Information
The focus of all 4-H programs is the development of youth as individuals and as responsible and productive citizens. The 4-H Shooting Sports Program stands out as an example. Youth learn makership, the safe and responsible use of firearms, the principles of hunting and archery, and much more. The activities of the program and the support of caring adult leaders provide young people with the opportunities to develop life skills, self-worth and conservation ethics.
To participate in Shooting Sports projects in Richardson County, participants must be actively enrolled in the county and 4-H shooting sports project AND must be under the direct supervision of a certified shooting sports instructor. In Richardson County, youth may explore the following shooting sports disciplines:
ARCHERY
Two options are available for archery competition:
Freestyle - allows the use of a mechanical release.
Freestyle limited - arrows must be released by hand. Release aids are limited to gloves, tabs, and fingers.
Age Divisions:
- Junior: 8-10 years
- Intermediate: 11-14 years
- Senior: 15-18 years
AIR RIFLE
Age Divisions:
- Junior: 8-11 years
- Intermediate: 12-14 years
- Senior: 15-18 years
AIR PISTOL
Age Divisions:
- Junior: 8-11 years
- Intermediate: 12-14 years
- Senior: 15-18 years
BB GUN
Age Divisions:
- Junior: 8-9 years
- Intermediate: 10-12 years
- Senior: 13-15 years
SMALLBORE RIFLE (.22)
Age Divisions:
- Junior: 11-13 years
- Intermediate: 14-15 years
- Senior: 16-18 years
SMALLBORE PISTOL (.22)
Age Divisions:
- Junior: 11-13 years
- Intermediate: 14-15 years
- Senior: 16-18 years
SHOTGUN
- Junior: 11-14 years
- Senior: 15-18 years
Development of skills within the discipline of shooting and life skills is implicit in the program curriculum and explicitly stated for volunteers. 4-H Shooting Sports promotes positive youth-adult interaction and peer leadership.
More information about the Nebraska 4-H Shooting Sports program can be found here.
Certified Instructors
Participants signed up for the Richardson County Shooting Sports Contest and program must be signed off by a certified 4-H Shooting Sports instructor. Instructors must teach youth or assist in the instruction of youth for a minimum of four hours, in their respective discipline, each year. Certified instructors for each discipline, and the club they are associated with, are listed below. For contact information, please call the Extension Office at 402-245-4324.
Interested in becoming a certified instructor? View the Nebraska Shooting Sports Events Calendar to learn more.
Contest Information & Entry
2025 SHOOTING SPORTS CONTEST
- June 27: Shotgun - Location TBD
- June 28: Smallbore Rifle (.22), Smallbore Pistol (.22), BB Gun, Air Rifle, Air Pistol - Location TBD
- June 29: Archery - Location TBD
CONTEST REQUIREMENTS
- Enrollment - all participants must be actively enrolled in 4-H Shooting Sports project and must be under the direct supervision of a certified Shooting Sports Instructor
- Certification - 4-H members entered in the contest must be signed off by a certified 4-H Shooting Sports instructor. Each youth must have minimum of 4 hours with an instructor in each respective discipline each year. Instructors will complete certification forms and submit to the Extension Office to show your required instruction time is met annually.
- Equipment - 4-H members must provide their own gun/bow, safety glasses, earplugs, and other required equipment. Guns/Bows used for competition should be brought to competitions and practices in a box or case (preferred) and have a clear barrel indicator (CBI) in place.
- Hunters Safety - Nebraska Game & Parks Hunter Certification Training is REQUIRED for Smallbore Rifle, Smallbore Pistol, and Shotgun disciplines. A copy of the Hunder Safety Card must be on file in the Extension Office by June 1.
- See the 2025 4-H Fairbook for Dress Code, Parent Attendance, and Other requirements for the 4-H Shooting Sports Contest.