Texas 4-H Shooting Sports State Games

The annual Texas 4-H Shooting Sports State Games is quickly approaching, don't miss out!

WHAT: Texas 4-H Shooting Sports State Games is a state-level contest with rifle, pistol, muzzleloading, hunting & wildlife, archery, and shotgun events. There are a variety of events offered within each of the previously listed disciplines. All are non-qualifying events that are open to all junior through senior age divisions. The only stipulation is that each participant is required to have a thorough understanding of the events rules and course of fire, the range procedures, and the safety rules and procedures for each event in which they register. In addition, participants must have been practicing under a 4-H certified shooting sports coach. State Games is a great place to further immerse 4-H'ers in the world of Shooting Sports or to introduce them to something new.

WHERE: Rifle, Pistol, Muzzleloading, Hunting & Wildlife Events will be held July 7-12, 2019 in Manor, Texas at the Austin Rifle Club.

Archery and Shotgun Events will be held July 16-20, 2019 at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, Texas.

HOW MUCH: There is an entry fee of $95 which will be assessed for each participant during the 4-H Connect portion of registration and will cover all events for the two week period regardless of shooting discipline. If participants are competing in Manor and San Antonio, they will only have to pay the $95 entry fee once. Archery and Shotgun participants will incur additional fees. These fees are addressed in the State Games handbook linked below.

HOW TO REGISTER: There are two steps to registering for State Games. As mentioned, registration through 4-H Connect is the first step. After you have registered on 4-H Connect, step 2 is iClays registration. As of today, (May 28, 2019 at 11:30am), iClays registration is NOT open. We will send out an announcement via Facebook and Remind when registration opens. When it is open, you will be able to register for each of the events you wish to participate in. There is detailed registration instructions on the last two pages of the State Games handbook, linked below.

For additional information on rules, eligibility, entry fees, events, courses of fire, equipment classes, and registration details please read the 2019 State Games handbook by clicking HERE. Any other questions or concerns may be directed to the State 4-H Shooting Sports office at (979)845-1214.

We hope to see you this summer!

Link to the 4-H Shooting Sports webpage:https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/projects/shooting-sports/
Link to the State Games Handbook: http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/shooting_sports_state_games_2019.pdf

Having trouble registering on iClays?

Are you having trouble registering for State Games on iClays? Make sure to first check out the State Games handbook for detailed registration instructions. Here are some FAQ's:

• Why can I not enroll in any of the events I want? They do not appear. First, make sure that you have entered the correct grade and age division (junior, intermediate, senior, etc). The appropriate grade level to enter is the grade the participant has just completed, not the grade they will begin in the fall. 
• How do I enter the 4-H Connect confirmation number? The very last "event" to enroll in is where you will enter your 4-H Connect confirmation number. In the box that says "Enter 4-H Connect confirmation number in comment box", you must click the "click to enroll" button. A drop down will appear and you will then select the "4-H price" ($0). Next, under "Choose Rotation", you must select "Done ->". You will then type the 4-H Connect confirmation number into the comment box below. This will allow you to submit the registration. 
• Why is my profile name flashing when I log back in to iClays? The flashing name indicates the profile that has already been used to either register, or begin registering, the participant. During the time period in which iClays registration is open, you may go back into your profile and adjust your desired event times as you wish. Make sure to click "Submit" after any changes are made. 
• How do I register for Adult Sporting Clays? In order to participate in the Adult Sporting Clays you must first register for the event on 4-H Connect. The adult must be active in 4-H Connect to register. Once the 4-H Connect registration has been completed, you may proceed in registering through iClays for the Adult Sporting Clays events. Adults must also provide their 4-H Connect confirmation number in order to submit their iClays registration.

If you have any registration questions please contact victoria.saldana@ag.tamu.edu or call the Shooting Sports office at 979-845-1214

STAY CONNECTED: Be sure to stay in the loop on all things Shooting Sports by following us on Facebook @tx4hnaturalresources and subscribing to text message reminders.

