West Virginia Wildlife from Eyewitness News

Outdoor Youth Challenge

Big changes for a popular event.

September 17, 2008
Reporter: Patrick McMurtry
Videographer: Brad Rice

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The National Hunting and Fishing Days are less than two weeks away and you can bet folks are getting fired up for the annual event. One of the big draws is the Outdoor Youth Challenge. This year, though, there are a few changes.

Jerry Westfall/DNR says:
"There are several changes we have in the Outdoor Youth Challenge this year to make it more particapatory and more convienent for folks. We are moving it from an adjacent WMA to Stonewall Resort proper. We're ending the pre-registration so kids can register at the event itself."

Changing the location is just one thing you'll find a little different at the Outdoor Youth Challenge. Kids will still be able to shoot bows, fire rifles and shoot clay pigeons, only this year there will no doubt be more kids doing all that cool stuff.

Jerry Westfall/DNR says:
"We're having both the competition and participatory aspect to the OYC so those kids who don't want to participate or compete can just show up and take in the event.

We're hoping this will grow the event from 70 kids we currently have to possibly several hundred."

That's because kids won't have to be locked into a long competition if they don't want to be, they can choose whick events they want to do without the pressure of winning or losing.
Speaking of winners....there are some pretty good prizes out there.

Jerry Westfall/DNR says:
"We're giving away a number of prizes, both grand and secondary prizes that were donated to us, including for the grand prizes, we have two lifetime hunting and fishing licenses we're giving away, we're also giving away two compound bows and two muzzle loaders and for the competition, we have a scholarship to the Senior Conservation Camp."

Those are some good prizes. If you get a chance, spend some time with your kids at the National Hunting and Fishing Show. I'll see you there. For West Virginia Wildlife, I'm Patrick McMurtry, eyewitness news.
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