The Texas Outdoor Writers Association (TOWA) is a 65 year-old media group boasting a membership that includes writers, photographers, illustrators, authors, television personalities, radio hosts, and professional internet influencers. Texans count on these communicators for news concerning hunting, fishing, conservation, and general outdoor topics. People are also entertained with historical accounts, insights to the significance of various locales, and humorous back porch and camp tales. Whether listening to Harold Gunn and Bill Olsen on the radio, reading Reavis Wortham, Kendal Hemphill, or John Jefferson, watching Larry Weishuhn, Gary Roberson, and Keith Warren on television, or getting the news from Shannon Thompkins, Doug Pike, and Matt Wyatt – people know they are getting information straight from the horse’s mouth. Likewise, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, many legislators, governors, and agency bosses pow-wow closely with the membership.
The names may change through time but the mission of the organization remains the same. Deliver the news to the Texas population that loves the outdoors.
In 2017, TOWA adopted a new event – The Fall Stampede. The celebration was birthed with requests by supporting members and sponsors seeking more spotlights and ultimately larger roles in the association’s programs. The idea required a venue within striking distance of major metropolitan areas while still allowing open air activities coinciding with the sponsors’ desires. Fortunately, such a place was available near Columbus, Texas.
The central Houston, Austin, San Antonio location affords relative proximity and easy access. Also, the Shaw’s Bend FM 1890 Brune property, has hosted shooting matches since January, 1988. As per The Fall Stampede: The Texas Historical Shootist Society (the oldest cowboy action shooting club in Texas) hosts shotgun and pistol competitions at the western town, Gunsmoke. The Yaupon Creek Silhouette Assn. hosts long range competitions, and Champion Outdoors (from Port Arthur) manages archery competitions. Two hundred acres of woodlands, creeks, and river bottom is ready when the Ride & Drive portion is needed by auto and RV manufacturers, and the Colorado River is available for aquatic sponsors. Most notably, the Bohemian Classic Rod’n Reel Catfish Tournament has joined the festivities. With the fishing, and shooting TOWA determined an International Barbecue Cookers Cook Off was a logical addition, and to fulfill a traditional Texas-type weekend there are two performances by the World Senior Professional Bull Riders Association with live music complimenting the party each evening. The hub of the entire hootenanny is the Shaw’s Bend Social Club.
The Stampede is a spontaneous blend of competitors of every stripe, manufacturers from the outdoor industry, conservation groups, youth programs, and active writers, photographers, broadcasters, etc. It’s a great time to network, recruit new members, display your wares, and fundraise for TOWA scholarships and youth writing contests.
This year’s music will start Friday night with Larry Waddel, Saturday has Mike Walker coming in from California, and the Sunday afternoon matinee is headlined with the Nathan Young Band.
The TOWA Annual Conference is the organization’s formal affair. This is where writing awards are heralded, scholarships are given, craft improvement seminars are held, and presentations by conservation groups are recognized. The convention moves around the state, and next May 5 -7, 2023, it will be in Port Arthur, Texas. It is another opportunity for folks to network, and gives career-minded students the chance to see that TOWA is a key to the outdoor industry.
