Questions & Answers
 
What is 4-H Shooting Sports? 
It is a hands-on 4-H project for youth that allows them to learn firearm safety while building self-esteem and confidence. Disciplines include Archery, Air pellet pistol, Air pellet rifle, BB Gun, 22-rifle, 22- pistol, Shotgun (Trap), Black Powder (pending), in Local, State, and National Competitions (see down below).
 
Do you need to be from Davison County to join? 
No, we have kids and instructors from several counties.
 
Do kids have to be in a 4-H club to participate in 4-H Shooting Sports?
No, while some kids are in traditional 4-H clubs with monthly meeting, projects, year books, etc., this is not required. 4-H Shooting Sports is a non-traditional 4-H program that stands alone, as it's own club.
 
What is a discipline?
Disciplines are the different parts of the Shooting Sports Program that are available to shoot. Each one listed below is known as a discipline (7).
  • Archery (which has several different classes)
  • Air pellet pistol
  • Air pellet rifle
  • BB gun
  • 22 rifle
  • 22 pistol
  • Shotgun (Trap) This is shot from early summer till fall
 
Are the kids required to shoot all disciplines?
No. The participants can pick out what disciplines they want to shoot. On the registration form, there will be an area with the different disciplines listed, kids may check all disciplines in which they are interested. If it is checked, it doesn't mean they have to shoot it and if they didn't check something and want to shoot it, they can. It is only used as a guideline. Also if Shotgun (Trap) is checked, then before it is time to register for Trap, those people will be notified. Trap registration is usually in late April or early May.
 
What are the age requirements?
They may join at the age of 8. Age divisions are determined by the 4-H members age on January 1st.. Beginners 8 -10 years old, Juniors 11-13 years old and Seniors 14-18 years old.
 
Can all participants shoot 22 rifle and/or 22 pistol?
No, for 22 rifle you must be age 11 before Jan 1st. and have had one year of air rifle or BB gun discipline experience in 4-H Shooting Sports. For 22 pistol you must be age 11 before Jan 1st. and have had one year of air rifle, BB gun or air pistol discipline experience in 4-H Shooting Sports.
 
Do the kids need to have a prior knowledge of shooting to participate?
No, we have certified instructors to teach proper shooting techniques and safety.
 
What about the weather or cancellations?
If we will not be shooting on a scheduled night, it will be announced on the radio (KMIT, KOOL98, KORN, Q107.3) and we hope to have it posted here on the web site. If you do not feel comfortable coming due to the weather, by all means, skip that night.
 
Is the 4-H Shooting Sports associated with the Hunter Safety Coarse?
No, we are not affiliated with the Hunter Safety Coarse. Your child will still need to take the Hunter Safety Coarse to receive the certificate in order to receive a hunting license.
 
We do not have any guns or archery equipment. Do we need to purchase any in order for our child to participate?
No, ownership is not a requirement. The Shooting Sports program has enough air rifles, air pistols, BB guns, 22 rifles, 22 pistols, shotguns, and archery equipment for participants to use.
 
Do we need to provide shooting supplies, such as targets and ammo?
Yes and No, targets, pellets and BB's are provided by the Shooting Sports program. Those who wish to shoot .22 (or trap) are required to purchase ammunition, but the targets are provided. The .22 ammunition is sold to each participant at a cost of $1.25 a box. Price subject to change. Parents need to sign a waiver before we will sell shells to their child. Or you can purchase the ammo on your own and send it with the kids. No Ammunition, sold through the Shooting Sports program, will leave the Indoor Range. It will be labeled and held for the participant to use the next time they shoot. Usually the kids will need about one box (50) of shells for a night's shooting
In trap, there is a charge for the birds (targets), plus shooters need to purchase their own shells, which are available through the Shooting Sports program, usually at a reduced cost.
 
What is required for Eye and Ear protection?
It is necessary for each member to wear his or her eye protection (covering the eyes) for any kind of shooting event (except while on the shooting line for archery). Ear protection is required for those shooting .22 rifle, .22 pistol, shotgun, and black powder, but is not necessary for archery, air rifle, air pistol and BB gun. Eye protection is also required for observers and parents that are in the shooting area. Ear protection is only required if you are on the shooting line of the 22 range and shotgun range.
 
