WHO IS ELIGIBLE: The Knox County Shooting Sports is open to all 4-H members (ages 8-18 on December 31 of the previous year) who are enrolled in the Knox County 4-H Program by the required deadline. Age divisions will vary with different events. Please read carefully to ensure entry in proper age divisions.
DIVISIONS: ages are 4-H age (age on December 31 of the previous year)
- The BB gun, air rifle and archery disciplines have 3 age divisions:
Novice/Cub - 8-10; Junior - 11-13; and Senior - 14 & over
- The .22 and shotgun disciplines have 2 age divisions:
Junior - 11-13 and Senior - 14 & over
- The Pistol discipline has 2 age divisions:
Junior–11-13 and Senior-14 & over
NEWSLETTER: You will receive a 4-H Newsletter in the mail from the Extension Office every one or two months. This letter will have a schedule of monthly events and meetings, including shooting sports dates and times. Information also available at https://go.unl.edu/knoxcountyshootingsports.
OTHER COMPETITIONS: Other counties hold invitational shoots at various times throughout the year. Watch the 4-H Newsletter for a schedule or visit https://4h.unl.edu/shooting-sports#calendar. Parents are responsible for transporting their own children, since they need to be firing line coaches.
FEES: A $5.00 fee will be charged for each shooting sports contest that the 4-H’er participates in. The fees will be paid to the Extension Office with the fair pre-entry forms.
SAFETY: No unsafe conduct or “horseplay” will be allowed. Any member can be sent home and expelled from shooting sports. Any cheating will be grounds for dismissal from shooting sports.
DRESS CODE: Exhibitors in the official 4-H Shooting Sports Contests (Archery, BB Gun, Air Rifle, .22 Rifle, Shotgun, Pistol) need to wear the official Knox County 4-H T-shirt or a plain white T-shirt is acceptable and jeans or shorts.
CERTIFIED LEADERS: At this time, certified leaders include:
- Archery - Randy Ohlfest, Jeremy Ohlfest, Phillip Doerr
- Rifle (BB Gun, Air Rifle) - Eric Fuchtman, Chase Ruzicka, and Ethan Fuchtman
- Rifle (.22) -Craig Steffen, Larry Kotrous, Jonathan Hult, and Steve Barney
- Shotgun - Larry Kotrous, Keith Byerly, and Steve Smith
- Pistol – Don Henery, Chase Ruzicka, and Jonathan Hult
- Apprentice leaders – Blake Byerly, Jake Schroeder, and Jacob Smith
PRACTICES: The members will be split into groups at most practices to keep the interest of all members. Many topics will be taught, demonstrated, with hands-on experience for all members. Safety is always first. Shooting sports consists not only of shooting, but also hunting, wildlife management, target practice and how to properly handle both firearms and archery equipment.
PARENT’S INVOLVEMENT: A parent, guardian, and/or grandparent are required to attend all shooting sports practices and to serve as coaches on the firing line for all shooters under age 16.
HUNTER SAFETY CARDS: All members are required to follow all regulations as the non-4-H member to get their Hunter Safety Card. Youth must have a Hunter Safety Card to participate in .22 Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun.
PREMIUMS: Purple, $5.00; Blue, $4.00; Red, $3.00; White, $2.00
As long as shooting sports is not a NSAA sanctioned sport, it is okay for 4-H exhibitors to receive premiums.