4-H Shooting Sports

The Tioga County 4-H Shooting Sports Program is a progressive learning program for youth 8 to 19 years old.

The 4-H Shooting Sports program is for young people interested in learning safe shooting skills, the conservation of natural resources, and leadership development.

4-H Shooting Sports projects are taught by NYS certified 4-H Shooting Sports volunteer instructors. There is a cost for these projects but it is much less than many hobbies.Members are responsible for the cost of project and class materials, ammunition, targets, compasses, curriculum, etc.  Fundraising by member families is very important to offsetting the cost of the program.  The primary fundraising venue is working in the 4-H Air Rifle trailer during local events.

The Tioga County 4-H Shooting Sports program currently offers the following projects and activities:

FIREARMS PROJECTS

Youth participating in the following firearms projects will focus on the mechanics of each specific firearm, learning firearms safety, range rules, sighting and aiming, firearms cleaning and maintenance, and will have lots of practice on outdoor and indoor ranges.  All ages are as of January 1 of the current year.

ARCHERY:  For youth 8 to 19 years old.This four-hour course is held over a weekend in May.  The $10.00 fee covers the cost of arrows, targets, equipment maintenance and workbook. The class maximum is six.

AIR RIFLE:  For youth 9 to 19 years old.  This 12-hour course is held over two weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) in late summer.  The $15.00 fee covers the cost of ammunition, targets, firearms maintenance and the workbook.  Youth must complete all 12 hours of instruction.  The class maximum is 8 participants.This course is a pre-requisite for all other firearms projects (except archery).

AIR PISTOL:  For youth 10 to 19 years old.This six-hour course is held over three days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) during September.  The $10.00 fee covers the cost of ammunition, targets, firearms maintenance and the workbook.The class maximum is 6 youth.

.22 RIFLE:  For youth 12 to 19 years old.  This nine-hour course is held three consecutive Sundays in October.  Participants will also be introduced to scopes and scope adjustment, and practice on both indoor and outdoor ranges.  The $15.00 fee covers the cost of ammunition targets, firearms maintenance and workbook.  The class maximum is 8 youth.

SHOTGUN:  For youth 12 to 19 years old.  Youth participating in the Shotgun project must also have completed a Hunter Education course.  This eight-hour course is held over two consecutive Sundays in May.  Participants will also be introduced to skeet and trap shooting.  The $40.00 fee covers the cost of ammunition, targets, firearms maintenance and workbook.  The class maximum is 10 youth.

RIFLE TEAM:  Team participation is by invitation only, and only after completing all pre-requisites.  The team shoots 15 matches on Sundays during the months of November through March.

HISTORICAL PROJECTS

COWBOY ACTION:  For youth 12 to 19 years old.  A combined project of shooting sports and western history.Air rifle, rifle and shotgun must have been successfully completed before participation.

LIVING HISTORY:  For youth 9 to 19 years old.Members work on projects that prepare them to develop an historical “persona” character from history, and learn about those life skills.

OPPORTUNITIES

TEEN LEADERS:  Youth take on a leadership role and become ambassadors for the county 4-H shooting sports program, and work to increase public knowledge and understanding of the program.

NYS 4-H SHOOTING SPORTS EVENT:  Experienced 4-H shooting sports members have an opportunity to participate in the annual NYS 4-H Shooting Sports event.  High score shooters from the event are eligible to participate on the state team going to the national event.

JUNIOR INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION:  After fulfilling a set of requirements teens 16 years and older are eligible to attend the NYS 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor Certification Program earn a 4-H Junior Instructor Certification.

4-H SCHOLARSHIP:  High school seniors can apply for an environmental education scholarship through the NYS 4-H Foundation.

Last updated May 9, 2019