by Charlie Fox
The North American Association of Hunter Safety Coordinators was holding a meeting, with representatives from many states and a few Canadian provinces in attendance. Also in attendance were representatives from private industry and the National Rifle Association. The group decided that some type of competition was in order, competition which would stimulate youth to want to improve their hunting and outdoor skills while furthering their knowledge of wildlife.
The issue was brought to focus by the results of a study on the public's perception of hunters. Study results concluded that the public saw hunters, in general, as having poor shooting ability, little respect for property owners, and lacking an understanding of wildlife. Thus, a competition to test skills, knowledge and understanding was sought.
The National Rifle Association agreed to develop criteria, seek program copyright and administer the program. The ensuing program was designed after a very successful, state level program in North Carolina. The hunter safety coordinators agreed to encourage the development of such a program at the state level and encourage teams to participate. The Remington Arms Company agreed to host the first Hunter Education Championship, to be held at Remington Farms on the eastern shore of Maryland.
The competition was held the summer of 1985. Participating in the initial national event were teams from fifteen states and from the province of Alberta Canada. The state of North Carolina won the first International Hunter Education championship.
There was a heavy presence of wildlife agencies in attendance as, in most cases, they are charged with administering hunter education within their respective states.
In 1986 North Carolina hosted the International event
which was held at
Camp LeJune Marine Base. Subsequent years saw the international
hosted by Pennsylvania, Utah, Alberta, Virginia and the National Rifle
Association Whittington Center, located in New Mexico.
Since 1986, the program has been under the direction of Robert Davis of the Hunter Services Division of The National Rifle Association. There are several corporate sponsors of long standing with the program such as Woolrich, Schrade and Thompson Center Arms, etc.
In 1987, questions arose as to what direction the program was taking. There were states that had great difficulty in organizing teams. The program was not growing as hoped. Individual participants were not recognized and the relationship between the Hunter Education Association and the National Rifle Association was strained.
During this time, the National Rifle Association hosted a meeting to decide the direction things would proceed. Several changes in the program were implemented, the most significant being the change of the event's title to the Youth Hunter Education Challenge. The focus shifted from all "team" competition and incorporated individual competition. At the same time, more emphasis was placed on the knowledge and ethics portion of the program.
The 1988 event, hosted by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, was held at Fort Indiantown Gap Army Base. The event move to Alberta Canada in 1989. In I990 the event was moved to the Whittington Center in New Mexico, where it was held again in, 1991. The 1992/1993 events had to be canceled due to a mysterious disease that erupted in the southwest. In 1994 then event was held again, this time at JR Festival Lakes in Leesburg, Virginia. The event returned to the Whittington Center in New Mexico in 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1998.
In 1994, the International Hunter Education Association became co-sponsor of the annual event.
In 1997 there was a strengthening of ties between the National Rifle Association and the International Hunter Education Association, with the association's focus being to assist states with the development of their programs.
Presently, the international event hosts approximately 300 participants. With several new states and provinces about to become involved, the future of Y.H.E.C. looks bright.
As we approach 1999 and the new millennium, it would appear there are new and exciting things happening in the field of Hunter Education. Students of the new millennium will more than likely be working with interactive computer programs and spending more hours involved with hands on activities. Y.H.E.C. is the only shooting event of its kind in the world, requiring participants to possess skills and knowledge in a broad array of disciplines.
WHAT THE HECK IS Y.H.E.C? !t is about our youth, respect, responsibility, camaraderie, shooting sports, wildlife resource awareness, survival and individual development. It is about the future of the sport of hunting!
PART II
HOW DO YOU GET STARTED?
In its basic form, Y.H.E.C. is one adult and one participant who have the willingness to work at improving skill and expanding knowledge in all aspects of hunting. This may be a father, grandfather, Hunter Education Instructor, or any other knowledgeable adult willing to share their zest and enthusiasm for hunting with an eager young participant.
On occasion, the overall high individual at the State and National Hunter Education Challenge has been a participant having no affiliation with an organized club. This evidences that one coach and one enthusiastic youth can do it!
On the other end of the spectrum there are organizations, such as sportsmen clubs which have youth shooting programs that sponsor teams at the State and International Youth Hunter Education Challenge Events.
Teams consist of five members and a designated alternate who compete for team and individual awards in their respective categories. Participants are divided into categories by age. The junior category consists of 12 to 14-year-old youth, with 15 to 19-year-old youth, in high school, making up the senior category.
State level competitions vary from a few events to all eight components found at the international competition. Basically, any youth who competes at his state event is qualified to compete at the national event.
Anyone who is pessimistic about the future of hunting and shooting sports need only attend a national event to see the enthusiasm of the participants, volunteers, parents and coaches to become convinced of the value this program has to the future of the sport of hunting.
PART III
WHAT ABOUT MONEY?
While money is always an issue, there are many ways participants are supported at the local, state and national level. Support , ranges from parents to clubs or organizations, to state agencies in some cases.
The question, "Can Pittman Robertson funds be used to support YHEC," is often asked. Ask different people, you get different answers. Let's start with Congressional Record 15.611.
Objectives of Pittman Robertson Wildlife Restoration Programs:
1. To restore or manage wildlife populations and the provisions of pubic use of these resources;
2. Provide facilities and services for conducting a hunter safety program.
Section 669G states " each state may use the funds apportioned to it under Section 869 C-B of this title to pay up to 75 percentum of the cost of a hunter safety program and the construction, operation and maintenance of public targets as part of such program." I have been advised that when PR monies are used for Y.H.E.C., Y.H.E.C. must be written into the objectives of the State Hunter Education Program.
In Ohio, the League of Sportsmen put pressure on their wildlife agency and received funding. Good Luck!
States that are getting started with a Y.H.E.C. Program should apply to the National Rifle Association Foundation for a grant. Several states have been successful in receiving grants awarded from proceeds raised at Friends of the NRA banquets. Get involved, organize a "Friends" banquet in your area. I would suggest you work with your National Rifle Association Field Representative on this issue.
Most governmental agencies have difficulty processing monies from outside sources. Agency rules and regulations make it difficult to disburse these funds, once received. The solution to this is in finding a friendly, tax exempt organization, that will establish a separate account and allow you to operate under its tax shelter. This allows you to solicit donations, conduct raffles and organize fund-raising events such as turkey and sporting clay shoots, as a means of raising funds.
What works in one area might not necessarily work in another area. So keep in mind that most communities will support programs that support and benefit their youth!