What is 4-H Shooting Sports?
The Ohio 4-H Shooting Sports program utilizes the National 4-H Shooting Sports curriculum. This project area is a Science and Technology 4-H program delivered through a 4-H leader directed group setting, conducted and taught by specially trained and certified 4-H Shooting Sports instructors. A 4-H member may not enroll in shooting sports projects without direct supervision of a certified instructor in the project area. Project record books are available for members to establish goals and objectives and keep necessary records. Participation in any shooting sports project requires a member with the physical size to handle the shooting equipment and the attention span and maturity to follow directions and abide by all safety protocols. The program is designed for 4-H members ages 9 and above (age is of January 1 of the current year).
The Shooting Sports projects include:
- #750 Rifle
- #751 Archery (this is a different project from 631 Basic Archery)
- #752 Shotgun
- #753 Pistol
- #754 Hunting Wildlife*
- #755 Muzzleloader*
- *#756 Living History
- #757 Crossbow*
#756 Living History is considered a Shooting Sports project at the state level. However, in Tuscarawas County we consider this a Miscellaneous project.
*We are unable to offer these projects for 2023 as we have no certified instructors in these disciplines.
Instructors
The overall goal of the Ohio 4-H Shooting Sports program is to provide a safe and educational experience to 4-H members through volunteer leaders. Two of the important components of safety are instruction and supervision. We feel that the certification of 4-H Shooting Sports instructors at state-sponsored workshops is an important means to provide a standard of instruction and supervision in the program. State sponsored workshops teach volunteers about shooting sports and the developmental abilities and maturity of 4-H youth.
All instructors have completed the county and state approval process as a 4-H volunteer and attended a State 4-H Shooting Sports Leader (Instructor) Training Weekend Workshop.
shooting sports safety meeting
The 2023 meeting date is TBA. Please check back!
Youth enrolling in #630 Safe Use of Guns, #631 Basic Archery, or #756 Living History do not need to attend this meeting as these are considered Miscellaneous projects in Tuscarawas County.
Enrolling in Shooting Sports
Youth interested in enrolling in a Shooting Sports project must have attended the Mandatory Shooting Sports Safety Meeting. Youth can enroll through their current club. Books are to be ordered through your club advisor. There is no longer a specific Shooting Sports club in the county; however, members will be required to attend a certain number of organized shoots. (Members can miss up to 2 organized shoots.)
Organized Shoot Dates 2023
Dates for 2023 are TBA.
All shoots will be held at Ball & Arrow Primitive Weapons Club from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (unless otherwise noted). Questions about any of the dates/times can be directed to Joe Martin, Shooting Sports Coordinator/Instructor at 330-340-7314; George Jones, Coordinator/Instructor at 740-229-0882; or Betty Martin, Shooting Sports Key Leader at 330-340-1610.
Project Guidelines
The guidelines for all Shooting Sports can be found here.
Questions?
Please contact our county Shooting Sports Coordinator/Instructor, Joe Martin at 330-340-7314 with any questions/concerns you may have about the Shooting Sports program in Tuscarawas County.
For general 4-H questions/concerns, or for more information on the #756 Living History, #630 Safe Use of Guns, or #631 Basic Archery projects, please contact us.
Shooting Sports Camp
More information about the camps can be found here: Ohio 4-H Shooting Education Camps.
Ohio State Fair
General Guidelines and Registration Form for the Ohio State Fair 4-H Shooting Sports Public Speaking Contest and Demonstration Contest are available on the Ohio 4-H Shooting Sports page.