Nearly 300 youths from across the nation gathered at the International Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) in Raton, N.M., July 27 -August 1. Sanctioned by the National Rifle Association and the International Hunter Education Association, the 1997 YHEC honored the finest in hunter safety, ethics and marksmanship. Several young hunters claimed their respective age categories after capturing the highest aggregate scores in eight simulated hunting events.
Finishing on top in the 2,400-point Challenge to win the Senior category (ages 15 -19) was Thomas Patti from Rome, Pa., (shown above)with a score of 1909. Patti, who won the Junior category (ages 14 and below) in 1996, is the only participant in the YHECs 13-year history to claim a title for two straight years. Winning the 1997 Junior championship was Mason Davis of Portales, N.M., with 1776. In addition to individual categories, YHEC organizers implemented a five-member state team category. The Pennsylvania Senior Red team triumphed in the Senior Team division with a combined score of 8570. The Junior No. 1--Caddo-Bossier Youth Shooting Club from Louisiana dominated the Junior Team category with 7414.
"The YHEC is a keystone in hunter education," said Robert L. Davis Jr., NRA YHEC program manager. "It is the only program in the nation that teaches firearm safety, hunter responsibility, and wildlife management in conjunction with providing actual field experience in all different hunting methods and all types of game." Upon completion of the Challenge, two special awards were presented in recognition of outstanding YHEC spirit and dedication. The F.E. Bud Eyman Sportsmanship Award was presented to the Augusta County, Va., team for demonstrating the qualities and behavior most characteristic of responsible hunters. Receiving the O.F. Slim Borsay Volunteer Instructor Award was Jimmie Barr from Texas for staunch dedication in the hunter education arena.
Contributing to the programs success were more than 100 volunteers who shared their knowledge and assisted with program operations. Included were state hunter education instructors, parents and area residents, all donating their time to preparing participants for a lifetime of safe hunting enjoyment.
Proudly promoting young hunters and the YHEC were the vast hunting trade media sponsors. Supporting publications included more than 40 of the best-known magazines for a combined circulation exceeding five million, including Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, Sports Afield, Southern Outdoors, Buckmasters, Hunter Education Instructor and Women & Guns.
Industry support continued to thrive in 1997. At the top of the industry sponsor list was Imperial Schrade Corp., a headlining sponsor since the programs inception in 1985, as well as long-time sponsors Winchester, Hodgdon Powder Co., Thompson/Center Arms, Federal Cartridge Corp., and Remington Arms.
Conducted by the NRA Hunter Services Department of the National Rifle Association of America, the five-day Challenge drew entire families to the NRA Whittington Center with competitions in rifle, archery, muzzleloading, shotgun, orienteering, hunter safety trail, wildlife identification, and a hunter responsibility exam. With shooting distances ranging from 21 -75 yards, shooters took aim at both life-sized 3-D and paper targets from whitetail deer and rabbit to ram and javelina. They shot from the ground and in tree stands and from the prone, standing, and sitting positions, all under simulated hunting conditions.
"By offering young hunters a wide array of events and activities, the YHEC presents a balanced program that truly prepares them for the field, said Dr. David Knotts, executive vice president of the IHEA. As they test their outdoor and marksmanship skills, participants learn about wildlife, self-reliance and discipline to make them better hunters and help them pass the hunting tradition to future generations."
The National Rifle Association has been a leader in hunting and wildlife conservation since its inception in 1871. The NRA designed the nations first hunter safety program in conjunction with New York state in 1949. Today hunter education programs are in place in all 50 states and several Canadian provinces. The Association continues to work with organizations such as the IHEA in support of enhancing hunter safety and skills training throughout North America.
Senior Individual Winners