The Place to Be is in Ellerbe
Apr
26
Written by:
4/26/2012 8:28 AM
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will host the 34
th annual Youth Hunter Education Skills Tournament on Saturday, April 28, at the Millstone 4-H Center near Ellerbe. This popular state championship for pre-collegiate shooting sports annually draws participants and spectators from across North Carolina. An estimated 3,000 people are expected to attend this year’s event.
“This is the highest level of shooting sports competition of its kind in the state,” said Travis Casper, state hunter education coordinator. “Besides the hundreds of participants who qualified to get here at a district level, several hundred more spectators typically show up. We invite anyone with an interest in shooting sports to attend and there’s no admission charge.”
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. Teams are organized within public and private schools. Home-schooled students and teams representing 4-H or FFA also can compete, provided they meet eligibility requirements.
The competition segments include .22 rifle, shotgun and archery marksmanship, as well as an orienteering challenge and a wildlife knowledge test.