If you enjoy the outdoors and hunting, you’ll love the shooting sports project! This project covers firearm safety and teaches responsible handling and use. Get ready because this project is hands on. You’ll learn about a variety of firearms – including pistols, rifles, shotguns, muzzleloading, and even archery! Some groups focus on competitive events, and others practice basic shooting programs. Contact your local club to see what’s available in your area.
In the shooting sports project, you’ll learn how to load and shoot a variety of firearms, proper maintenance of your firearms, parts, and accessories, proper safety procedures in handling and shooting, about shooting sports competitions and how to participate, hunting procedures, laws and ethics related to shooting, hunting, and firearms use and about careers related to firearms and shooting sports!
Rules
Due to the nature of this sport, there are quite a few rules that are detailed and important to follow. But remember, fun and safety are the primary goals. These rules should be applied to any activity and event within 4-H Shooting Sports project; these rules supercede those posted in governing bodies such as NRA, USA Archery, NSCA, etc.
The rules for each discipline are as follows:
- General Shooting Sports Rules
- Archery
- Hunting and Wildlife
- Muzzleloading/black powder
- Pistol
- Rifle
- Rifle – 3 Position Smallbore Rifle
- Rifle – Air Rifle Silhouette
- Rifle – BB Gun
- Rifle – CMP Smallbore Rifle
- Rifle – High Power Sporter Rifle
- Rifle – Light Rifle
- Rifle – Precision Air Rifle
- Rifle – Running Target Air Rifle
- Rifle – Smallbore Rifle Silhouette
- Rifle – Sporter Air Rifle
- Shotgun
- Whiz-bang event
Other things you should know about this project:
- Use of reloaded ammunition
- Certified 4-H shooting sports coaches
- Mandatory forms for the 4-H pistol project
Resources
- Project Information Sheet
- Shooting Sports Games Information Sheet
- Shooting Sports Extravaganza Information Sheet
- Shooting Sports Handbook
National Championships and Texas Team
- 2024-2025 Texas Team Application Information
- Selection Rubric
- Texas Teams: 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021| 2020 | 2019 | 2018
Shooting Sports Ambassadors
Events and Activities
Click here for state-wide event calendar!
Postal Leagues
Postal League got its name because participants mailed their targets in for scoring via the U.S. Postal Service. It’s a state-wide competitive shooting match in which participants can compete with others across the state without having to travel outside their home county. Participants complete their course of fire at the club practice over an extended designated time frame. Following the close of the matches, scores are submitted electronically to the State Office.
- 2024-2025 Postal League Rules and Registration Information
- Archery Score Card
- Results: 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016
Extravaganza
If you’re new to shooting sports, this is the place to start! The Shooting Sports Extravaganza is a beginner’s match and learning event. Beginner shooters will learn the process of shooting competitively, basic knowledge of firearm and range safety, and about the shooting sports events.
Ages: open to grades 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.
- 2025 Extravaganza Handbook and Registration Details – Coming Soon!
- Reference Only: 2024 Extravaganza Handbook and Registration Details
- Results: 2024 | 2024 3P | 2024 Light Rifle | 2023 | 2021 | 2019
Indoor Archery Match Information
The indoor archery match is held each year in 6 locations. Competitors will choose to compete at only one location, and scores will be ranked by all competitors at both locations. There is a “first year” class for competitors that are new to archery and new to the indoor archery match.
Roundup Archery Match
Roundup Archery Match is held during Texas State 4-H Roundup.
- 2025 General Information
- 2025 Roundup Archery Match Details – Coming Soon!
- Reference Only: 2024 Roundup Archery Information and Rules
- Results: 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018
Roundup Indoor Rifle Match
Held at Texas State 4-H Roundup each year, competitors must qualify through their district in order to compete at this event.
- 2025 General Information
- 2025 Indoor Archery Match Contest Details – Coming Soon!
- Reference Only: 2024 Participant Information
- Reference Only: 2023 National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee Firearm Restriction Update
- Results: 2024 | 2023 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018
State Games
Shooting Sports State Games are open to all 4-H members – you do not have to qualify to compete. But you must be actively involved in a shooting sports project at your local club with a coach. Fees are involved.
- 2025 State Games Handbook – Coming Soon!
- 2025 iclays Registration Instructions – Coming Soon!
- Handbooks Reference Use Only: 2024 | 2023
- Reference Only: 2024 International Shotgun Match Information
- 2024 Archery Results
- 2024 Rifle/Pistol Results – Coming Soon!