Arizona 4-H Shooting Sports Education
About Arizona 4-H Shooting Sports
The purpose of the Arizona 4-H Shooting Sports Education Program is to promote positive youth development through the safe and responsible use of archery equipment and firearms. Education is the foundation of this 4-H Program and is at the heart of teaching youth safe practices while handling firearms. The 4-H Shooting sports strive to also bring recreation elements by working with families to develop a passion for the sporting traditions of archery and marksmanship. The most visible aspect of the shooting sports program, but not the most important is the aspect of competitions that allows youth to exhibit their skills, develop goals, and engage in a social environment where they can interact with other youth and caring adults.
4-H Shooting Sports Programs strive to create a "spark" in Arizona youth to increase their opportunities to participate in STEM-oriented lessons, develop healthy lifestyles and choices, as well as engage in civic life through participating in regular lessons that are taught by highly certified, caring adult volunteers. Arizona 4-H Shooting Sports Projects vary by county and availability of certified instructors, however, courses available in Arizona include:
- Archery
- Pistol
- Rifle
- Shotgun
- Muzzleloading
- Hunting/Outdoor Exploration
- Coordinator Training
For questions about Arizona 4-H State Shooting Sports Contest: Juan Arias.
For questions about Volunteer Certification and Training: Josh Farella or Ashley Menges.
For questions about Shooting Sports Policy and Procedure: Dr. Jeremy Elliott-Engel, State 4-H Program Leader.
For questions about how to join 4-H to participate in Shooting Sports, contact your county 4-H professionals.
Shooting Sports Education Level 1 Instructor Training
The next Level 1 Instructor Training will take place in Tucson on November 20. For more information and to register, visit the event page.
2022 Arizona 4-H Shooting Sports Education State Match
The 2022 Arizona 4-H Shooting Sports Education State Match will be held February 25-27 at the 7 Mile Hill Shooting Range near Kingman, AZ.
More information here.
2021 Arizona 4-H Shooting Sports Postal Match
The Arizona Shooting Sports Committee provided an opportunity to focus on the educational and recreational aspects of shooting sports. In place of an in-person Arizona Shooting Sports Competition, we conducted a free postal match contest from March 15 through June 15. All county and tribal 4-H members were encouraged to participate in the postal match. The postal match provided youth the opportunity to participate in eight activities that included Rifle, Handgun, Shotgun, and Archery discipline activities. Youth submitted their target score or results via pictures and forms. The committee team scored the results and approved the scores. The rules were relatively simple and we relied upon the guidance of leaders and advisors to avoid confusion and problems.
* Youth awards will be sent out to the local Extension office once all materials are received from the vendor. The Shooting Sports team will notify the local leader and staff of awards delivery before it is sent out. Thank you, Shooting Sports Team.
2020 State Shooting Match Highlights
The shooting sports education state match brought together youth from around the state to engage in education and competition. The event was well-attended and it was great to see efforts from the year come to fruition at this state competition. More information will be coming soon about placings and exhibitors who may have qualified to compete at the National level.