The 4-H Shooting Sports program, which includes projects in archery, shotgun, muzzle-loading firearms, pistol, rifle, and air firearms is one of the largest and safest 4-H programs. According to Conrad Arnold, program coordinator of National 4-H Shooting Sports, the program was established nearly 40 years ago and now engages 428,000 young people per year (C. Arnold, personal communication, November 26, 2018). When incidents involving firearms make the news, its important to note that those abusing firearms are not 4-H members.  

For decades, instruction on the safe and responsible use of archery equipment and firearms has been an effective educational tool in various Extension outreach and engagement initiatives. Indeed, the safe and responsible use of firearms is an outcome measure in the National 4-H Common Measures instrument (Lewis, Horrillo, Widaman, Worker, & Trzesniewski, 2015). Teaching safe handling of firearms as well as the responsible use of firearms to youth is of great importance. 

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).

The Todd County 4-H program introduces youth to the safe handling of firearms, marksmanship training and responsibility in shooting through the 4-H Shooting Sports program.  Over 65 youth and 10 certified coaches meet weekly through the spring and summer to prepare for the Kentucky 4-H State Shooting Sports Contest. The annual Kentucky 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition, the culminating event for youth participating in the 4-H shooting sports program was held at the Bluegrass Sportsmen’s League in Wilmore, KY on Saturday, Sept. 7^th and at the Central KY Gun Club in Berea, KY on Sunday, Sept. 8^th. Over the course of the weekend over 1,000 youth, their families, and county coaches, volunteers and 4-H agents gathered to take part in the event. This competition provides a goal for youth to work towards throughout the year and an opportunity for them to showcase their leadership, sportsmanship, and teamwork. Additionally, youth involved in the state event have completed a minimum of 6 hours of education, and in Todd County, the hours committed are well over 70 hours of practice and training within the shooting sports program. Competing on ranges with youth from across the state 4-Her’s are given the chance to interact with other youth who share their spark within the program. 

With safety at the forefront during this event, all ranges were run by certified 4-H Shooting Sports Instructors who provided trained oversight for the entirety of the competition. Additionally, 4-H collaborated with several outside organizations to help create a safe and welcoming environment. The KY National Guard, and Wilmore Police Department provided support throughout the weekend to help with traffic and crowd control, as well as being present to assist with any emergency situations that may have occurred. The UK Rifle Team (Saturday) and EKU Shotgun Team (Sunday) provided team members to help score targets and run shotgun ranges during the event. Over 300 volunteers from across the state gave their time in a variety of roles from registration/check-in, to target runners, to range lineman.  Safety is a high priority of the 4-H Shooting Sports program. The program incorporates memorization, recollection, and internalization by participants to instill fundamental safety standards and ensure that those standards become second nature to 4-H members. 

 State Competition Statistics

• 1005 individuals registered for the event with 65 counties represented  - 37 total youth from Todd County, 11 volunteer leaders.
  • 692 individuals competed on Saturday in 1860 events
  • 444 individuals competed on Sunday with over 34,000 clay targets shot

A post-season survey administered a month after the state shoot to 4-H members in the shooting sports club revealed the following impact: 

98% learned a new skill or technique in shooting sports that helped them become a better shooter.

99% developed a positive relationship with an adult or coach during the shooting sports season.

97% met a a goal in shooting sports this season.

95% made a new friend at shooting sports practices. 

100% increased their love for shooting due to the 4-H shooting sports club. 

The rationale for introducing 4-H members to firearms, as supported by the program's priorities, focus, and commitment to safety, is multifaceted. For youths who are curious about or have an interest in archery and firearms, the 4-H Shooting Sports program (a) assures proper training in the safe and responsible use of archery equipment and firearms; (b) places youths in the care of trained, caring adults; (c) provides opportunities for quality family involvement; (d) provides positive peer groups for youths; (e) teaches youths to respect the deleterious potential of improper use of archery equipment and firearms; and (f) emphasizes respect for other people (Goodwin, 2018).

Moreover, the injury rate for this youth activity is far below that of other youth sporting activities. For the last 38 years, the 4-H Shooting Sports program has held true to a philosophy of comprehensive education, lifelong recreation, and healthful competition. It, like other 4-H project areas (Arnold, 2018), offers youths an environment in which youth thriving leads to positive developmental outcomes and a successful transition into adulthood.