For text message updates: To subscribe to State Games updates sent directly to your phone, simply text any or all of the following subscription codes to 81010.
State Games-All Updates: @4hssgames
State Games-Archery: @txarchery
State Games-Shotgun: @txshotgun
State Games-Hunting & Wildlife, Muzzleloading, Pistol, & Rifle (HMPR): @txhmpr

2019 Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Extravaganza

This year marked the 35th anniversary of the Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Extravaganza. 4-H Shooting Sports project members, coaches, and parents traveled from across the state to the Texas 4-H Conference Center on Lake Brownwood. The event is designed for beginner shooters and coaches to gain experience in the various discipline competitive events offered in 4-H; archery, pistol, rifle, and shotgun. Though the weather may have not been on our side during parts of the day, the event was overall a great success! We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding. Results from this year have been posted to the Shooting Sports webpage and can be found by clicking here. Congratulations to all competitors! We hope to see you all at many of our other State Shooting Sports events. Heads up, if you enjoyed your time at Extravaganza and are looking for another opportunity to shoot competitively and have some fun, the Texas 4-H Shooting Sports State Games is coming up this July! Information on the available matches offered at State Games can be found on our webpage. Look under the "Contests" tab then under "State Games."

Finally, we would like to express our thanks and appreciation to all of the State 4-H Shooting Sports volunteers who do such a fantastic job organizing, setting up, and running this event each and every year. THANK YOU!

Texas 4-H Indoor Archery Match

The 2019 Texas 4-H Indoor Archery Match is coming up! Don't forget that registration closes on March 3rd. As usual, LoneStar Event Apparel will be selling t-shirts and hoodies with the 2019 logo. There are several color and style options to choose from. LoneStar Event Apparel will be onsite at the Graham, Bay City, and Carrizo Springs matches selling merchandise. However, they will not be present at the Pampa and Ft. Stockton matches. If you are interested in purchasing apparel from LoneStar Event Apparel, orders can be processed by email, text, or phone call. Credit cards are accepted. In order to have the shirt before the event, all orders must be placed prior to March 12. Orders will be accepted after March 12, However, they will be delivered after the event. Please see the following linked PDF document for more information if you are interested in placing an order! Click HERE for the order form.

New Resources Posted on the 4-H Wildlife & Fisheries Webpage

Two new resources have been added to the 4-H Wildlife and Fisheries webpage (https://texas4-h.tamu.edu/projects/wildlife-fisheries/).  These resources may be useful to any 4-H member, leader, or county Extension agent working on a wildlife or hunting project.  Go to the webpage to check out these and other resources.  Stay tuned as additional resources are scheduled to come out soon and will also be added to the webpage.

Educator's Resource Guide to Texas Mammal Skulls and Skins - color photographs and explanations of the characteristics of 32 mammals found in Texas displaying skulls and skins from various aspects to explain all details

Repairing 3-D Decoys for Hunter Education - detailed instructions and color photographs on how to refurbish heavily used and broken 3-D decoys and targets used in hunter education identification and archery practice

2019 State Contest for the 4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Project (WHEP)

The 2019 State Contest for the 4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Project, or WHEP, will be held May 4th - 5th at the Kerr Wildlife Management Area in Kerr County operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.  The contest is open to any current Texas 4-H member and will have each of the age divisions; Junior, Intermediate, and Senior.  More contest details and the Rules and Procedures document can be found on the 4-H Wildlife & Fisheries webpage.  CLICK HERE.

REMINDER - Upcoming Events

With Spring around the corner we know it's a busy time of year. We don't want you to miss out on upcoming Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Events, so check out the following list of reminders!
Shooting Sports Coaches Trainings:

• District 10
• Date: March 9-10
• Location: Guadalupe Extension Office (Seguin, TX)
• Contact Person: D-10 4-H Specialist Megan Logan
• Disciplines Offered: archery, muzzleloading, pistol, rifle, shotgun
• Register via 4-H Connect - February 11 - 25, 2019
• Cost - $120 includes meals and course materials
• All volunteers must go through volunteer screening and be an active volunteer before registering for the event.

