Russell County 4-H began its shooting sports program in the mid-1980s and was one of the first programs in the state of Kentucky.  Kentucky 4-H is a nationally recognized program that fosters life skill development and positive youth development through healthy competition, service, leadership, and education.  Kentucky 4-H believes that all youth should have opportunities for positive youth development in the four overarching concepts of mastery, belonging, independence, and generosity.  The program fosters mastery by learning firearm safety and marksmanship, belonging by taking part in club and community activities, independence by demonstrating responsible firearm use, and generosity by participating in community service projects.  All of the core competencies of the 4-H shooting sports program are developed under the support of caring adult volunteers which provide the youth with the opportunity to develop life skills, self-worth, and ethics.

Three Russell County 4-H youth were invited to participate with the first ever Kentucky 4-H Gold Blackpowder Team in 2022 to represent the state at the National 4-H Shooting Sports competition in Grand Island, NE.  After several practices with four other youth from across the state, a team of 4 youth were selected.  Two of those youth were from Russell County.  Additionally, one of the Russell Co. 4-H Shooting Sports coaches helped prepare the team for competition.  In 2023, Russell County 4-H had one youth selected for the Kentucky 4-H Nationals team to compete in black powder.  Additionally one of our muzzle loader coaches became Level II certified to coach the national’s team.

After many months of practice, the 2023 team competed in the national competition against 21teams from across the nation.  The Kentucky muzzle loader team finished 10^th in the first round of awards and 12^th place overall.

The success of the Russell County 4-H shooting sports program is credited to over 40 years of dedicated coaches, youth, and parents and their dedication to a rigorous practice schedule.