How it All Began...
In 1975, Jerry Johnston had a dream.
A dream to bring together the most serious and passionate deer hunters everywhere, to learn from each other, share hunting stories and skills, improve our wildlife and habitat, and work together to protect and promote our hunting heritage for future generations.
With that dream, and with the encouragement of family and friends, Jerry founded the Texas Trophy Hunters Association. It started in the humblest of beginnings (the original headquarters was a mobile home office in San Antonio) and through Jerry's persistence and passion, and with the enthusiastic help of a growing member base, the idea began to catch fire. Today, Jerry's dream has become a reality. In fact, the popularity and influence of the Texas Trophy Hunters Association has grown beyond Jerry's wildest dreams. Sitting in his mobile home office more than a quarter century ago, working to pioneer an organization the likes of which had never been seen before, how could he have imagined today's TTHA? Consider the accomplishments:
- A membership base numbering tens of thousands, comprised of the most passionate and dedicated hunters from all around the world, ranging from plain folks to celebrities.
- Working directly or with other organizations to serve and share the joy of hunting with military, youth, handicapped and disadvantaged persons from all over the country.
- A series of the annual gatherings, the world-famous Hunters Extravaganzas® which draw thousands of attendees and exhibitors each and every year.
- An Association publication, The Journal of the Texas Trophy Hunters, distributed by mail and on newsstands across the USA.
- TTHA skull-logo membership stickers on the back window of countless thousands of trucks all over Texas. (Heck, you can't drive anywhere in the state without seeing one!)
- A nationally-syndicated TV show that is considered one of the best hunting shows on television.
- Legislative focus to advance the agenda of conservation-minded hunters and landowners in the state Capitol.
- Second and even third generation members who consider TTHA critical to the preservation of our hunting legacy.
- A well-earned reputation for being the most prestigious and respected deer hunting organization in the world. Hunters everywhere, when they see your TTHA hat or sticker, know you're the real thing.
It's hard to find anybody in the hunting industry today who doesn't agree that the Texas Trophy Hunters Association has, over the years, been nearly single-handedly responsible for restoring the quality of the deer herd in Texas, for securing and advancing the rights of hunters in Texas, and for helping revive the very sport of hunting itself.
Try to find another "deer hunting association" that can honestly claim a track record like that! So, whether you're a member yet or not, if you hunt deer in Texas, you've already received quite a few benefits from the Texas Trophy Hunters Association. Now, imagine how you and the sport of deer hunting would benefit if more hunters joined our Association!
If you are already a member, THANK YOU! You can honestly say that you personally, through your support of our organization, have had a direct, positive impact on the quality of deer hunting in Texas. If you're not a member, isn't it about time you joined us? You owe it to yourself, to the sport, and to future generations of hunters. You'll be glad you did!
Over 30 years…….and still GROWING!