The annual KY 4-H Shooting Sports State Competition, the culminating event for youth participating in the 4-H shooting sports program was hosted 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 are only eligible to compete in this event after completing a minimum of 6 hours of education within the shooting sports program.

Saturday’s competition included events in archery (bowhunter, target compound, target recurve, bare compound, bare recurve), .22 rifle (target and sport), air rifle (target and sport), BB rifle, .22 pistol, air pistol, black powder rifle (flintlock and percussion), and black powder pistol. Youth can compete in 3 events during the Saturday of competition. Sunday’s competition is for youth competing in the shotgun discipline. Depending on their age group competitors can choose to shoot 25, 50, or 100 clay targets for score. 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.

Hayden Bratcher, John Kiper, Ian Kiper, Bryan Kiper, Spike Johnston, Bradley Means, and Solomon Means represented Grayson County 4-H in three different archery events including Bowhunter, Compound Bare Bow, and Target Compound. Sunday, Spike Johnston and Hayden Bratcher were joined by Trace Hawkins, Loki Vernetti, and Gunner Ress in Berea for the Trap competitions. Hayden Bratcher brought home first place (of 35 shooters) in Shotgun- Division I- 9–11-year-olds and Trace Hawkins brought first place (of 42) in Shotgun- Division I- ages 15–18-year-olds. All ten of these youth have done a fantastic job of representing our county throughout the competitions they’ve attended, if you see them out, please congratulate them and encourage them to keep up the hard work! Additionally, our team of shooting sports coaches, coordinators, and parents are not to be forgotten, without their hard work and commitment to this program, it would not be possible!