RALEIGH, N.C. – The 32nd annual Youth Hunter Education Skills Tournament, presented by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission on April 24 at Millstone 4-H Center near Ellerbe, saw record-setting attendance and record-breaking scores.
An estimated 3,200 people came for this popular competitive event, a component of the state’s Hunter Education Program.
The tournament is open to teams that previously competed and qualified at a district level. Categories are orienteering, target shooting in archery, .22 rifle, shotgun and muzzleloader, along with testing in wildlife identification and hunting safety knowledge. There are senior (high school) and junior (middle school and elementary) levels, with overall team and overall individual awards based on aggregate scores in all events.
The Forbush Red team was the winner in the senior division with 3,756 points, while the South Davie Middle School team was the winner in the junior division with 3,617 points. A perfect score is 4,000 points.
The senior division overall individual champion is Andrew Welker of Gray Stone Day School, with 772 points out of a possible 800. The junior division overall individual champion is Hunter Efird of Park Ridge Christian School, with 758 points.
“The increased popularity of the tournament is certainly gratifying,” said Travis Casper, the state’s assistant hunter education coordinator. “I think the attention that the hunter education specialists have given to hunter safety programs in schools has helped promote the event.
“But the true measure of this event is how 54 teams made up of 904 young people and coaches conducted themselves and achieved success. I’d say the real victory is for conservation in North Carolina.”
For complete team and individual standings, click here <http://www.ncwildlife.org/NewsReleases/documents/2010_Tournament_Results.pdf> .
Hunter education is required for all first-time hunting license buyers in North Carolina. Courses cover hunter ethics and responsibility, conservation and wildlife management, survival and first aid, specialty hunting and tree-stand safety. For more information click here <http://www.ncwildlife.org/Hunting/H_Hunter_Ed_Course.htm> or call (919) 707-0031.
About N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Since 1947, the North Carolina 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. To learn more, visit www.ncwildlife.org
