Youth Hunter Education Skills Tournament

4,000 Youth, Nine District Tournaments, One State Championship

North Carolina’s Youth Hunter Education Skills Tournament (YHEST) is a statewide competition for middle and high-school-age youth. Participants compete in multiple events including shotgun, archery, rifle, orienteering and a written hunting skills exam.

2026 NC YHEST Tournament Rules (PDF)

2026 YHEST Tournament Schedule

District Tournament Schedule: 

  • District 1 - March 28, Columbia (Eastern 4-H Center)
  • District 2 - March 14, Washington (Beaufort County Community College)
  • District 3 - March 21, Nashville (Rose Hill Plantation)
  • District 4 - March 21, Falcon (Camp Freedom)
  • District 5 – March 7, Bear Creek (Chatham County Wildlife Club)
  • District 6 - March 28, Ellerbe (Lentz Shooting Range)
  • District 7 – March 14, Harmony (Hunting Creek Preserve)
  • District 8 – March 21, Vale (Catawba Valley Wildlife Club)
  • District 9  - March 21, Columbus (Polk County Gun Club)

State Tournament: 

  • April 25, Ellerbe (Lentz Shooting Range)
     

Inside NC's Youth Hunter Education Skills Tournament

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