What if we have our own equipment, can we use it?
  • You may bring your equipment to use, HOWEVER it must meet the following:
  • It must be brought into the building in a case and be in the case when not in use.
  • It must be brought into the building unloaded and if possible, with the action open.
  • It must be inspected by an instructor, of the discipline that it will be used in, prior to use (the Instructor's decision is final).
  • You are responsible for your own equipment, don't leave in the way of others or expect someone else to watch over it. 4-H Shooting Sports and its instructors or workers are not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged equipment.
 

What are the different competitions mentioned? (This does not include Shotgun)

Qualifying Matches (aka postal's):
There are 3 Qualifying Matches each year for each discipline, except Trap which only has 2. These are a specially marked target that is shot and scored by one of our designated scorers and the score is sent to the State Shooting Sports Office. Each score in that division is compared to all the others sent from all over the State (other 4-H Shooting Sports Clubs). There are trophies that are awarded for first, second and third place individual. If we have enough scores sent in we can make up teams and there are awards for first, second and third place teams. There is an additional cost for this, the State sets the cost and this year it will be $4.00 for each Qualifying Match score, this cost may change. Each participant can send in a score for each discipline he or she would like. There is a minimum score that the target must have before it is sent in. You can not re-shoot a Qualifying Match target (example - you can only shoot one target for Qualifying Match 1, if your score is not high enough to qualify then you must wait till the next Qualifying Match to shoot another target) nor can you keep Qualifying Match targets. If you do a Qualifying Match target you do not have to go the State Match.

State Match:
The State Match is held up in Fort Pierre in the latter part of April. Those who qualified will have a scheduled time to shoot the discipline they qualified in. To qualify for a discipline you must send in a Qualifying Match Target (minimum score must be meet) )and take a written test. The written test in done here during one of our regular Monday nights. If you are interested in going to the State Match we recommend you use the same pistol or rifle (they are marked) the whole time you practice. Remember, others may be using the same piece of equipment, so we need to work this out to share. You are able to "check out" that particular piece of equipment to use up at the State Match. 22 rifle and pistol equipment and ammo will be taken up to the State Match by the instructors. There is a fee for each discipline, in the past it has been $3.50, this fee is set by the State and may change.

Nationals:
You must be a Senor (age 14-18) and place at a certain level in the State Match to qualify. Those who qualified have a chance to go on to the National 4-H Shooting Competition. During the National Competition you will compete against the other shooters who qualified in your discipline from other States. Anyone who attends the Nationals can only participate ONE time in that discipline and only one discipline per year. The Nationals are usually held in the latter part of June and will be held in Grand Island NE for 2008.

 

Shotgun Competitions:

Qualifying Matches (aka postal's):
There are 2 qualifying matches each year for shotgun.

State Match:
The State Match has been held at the Mitchell Gun Club (Mitchell Trap Range) in the fall.

Nationals:
You must be a Senor (age 14-18) and place at a certain level in the State Match to qualify. Those who qualified have a chance to go on to the National 4-H Shooting Competition. During the National Competition you will compete against the other shooters who qualified in your discipline from other States. Anyone who attends the Nationals can only participate ONE time in that discipline and only one discipline per year. The Nationals are usually held in the latter part of June and will be held in Grand Island, NE for 2008.

 
Do we have to compete in the competitions?
No, you do not have to compete in any of the competitions. However, we do encourage shooters to participate in Qualifying Matches which are done on the local level.
 
Can I become an instructor?
Yes, certification classes are offered on a regular basis. Ask one of the instructors how to become certified. We can always use more instructors.
 
Do I have to become certified to help?
No, we can use you in helping with several different tasks that go on every night of shooting. You do not have to come out every night we shoot to help. If you don't know what to do, ask and we will show you. This is a volunteer program and it's the volunteering that makes this program successful.