By RACHEL PIENTA
4-H Director
The Wakulla 4-H Shooting Sports program has been hard at work since January preparing for competitions and traveling across the state to compete.
Youth traveled to the Easton Newberry Sports Complex for the State FITA Archery Match on February 24, 2024. Archery Team members representing 4-H at the state competition level are Nate Garvey, Kensley Rosier, Keira Thornton, Lauretta Compton, and Sam Garvey. Nate Garvey placed first in the Junior Division, the competition level for youth ages 8 to 10. The Archery Club meets monthly to practice at the UF/IFAS Wakulla County Extension office. Youth ages 8 to 18 are eligible to participate. The Archery Team will compete again April 3 and 4 at the Easton Newberry Sports Complex in the final state archery match of the year. Youth ages 8 to 13 interested in archery are eligible to register for the Wakulla 4-H Archery Camp July 22-25, 2024. Registration for 4-H camp is currently open until June 1 or when camp enrollment is full.
The Wakulla 4-H Shotgun Team members have also been hard at work preparing for the upcoming state competition. Youth will travel to the Jacksonville Clay Target Sports on March 23, 2024 to compete. Shotgun Team members representing 4-H in competition are Noah Pearson, Isabella Collier, Blake Harrell, Emiliano Cadena, Parker Smith, and Warner Counce. Youth ages 10 to 18 are eligible to participate in the club. The Shotgun Club meets at least once a month at the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Shooting Range in Sopchoppy and also makes trips to Talon Range in Midway.
The clubs will accept new members in September 2024. To learn more about 4-H clubs, including Shooting Sports, mark your calendar for the UF/IFAS Wakulla Extension Open House event on August 24. 4-H club leaders and Extension faculty will be on hand to help the community to connect to all the 4-H club options. Wakulla 4-H is pleased to announce that Air Rifle Club will return in September 2024. This club is open to ages 8 to 18 and practices will be held at the Extension office.
The Wakulla 4-H Shooting Sports extends a since thank you to the Friends of the NRA and the NRA Foundation for continued support through equipment grants and to the Wakulla County Sheriff’s office for range use. The Wakulla 4-H Shooting Sports Program should be viewed as a vehicle for achieving youth development, which is the mission of Extension 4-H youth programs. The 4-H Shooting Sports Program teaches young people the safe and responsible use of firearms, principles of archery, and hunting basics. Lifelong skill development is one of the main benefits of involvement in the 4-H Shooting Sports Program and applies to both youth and adults involved in the program. Specifically, the 4- H Shooting Sports Program is designed to provide youth proper training in the use of firearms, archery equipment, and other areas of shooting sports, provide thorough instruction in shooting sports safety, as well as to develop life skills, such as self-confidence, personal discipline, responsibility, and sportsmanship. The 4-H Shooting Sports program also strives to create an appreciation and understanding of natural resources and their wise use. UF/IFAS Extension provides volunteer instructors safe and proper instructional techniques and Extension faculty supported volunteers in planning and managing 4-H Shooting Sports Clubs and related 4-H activities. The 4-H Shooting Sports Program is a national program with guidelines provided by the National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee. This committee is made up of Extension professionals, industry representatives, volunteers, and others.
