This is a story about how a group of wombats wound up in New Mexico.

That's the team nickname for a group of talented youngsters from Schuylkill County who last month won the state YHEC (Youth Hunter Education Challenge).YHEC is a competitive sporting activity for youths 10-18 (10-14 junior division, 15-18 senior division), who are mentored in shooting, learning about wildlife and spending time in the outdoors.The events include shooting a shotgun, .22 rifle, muzzleloader, and compound bow. All participants complete a hunter education course, and also learn orienteering and wildlife identification.The YHEC program started nationwide in 1985; the Pine Grove team organized three years ago.It was during classroom study of wildlife identification that the wombat theme emerged.YHEC participants first study the wildlife of their home state; if they compete beyond state competition and go to nationals, they must study wildlife from all over the world. Wombats are marsupials that are native to Australia.As the team learned to identify the wildlife of the world based on pictures, they were sometimes stumped by obscure, little-known species."One of our team members, Dominick (Sgrignoli-Carricato) would stall for time if he didn't know right away what the animal was," said one of the YHEC team mentors, Lou Dallatore, Pine Grove. "He'd eventually say that it had to be a wombat."The Wombats also won the state competition in 2014, earning a trophy shaped like a tall hunting boot, colored gold.The National YHEC competition was held in July in Ratan, New Mexico, at the National Rifle Association's Wittington Center. The NRA is a YHEC sponsor."We rented a van and drove 30 hours," said YHEC Wombat team mentor Dallas Hackman, Pine Grove."Sounds boring, but we had a lot of fun and got to see the country."Hackman said that the team is seeking more members. In addition to Dominick, team members include Brandon Wasser, Shane Martin, Gavin Butler and Ryan Maher.Dominick and Gavin are from Pine Grove; Ryan and Shane from Blue Mountain; and Brandon from Schuylkill Haven.The team meets several evenings a week at Roedersville Game and Fish, Pine Grove and on weekends, attends local sporting clay and 3D archery shoots in Minersville, Seltzer, Orwigsburg and other area locations.Andrews Archery in Frackville, with its indoor range, is a regular practice location, and owner Dave Andrews helps with archery equipment set-ups and coaching."The only limiting factor is the driving distance; we'd love to get more team members," Hackman said."We have a dedicated group of parents, and any mom or dad who wants to help out is welcome."The team got together at Andrews recently to practice archery; in YHEC competition the outdoor course includes 30 targets at unknown distances. Also, at nationals, the competition includes a Hunter Safety Trail."Two people go through the course at a time, and encounter various scenarios," Hackman explained. "For example, there's a target that's sky lined, is that a safe shot or not? Or multiple targets, safe or not?"Practicing outdoor skills, and spending time in the outdoors completes a youngster's education, Hackman said."Team members learn respect, responsibility, natural resource awareness and outdoor survival skills," he said. "The YHEC program also expands their knowledge of all aspects of hunting."To learn more, contact the Wombats via

pinegroveyhec@gmail.com., or call Hackman at 570-294-4344. The team also has a Facebook page, PINEGROVEYHEC.