To witness Lenny Valerio in the field now, it’s hard to imagine that, just three short years ago, he had never hunted before. Born and raised in the Los Angeles area, Lenny grew up in a car-loving family who spent their free time rebuilding carburetors and working on classic Chevys, not in duck blinds or deer stands. But life has a way of shifting gears.
Though Lenny didn’t spend much time in the great outdoors as a kid, that all changed when he decided to attend Fresno State for college. Fresno sits just below the southern entrance of Yosemite National Park, and the iconic park became a big part of Lenny’s college experience. “You could sign up for backpacking classes or snowboarding. They’d bus you up to Yosemite for the weekend. It was incredible. That’s where I really fell in love with the outdoors.”
After starting a career with Leslie’s Pool Supply after college, Lenny moved to Texas in 2017 to support their new commercial division in Houston. “That was a big change. Lots of concrete,” he says. “If you don’t know anyone or have connections, you can get lost in the busy-ness of Houston.”
By 2021, Lenny decided it was past time to pick up some Texas traditions, starting with the age-old pastime of hunting. “I literally Googled ‘learn how to hunt adults,’” he laughs. Stewards of the Wild (SOTW) popped up at the top of his search results. “I just missed the 2021 Mentored Hunting & Fishing application deadline, so I put a note in my calendar to apply the next year,” he says.
He didn’t realize then that SOTW was much more than a hunting education program. “Looking back, I should have signed up right then. I missed out on a whole year of happy hours and events. But once I got in, I was all in.”
The very first SOTW event Lenny decided to attend happened to be its biggest signature event—the All-Stewards Dove Hunt, an annual pilgrimage that draws hundreds of Stewards to Albany from all across Texas. “I had no idea what I signed up for. I had never owned or fired a shotgun. I bought one and drove six hours straight from Houston at 4 a.m. because I didn’t want to be late. I didn’t know a single soul.”
Luckily, before he even arrived, TPWF Engagement Manager Katie Spurgin had already enlisted several mentors to take Lenny under their wing, and these same people ended up being on Lenny’s next hunt just a few weeks later—a deer hunt at TPWF Board Trustee Russell Gordy’s La Ceniza Ranch in La Pryor, Texas. “It was a nice stepping stone and a great introduction to the program.”
Though the hunt wasn’t a success (“I missed all six shots!” he admits), it lit a fire in Lenny. “That only made me want to get better, get more involved. I volunteered a bunch after that, and I haven’t missed a shot since.” This was also Lenny’s first introduction to Texas Wildlife Association (TWA), which was contracted to run the hunt, and he has been actively involved with SOTW and TWA ever since.
Fast forward to today and Lenny’s become a seasoned staple at events and a trusted mentor for both SOTW and TWA. He’s also training to become a huntmaster, with the goal of helping run hunts through TWA’s Adult Learn to Hunt program. “Right now, it looks like I’ll be doing my final test run at Russell Gordy’s ranch. Full circle, where it all started,” he says with pride.
And he’s also no longer in Houston. After being laid off as part of Leslie’s corporate restructuring, Lenny wasted no time relocating to New Braunfels, a move inspired by his involvement with SOTW and TWA. “All the events were out this way anyway,” he says. “I always wanted to move, but I was too comfortable in my job. This was the push I needed.”
“I switched to the Statewide Chapter when I moved since New Braunfels is between Austin and San Antonio, and I’ve always been up for traveling to other cities for events.” In fact, Lenny was one of the catalysts behind the recent change to allow the Statewide Chapter members access to all chapter and statewide events. “Every chapter has its own benefits. Houston has the coast. Austin has a bat cave and access to the Hill Country. Now I get to experience all of Texas if I want, and this benefit will hopefully encourage others to do the same. It’s exactly the change I wanted to help make happen.”
Lenny’s story shows just what a difference a few years and a little curiosity can make. Of his evolution in the field, Lenny says, “It’s a night and day difference. I’m confident now to teach my mentees how to break down an animal, helping them through those first daunting moments.” He’s also fully embraced the non-consumptive side of conservation, from canoe trips in Austin to helping plant native grasses at Powderhorn at the Statewide Conservation Committee coastal trip in June. “My life is unrecognizable from 2022. That city boy from Houston is long gone.”
Lenny’s advice for newcomers on the fence is simple. “Do it scared. I showed up not knowing anyone, but it’s worth the experience. You gain more than skills — you find a whole new way of life.”
