| Shotgun participants at their stations receiving instruction |
| Paul Hering of Temple, TX fires his muzzleloader during the Challenge. |
| Participant Krista Kehrer and the volunteers at the Archery Area |
| THE 15th ANNUAL |
| Texas Youth Hunter Education Challenge |
| 2006 |
| For many years, there has often been a void between the basic hunter education course currently offered in our State of Texas, as in many other states, and the need to further develop the skills and knowledge of young hunters. The National Rifle Association Youth Hunter Education Challenge program is designed to bridge this gap between basic and advanced hunter training. The State of Texas in recent years has begun to have a State competition for our youth. |
| The program consists of having a state level competition for junior and senior level youth that leads to an annual National NRA Youth Education Challenge. This program gives young hunters across North America an opportunity to build upon the foundation provided by their initial hunter education course. |
| The activities have been carefully designed to simulate hunting situations and test hunting knowledge and skills. Preparation for the Texas and NRA Youth Hunter Education Challenge will provide hands-on experience for young hunters that will serve them in actual hunting situations and develop safer, more responsible hunters. |
| In recent years, over 30,000 young Texas hunters annually emerge from the hunter education program equipped with a basic knowledge of wildlife, game laws, and gun handling. The developments of local, regional and state youth hunter education challenge programs are what will enable perhaps hundreds of these young hunters to become involved. It is the “grass-roots” participation that will encourage them to further develop their skills and attitudes in shooting, hunting and wildlife management. |
| A vital key to the success of this program is the involvement of volunteer and professional hunter educators. Without their leadership and organizational ability, students cannot participate and the program will not succeed. The important role that the sponsors at local and state youth hunter education challenges play in the future growth and success of this program also cannot be stressed enough. |
| Participation in this program at any level will be a very positive learning experience for all young hunter education students. The opportunity for participants, volunteers and sponsors to take part in the youth hunter education challenge should be just a small part of the experience and not the main objective. The feeling of personal pride, accomplishment and satisfaction in showing knowledge and helping to develop safe, responsible young hunters will contribute immeasurably to ensuring a bright future for the sport of hunting in our great State of Texas and the rest of North America. |
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| The 2006 Over All Sportsman Award went a team instead of an individual. Team members from left to right, front row; Coach Randy Wilson, Ben Threadgill, Cade Wood. Back row; Randy Threadgill, Blake Wilson, Brady Wilson, Lance Sanders and Richard Wood. |
| Hunter Education Instructors volunteering their time at the Muzzleloading Station. |
| Over All Junior winner - Michael Lynch of San Antonio, TX. |
| Over All Senior winner - Blake Wilson of Bryan, TX. |
