RALEIGH, NC— The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will host the 40th annualYouth Hunter Education Skills Tournament — the state championship for pre-collegiate shooting sports — on April 29 at the John F. Lentz Hunter Education Complex in Ellerbe in Richmond County.

The Wildlife Commission conducted nine district competitions in March (which serve as qualifiers for the state competition) with more than 4,000 middle and high school students participating. Sixty-one teams will move on to compete at the state level in rifle, shotgun and archery marksmanship, compass orienteering and a hunter responsibility exam. Overall results for the junior and senior divisions can be found here.

Competition is conducted on senior (high school) and junior (middle and elementary schools) divisional levels, with overall team and individual awards based on aggregate scores in all events. This year saw 324 teams participating from 191 public and private schools, homeschool associations and 4-H clubs.

"We've got kids coming from every corner of the state to compete this year," said Carissa Shelton, the Commission's western outreach manager. "It's a real pleasure watching these kids hone their skills and promote North Carolina's hunting heritage. They are truly the future of shooting sports."

The championship represents an opportunity for competitors who advanced from district events to showcase shooting and outdoor skills as well as knowledge learned through the Commission's Hunter Education Program.

While the competition is for students 18 years and younger, the Wildlife Commission offers free hunter education courses and advanced hunter education on a regular schedule for all ages. For more information, go t 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. To learn more, visi www.ncwildlife.org.

Get N.C. Wildlife Update — news including season dates, bag limits, legislative updates and more — delivered free to your Inbox from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Go t www.ncwildlife.org/enews.



Media contact: Ryan Kennemur
919-707-0186
ryan.kennemur@ncwildlife.org