outdoorsman of the Year, and expand the scope to include outstanding sportsmen from across the entire state as opposed to just the San Antonio area. Qualifications for receiving the award have always been divided 50% on the candidate’s outdoorsman skills and 50% of what the candidate has given back to conservation and/or hunting heritage in Texas.
In conjunction with the name change and the expansion to include all of Texas, the role of the host and benefactor was undertaken by Texas Wildlife Association Foundation, Inc. (TWAF). The Foundation is based in New Braunzfels, and supports the education programs of Texas Wildlife Association such as the Conservation Legacy and Hunting Heritage Program of Texas which are actively involved in the fight against natural resource illiteracy.
