The NRA National Youth Hunter Education Challenge (YHEC) will return to Bentonville, Arkansas, July 19–26, 2026. This premier youth event offers a fun and competitive environment where participants can strengthen their hunting, marksmanship and safety skills.
Open to youth ages 8–18, YHEC brings together individuals and teams from across the country to compete in eight challenging events—including four responsibility-based activities and four shooting disciplines—all conducted under realistic, simulated hunting conditions. The program is designed to test participants while reinforcing the core principles of safety, ethics, and outdoor knowledge.
"The first time I attended an NRA YHEC event more than 25 years ago, I knew it was something truly special," said Matt Fleming, Director of NRA Hunting, Conservation and Ranges. "The excitement around the shooting events was expected, but what stands out even more was seeing hundreds of young participants and their coaches take hunting safety and responsibility to the next level. Whether it's .22 rifle or wildlife identification, each event challenges these youth to become the safest, most capable hunters and conservationists they can be."
Since its inception in 1985, the NRA YHEC program has provided a dynamic, hands-on learning experience that builds upon the foundation of basic hunter education. As a "graduate-level" program, YHEC incorporates simulated hunting scenarios, live-fire exercises, and educational challenges that promote safe, ethical, and responsible hunting practices.
National YHEC Organizational Sponsors include Arkansas Friends of NRA, Arkansas Chapter of Safari Club International, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Benton County Quail, Arkansas Rifle and Pistol Association, Arkansas Gun and Cartridge Collectors Club, and "Visit Bentonville". Corporate Sponsors include the Kinetic Group (Federal, Remington, CCI), Henry Repeating Arms, Feradyne Industries, The Allen Company, Bushnell, CZ-USA, Bear & Son, Inc., EAACorp, and Taurus Holdings.
For more than 40 years, YHEC has been committed to "Teaching Young Boys and Girls the Safe, Ethical and Responsible Way to Shoot, Hunt, and Enjoy the Outdoors." Several of YHEC's "alumni" from the past forty years have gone on to careers based on shooting and hunting, such as state game biologists, game wardens, gunsmiths, gun/sporting goods store owners, taxidermists, and hunting-fishing guides/outfitters. It is very exciting to see children and grandchildren of past YHEC participants now involved with YHEC, as we continue "To Build the Next Generation of Young Hunters."
For more information about the National YHEC event or YHEC in general go to: yhec.nra.org/
To volunteer at the national YHEC event: [email protected] or 713-253-7914
YHEC appreciates the support from "Visit Bentonville". Please see this informative blog that "Visit Bentonville" developed to help you plan your visit to Bentonville, AR. The City of Bentonville is being very supportive of YHEC and our choice to host our National Championship in their City. As you can see, there is much to do in Bentonville and Northwest Arkansas.
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