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!
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
- 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
Natural Resources statewide events calendar – click here.
Resources
- Project Information Sheet – Coming Soon!
- Shooting Sports Handbook
National Championships and Texas Team
- Texas Team 2023-2024
- 2024 Texas Team Application Information
- Rubric
- Texas Teams: 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021| 2022 | 2023
Shooting Sports Ambassadors
Statewide Contests and Activities
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 shooting match where you compete on your own schedule. Keep record of your shots from November to March, and submit your scores online to the state 4-H office.
- 2023-2024 Postal League Rules and registration information
- Archery Score Card
- Results: 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.
- 2023 Extravaganza Handbook and Registration Details
- 2023 Results
- Results – 2021 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2017 Air Pistol | 2016
Indoor Archery Match Information
The indoor archery match is held each year in 4 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.
- 2023 Indoor Archery Match Information
- Results – 2023 – NOT Final until all scores are verified
- Results – 2022
- Results – 2021: Senior | Intermediate | Junior
- Results – 2019: First Year | Match
- Results – 2018: First Year | Match
Natural Resources Photography Contest
The Texas 4-H Natural Resources Photography Contest encourages observation within specific Natural Resources project areas and allows youth to demonstrate skills learned in the area of photography, including the use of photographic equipment and processing of photographs. This contest provides another opportunity to showcase the photographic work of 4-H members in all age divisions.
Roundup Archery Match
Roundup Archery Match is held at Texas State 4-H Roundup.
- 2023 Roundup Archery Information and Rules
- 2023 Roundup Archery Match Results
- Results – 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.
- 2023 Roundup Rifle Rules
- 2023 Participant Information
- 2023 Roundup Indoor Rifle Match Squadding Schedule
- UPDATE – ADDITION FROM THE NATIONAL 4-H SHOOTING SPORTS COMMITTEE
- Shooting Sports Events Waiver
- Results – 2023: Team | Individual
- Results – 2021: Team | Individual
- Results – 2019: Team | Individual
- Results – 2018: Team | Individual
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.
- 2023 State Games Handbook
- 2022 iclays registration instructions for state games
- Shooting Sports Events Waiver
- Results:
Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center Fish Art Contest
The Fish Art Contest sparks the imaginations of students and provides valuable lessons about fish and the importance of conserving Texas’ aquatic resources. Art, science, and creative writing foster a connection to the outdoors and inspire the next generation of stewards.