4-H Hunting and Wildlife Project Coach Training

This training has been expanded to three different dates and three different locations this year.  To see the full details on this expansion, click HERE.

4-H Shooting Sports Muzzleloading Coach Training

The 4-H Muzzleloading Coach Training will look different this year.  In addition, the training will be offered three different times in three different locations.  Hopefully, this will allow more individuals to take part in the training.  To see more detail about this new look in the training procedure, click HERE.

Updated List of 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Trainings

The 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Training list previously published has been updated to show cancellations due to hurricane issues in the southern part of the state and additions for this Fall through the Winter and into Spring.  To view the list click HERE or visit the 4-H Shooting Sports webpage.

Fall Offerings for 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Training

With the beginning of the new 4-H year comes new training opportunities to add coach positions to growing 4-H Shooting Sports projects across Texas.  Several opportunities are available in a variety of areas in the state.  Be sure to get those new volunteers enrolled as soon as possible to avoid a delay in registering for a training.  The background check that accompanies all enrollment takes at least 2 weeks to process.  Be proactive and plan ahead.

For the list of 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Trainings this fall, click HERE. 
More will be offered in the winter and spring of the year.  A full list can be found on the Quick Reference Schedule of Events/Trainings/Activities located on the 4-H Shooting Sports webpage, by clicking HERE and scrolling down to '4-H Member Resources'.

4-H Shooting Sports Project Coach Training and Certification

The 4-H Shooting Sports Project encompasses a large percentage of the 4-H membership in Texas and is the only project that requires each volunteer coach to be trained and certified in specific shooting disciplines before working with local 4-H youth.  The shooting disciplines covered in 4-H are archery, pistol, rifle, shotgun, muzzleloading, and hunting.  Several hundred volunteers are trained each year.  September and the new 4-H year open the coach training season.  Many questions arise each year concerning 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Certification and the trainings themselves.  The following are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

•  All 4-H Shooting Sports local projects must have at least one 4-H trained and certified coach in each of the disciplines offered in that project.
• Adults must first be enrolled on 4-H Connect as 'Volunteers' which requires a background check that takes at least two weeks to process so do this well in advance of a desired training registration.
• Only one discipline certification is available per training attended.  However, coaches may attend multiple trainings and be certified in multiple disciplines.
• A certified coach must be present on the range during all firearm handling and live fire.
• A certified coach must be 21 years of age or older.
• No other certifications or professional training will substitute for 4-H training and certification.
• Any 4-H member or volunteer 14-20 years of age may attend the training and receive an Assistant Coach certification.
•  All scheduled trainings are open to enrolled 4-H volunteers and eligible members regardless of where in the state they live.

For more details on this certification, click HERE.

Practice Contest for 4-H Wildlife Project Contests

A Practice Contest will be held November 18 in Menard, Texas to help train youth and adults in how to compete in the various wildlife contests offered the 4-H Wildlife Project.  The practice contest/training will cover the following contests, 4-H WHEP Contest, 4-H Wildlife Challenge, and the wildlife contests held at the State Fair and the Houston and Fort Worth livestock shows.
Participants will be introduced to various resources for each contest and guided on how to use them.
Registration for this event will be on 4-H Connect.  For more information, click HERE.

Navarro County 4-H Shotgun Team Shootout

Navarro County 4-H is hosting the 1st Annual 4-H Shotgun Team Shootout on November 18, 2017.  The event will take place at the Caney Creek Lodge in Teague, Texas.  Events will include 4-H Sporting Clays, Whiz Bang, and an open shoot for adults.  Registration is currently open on iClays, iclays.com.  For complete information, click HERE.

Texas Team Takes 2nd Place at 2017 National WHEP Invitational

The Texas 4-H team which represented us at the 2017 National WHEP Invitational in Georgia last week won the honor of 2nd Place overall.  WHEP (an acronym for Wildlife Habitat Education Project) is a wildlife project in 4-H teaching youth about wildlife habitat management.

 This Cooke County team earned the position of representing Texas by winning the 1st Place Senior Team at this year's Texas 4-H WHEP Contest.  Congratulations to the team consisting of Cassandra Faddis, Anna Raabe, Clara Raabe, and Kristen Samek.  Congratulations as well to Mrs. Susan Raabe, the Cooke County 4-H WHEP Coach and long time adult leader in this project.

 Opening Ceremonies

 Competition Day

2nd Place Team Overall

San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo Expands Shooting Sports Opportunities

Join the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo as they expand their shooting sports event beyond the Shotgun Junior Shoot-Out. This year, San Angelo is adding an Archery Tournament to their list of events. Event details below:

Shotgun

• August 4&5, 2017
• Optional Whiz Bang on Friday "Under the Lights"
• Saturday: Whiz Bang, Sporting Clays (100), and Parent Sporting
• ***Discount for participating in all three youth events***
• July 31st registration deadline on iclays.com

Archery *NEW*

• August 5, 2017
• Mod-600 round and 30 target 3D round
• Adult fun shoot of 30 target 3D round
• 15 HOA Belt Buckles
• Prize Packages through 5th place
•  July 28th registration deadline on iclays.com

Click HERE for more information. 

