Texas Team Application--Deadline Extended

Due to some technical issues with our application on 4-H Connect, we are re-opening the Texas Team Application until midnight Monday, November 16^th. Please share this information as appropriate.

Here are a few tips from earlier issues:

• It is recommended that the newest version of Mozilla Firefox be used as a browser when working on 4-H Connect.
• To be sure information is not lost completely, create a copy of your application answers prior to submitting the online application.
• Application information can be typed in a Word document then copied and pasted into the 4-H Connect application answer blocks.

Please let us know if any technical issue persists. 

tx4hnaturalresources@tamu.edu
979-845-1214

4-H Outdoor Education Coach Training - November 21-22

Registration is open for the 4-H Outdoor Education Coach Training set for November 21-22 at the Texas 4-H Center in Brownwood.  This training and certification is available to any enrolled adult leader (21 years of age or older) desiring to coach 4-H youth in projects where live firing is conducted. This training and certification is designed specifically for projects including Hunting & Wildlife and Outdoor Challenge. This certification does not allow the adult to coach local Shooting Sports projects. The training is also available for enrolled adults 18-20 to become Assistant Coaches. All training participants will also receive the Texas Hunter Education Instructor Certification. In addition, the training will cover wildlife management basics, wildlife identification basics, wildlife biologist skills basics, game laws and ethics, various hunting and outdoor living skills, camping safety, boating safety, and other outdoor safety basics.  Registration is available on 4-H Connect; https://texas.4honline.com.  More details can be found on the training flyer.

4-H Muzzleloading Coach Training - November 21-22

Registration is open for the 4-H Muzzleloading Coach Training set for November 21-22 at the Texas 4-H Center in Brownwood.  This training and certification is available to any enrolled adult leader (21 years of age or older). The training is also available for enrolled adults 18-20 and enrolled youth 14-18 to become Assistant Coaches. The training will cover all firearm types used in a 4-H
Shooting Sports Muzzleloading project; rifles, shotguns, and pistols.  Registration is available on 4-H Connect; https://texas.4honline.com.  More details can be found on the training flyer.

4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Project Practice Contest - Sinton

Registration is open for the Practice Contest of the 4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Project (WHEP) to be held in Sinton on November 14, 2015.  The Practice Contest is designed to provide hands-on training for youth participants and adult coaches in this wildlife competition where youth evaluate habitat for various wildlife species, design a wildlife habitat management plan, and test their knowledge in wildlife identification and information.  This is the chance to train as a team and as a coach.  Questions will be answered as we go through the contest.  The Practice Contest will follow the WHEP Manual posted on the 4-H Wildlife webpage at this url address.  For more details, see the information under 'Practice WHEP Contests' and 'Sinton' on the same 4-H Wildlife webpage.

2016 4-H Shooting Sports Texas Team Application

Today is the day!

The 2016 4-H Shooting Sports Texas Team Application is now open on 4-H Connect!

BEFORE applying applicants MUST read the application instructions available HERE. (on the Shooting Sports website: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/shootingsports, in the National Invitational & Texas Team section, titled "Texas Team Application")

The application deadline is Wednesday, November 11, 2016.

Please contact the State 4-H Shooting Sports office with questions!

2015-2016 Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Postal Leagues

What are Postal Leagues? Originally named “Postal Leagues” because the targets were mailed in for scoring via the U.S. Postal Service, Postal Leagues are a state-wide competitive shooting match in which participants can compete with others across the state without having to travel outside their home county. Participants complete their course of fire locally over an extended designated time frame. Thus, allowing for greater flexibility of schedules and eliminating the cost of travel to an event. Following the close of the matches, scores are submitted electronically to the State Office. Events include: 3-P Smallbore Rifle, Air Pistol, Archery, BB Gun, Light Rifle, Precision Air Rifle, Sporter Air Rifle, Smallbore Pistol, Muzzleloading Rifle, Muzzleloading Pistol, Trap, and Skeet. Participants may compete in as many events as their county/club will allow. All shooting must be supervised by a 4-H Shooting Sports Coach certified in the appropriate shooting discipline (Archery, Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, Muzzleloading).

