RALEIGH, N.C. — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has set the schedule for the 42nd annual Youth Hunter Education Skills Tournaments (YHEST). More than 4,000 students will compete in events including shotgun, archery, rifle, orienteering and a written hunting skills exam.
The 2019 schedule, by state wildlife district:
District 1: March 30, Eastern 4-H Center - 100 N Clover Way, Columbia
District 2: March 9, New Hanover LEO Range - 5301 Holly Shelter Rd., Castle Hayne
District 3: March 16, Rose Hill Farm - 3851 Rose Hill Lane, Nashville
District 4: March 16, Camp Freedom - 7366 Sherrill Baggett Rd., Falcon
District 5: March 2, Chatham County Wildlife Club -Wildlife Rd., Bear Creek
District 6: March 16, Lentz Hunter Education Complex - 2030 Gibson Mill Rd., Ellerbe
District 7: March 9, Hunting Creek Shooting Preserve - 300 N. Meadow Rd., Harmony
District 8: March 23, Catawba Valley Wildlife Club - 2705 Lynn Mountain Rd., Vale
District 9: March 23, Polk County Wildlife Club - 1243 Little Mountain Rd., Columbus
Competition is conducted on senior (high school) and junior (middle and elementary schools) divisional levels, with overall team and overall individual awards based on aggregate scores in all events. Home-schooled students and teams representing 4-H or FFA also can compete, provided they meet eligibility requirements. Sixty teams will move on to compete at the state tournament on April 27 at the Lentz Hunter Education Complex in Ellerbe. For more information about the Youth Hunter Education Skills Tournament, go to www.ncwildlife.org/YHEST.
While the competition is for students 18 years and younger, the Commission offers free hunter education courses and advanced hunter education on a regular schedule for all ages. For more information, go to www.ncwildlife.org/huntered or call 919-707-0031.
About the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Since 1947, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has been dedicated to the conservation and sustainability of the state’s fish and wildlife resources through research, scientific management, wise use and public input. The Commission is the state regulatory agency responsible for the enforcement of fishing, hunting, trapping and boating laws and provides programs and opportunities for wildlife-related educational, recreational and sporting activities.
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Media contact: Ryan Kennemur
919-707-0186