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
- 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
Natural Resources statewide events calendar – click here.
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
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
- 2024 Postal League Results
- 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.
- 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.
- 2024 Indoor Archery Match Information
- 2024 Indoor Archery Results – Updated 6/6/2024 – These results are final!
- Results: 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018
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.
- 2024 Rules and Guidelines
- Results: 2024
Roundup Archery Match
Roundup Archery Match is held at Texas State 4-H Roundup.
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.
- 2024 Roundup Rifle Rules
- 2024 Participant Information
- National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee Firearm Restriction – 2023 Update
- 2024 Results: Individual | Team
- Results: 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.
- 2024 International Shotgun Match Information
- 2024 State Games Handbook
- 2024 iclays Registration Instructions – Coming Soon!
- 2023 State Games Handbook – Reference Use Only
- 2024 Archery Results
- 2024 Rifle/Pistol Results – COMING SOON
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.