_edited.png)
NM YHEC RULES
Participation
The NRA Youth Hunter Education Challenge State Championship is conducted annually in cooperation with NRA by the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association and New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMG&F). To be eligible to participate, one must be:
1. A resident of New Mexico or declare your state preference.
2. All participants must have successfully completed a hunter education course.
​
3. Each individual or squad must have at least one sponsoring coach. The coach will chaperone and instruct for the duration of the New Mexico championship and will continue with the individual, squad or team if they qualify for the National Challenge.
4.All participants will have to bring in their possession the following:
-Birth certificate or copy
-Hunter Education Card or copy
-Medical Release
​
Age Brackets
SUB JUNIORS- Age 11 years and younger at the start date of the event.
JUNIORS- Age 12-14 years at the start of the event.
NOTE: May not be able to compete as a Junior for International
YHEC.
SENIORS- Age 15-18 years of age at the start of the event.
​
Teams
All participants can compete as individuals or on a five (5)-person team.
​
Teams must be made up of individuals in the same age bracket but do not have to be from the same county. Team members must be declared before the Challenge begins and may not be changed during the Challenge. Teams will be eligible for team awards only. Individuals will eligible for individual
awards only. Grouping of top individuals into teams after the New Mexico Challenge begins will not be allowed. All participants compete for individual awards. Team awards are given for overall aggregates.
ENTRIES AND CANCELLATIONS
Each participant and/or team must be pre-registered with New Mexico Shooting Sports Association/YHEC by ????, with an accompanying registration fee of $30 per participant. The registration fee will cover awards, targets, keepsakes and entry packet. The registration fee is NOT refundable. The registration fee is transferable to designated alternates
​
Regulations
Safety will be the first and foremost consideration during all activities.
Participants and spectators assume all risk of personal injury or property damage as noted on the required release form accompanying the pre-registration materials. Participants violating any safety rule will be given one warning and then be disqualified from further participation if a second infraction occurs. If the safety violation is severe, the participant may not be given a warning. Participants provide their own compasses and eye and ear protection. Participants should provide their own firearms and bows and arrows. A limited amount of loaner equipment is available provided prior arrangements are made with the Challenge Director.
No participant may participate for another team member in any activity, unless replacing them as a designated alternate for all events. Participants are expected to exhibit behavior above reproach at all times. All participants and parents must sign a statement of understanding regarding behavior before they participate.
SAFETY RULES
1. Know and obey all range commands.
2. Guns and magazines are to be unloaded except when on the firing line, ready to fire.
3. Arrows will not be knocked until on the firing line.
4. All .22 rifles and shotguns must have a safety device. Muzzleloaders will remain
uncapped until on the firing line. The safety will remain on, or in a safe condition, at all
times except when ready to fire.
5. All firearms will be pointed and bows drawn in a safe direction at all times.
6. Actions of uncased firearms must always be open except when on the firing line, ready to
fire.
7. Only one shell or cartridge may be placed in a gun at a time, unless otherwise specified in
the rules for the activity.
8. Participants must wear adequate eye and ear protection while on the firing line.
9. Firearms and bows should be placed in a gun or bow rack at the activity until called to
participate. Firearms and bows not in use should be locked in vehicles or safe storage
sites during the New Mexico Challenge. Their security is the coach’s responsibility.
