Name: 2026 Utah Hunting Skills Challenge — Cache Valley Public Shooting Range
Start: 2026-05-15T15:00:00-06:00
End: 2026-05-15T18:00:00-06:00
Location: Cache Valley Public Shooting Range

$2026 Utah Hunting Skills Challenge \u2014 Cache Valley Public Shooting Range$

Youth and adults: Put your firearm, archery and overall hunting skills and knowledge to the test in this fun two-day outdoor challenge!
About this Event

It's that time of year again! The Utah Hunting Skills Challenge will take place May 15-16, with events at the Cache Valley Public Shooting Range in Logan. This fun, hands-on challenge is a great event for target shooters of all ages and skill levels. If you've completed a hunter education course, you're eligible to participate!

Please register on our Eventbrite page by May 8, as registering early helps us finalize the details to make this our best event yet. However, registration will remain open until May 15.

Participation

Due to the amount of equipment and staffing required to host the event, we require a minimum of 35 participants. The number of participants will determine how many stations we set up. We will send an email the week before the event to inform those who’ve registered what changes (if any) will take place.

Cost

$35 per participant. Please register via Eventbrite with a credit card.

NOTE: We will accept cash for those who choose to pay on the day of the event. Please bring exact change.

As a special incentive, if an adult who has participated in a past year also registers a first-time youth competitor, they can get $10 off their registration! Please contact Tristan Doyle at [email protected] for more information and to receive your $10 off.

Schedule of events

Friday, May 15: Cache Valley Public Shooting Range

2–5 p.m.: Check in, registration and written exam. Come to the Cache Valley Public Shooting Range main building to finish your registration. Once that’s complete, you will immediately take the written exam.

5 p.m.: Dinner will be provided for all participants.

5:30 p.m.–close: K-9 demonstration and activities. This is an opportunity to see talented K-9s in action and to visit with other participants. Information will also be provided for those who want to explore Logan and the surrounding area.

Saturday, May 16: Cache Valley Public Shooting Range

7:30–9 a.m.: Late registration, wildlife identification and written exam
9 a.m.: Opening ceremony

9:15 a.m.:. We will break into our groups and rotations to finish the remaining events.

TBA: Awards ceremony. When everyone has finished their events, we will hold an awards ceremony. (The ceremony location is still to be determined, but we will have all the information for you when you arrive to complete registration.)

Note: Dinner will be provided for participants on Friday night. Lunch will be provided for participants on Saturday. Family members may purchase additional meal tickets for $10 per person. Please reach out to Tristan Doyle for more information.

Rules and regulations

There will be eight event stations set up. (This could change, depending on the number of participants who register.) Participants will bring their specific equipment for each event. If a participant does not have their own equipment, some will be provided for them to use. You can find the official rules for specific events and equipment limitations on the YHEC regional rules page. Participants will be eligible to compete in the NRA National Youth Hunter Education Challenge competition held this year in Bentonville, Arkansas.

For more information and practice help, visit the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Hunting Skills Challenge resource page.

The following events will take place:

.22 long rifle

This event will consist of six stations, where five shots will be taken at each station (for a total of 30 shots). Shots will range from 0-75 yards. Each station may use a different shooting position (standing, kneeling, sitting and prone). Stations may use props or shooting scenarios (standing using a post, tripods, shooting from a ground blind, prone using a log, etc.). Targets will be standard rimfire silhouette targets (i.e., chicken, turkey, pig and ram).

Shotgun

This will be a sporting clays-style competition. Expect clay targets to be thrown from all directions. Most targets will be true doubles, but some report pairs (second bird is launched at the sound of the first shot) may be thrown. A total of 30 shots will be taken. The best practice for this would be 5-stand or a walk-through sporting clays course.

Muzzleloader

The muzzleloader event will consist of 10-12 shots. You will shoot at metal silhouettes or knockdown-style targets. Shot distances will range between 0-75 yards. Each station may use a different shooting position (standing, kneeling, sitting and prone). Stations may use props or shooting scenarios (standing using a post, tripods, shooting from a ground blind, prone using a log, etc.). There may be a separate written exam at this station.

Archery

The archery event will be a walk through a 3D-style course. Targets will range from 0-40 yards. A total of 30 shots will be scored. Scoring will use the traditional 3D rings and will be scored 10-8-5. Targets will be standard Delta or Reinhart targets. Rangefinders are not allowed.

Written exam

The written exam will consist of 60 questions. All questions will be taken from The Utah Hunter Education Student Manual and Utah’s hunting regulation guidebooks. The questions will go over everything from ethics to information on wildlife species. This will not be an open book test, so be sure to study. Contact Steven Bassett, [email protected], for your free copy of The Utah Hunter Education Student Manual.

Safety trail

The safety trail is designed to test a hunter’s ability to make safe and ethical decisions. It will go over basic safety scenarios and have you react to each of them. You will find anything from crossing a fence or ditch properly to encountering animals in the wild. You may even be tested on judging an animal's distance in yards.

Orienteering

Orienteering is the ability to use a map and compass. You will be tested on how well you can use a compass to find waypoints, along with how well you read a map to find different landmarks. Traditional and modern technology methods will be used.

Wildlife identification

Wildlife identification is the ability to identify the game animals of North America. You might encounter all sorts of things, from scat and tracks to a small piece of fur, skulls or bones. You can prepare by studying The Hunter's Guide and by visiting different areas that have taxidermy mounts. Contact Tristan Doyle ([email protected])for your free copy of The Hunter’s Guide.

Divisions