“hunter education”

Federal excise taxes collected on the sale of rifles, shotguns, handguns, ammunition and archery gear have nearly tripled during the past decade, boosting federal funding for the nation’s wildlife and hunter-education programs to record levels even though many handgun, ammo and archery buyers don’t hunt.

Studies show that while 79 percent of Americans support ethical hunting, the number of hunters in the United States today is about the same as 50 years ago when there were half as many people. Why don’t more people hunt?

The 2017 National Rifle Association Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) National Championship is scheduled for July 23-28, 2017, at the NRA Whittington Center in Raton, New Mexico.

True story: Your tax money does so much good for wildlife and our sports that it is impossible to quantify in one magazine article.

YHEC is many things. Here is a small taste of what the Youth Hunter Education Challenge has to offer.

On the wide-open Western plains pronghorn antelope, the second-fastest land animals on Earth, use distance as a buffer from danger. It’s wise to admit a truck is best used to locate herds. But reality is boots will need to hit the ground to close the deal.

Since its inception, YHEC has helped 1.3 million youngsters to gain that hands-on experience, and they’re better hunters for it.

Here's why NRA's free online hunter education course, NRAHE.org, is the new standard by which all other hunter safety courses will be judged.

Obtaining permission to hunt private property can be challenging, but landowners may be more inclined to grant access if you show them your hunting resume.