Shooting Sports

The 4-H Shooting Sports program in Michigan is over 25 years old! Shooting Sports is the second-largest project area in our state. We offer opportunities for 4-H youth to practice skills in Archery, Rifle (BB gun, Pellet (Air Rifle) and .22 rifle), Shotgun (Trap) and Muzzleloading. Youth may participate from ages 7-19 with special rules applying for ages 7 and 8.

Barry County 4-H Shooting Sports Rules

Michigan 4-H Shooting Sports

Michigan 4-H Shooting Sports Snapshot

Each year we hold a county competition for 4-H members 9-19 and there is a state wide competition held at different locations each year. Last year there were over 500 competitors at the state shoot. Everyone had a great time and several Barry County members won medallions.

All leaders involved in a Shooting Sports program must attend special training and become certified in each discipline they instruct. The annual training will be held at Kettunen Center, in April. This certification is part of the risk management plan required by Michigan State University (MSU) to ensure that the county programs are safe and conducted according to the curriculum established by the National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee. If you are interested in becoming a Shooting Sports leader, please contact the MSU Extension office. More certified leaders will allow our program to continue to grow. We have a county wide club for our 4-H Shooting Sports program, if you would like to be a part of the 4-H Shooting Sports project, call the Extension Office and ask to join the Barry County 4-H Shooting Sports Club or contact the clubs general leader, Jeff Harthy 269-948-2438 or email shootsafe@email.com.

 

How to Join the Barry County 4-H Shooting Sports Club

Step 1: Make Sure the Club Is the Right Fit for Your Family

Before enrolling, take time to learn about the club and determine if it is a good fit for your youth and family. Consider:

  • Which shooting sports disciplines are available for your youth's age
  • Meeting dates, time, and location
  • Participation expectations and attendance requirements
  • Club fees or other costs
  • Practice and competition opportunities

Be sure to review the age participation chart below, as not all shooting sports disciplines are available to every age group.

Step 2: Contact the Club Leader

Reach out to Shooting Sports General Leader Jeff Harthy to learn more about the club, ask questions, and receive additional information about disciplines, schedules, equipment requirements, and participation expectations.

Contact information: Jeff Harthy- shootsafe@email.com

Step 3: Learn More About Barry County 4-H

New families are encouraged to visit the Barry County 4-H website to learn more about the 4-H program and opportunities available throughout the county.

4-H is open to youth ages 5-19. Youth ages 5-7 participate as Cloverbuds (Young Clovers), while youth ages 8-19 may enroll as full 4-H members.

Step 4: Enroll in 4-H Online

All youth must complete enrollment through 4-H Online

During enrollment, select the Barry County 4-H Shooting Sports Club as your club.

Please note:

  • There is no county enrollment fee to join 4-H.
  • Individual clubs may charge a small fee to help cover club expenses.
  • Enrollment must be completed and approved before participating in club activities.

Step 5: Select Your Shooting Sports Discipline(s)

Once enrolled, work with club leaders to determine which discipline(s) are appropriate based on your age and interests. Available disciplines may include:

  • Air Rifle
  • Air Pistol
  • BB Gun
  • .22 Rifle
  • Shotgun
  • Muzzleloader
  • Target Archery
  • 3-D Archery

Refer to the age participation chart below for discipline eligibility requirements.

Step 6: Attend Club Meetings and Practices

After your enrollment is approved, you will receive information about upcoming meetings, practices, safety training requirements, and club activities. Welcome to Barry County 4-H Shooting Sports!

 

Get Involved

Adult 4-H Volunteers can become involved in many ways:

  • Become a Certified 4-H Shooting Sports Instructor.
  • Volunteers without a certification - are always needed! (Help with fundraising, organization, safety, event planning, non-live fire instruction, STEM learning, and more.) 

4-H Members will learn basic skills and shoot under the direct supervision of a certified instructor/4-H leader.

  • Local 4-H Shooting Sports clubs are open to all youth ages 8 to 19.
  • Archery or BB Gun can be appropriate for age 8 with one on one adult direct supervision at the discretion and authorization of a certified shooting sports instructor.
  • Teens ages 14+ may participate in training events, becoming certified to lead live fire events with their clubs, under the supervision of a Certified Shooting Sports Instructor age 21+. They may also become spokespeople for their clubs, sport, or 4-H through the Shooting Sports Ambassador program.

Ages of Participation by Shooting Disciplines Live-fire activities at any Michigan 4-H event (clubs, camps, events, tournaments, etc.) must be directly supervised by a 4-H volunteer who holds a current Instructor Certification in the discipline being offered. Instructors must recertify every three years. Refer below for ages of member participation. Remember that 4-H age is determined by January 1 of the current program year.

Age 5-7

Cloverbud-age youth, ages 5-7, will not be allowed to participate in any 4-H shooting sports activities that include the handling or live-fire of any air-guns, firearms or archery equipment.

Currently, the Hunting & Wildlife discipline MAY be taught without live fire. If done in this manner, there are many activities that might be suitable for Cloverbuds. This includes activities such as wildlife identification (scat, skulls, fur, calls, etc.), plant identification, habitats, animal tracks, winter wildlife, basic outdoor skills, safety in the outdoors, nature scavenger hunts, ecology, predator-prey relationships, camouflage coloration, safety, and more.
   

Age 9+

Air rifle, BB, archery, hunting & wildlife

Age 12+

Air pistol and gunpowder disciplines (22, shotgun, muzzle loader), air rifle, BB, archery, hunting & wildlife

Age 14+

Teen Leaders may be enroll as certified instructors and as Shooting Sports Ambassadors (both in Michigan and National 4-H Shooting Sports). When acting as instructors, teens must have a 21+ certified adult volunteer supervising the line.

Age Requirements Specific to Barry County 4-H County Competitions and Barry County Fair

  • Archery- 9 years old
  • BB Gun- 9 years old
  • Air Rifle- 10 years old
  • .22 Rifle- 12 years old
  • Muzzleloader- 12 years old
  • Shotgun- 12 years old

Scholarships and Awards