NRA Youth Hunter Education Challenge includes non-firearm events

Little Rock, Arkansas - Not every event at the NRA's Youth Education Challenge revolves around firearms. Orienteering requires a compass and map, Wildlife Identification requires your eyes, and Archery requires a bow and arrow. This morning at the C. A. Vines 4-H Center in Little Rock, it was the last one (Archery) that called to the team from Benton County 4-H. That's where Stuart Sage, our inside man and Assistant Benton County Coach, concentrated his efforts.

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Hundreds of Junior and Senior competitors show off outdoor skills in Little Rock

Little Rock, Arkansas - All across the country, tens of thousands of kids are putting their hunting and shooting skills to the test by way of NRA's Youth Education Challenge. A grueling three-day event where teams and individuals compete in eight areas of outdoor expertise; shotgun, rifle, muzzleloader, archer, firearm safety, wildlife identification, orienteering and hunter responsibility. Yesterday, for example, kicked off the Arkansas State Championships at the C. A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center in Little Rock … and we have someone on the inside.

Mr. Stuart Sage arrived early with approximately 40 competitors in tow from the Benton County 4-H. Started five years ago by Michael Gower, the team began with less than ten members. Oh how they've grown.

"I act as an assistant coach for my son's team," Sage wrote. "Three seasons ago, when he first joined, there were only three Juniors on his team. Now we have sixteen Juniors and five Seniors. We have been busy."

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Teaching youth to hunt responsibly, recognize wildlife, and preserve the environment.

Raton, New Mexico - On July 21st, boys and girls from across North America will gather a the Whittington Center in Raton to compete for the 2013 NRA International Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) title. Made up of eight separate events (Rifle, Shotgun, Muzzleloader, Archery, Orienteering, Wildlife Identification, Hunter Safety & Hunter Responsibility), YHEC teaches the young the basics of hunting. At International YHEC, kids from all over the United States and Canada will put their skills in each of those events to the test.

Those making their way out to New Mexico are the boys and girls who performed well at their state YHEC competitions. In July, they'll discover who has what it takes to bring home the Junior or Senior Grand Champion title.

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From Federal Premium Ammunition - Federal Premium® Ammunition and CCI® Allocate 20 Million Rounds of .22 LR Ammunition for Youth Shooting Sports Programs

Anoka, Minnesota - Federal Premium® Ammunition and sister company CCI® have dedicated 20 million rounds of rimfire ammunition to youth shooting sports programs. The Boy Scouts of America will receive 10 million .22 LR shells, and another 10 million will be sent to other organizations. This product sold at a discounted price will ship directly to the Boys Scouts of America, 4-H Shooting Sports and other qualified youth organizations. The ammunition distribution process was in cooperation with the Youth Shooting Sports Alliance (YSSA). Delivery is expected in May and will help ensure that many camps, shooting programs and trainings can occur over the summer.

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From the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks - Youth Hunter Education Challenge returns to South Dakota

Pierre, South Dakota - Young hunters will get a chance to demonstrate both their shooting abilities and their knowledge of conservation at the 2013 Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) June 15 in Mitchell.

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United States' increased interest in firearms leads to growth of NRA programs.

Fairfax, Virginia - Americans' interest in firearms has seen a surge in popularity over the past five years. More people are getting involved with the shooting sports, personal safety and hunting than ever before. And to help everyone from beginners to experienced firearms enthusiasts fully enjoy their Second Amendment rights are 178 NRA programs.

Places where we've seen the most growth are in our popular courses like NRA Basic Pistol and the female-focused Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics, designed to introduce citizens to firearms. You can't teach these courses without being a Certified Firearms Instructor or supervising safe shooting activities unless you're a Range Safety Officer.

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Tim Lemon recognized for outstanding work with hunter education and enforcement in North America

Fairfax, Virginia - Tim Lemon, a hunter education specialist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, has been named the 2013 Hunter Education Professional of the Year for his outstanding community service, recruitment and enforcement efforts for hunter education in North America.

The award was presented at the annual International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) conference in San Antonio last week by NRA Hunter Services Manager Bob Davis, whose department oversees the nominations and selects the winner.

"Tim's work has consistently been essential to the success of conservation efforts and hunter education," Davis said. "All of this year's nominees were second to none, but Tim had the edge."

Sporting 25 years of involvement in hunter education, Lemon started as a Wildlife Enforcement Officer in 1997 before becoming a Hunter Education Specialist in 2001. His well-rounded background help him work with officers and educators in a ways that greatly benefit hunter education.

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Instead of cartoons, kids spend Saturday morning learning rifles, bows and fishing with the NRA

 

While tweeting the other day, @Homeschooladdic (known in real life as Samantha) mentioned something about taking her kids to an NRA Youth Hunter Education Challenge. We said we wanted to hear more. Today, she gives us more.

 

Martin, Georgia - On a beautifully perfect Saturday morning, families from Martin, Georgia and surround communities gathered with their children for the Second Annual NRA Youth Hunter Education Challenge. Greeted by Linda Barrett of Land & Lake Realty, they stood in line to register for the event. Bouncing around in anticipation, the little ones dug through a bag of goodies (including a gun safety lock and a t-shirt donated by the National Rifle Association) while mom and dad dealt with the forms. Today was going to be fun. According to Linda, more than 250 children arrived in time to join in that fun.

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International Youth Hunter Education Challenge ready for competitors in New Mexico

Fairfax, Virginia - More than 50,000 kids throughout the United States and Canada participate in NRA's Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) each year. Two things come from these regional, state and provincial challenges; knowledge of the outdoors and the chance to compete in the International YHEC competition this July.

That competition will take place this year at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, New Mexico. Despite local reports to the contrary, there will be plenty of ammunition on hand for the .22 rifle portion of the challenge.

More on the supply of .22 ammunition for NRA's International YHEC ...