The Irving Police Athletic League (PAL) is garnering applause for its unique Urban Outdoors Program, which was recently honored with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Hunter Education Partner of the Year award. The program, an outdoorsman’s dream for the area's youths, has been lauded for providing a meaningful and educational experience in deer hunting, earning recognition from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

Started in 2013, the PAL's program has offered insights into wildlife management and safety to 108 youths through comprehensive hunting trip experiences, according to the Irving Police Department. The young hunters are carefully selected based on their behavior and participation in PAL initiatives. They have successfully harvested 69 deer over the years, much to their families' benefit, who get to enjoy the fruits of their labor. These participants commit to every aspect of the practice, ensuring that they are properly educated and prepared for the hunt.

Monica Bickerstaff, a TPWD Hunter Education Specialist, has worked closely with the PAL coaches to provide the necessary Hunter’s Education. This collaborative effort has also involved local Texas Game Wardens and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Whitney Fort Worth District, creating a supportive network for the program's participants.

Gratitude for the success of the Urban Outdoors Program is being directed at the approximately 30 Irving Police Department staff members and volunteers, past and present, who have given their time and resources. "Great job, Irving Police Athletic League (PAL)!!! This program is one of a kind for these youth! Thanks for all you do!" said the Irving Police Department. Special thanks were also extended to Bickerstaff, for her role in both nominating the program for the award and sustaining its continuing success throughout the years.

With this achievement, the Irving PAL program stands out as an exemplary model of blending educational pursuits with practical skills, fostering an environment where young people can grow in discipline and stewardship of the environment. The Irving Police Department and its affiliates look forward to the program's future expansion and the continued positive impact it has on the community's youth.