The Russell County 4-H Shooting Sports program provides young people with a safe environment to explore their passion for target shooting, a place where they feel they belong, and opportunities to form relationships with caring adult mentors. The program includes comprehensive firearms education, recreational pursuits, and healthy competition. Through this young people develop life skills like teamwork, self-confidence, personal discipline, responsibility, and decision-making. Russell County 4-H Shooting Sports include archery, muzzleloading, pistol, rifle, and outdoor skills. The youth learn through state certified instructors. 

The participants range in age from 9-18 and practice with their instructors once a week for two hours from March through the September state competition. Along the way, the youth participate in 2-3 local and regional competitions.  In September, the state competition is held in Wilmore, KY at the Bluegrass Sportsman’s Club.  The youth have over 40 hours of instruction and practice before this culminating competition. 

At the Kentucky 4-H Shooting Sports Competition, youth compete to receive individual and team trophies based on their marksmanship.  The top three individuals in each age group and discipline and the top three teams in each age group and discipline are recognized.  Seven Russell Co. 4-H youth received nine individual trophies in muzzleloading (percussion rifle, flintlock rifle, and muzzleloader pistol).  Twenty youth also received team trophies in muzzleloader (rifle and pistol), .22 pistol, .22 target and sport rifle, and bowhunter archery.  Fifty percent (50%) of the Russell County youth that attended the state competition received trophies/state-level recognition.

Additionally, one of the youth competing received coach certification this year.  Approximately 1/3 of the coaches were once members of the 4-H Shooting Sports program and are now certified instructors and return volunteer service to the program.  The coaches provide an environment where youth can grow their skills in their chosen 4-H spark area as well as learn sportsmanship.  After the competition, one parent said, “I would highly recommend shooting sports for any parent looking for an activity to get your kids involved in. These 4-H events have always been an atmosphere you can take your kids and there will be no foul language, no unruly conduct, and good sportsmanship.”