Ontario teen hunter places in national event

By Katie Pizza
Argus Observer
Tuesday, September 2, 2008 10:19 AM PDT

Ontario — Several Oregon youths showed they have what it takes to be good hunters at a national hunter education event this summer.

The National Rifle Association’s International Youth Hunter Education Challenge, which took place in northern Pennsylvania from July 28 through Aug. 1, tested teens across the nation in four shooting events: archery, muzzleloader, rifle and shotgun, as well as four responsibility challenges: orienteering, wildlife identification, a written hunter safety exam and a hunter safety trial.

“I placed first overall in a hunter responsibility exam,” Ontario 13-year-old Will Price said.

The exam quizzed Price on important hunter topics such as hypothermia, cuts, falls and other medical situations.

Price said he studied for the event by taking tests created by his coach, Scott Adams, Springfield. Price also spoke about wildlife identification section, which consisted of 30 displays and included feathers, bones, tracks and hides.

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In the Oregon competition, Price said, he placed first in the safety drill, which tested participants on their knowledge of state laws by placing life-size images of animals for the youths to observe and determine if that animal would be legal to hunt. Price spoke about the animals in the drill.

“A couple of deer, a few elk, a lynx, which you aren’t allowed to shoot because it’s a protected species,” he said.

Price said he was happy with his placement.

“I did pretty good,” he said. “I was pretty happy for my first time going.”

At 13, Price competed in the junior division, which extends to age 14.

The junior team won fourth place in the national competition and was rounded out by Jazmine Adams, Springfield, coach Scott Adams, Paul Leavitt, Springfield, Cheryl Shaver, Prineville, and Brian Staebler-Siewell, Baker City.

“At the state event, a team is made of five people,” Price said. “They take the top five people and make the national team.”

The NRA also awarded titles for individual winners, which involves high placement in each of the eight categories.

“You have to be well-rounded,” Price said.

The win marked the second consecutive time Oregon youths were the overall winners on the national stage.

A total of 330 hunters from 16 states participated in the contest, which has been held by the NRA since 1985.

However, Will Price’s father, Bill Price, said he would like to see more people interested in the sport.

“Folks did it for fun and recreation,” he said. “As time goes on, things have changed.”

Bill Price said today’s youths are more interested in indoor activities, and he believes school should add hunting to school curriculums, similar to how the 4H club is presented now. He also spoke about the importance of the Youth Hunter Education Challenge.

“It’s not just about shooting,” he said. “It’s learning all the aspects of hunting. I believe guns and youth go together. They just have to be responsible.”

As for the future, Will Price said he is looking forward to next year’s competition, which will be held in Raton, N. M.

Bill Price said those interested in getting involved in the competitions should obtain a hunter safety card from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, situated at 3814 Clark Blvd., Ontario. The cards average about $10  and are issued upon completion of 16 to 24 hours of class time and passing a written and field test. After obtaining a card, those looking for more information about the YHEC program can contact Bill Price at (541) 881-1209.