2013 4-H Indoor Archery Match Results

The results for the 2013 4-H Indoor Archery Match can be seen by clicking here.  These results will also be posted on the 4-H Shooting Sports Events webpage; http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/shootingsports/events.  Congratulations to all participants!

The Match was held in two locations on two separate weekends; Bay City, March 7-9 and Graham, March 15-16.  Results from each location were combined to create a final match results.  Entries are up this year with 298 entries as compared to 212 at last year's event.  An equipment class of N.A.S.P. was added this year.  N.A.S.P. is the National Archery in Schools Program which has seen a tremendous growth in Texas recently.  This class is offered in hopes to provide an additional outlet beyond school for these new archers to continue their participation in archery.

This event would not be possible without the numerous 4-H volunteers who organize, coordinate, and operate the match at both locations.  A special 'thank you' goes out to each of them.

This event is held each year and will be scheduled for the same approximate time and locations in 2014.  Be sure to watch for announcements of registration.  Additional archery events will be available at the 4-H Shooting Sports State Games in July.  For this and all other activity information coming from the Texas 4-H Natural Resources Program Office, continue to search and watch for updates on 2012-2013 Important Rules & Procedures, Event Synopsis, and Tentative Schedule of Events which is located in the top right of the blog under 'Links to more information:'.

Youth Day at the NRA Annual Meetings

The National Rifle Association extends a warm welcome to 4-H youth and their families by inviting you to attend the NRA Youth Day at the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston on May 5, 2013, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.  Entry into to the event is free for all youth and their coaches, parents or guardians.

Spend the day exploring 400,000 square feet of exhibit hall containing over 550 exhibitors from across the country. Share the excitement with spectacular displays and fun filled events for the entire family.

Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to share the enjoyment of the Shooting Sports with your friends and family.

Free six month youth membership will be given to attendees.

Register on-line at http://www.nraam.org/special-events/nra-youth-day.aspx.  For more information go to www.nraam.org.

Ammunition Shortage is Affecting 4-H Shooting Sports Projects

The serious shortage of ammunition across the state and country is affecting many, if not most, of our 4-H Shooting Sports projects in Texas.  The critical issue at the moment is the lack of .22 caliber ammunition.  Immediately following is the lack of shotgun ammunition.  These are two firearm types that make up the majority of our shooting within the 4-H program.  Federal Ammunition has been a long time supporter of the 4-H Shooting Sports program across the nation.  Their representative, Ryan Bronson, who coordinates directly with state 4-H programs, recently sent a letter to all state 4-H Shooting Sports coordinators with an update from Federal Ammunition on this issue.  I wanted to pass his words along to you.  Click here to read the letter.

Part of Ryan's letter describes Federal's direct sale program which allows 4-H projects the opportunity to order ammunition directly from them and have it shipped.  Any project wanting to participate in this must get on Federal's email distribution list by contacting them at sg.conservation@atk.com and ask to be included on the 4-H list.  Check this out for future ammunition needs.

2013 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo 4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Program Contest

The 2013 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo 4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) Contest was held this past weekend at the T&M Ranch outside of Richmond.  The contest participants enjoyed one of the few and treasured beautiful days in this contest's history.  The contest participants competed in activities involving wildlife identification, general wildlife knowledge, wildlife management practices recommendations, and writing a wildlife management plan for a specific habitat and specific wildlife species on the ranch.  Most of the day was spent outdoors in the habitat.

Placings are based on the contest age categories of Junior and Senior and include team and individual accomplishments.  Contest winners this year include:

Junior High Point Individuals
1st - Hayden Mathews
2nd - Davis Mathews
3rd - Kate Wieding
4th - Austin Durkowski
5th - John Phillip Jones
6th - Dede Davis
7th - Ried Aschenbeck
8th - Christian Dieterich
9th - Rhiannon Kosla
10th - Erik Dieterich

Junior Teams
1st - Comal County; Hayden Mathews, Davis Mathews, Kate Wieding, Dede Davis, and coach Angie Mathews
2nd - Denton County; Rhiannon Kosla, Christian Dieterich, Erik Dieterich, Skye Lenamon, and coach Tanya Kosla
3rd - Washington County; Austin Durkowski, Ried Aschenbeck, Jackson Corn, and coach Ryan Aschenbeck
4th - Washington County; Mia Aschenbeck, Connor Himly, Logan Schwartz, and coach Ryan Aschenbeck
5th - Comal County; Ashley Fuqua, Ben Tannert, Josh Tannert, Reagan Hopper, and coach Angie Mathews

Senior High Point Individuals
1st - D.J. Franklin
2nd - Theresa Raabe
3rd - Cate Franklin
4th - Samantha Franklin
5th - Joe Franklin
6th - Arthur Hatch
7th - Clara Raabe
8th - Anna Raabe
9th - Reagan Kuck
10th - Cole Brothers

Senior Teams
1st - Waller County; D.J. Franklin, Cate Franklin, Samantha Franklin, Joe Franklin, and coach Harvey Laas
2nd - Denton County; Theresa Raabe, Arthur Hatch, Clara Raabe, Anna Raabe, and coach Tanya Kosla
3rd - Fayette County; Reagan Kuck, Cole Brothers, Blake Moehlmann, Stephanie Moehlmann, and coach Bobby Williams

Congratulations to them and all who participated!

Civilian Marksmanship Program Junior Rifle Summer Camps

The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP)  will be conducting Junior Rifle Summer Camps this summer.  Most camps are 5 days in length and located outside of Texas.  A 3 day Outreach Clinic format is being offered this year in Kerrville at the Hill Country Shooting Sports Center on July 1-3.  This opens a great opportunity for youth in Texas to attend a CMP Junior Rifle Camp closer to home.  Registration is open to high school age youth with a May 1st deadline.  Check out more information about this camp and the registration process by clicking here.  Please refer all questions concerning the camp to the CMP Junior Rifle Summer Camp directors listed at the bottom of their webpage.

Wildlife Conservation Camp

The Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society Wildlife Conservation Camp will be on July 14-20, 2013 at Welder Wildlife Refuge, Sinton, TX. The camp is designed for high school students who have completed the 9th grade or higher. It focuses on hands-on activities with presentations led by Texas Chapter members and wildlife professionals from across Texas.
Registration deadline is May 1, 2013.
You can find the application here.
For more information go to ww.tctws.org.