2017 State WHEP and Wildlife Challenge Results

Below you will find the result links to the 2017 State WHEP contest that was held at McClellan Creek National Grassland in Gray County and the 2017 Texas 4-H Roundup Wildlife Challenge.

Congratulations to all participants!

2017 State WHEP Results


2017 Texas 4-H Roundup Wildlife Challenge Results

2017 Outdoor Challenge Update and Results

Since this events conception in 2009, it has grown into a 132 participant weekend, filled with outdoor education, skills, and challenges. On June 16^th of 2017, Texas 4-H members arrived in Seguin, Texas to participate in the Outdoor Challenge. Each participant competed in ten events as a member of a two-person team. Teams were divided into age division and team type: Co-Ed, Male, or Female. Events were conducted throughout the weekend, which included Kayaking, Shotgun, Fishing, Archery, Biking, Climbing, Biologist Skills, Safety, Outdoor Skills, and Gear Judging. Each event was scored out of 20 points and every team was able to drop their lowest scoring event. The high placing team of the Outdoor Challenge was a Co-Ed Intermediate team from Grimes and Montgomery County with a score of 164.5 out of a possible 180.  

Even though this event involves competition, participants from the across the state were able to gather and share a love for the outdoors. This event is meant to showcase many outdoor and wildlife project areas that are offered through Texas 4-H. The hope is that students will be pushed to learn something new while preparing for the Outdoor Challenge, and then go home after the event looking for ways to become more involved. 

Below you will find the link to the Outdoor Education & Living Skills page, where you can learn more about this event, and see the 2017 Results page off the contest tab.

https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/projects/outdoor-education-living-skills/ 

Congratulations to all participants! We hope to see you next year.

*Photos provided by Regina Sugg

4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador Application Open

The application is open on 4-H Connect for 4-H members interested in becoming Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassadors.  This is open to 4-H members going into the 9th - 12th grades this September and who have been members of a county 4-H Shooting Sports project coached by a certified 4-H Coach during this current 4-H year.  Applications will remain open June 6th - July 6th.  Applicants will be notified of selection shortly after registration closes.

Details on Basic Requirements and Expectations for Ambassador applicants can be found by clicking HERE to open the information document.

Last Week for 4-H Shotgun Camp Registration

This is the last week for registration to the 4-H Shotgun Camp.  Registration will close on Sunday, June 11^th.  Space is still available for limited positions.  This camp will be held June 25-28, 2017 in Brazos/Burleson County.

Click HERE for additional details.  Please pass this information along to those who may have interest.

4-H Shotgun Camp

Registration opened today for the 4-H Shotgun Camp to be held June 25-28 in Brazos County.  Registration is limited to the first 60 youth and the first 10 adult coaches.  More details can be found by clicking HERE.

Summer Blast 17 - Callahan County Achery Open Invitational

All 4-H Archers across the state are invited to the Callahan County Archery on June 3, 2017.  Registration will take place on the day of the event.  All event details, necessary paperwork, and a map to the event are found by clicking HERE.

Registration Closing for the 2017 4-H WHEP State Contest

Registration for the 2017 4-H WHEP State Contest will close on April 16th at midnight.  Registration is currently open on 4-H Connect.  This contest will be held on April 29-30 on the McClellan Creek National Grasslands in Gray County.  Complete information can be found by clicking HERE (Contest Information) and HERE (Contest Rules and Procedures).

USA Shooting State Junior Olympics Skeet Championship

The USA Shooting State Junior Olympics Skeet Championship will be sponsored by the Brazos 4-H Sportsman Club and will be held at their range (Boswell Porter 4-H Shotgun Range) in Snook on May 6, 2017.  Complete details and entry information can be found by clicking HERE.

2017 Cherokee County 4-H Shooting Sports Light Rifle Match

This annual .22 light rifle Sweetheart Match will be held February 18, 2017 at the Dogwood Hills Gun Club in Flint, Texas.  Check-in starts at 8:00 a.m.  Entries are limited to the first 100 shooters at $25/entry.  Registration is online.  For more details click HERE.

2017 Ellis County 4-H Open Invitational Archery Tournament

 The 8th Annual Ellis County 4-H Open Invitational Archery Tournament will be held Saturday, February 25, 2017 at the Ellis County Youth Expo Building.  The address is 2300 West Highway 287 By-Pass, Waxahachie, 75165.

The registration fee is $20 per 4-H member ($30 per non 4-H member).  Registration deadline is  February15, 2017.   Registration forms, rules, and all other details are available by clicking https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzVRTVQGAc1hWUVsNThKV3pMaEU/view?usp=sharing.

2017 4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Project State Contest

The 2017 State Contest for the Wildlife Habitat Education Project (WHEP) will be held April 29-30 at the McClellan Creek National Grassland in Gray County outside of Pampa.  This contest will focus on the Great Plains Grassland - Shortgrass Prairie region found in the WHEP Manual.  This is the region of study for youth preparing for the contest.  The McClellan Creek National Grassland is operated by the USDA Forest Service and offers a wild land managed for wildlife and recreation and more can be learned about this area by visiting this site,  https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cibola/recarea/?recid=64104.
More details about the 4-H WHEP State Contest can be found by clicking here..