West Virginia’s Celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Days

Changes to Outdoor Youth Challenge

West Virginia’s Celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Days will be held September 27th and 28th at Stonewall Resort State Park.  “This celebration is one of the most unique events held in West Virginia, with hands-on learning and instructional opportunities for youth and the entire family in celebrating West Virginia’s wildlife and outdoor heritage” according to Frank Jezioro, Director, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

Substantial changes will be made this year to the format of the very popular Outdoor Youth Challenge.  In the past, the Outdoor Youth Challenge was a scored competition of events dealing with wildlife, fishing, marksmanship (shooting) and other activities related to outdoor recreation.  There were two age classes (ages 11-14 and ages 15-18) and a grand prize was awarded to the overall winner of the competition in each age class.

Changes in the Outdoor Youth Challenge were initiated as a means of significantly increasing youth participation by removing the competition factor (scoring), unless a youth requests to be scored.  Ultimately, it is hoped that many more youths will try many of the events, just for fun and to have the exposure and experience of trying something new - without the pressure of being tested.  However, those youths 11-18 years of age who would like to compete will still be able to do so with five scored competitive events which include casting for accuracy, archery and .22 rifle, muzzleloader and shotgun (skeet) shooting.

All youths who wish to participate must complete a free, on site registration where they will be given a color coded registration card for Outdoor Youth Challenge events.   There will be approximately 20 events and each youth must complete at least 10 events to be eligible for prize drawings.  Upon completion of an event the youth’s registration card will be validated by the official overseeing that event.  Two types of registration will be offered for the Outdoor Youth Challenge.  The first will be for those youths up to 18 years of age that would like to participate in the Youth Challenge events just for fun and the experience, but do not wish to compete.  The second type of registration will be for youths 11-14 and 15-18 years of age who wish to compete in the scored events.  The numerical score for the five scored competitive events will be recorded on the youth’s registration card. These youths, in addition to completing the scored events, must also complete at least five of the un-scored Youth Challenge events. 

All Outdoor Youth Challenge participants will have a chance to win a grand prize and other secondary prizes at the end of each day.  In addition, separate prizes will be awarded to each junior (ages11-14) and senior (ages15-18) competition winner each day.

“The Outdoor Youth Challenge is probably the most important single event at West Virginia’s Celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Days,” Jezioro said; “It encourages our state’s youngsters to learn new skills and to gain important knowledge and experience about wildlife, hunting, fishing, firearms safety and outdoor recreation.  For some youngsters, this may be the only opportunity they will have to be exposed to these fun and exciting outdoor activities”.

The following events will be part of the 2008 Outdoor Youth Challenge:

YOUTH CHALLENGE EVENTS

Youth Challenge Registration Tent – Behind Administration Building

AREA 1             Behind Administration Building        

 _____    Fish ID

_____    Wildlife ID

_____    Trapping

_____    Casting

 AREA 2            Multi - Purpose Building

 _____    Wildlife Jeopardy Game

_____    Touch a Snake

_____    Talk with a Law Enforcement Officer about a career

_____    Talk with a Wildlife Resources person about a career

 AREA 3            Below Multi - Purpose Building

 _____    Archery

_____    Boating

_____    Fishing

_____    Fly Fishing

_____    Deer Skinning

_____    Fish Filleting

_____  Bird Dog Demonstration

_____  Squirrel Skinning

 AREA 4            Public Shooting Range – (You can drive or take free shuttle bus)

 _____    22 Rifles

_____    Shotgun

_____    Muzzleloader

_____    Interpretive Nature Hike

 After completing an event, someone there will initial that you have participated in that event. You must complete at least ten (10) of the events to be eligible for the prize drawings.