More than 100 young hunters, ages 10-18 from across the state, came together at the Woodworth Education Center and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office Shooting Range Saturday to sharpen their skills and compete for awards in regional Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) events hosted by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).
The young hunters competed in a variety of events, including 3-D archery, .22 rifle shooting, muzzleloader, shotgun shooting, wildlife identification, safety trail, map/compass orienteering and a general knowledge test.
“I enjoyed the opportunity to watch our next generation of hunters compete and enhance their skills in a variety of critical outdoor activities,” said LDWF Secretary Madison D. Sheahan. “From what I saw and heard while visiting with them, it is clear these young hunters understand the importance of safety while enjoying the outdoors, respecting nature and following good conservation practices. I firmly believe this training will help them be good stewards of our Sportsman’s Paradise.”
YHEC, sponsored by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and affiliated with the LDWF Hunter Education Program, provides a fun environment for youth 18 and under to improve their hunting, marksmanship and safety skills. Through its simulated hunting situations, live-fire exercises, educational and responsibility events, YHEC builds upon the skills learned in basic Hunter Education courses and encourages safer, lifelong hunting habits.
Award winners from this weekend’s North/Central and South regional competitions include:
North/Central Regional in Woodworth
Overall Top Combined Scores for all events and YHEC test (receive paid trip to Nationals):
Juniors
1st – Allen Walker
2nd – John Dailey
3rd – Jameson Gray
4th – Blaise Dillard
5th – Tyler Layssard
Seniors
1st – Kent Rains
2nd – Weston Airheart
3rd – Casey Mallach
4th – Noah Palmer
5th – Ben Stokes
Academic Excellence Award for Top YHEC Test score:
Junior Winner – John Dailey
Senior Winner – Kent Rains
Top Muzzleloader (John Sturgis Bayou Muzzleloader Memorial Award):
Junior Winner – Blaise Dillard
Senior Winner – Kent Rains
“Smokin” Award in Honor of Kin Fulton (For participants excelling in sportsmanship and exhibiting courteous and kind behavior uplifting and encouraging team members):
Junior Male Winner – Allen Walker
Junior Female Winner – Julia Dailey
Senior Male Winner – Westin Airheart
Senior Female Winner – Karsyn Brandon
La. Sportsman Award in Honor of Bud Carpenter:
Junior Winner – Chloe Mains
Senior Winner – Tallon Soileau
La. Outdoorsman Award in Honor of Mike Burns:
Junior Winner – Lillian Church
Senior Winner – Dillon McCool
Individual Events Top 3
Archery:
Junior
Gold – Allen Walker
Silver – Tyler Layssard
Bronze – Baron Paul
Senior
Gold – Westin Airheart
Silver – Casey Mallach
Bronze – Noah Palmer
.22 Rifle:
Junior
Gold – Allen Walker
Silver – Tyler Layssard
Bronze – John Daily
Senior
Gold – Kent Rains
Silver – Casey Mallach
Bronze – Westin Airheart
Safety Trail:
Junior
Gold – Andrew Welch
Silver – John Daily
Bronze – Lillian Church
Senior
Gold – Kent Rains
Silver – Karsyn Brandon
Bronze – Westin Airheart
Shotgun:
Junior
Gold – Allen Walker
Silver – Baron Paul
Bronze – Jameson Gray
Senior
Gold – Noah Palmer
Silver – Casey Mallach
Bronze – Tallon Soileau
Orienteering:
Junior
Gold – William Mains
Silver – John Daily
Bronze – Liam Thiels
Senior
Gold – Kent Rains
Silver – Ben Stokes
Bronze – Westin Airheart
Muzzleloader:
Junior
Gold – Blaise Dillard
Silver – Tyler Layssard
Bronze – Maggie Stokes
Senior
Gold – Kent Rains
Silver – Karsyn Brandon
Bronze – Noah Palmer
Wildlife ID:
Junior
Gold – Liam Thiels
Silver – John Daily
Bronze – Jameson Gray
Senior
Gold – Kent Rains
Silver – Casey Mallach
Bronze – Westin Airheart
YHEC Test:
Junior
Gold – John Daily
Silver – Liam Thiels
Bronze – Lillian Church
Senior
Gold – Kent Rains
Silver – Noah Palmer
Bronze – Ben Stokes
South Regional in Terrebonne Parish
Overall Top Combined Scores for all events and YHEC test (receive paid trip to Nationals):
Juniors
1st – Ehren Gros
2nd – Sydnee Myhand
3rd – Matthew Chaisson
4th – Giuseppe Gorman
5th – Logan Benoit
Seniors
1st – Carter Neil
2nd – Coben Trosclair
3rd – Logan Andrus
4th –Nathan Rider
5th – Hunter Poche
Academic Excellence Award:
Junior
Gold – Ehren Gros
Silver – Sydnee Myhand
Bronze – Owen Lyons
Senior
Gold – Carter Neil
Silver – Coben Trosclair
Bronze – Nathan Rider
Individual Events Top 3
Archery:
Junior
Gold – Matthew Chaisson
Silver – Giuseppe Gorman
Bronze – Aiden Nugent
Senior
Gold – Coben Trosclair
Silver – Jack Reese
Bronze – Carter Neil
.22 Rifle:
Junior
Gold – Logan Benoit
Silver – Brie Tyler
Bronze – Andrew Toups
Senior
Gold – Hunter Poche
Silver – Carter Neil
Bronze – Nathan Rider
Safety Trail:
Junior
Gold – Ehren Gros
Silver – Audrey Pellegrin
Bronze – Matthew Chaisson
Senior
Gold – Joel Orgeron
Silver – Carter Neil
Bronze – Coben Trosclair
Shotgun:
Junior
Gold – Ehren Gros
Silver – Byron Peters
Bronze – Collin Henry
Senior
Gold – Carter Neil
Silver – Logan Andrus
Bronze – Kevin Kraemer
Orienteering:
Junior
Gold – Sydnee Myhand
Silver – Ehren Gros
Bronze – Cole Hebert
Senior
Gold – Nathan Rider
Silver – Logan Andrus
Bronze – Joel Orgeron
Muzzleloader:
Junior
Gold – Ehren Gros
Silver – Matthew Chaisson
Bronze – Logan Benoit
Senior
Gold – Coben Trosclair
Silver – Carter Neil
Bronze – Nathan Rider
Wildlife ID:
Junior
Gold – Ehren Gros
Silver – Matthew Chaisson
Bronze – Bryce Verret
Senior
Gold – Coben Trosclair
Silver – Carter Neil
Bronze – Logan Andrus
YHEC Test:
Junior
Gold – Logan Benoit
Silver – Ehren Gros
Bronze – Matthew Chaisson
Senior
Gold – Carter Neil
Silver – Coben Trosclair
Bronze – Nathan Rider
For more information on YHEC, go to https://yhec.nra.org/.