AZ 4-H Shooting Sports: Program Overview

• All 4-H volunteers must do the following to become a certified leader:
  • Interview with their county staff. – Undergo a Department of Public Safety background check.
  • Complete required 4-H and University of Arizona training.
  • Work with county staff to ensure that they are in good standing and well supported.
• Level 1 Shooting Sports Instructor Training - All 4-H Shooting Sports Instructors are required to complete a Level 1 Shooting Sports Instructor Training before starting a shooting sports program. Shooting sports is the only 4-H project where the curriculum and training is nationally controlled. This oversight allows 4-H youth to experience safe and quality 4-H programing. These trainings are managed at the state level, and official trainings will be shared via the state office and county staff.

• Rifle - Air/Small Bore. Project meetings and competitions include use of .17 or .22 caliber air actions, and .22 caliber rimfire actions.
• Shotgun. This discipline participates in three events: Sporting Clays, Skeet, and Trap. Youth participate using 12- and 20-gauge shotguns: however, 4-10 and other actions can be utilized to make practice more appropriate for younger shooters.
• Pistol - Air/Small Bore. Project meetings and competitions include use of .17 or .22 caliber air actions, and .22 caliber rimfire actions. ▪ Hunting. Youth in this project will learn responsible use of firearms and archery safety techniques, the history of hunting, wildlife identification and management, orienteering, and outdoor skills. Competitive events will include wildlife identification and management, map reading, and decision making.
• Archery- Recurve/Compound. 4-H supports youth in recurve and compound archery projects. Both disciplines generally participate in same set three event formats: FITA, Field, and 3-D.
• Muzzleloading. Youth participating in this discipline use a muzzle loading rifle with open sights and participate in bullseye, novelty, and muzzleloading rifle silhouette courses of fire.

• Contracts with ranges - All shooting ranges used for 4-H events need to have a contract created with the University of Arizona. Contact your county 4-H office and submit a copy of the facility’s range use agreement or user form. The county 4-H professional will submit the form to contracting@fso.arizona.edu. This process can take a while, so be sure to follow up frequently to ensure these contracts are completed in a timely manner.
• Event Special Risk Insurance - All shooting sports events and projects should be covered by American Income Life supplemental insurance purchased by the event coordinator. AIl provides very affordable policies – 25 cents per day, or one dollar per year by the day or year that supplement range, home, and University of Arizona liability coverage for adults and youth at a 4-H event. County staff often have funds to cover these expenses, so be sure to ask your county agent to help when planning an event!
• Safe instruction: It is the responsibility of any 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor to determine and facilitate a safe program. It is important for each volunteer to consider the abilities of each shooter, group dynamics, parent involvement, and other factors to ensure that there is proper oversight, and a safe, successful event. Many volunteers and staff in AZ 4-H have experience facilitating these programs, contact the State Shooting Sports Coordinator (eriktschroeder@arizona.edu) or your county staff to make these connections.

AZ 4-H staff

• County Agents - Find your county staff under links on pages for each Extension office.
• State Shooting Sports Program Coordinator: Erik Schroeder eriktschroeder@arizona.edu
• AZ Shooting Sports Committee

Firearm & equipment

Meeting & events

4-H Shooting Sports Member Resources

Webpages

• National 4-H shooting Sports
• National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships
• Arizona 4-H Shooting Sports