The PA YHEC Kids had another fine year!

Garth Babcock captured first place in the senior division.

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Sayre Seniors (Ted Them, Garth Babcock, Adam Green, and
Ed & Peter Rosenberger) took first place senior team.

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Jeremy Castle got third place senior division.

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Devon Babcock placed second in the junior division.

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Sayre Juniors ( Lynsey Arnold, Devon Babcock, Jarrod Chandler,
Garrett Desmond and Robert Strouse ) took second place junior team.

There were many individual awards as well.

Pennsylvania Sweeps Senior Division, Takes Second in
Junior at 2000 Youth Hunter Education Challenge

International Hunting Challenge Tests Youth Shooting, Outdoor Skills

(Mansfield, PA)––Pennsylvanians, it seems, certainly know their fair share about hunting. Teams from PA have for the third year in a row dominated the NRA's International Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) – the 15th annual event – held again this year in Mansfield, PA, from July 24-28.

The YHEC program is designed to encourage young hunters to build upon the basic skills they learn in state-level hunter education courses. After completing a state course, and competing in a state or local YHEC, youngsters are eligible to compete in the annual international event. The international event concludes with four overall awards: individual junior (ages 14 and under) and senior (ages 15-19), and team junior and senior. Two hundred and forty seven young hunters from 18 states and Saskatchewan chose to compete in this year's hunter challenge, facing eight events: .22 rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader, archery, orienteering, hunter safety trail, wildlife identification, and a written hunter safety exam.
 

Garth Babcock, 18, of Rome, PA, scored 1820 points out of a possible 2400 (300 per event) to cinch his second first-place senior victory in as many years, besting last year's score by nine points. "I didn't really have a favorite event," said Garth, "I liked competing in everything." Garth's team, led by his father, Blair, again ended up on top as the first-place senior team after several days of exciting and demanding shooting and hunter safety events; the senior team also finished first at the 1998 YHEC, held in Raton, NM. This year's team members include: Adam Green, Warren Center; Ed and Pete Rosenberger, Athens; and Ted Them, Sayre. Devon Babcock, Garth's brother, took second place in the junior individual category; the PA junior team also weighed in this year with a second place finish.
 

Dustin Dawson, 15, from Cumberland, MD, took home the gold as the highest junior individual with an aggregate score of 1765. "I did really well in orienteering," said Dustin of the event which left many young hunters a little frustrated. "I just kept reading and re-reading my orienteering book before I got out here," he added, giving away his winning strategy.
 

Louisiana took home double honors under the leadership of Happy Tyler, who received an award for his role as the volunteer instructor of the year, as well as coaching his team to first place in the junior team division; team members include: Chet Carpenter, Tioga; Charlie Edwards, Mansfield; Brian Crooks, Mansfield; Alex Troegel, Mansfield; and Jared Hayes, Stonewall. "I'm part of a great coaching staff," said Happy. "But what really makes the difference is good parenting–every one of our kids that attended, their parents came with them too. That kind of support makes all the difference," added Happy, looking at his team and smiling proudly.
 

Heidi Washington presented the overall individual and team winners with an award named after her father, the late Thomas L. Washington. Mr. Washington was a past NRA president who was actively involved in both the hunting and wildlife management arenas; he was a founder of the YHEC program, which he watched mature during his years of service at the NRA.
 

Greater Mansfield Area Chamber of Commerce President Tom Freeman said, during the opening ceremonies, that he wished all legislators would attend the NRA-sponsored event. "This is gun control at its best," said Freeman, to thunderous applause, who added that the event is about the true spirit of sportsmanship, and "teaching our youth skills that many would deny them."