Texas State 4-H Indoor Archery Match - Registration is NOW OPEN!
Registration via 4-H Connect will be available until March 3, 2019.
The Indoor Archery Match will be held in five locations to accommodate 4-H archers across the state. Archers may shoot at any location but must chose only one and will complete for placings among all archers in all locations. A link to the contest handbook can be found here. This handbook includes all details and information pertaining to the match.

Carrizo Springs: March 29 - 30

Bay City: March 21 - 23

Fort Stockton: March 22 - 23

Graham: March 15 - 16

Pampa: March 22 - 23

35th Annual Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Extravaganza - Registration is NOW OPEN!

The Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Extravaganza celebrates 35 years this April! Extravaganza is a beginner's match and learning event. Rules are adjusted to accommodate this being a beginner's match. These rules are for Extravaganza only. Rules for any other specific match do not apply at this event. Registration via 4-H Connect will be available February 11 - March 31. Registration details can be found here. Match handbook can be found here.

• Event Details:
• When: April 13, 2019
• Where: Texas 4-H Conference Center on Lake Brownwood
• How Much? $28 registration fee through 4-H Connect. $40 LATE registration fee.

Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Postal Leagues - Registration is NOW OPEN!

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.

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).

Important dates to remember:

• October 1, 2018 - March 28, 2019: Complete Events
• February 1 - March 28, 2019: Official Registration/Payment AND Score Submission

Postal League details/rules/registration information can be found here.

2019 4-H Shooting Sports Texas Team

The 2019 Texas Team

This year will mark the 20th anniversary of the National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships. Originally held in San Antonio, Texas in 2000, the event has travelled throughout parts of Texas and into other states. Nebraska has hosted this event eight times since its start in 2000. This June, shooting sports teams from across the country will gather in Grand Island, Nebraska to compete for the 5' tall trophy and become the National Champs!

Last weekend each of Texas' nine discipline teams gathered at the 4-H Center in Brownwood for their "Rendezvous." The Texas Team is comprised of 45 4-Hers, including alternates, representing 26 counties in the state. The team came together to meet their fellow teammates, practice for their events, and go over logistics for Nationals. We are so proud and excited to have these 4-Hers represent the Texas 4-H Shooting Sports program this summer. Special thanks to all the parents and coaches!

A list of the 2019 Team members can be found here.

Celebrating 20 years of 4-H Shooting Sports Nationals

If you were among the first "Texas Team" members to participate at Nationals, we want to know! If you have any "throwback Thursday" pictures from the first few years of Nationals, we would love to see them! Contact our office or let us know on Facebook if you were a Texas Team member!



 

Stay Connected:

Check us out on Facebook (@tx4hnaturalresources)! We use our Facebook page to post majority of our updates and announcements on all things Shooting Sports/4-H Natural Resources so be sure to "like" and follow us! You can also visit our webpage for information on all of our events and programs.

2018-2019 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador Program Application

The application for the 2018-2019 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador program will open on July 1st on 4-H Connect.  This application is open to eligible 4-H members who will be in the 9th-12th grades in the upcoming school year.  Applicants must have been a current Shooting Sports project member this year and must continue to be current in the upcoming 4-H year.  All basic requirements and expectations can be found in a document by clicking HERE.
This application process will close on July 31st.

2018 4-H Shotgun Day Camp

The 2018 Shotgun Day Camp will be held in Brazos and Burleson counties again this year on June 10th - 13th.  The application process for youth and adult participation is currently open on 4-H Connect and will continue through May 13th.  Applications for the limited positions are on a first come, first served basis.  A major change in the camp this year is that it is a Day Camp which means it will operate from the morning until the late afternoon.  Families of participants will need to secure lodging for and chaperone their youth each night.  Participants will receive training in specific shotgun skills in either trap, skeet, or 5-stand sporting clays depending on which shotgun discipline in which they are placed.  More details about the camp can be found by clicking HERE.

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.