4-H Shooting Sports Takes Another Step Toward Normal

These Union County shotgunners took top honors May 28-29 at the State Trap, Skeet & Sporting Clays event. Team members are (from left) Phillip Jones, Andrea Jeong, Bennett Hylton and JaKob Duke. Phillip was the overall best Senior shooter.

While COVID may not be a thing of the past yet, most folks appear to be ready to get back to normalcy, which includes some face-to-face interaction with other people, whether that be sitting at a restaurant table, going to a movie theatre or competing in a 4-H shooting event. 

Georgia 4-H Project SAFE offers youth in grades 4-12 many different shooting-sports disciplines to experience. Trained certified coaches help 4-H members grow in their skills and achieve their best. 

“COVID-19 disrupted our Georgia 4-H program significantly when UGA suspended all activities on March 13, 2020,” said Craven Hudson, extension 4-H specialist who heads-up Project S.A.F.E. 

The result was virtual opportunities during 2020. 

“There really is no good virtual option that replaces the fun and excitement of shooting firearms and archery,” said Craven. “During the gap in our program, some youth moved to other activities.”

Here’s top dogs at the May 28-29 State Trap, Skeet & Sporting Clays event in the Junior Division. The team represents Bleckley County. Team members are (from left) Daniel Faulk, Parker Barrs, Jackson White and Jacob Skipper. Parker was the overall best Junior shooter.

Thankfully the 2021 season saw the return of in-person shooting competitions, although competitor numbers weren’t what they were prior to the pandemic. The good news is that 2022 saw another uptick in 4-H youth numbers.

“We are climbing back up! We grew from spring 2021. We are not quite to 2019 and before, but we are trying hard,” said Craven.

“We were pleased to hold four state championship weekend matches between April 29 and May 29 to give youth the opportunity to demonstrate their shooting sports skill development. All 2022 matches were fully normal and managed as pre-pandemic matches. This means they were fun! 

“The COVID-19 pandemic impacted all of Georgia 4-H, and youth numbers declined for many reasons. Georgia 4-H Project SAFE is strongly rebounding, and we look forward to serving even more youth in our new program year, which begins Aug. 1, 2022.”

For more on the 4-H Project S.A.F.E. program or to learn how to get involved in 4-H, call your county extension office, or go to www.georgia4h.org/safe.

A young lady with the Stephens County .22 rifle team gets ready to send some lead down range.

The Morgan County Senior Compound Archery Team had the top final score during the April 29-30 Target Challenge Weekend at Rock Eagle. They will represent Georgia at the 4-H Nationals in Nebraska June 27-July 1. Team members are (from left) Catherine Smith, Alex Anderson, Thomas Smith and Briana Moore.

Here’s the .22 Rifle Senior Team champs from Bartow County (from left) Rylee Cook, Will Altizer, Evan Eastin and Ethan Eastin.

Appling Team 1 was the best-finishing team at the May 21 State BB Tournament. Team members include Emma Allen, Lanie Dawson, Karlee Dawson, Briley Dawson, Shyann McDaniel, Hayden Carter and Rylee Beckworth.

Aaron Boyd from Coweta County was best BB shooter from 306 kids.