Promoting Gun Safety and Shooting Sports

Est. 2013

Thank you for your interest in the West Forsyth Hunter Safety Team! Our season will consist of several scrimmages, lots of practices, and lead up to competing in the NC Wildlife Youth Hunter Education Skills Tournament District Competition (YHEST) in March. Depending on the outcome of the district tournament, one or more of West Forsyth’s teams may qualify for the state tournament in April.

The YHEST tournament consists of competitions in shotgun, archery, small bore rifle and hunter skills. The objectives of the program are to:

• Promote the Hunter Education Program in North Carolina school system.

• Promote the safe sport of hunting and shooting.

• Provide a platform of rules to ensure maximum participation and fairness of competition.

Overview FAQCost? Team dues for 2020 are TBD but typically around $75. Extra expenses include the required team uniform consisting of a team shirt and hat. Limited financial assistance may be available through the Booster Club if cost is prohibitive.

Can I help the team? YES! You can become a Range Safety Officer (RSO) by taking a certification course through NC Wildlife. We will notify parents of these opportunities. The team also has a Booster Club run by parent volunteers which handles merchandise and fund-raising for the team. For more information on the Booster Club, please send an e-mail to wfbooster@yahoo.com

Is prior experience needed to participate? No! We welcome all skill levels and no prior experience is required. Members are required to take and pass the NC Hunter Safety class. Opportunities to take the class, typically on a Saturday early in the season, will be provided. Students may also take the class through NC Wildlife Commission (https://www.ncwildlife.org/Hunting/Before-The-Hunt/Hunter-Education-Courses).

What about ammo? Ammo is provided by the team. MEMBERS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED FROM BRINGING AMMO!

Practices? Official practices are on Saturdays, usually starting in October. We have an official range located close to campus. Scrimmages are also practice opportunities set up by other schools mimicking District Competition. More info on practices and scrimmages will be provided through the group social media and email list. Note all members MUST have taken and passed the NC Hunter Safety class before they are allowed to practice.

Contact:LTC (R) John BrownCell: 704-640-9123

Home: 704-278-1791Email (preferred): jobrown@wsfcs.k12.nc.us

Facebook: West Forsyth Shooting TeamTwitter: WF_ShootingTeamE-mail List: Sign up for our e-mail list or send a request to WFBooster@yahoo.comRemind 101: text @adddg2 to 81010

EQUIPMENTCoaches STRONGLY recommend new members do not rush out to purchase equipment, and instead wait until after the first practice. Coaches will be available to discuss equipment with parents, and explain requirements and recommendations at that time.

ShotgunIt is preferred that shooters have their own 12 or 20 gauge shotguns, but others might let you practice or test their guns. Students will shoot a five-station event, shooting 20 clay birds. Hat, tinted eye protection, and in-ear ear protection are required for competition safety.

Hunter Ski l lsThis event consists of two parts: orienteering and a hunter safety test.

The orienteering portion requires participants or teams to use a compass to follow a bearing to a pre-determined station. Compasses are provided by the team, therefore, no equipment is required to participate.

The hunter safety test is REQUIRED for all team members wanting to compete in any events in the District Competition. It is a written exam consisting of questions derived from the NC Hunter Education Manual. Books will be provided for every team member. The hunter safety test scores are used to break any shooting event ties, therefore studying the book cannot be stressed enough.

ArcheryBow shooters compete from 4 distances of 10, 15, 20 and 25 yards. Shooters are expected to have their own equipment, as each bow is sighted in and fit for a specific person. In addition to the weekly practices, archery practices every week on Tuesday at Droptine Archery in Advance, even during the summer. Practice times are 5-6pm or 6-7pm. There is a small fee to practice at Droptine which will be determined once the season starts. Droptine also offers yearly memberships for a fee and offers team members a 10% discount on all equipment other than bows.Rif le

It is preferred shooters have their own .22 rifle. Other teammates might be willing to share or let you test a rifle, but it is not guaranteed. In competition, students will shoot a paper target from each rifle position: Prone, Sitting, Kneeling and Standing. Eye protection, ear protection and a hat are required. Up to Nine power scopes are allowed in competition. Coaches strongly recommend bolt action rifles and slings. No gun modifications allowed.