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Idaho
4-H shooting programs expanding |
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May 25, 2017 |
The University of Idaho Extension 4-H Youth
Development program can boast more than a
century of helping young people learn leadership
and good judgment in hitting targets —
ranging from earning blue ribbons for sewing
projects to mastering animal showmanship at
county fairs.
It turns out that hitting the bull’s-eye is a
goal that is becoming increasingly popular,
literally.
Scores of 4-H members already enrolled in
shooting sports projects will participate in the
state shooting sports competitions June 23-24 at
the Jerome County Fairgrounds and Jerome and
Twin Falls gun clubs.
This year’s competitive shooting events include
shotgun, small-bore rifle and archery. Youth
will also test their hunting skills, including
decision-making, wildlife identification and
wildlife management knowledge.
The small-bore rifle contest will require youth
to test their marksmanship with open sights in
the three standard shooting positions; prone,
kneeling and standing, and on silhouette
targets.
In archery, 4-H shooting sports members test
their skills on 3-D and standard targets.
Shotgun sports participants will try to bust
clay targets on trap and skeet ranges.
The state competition is a highpoint for some
4-H members’ years. They spend much of their
time learning about gun and archery equipment
safety. The shooting sports projects also help
4-H’ers learn the fundamentals of marksmanship.
More than 1,000 Idaho 4-H members enroll in
shooting sports projects each year. With the
popularity of shooting sports in Idaho, the goal
is to double the number of 4-H youth
participating in the program to 2,000 by 2021.
The NRA Foundation and Friends of NRA provide
financial support for the 4-H shooting sports
program. So far this year, the groups have
provided nearly $50,000 in grants to the state
4-H office and to eight counties — Ada, Adams,
Bingham, Canyon, Caribou, Elmore, Latah and
Minidoka — to buy equipment.
The 4-H shooting sports plan requires extensive
training for instructors. The state office
funded national-level training for instructors,
who are then authorized to train and certify
instructors.
“We are very excited about the Expanding Youth
Involvement in Idaho 4-H Shooting Sports
Programs initiative,” said Jim Wilson,
University of Idaho Extension 4-H regional youth
development educator and shooting sports
coordinator in Coeur d’Alene. “And we are
pleased that the NRA is making a substantial
investment in youth education and safety
programs statewide.” |
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