STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The 4-H Shooting Sports program in Mississippi recently hosted district competitions and will hold its state championship in July, but Reid Nevins is quick to point out the project’s true mission.

“This is a youth development project and not a competitive shooting project,” said Nevins, 4-H environmental science and education specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. “We have plenty of kids in this program that never sign up for a contest and just come to the shooting practices.”

In Mississippi, the program currently boasts around 3,500 participants from the ages of 8 to 18 across nine disciplines, but Nevins wants to keep it growing.

“One of my goals is to steadily build on that number,” he said, “but that means we will also need more volunteer instructors to help our agents get certified to deliver the program safely and effectively.”

Ellen Russell, MSU Extension agent in Covington County and coordinator of shooting sports for the Southeast district, has seen firsthand what the program can do for young people of all backgrounds. Marion County 4-H Shooting Sports member Colsten Belk, who has special needs, competed at the Southeast District Shoot for the first time earlier this year.

Russell said Belk’s mother met with Amanda Woods, MSU Extension agent in Marion County, to discuss his ability to compete. Russell and Woods worked to make accommodations to allow for his participation.

“Colsten was born with cerebral palsy, which affects his motor skills on his left side,” Russell said. “He is an avid hunter and loves the outdoors and shooting, but his family was concerned that his physical limitations would limit his participation in our program, but we made it happen.

“He felt a sense of accomplishment, belonging and acceptance he has never felt before, thanks to 4-H,” she added. “He loves being able to just be a kid and shoot bullseyes. It makes him proud to see how well he can do.”

Beau Varner, MSU Extension agent based in Attala County, said the safe environment the program offers fosters teamwork, leadership and respect for firearms while promoting outdoor recreation.

“I have seen youth participate in Shooting Sports that were not able to show proper technique when holding a firearm or hit the target multiple times when first starting to practice,” Varner said. “After practicing consistently, they become more confident and improve their skills in both technique and hitting targets.”

Bringing history to life

Mississippi’s 4-H Shooting Sports program has nine disciplines, including .22 pistol, air rifle, archery, muzzleloading and shotgun, among others. The newest one, and the one getting the most buzz, is “Western Heritage.” What sets it apart from the other categories is its period specific attire and format.

“The Western Heritage discipline brings history to life for our 4-H members,” Russell said. “It is a living history depiction of the West from 1860 to 1900 using historically accurate firearms, clothing, and accessories. Participants dress in historically accurate attire from this era for the three-part contest.”

The first part features a public speaking component. Contestants take on a historically accurate persona and undergo an interview, answering questions about their persona’s attire, living accommodations, daily activities and firearms. The second phase is a test with period-specific questions about notable historical figures, locations and firearms. The contest concludes with a live-fire, timed competition.

“4-H members shoot period specific firearms such as rifles, pistols and shotguns at steel targets,” Russell said. “In true western fashion, the fastest time wins.”

Nevins said the category originated more than 10 years ago in Montana’s 4-H Shooting Sports program.

“What I like about it is there’s a lot more to it than our standard shooting disciplines,” he said. “You are developing a lot more than just your aim and knowledge of the firearm and how to use it safely. You’re learning history and building social skills that will help in adulthood.”

Safety first

Two of the program’s foremost objectives are to teach the safe and responsible use of firearms and archery equipment, and to promote the highest standards of safety and sportsmanship.

Each of the program’s volunteer leaders is trained by Level II state instructors with national certification. Adult volunteers receive training in shooting sports at state and regional workshops to become qualified instructors.

“Our instructors are more than just volunteer leaders,” Russell said. “They are technical experts in their discipline and dedicated mentors and role models for 4-H Shooting Sports youth.”

Varner added that volunteers are more than just coaches.

“They provide guidance, expertise and mentorship to 4-H’ers, helping them develop proper shooting techniques, sportsmanship and respect for firearms,” said Varner, who also leads the Shooting Sports program for Mississippi’s Southwest district. “Trained adult volunteers ensure safety measures are followed, creating a secure environment for youth participants to learn and practice shooting sports. They engage with community members and recruit participants to support involvement in the program.”

One of these leaders is Alvis McCray, who works with 4-H’ers in Covington County. The program is a family affair for him and his wife, Jessica, who has the same certification and works with air rifle participants, and his three children, each of whom compete in multiple disciplines.

McCray said spring practice season for events means lots of range time for his family and he wouldn’t have it any other way, but he enjoys being able to share his knowledge as a certified shotgun instructor with all the 4-H’ers he teaches.

“You can learn a lot from them,” McCray said, “if you just listen.”

Getting involved

Varner noted the need of adult volunteers not just for 4-H Shooting Sports, but for any 4-H program.

“These programs would not succeed without volunteers,” he said. “With all the disciplines in the shooting sports program, agents would not have enough time to provide adequate training and practice time for the events.”

Russell added that volunteers are needed to help recruit members, coordinate county programs, organize district events and help manage state events.

“Fall is normally the best time of the year to sign kids up because most of our shooting sports programs kick off in the late fall or early winter each year,” she said. “Anyone who is age eligible and interested in joining 4-H for shooting sports should stop by their local Extension office and sign up for 4-H so they can get all the updates and start times for shooting sports in their local area.”

More information on the 4-H Shooting Sports program in Mississippi is available online at http://extension.msstate.edu/4-h/4-h-safety-programs/4-h-shooting-sports.