Georgia DNR to Host Youth Hunter Education Challenge

Youth interested in the outdoors can test their knowledge and demonstrate their skills at the upcoming Youth Hunter Education Challenge scheduled for Sept. 28 at the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, located near Mansfield.

This competition is open to all hunter education-certified youth, 18 years of age and younger, and aims to test participants’ abilities in multiple outdoor skills, such as 3-D archery trail, orienteering, shoot/don’t shoot scenarios, shotgun, rifle and a hunter safety trail.  The event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Registration begins at 8 a.m.), and is hosted by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division.

The Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC), is “similar to a graduate studies course for hunter education students providing further training in outdoor skills and safety,” explains Jennifer Pittman, shooting sports coordinator for the Wildlife Resources Division. “The program is conducted under simulated hunting conditions to provide the best practical environment for reinforcing and testing a young hunter’s skills.”

Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center is located near Mansfield, less than an hour southeast of Atlanta off Interstate 20.  The address is 543 Elliott Trail, Mansfield 30055.  To register for this event, contact Jeff East at jeff.east@dnr.state.ga.us or at 678-332-8711.

Dates and locations of more YHEC events, plus practice tests and program information, are available at www.georgiawildlife.com/YHEC.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is comprised of six divisions which carryout DNR’s mission to sustain, enhance, protect and conserve Georgia’s natural, historic and cultural resources. As one of six divisions within DNR, the Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) is charged with conserving, enhancing and promoting Georgia’s wildlife resources, including game and nongame animals, fish and protected plants. WRD is comprised of four sections – Game Management, Fisheries Management, Law Enforcement and Nongame Conservation, which regulate hunting, fishing and boat operation, protect nongame and endangered wildlife, provide conservation education and enforce laws for the protection and use of Georgia’s natural resources.