Match Dates: October 1, 2015-March 31, 2016

Official Registration/Payment AND Score Submission:
February 1-March 31, 2016 on 4-H Connect—$5/participant+$10/event

Click HERE for detailed information, rules, and event specifics.

New Resources Posted on 4-H Natural Resources Program Webpages

Fourteen new printed resources have been added to the various webpages representing the 4-H Natural Resources Program.  These webpages include the following projects and links:
Shooting Sports - http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/shootingsports/
Sportfishing - http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/project_sportfishing/sportfishing/
Wildlife - http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/project_wildlife/wildlife/
Outdoor Challenge - http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/outdoor/ 

The resources titles include:

• Gear Judging Practice Scenario
• Know Your Dominant Eye Activity
• Life Skills Color Wheel
• Cartridge Board Activity
• Skill of Observation Activity
• Skill of Observation Activity Form
• Sportfishing Dryland Tournament
• Fish Halves Activity
• Texas State Parks Youth Group Annual Pass Application
• Fish Study Guide
• Wildlife ID Guide
• Wildlife Tracks Fact Sheet
• Tying the Thief Knot
• Hunter Skills Trail Manual

Visit the various webpages to view and download the resources.   Look for additional resources to be added to each page in the upcoming months.

4-H Shooting Sports Pistol Coach Training

District 8 and Williamson County 4-H will host a 4-H Shooting Sports Pistol Coach Training on October 3-4 in Georgetown.  This training is open to any enrolled 4-H volunteer (minimum 21 yrs. old), CEA, or enrolled 4-H member between the ages of 14-18.  The registration is only open a short time; September 10-21.  Registration is online on your 4-H Connect personal profile at https://texas.4honline.com.  Look for 2015 D8 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Training - Georgetown - PISTOL ONLY.

Upcoming 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Training Opportunities

West Region 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Training--San Angelo--September 19-20, 2015
Registration open on 4-H Connect August 16-September 13, 2015--$120
Detailed information to be available on the Shooting Sports website.

District 12 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Training--Cotulla--September 26-27, 2015
Registration open on 4-H Connect August 15-September 17, 2015--$150
Detailed information available on the D12 website: http://agrilife.org/d124h/events/shooting-sports/#workshop

NOTE: All participants must enroll as members via 4-H Connect prior to registering for any trainings. Adult enrollment requires a current background screening. Those enrolling for the first time or reenrolling and due for a screening need to get enrolled as soon as possible to allow time for the screening to process. Please contact your county Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office with questions.

Youth Hunter Education Challenge

The Northeast Region Youth Hunter Education Challenge will be held October 10th at the Arlington Sportsman's Club in Mansfield.  This event is open to youth 9-18 years of age.  The Challenge will cover six events (.22 caliber rifle, muzzleloading rifle, shotgun, archery, wildlife identification/hunter skills trail, and a hunter responsibility exam).  Registration is $25 per competitor and covers lunch and an event t-shirt.  Registration deadline is September 30th.  This is a fun event that tests shooting skills, wildlife knowledge skills, hunting skills, and hunting safety knowledge.

Contact the following for more details and registration information:
Debbie Laughman - LDL3Laughman@gmail.com, 817/991-5525
David Hammonds - mrdavidhammonds@att.net, 817/236-3158

Johnson County 4-H 3D Archery Shoot

Johnson County 4-H will hold a 3D Archery Shoot on September 12th at the Johnson County Shooting Sports Association Range in Alvarado.  Entry deadline is September 1st and open to the first 100 entrants.  Registrations include lunch.  All 4-H age classes are available.  All bow classes are available.  Contact Debbie Laughman for more information and entry forms; 817/991-5525.

Free Shotgun Clinic Sponsored by TSRA

The Texas State Rifle Association Foundation is sponsoring a free Shotgun Clinic in August.  Complete details are found in the event poster and registration form linked below.  Click on these to view the information.  Please direct all questions to the contact information found within the clinic material below.  Space is limited.  Registration deadline is July 31st.

 Shotgun Clinic Poster 

 Shotgun Clinic Registration Form