Shooting Sports Events
Through the California 4-H Shooting Sports Program, 4-H youth:
- Learn about the safe handling of firearms and archery equipment
- Increase skills and knowledge
- Develop self-confidence
- Practice leadership as youth leaders
Become a Certified 4-H Shooting Sports Leader!
Adult volunteers can be certified to lead shooting sports activities in their club and county by participating in a two-day training. Please note that you must sign up as a 4-H Adult Volunteer in order to lead 4-H projects.
Certified 4-H Shooting Sports Leaders follow a standardized format that:
- Lists program components
- Identifies clearly intended learning outcomes
For more information, please see the California 4H Shooting Sports Program Policies and Procedures_2023 (PDF).
2023 State 4-H Shooting Sports Match
Hosted by Siskiyou County 4-H
Thank you to all the participants and coaches who sent in their results for the 2023 State 4-H Shooting Sports Match! We now have the results to share with everyone below. It was great to see participation from clubs in the following counties:
- Alameda
- Fresno
- Humboldt
- Lassen
- Kern
- Madera
- Merced
- Modoc
- Sacramento
- San Luis Obispo
- Shasta
- Tulare
We encourage leaders from other counties to watch for training opportunities to expand 4-H shooting sports programs to more counties!
39th Annual California 4-H Statewide Shooting Sports Match Results (PDF)
Questions
Please contact Russell Hill at rdhill@ucanr.edu or Nate Caeton at nwcaeton@ucanr.edu.
2023 State 4-H Archery Tournament (Hybrid)
Hosted by Merced County 4-H and River Oaks Range
Register before March 17, 2023
2023 State 4-H Archery Tournament Registration Packet (PDF)
All registration forms must be sent to the UCCE office of the county in which each participating 4-H club resides. All entrants must be verified as current 4-H members or Adult volunteers by the UCCE 4-H staff. As a hybrid tournament, there are options to enter the Postal Match or the In-Person Tournament. You may only enter one option - not both.
On or before the postmark date of March 17, 2023, the UCCE 4-H office personnel shall send the registration forms and payment to:
Merced County 4-H
Attn: 4-H Archery Tournament
2145 Wardrobe Avenue
Merced, CA 95341
Please see the registration packet for complete details.
Payment
Clubs and/or projects should deliver payment to their county office. The local 4-H council should then issue ONE check for all entries in the respective county, to included with all registration forms. Please make checks payable to Merced County 4-H.
Rules
All participants and leaders must be read and comply with the 2023 State 4-H Archery Tournament Rules for the competition. Complete rules are included in the registration packet above. Please Note: The 2023 rules have been revised for clarity. If you have any questions please contact the appropriate individual listed below PRIOR to competition.
Postal Shoot
Targets and scorecards will be mailed to the county office upon receipt and verification of your registrations. All targets must be shot and scored in the presence of a certified 4-H Archery Leader. The Postal targets must be returned to Merced County 4-H office for scoring and be postmarked by May 30, 2023.
In-Person Tournament
The In-Person Tournament will take place on May 28, 2023 at the Safety First Shooting Association's River Oaks Range in Winton, CA. Directions can be found here. Registration verification and practice begins at 7:00 am. Competition starts at 9:00 am.
Questions
For questions regarding payments or entry procedures please contact Jose Campos - UCCE Merced County (209) 385-7418 or jaccampos@ucanr.edu
For questions regarding Archery topics or rules, targets, scoring, awards, etc. please contact Dave Givens, 209-614-1718 or dave@hammerstryke.com
Resources for Shooting Sports Leaders
Please see our Shooting Sports Resource page for forms, policy information and other resources to help you lead a 4-H Shooting Sports project or event.
4-H Shooting Sports projects
The following Shooting Sports projects can be offered in counties with certified 4-H Shooting Sports Leaders in the specific discipline. Please see the Project Sheet links for more information about the project.
Archery
Learn how to safely operate and maintain archery equipment, as well as learn how to shoot. This project may include bow-hunting or target practice, and often includes competitions. Archery Project Sheet
Hunting
This project may include target practice, hunting, or competitions. You may engage in multiple disciplines while learning about hunting, including Archery, Muzzle Loading, Pistol, Rifle, and Shotgun.
Muzzle Loading
Learning about muzzle loading offers an opportunity to access the history and technological advances of firearms. From the earliest matchlock and wheel lock pistols to today’s in-line rifles, muzzle loaders have seen a long evolution spanning several centuries. Muzzle Loading Project Sheet
Pistol
Learn how to practice proper firearms safety, such as safe storage and transport, steps to firing a pistol, and range commands. Learn to identify the parts of a pistol and how they function. Additional lessons may include different firing positions to improve form, stance and grip. Pistol Project Sheet
Rifle
Learn safe and responsible use of rifles as well as sound decision-making, self-discipline, and concentration. Rifle Project Sheet
Shotgun
Shooting sports teaches a respect for firearms and helps you develop discipline. The 4-H Shotgun Project in particular encourages wildlife and habitats conservation through the hunting aspect of the project. Shotgun Project Sheet
Western Heritage
Learn to safely operate and maintain replica firearms and archery equipment of the frontier period (1860-1900), while expanding your knowledge of U.S. history. This project may include target practice, hunting skills, competitive events or living history.