Utah Hunting Skills Challenge

The Utah Hunting Skills Challenge, previously part of the National Rifle Association's Youth Hunter Education Challenge, is a competition for individuals of all ages who have completed Hunter Education. During the challenge, participants demonstrate their hunting, marksmanship and safety skills.

The 2025 Utah Hunting Skills Challenge state competition will be held June 20-21 at the Lee Kay Public Shooting Range at 6000 W. 2100 South in Salt Lake City. Registration is $35 per participant, and participants must register through the DWR's Eventbrite page by May 30 to compete. There are three participant divisions:

• Junior Division (14 years old and under)
• Senior Division (15-18 years old)
• Adult Division (19 years old and older)

The state competition offers a variety of events, including:

• Wildlife identification
• .22 long rifle
• Shotgun
• Archery
• Muzzleloader
• Orienteering
• Safety trail (which includes a variety of different scenarios to test ethics and safety when hunting)
• Written exam (which will test participants on hunting rules and regulations and information learned in Hunter Education)

Prizes will be awarded to the top five highest-scoring individuals in the junior and senior divisions, and to the three highest-scoring individuals in the adult division. Junior and senior division participants will also have the opportunity to compete at the national Youth Hunter Education Challenge along with competitors from all over the United States and Canada.

Learn more about the NRA's YHEC program. For more information about the Utah Hunting Skills Challenge, contact Troy Anderson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..