What is this thing that we call YHEC?
Written by Charles “Charlie” Fox
The Youth Hunter Education Challenge known better as (YHEC) is not just another shooting competition. If it were, we would put up targets, count hits and award prizes.
While everyone is not created with the same talents or desires, they all do have the ability to do the best that they can with the talents and desires they were given.
YHEC is about so much more than shooting. It is about the passing of values, given to us in our childhood, on for generations that follow.
YHEC is about the teaching of skills that will serve participants in their adult life. It is about the sharing of knowledge, understanding and respect for wildlife and for those who share this planet with us.
YHEC is about friendships that continue throughout the years that become extensions of your family.
YHEC is about the bonding of people from all walks of life who share common values.
YHEC enriches the lives of volunteers, coaches and those that participate.
If all of these things are worthy of your time and energy, come and be part of this thing we call “YHEC”!
Charlie was instrumental in the formation of YHEC. He started out as a coach for a local club in the mid 1980’s, then became the Pennsylvania State YHEC Coordinator and the Muzzle Loader Event Director for the National YHEC Event. Charlie was an avid outdoorsman with a lifelong love of teaching and mentoring youth. Unfortunately, we all lost an advocate for the outdoor community with Charlie’s passing in 2022.
Events
Archery
Participants will move through a field archery course in a natural setting. The course is designed to simulate shooting situations encountered while bowhunting.
Event Director: Dave LeVan
Muzzleloader
Participants will shoot the muzzleloader course in a natural setting. The course is designed to simulate shooting situations encountered while hunting.
Event Director: Mike Congdon
Shotgun
Participants will move through a multiple-station Hunter’s Clays course. It designed not designed after trap or skeet, but to simulate hunting conditions and situations.
Event Director: Barry Estep
22 Rifle Event
Participants will move through a walk-through rifle course in a natural setting. The course is designed to simulate shooting situations encountered while hunting.
Event Director: Darin Rathbun
Hunter Responsibility Exam
Participants will complete a written examination that includes 60 to 150 objective questions, which may be multiple choice, true or false or fill-in-the-blank.
Event Director: Becky Lathrop & Sandy Strong
Hunter Safety Trail
Participants will walk through a multiple-station, predetermined trail, designed to simulate actual hunting conditions and situations. Participants will be required to demonstrate hunter safety.
Event Director: Cynthia Rockenfield
Orienteering
Participants will be required to demonstrate their knowledge of outdoor skills by completing a written test and accomplishing field compass skills at predetermined outdoor stations.
Event Director: Zach Bixby
Wildlife Identification
The wildlife identification will be conducted with participants walking through multiple stations observing North American game animal tracks, mounted animals, and other identifying animal parts/signs that could be used to readily identify the specimen.
Director: Carol French
Non-Scoring Events
Put your skills to the test with our non-scoring events – where participants and supporters are all encouraged have some fun! Events include Mowhawk Marathon, Flu Flu, Tug-of-war, and more. Practice those tomahawk throwing skills – it might come in handy!
Director: Glenn Shelley