What is YHEC?

Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) is a Youth Program that trains young participants in eight (8) events  to prepare them for local, state and national competitions.  There are 4 Shooting and 4 Responsibility events.

The events are:

• • Archery - Trained on  safety and  marksmanship of compound bows, targets are typically 3D  silhouettes of game  animals placed in a natural settings at various distances·
  • Shotgun Shooting –Trained  on safety and marksmanship of 12 or 20 gauge Shotguns, targets are clay pigeons  in a "Sporting Clay" setup
  • Muzzleloader - Trained on safety  and marksmanship of muzzleloader. Metal silhouettes targets vary distance from 20 to 75 yards Participants will shoot from three positions (prone,  sitting and standing)
  • .22 Light Rifle -Trained on safety and marksmanship of muzzleloader. Metal silhouettes targets vary in distance from 20 to 75 yards Participants will shoot from three positions (prone, sitting and standing)
  • Wildlife Identification-ability to  identify birds, and mammals (at times even reptiles) by their furs, features, skulls, tracks, scat and sound
  • Orienteering- trained in how to use a compass and read a topographical map and use the two together  participants may be asked to describe how nature provides individuals  with different directions of travel (north, south, east and west,  etc.).
  • Hunter Responsibility Test- is a written  test based on a book (the Hunter’s Guide) provided by the National  Rifle  Association Hunter Services  Department
  • Hunter Safety Trail- training in safe handling of  a firearm in the field,   ethical hunting conduct and good judgment