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Shooting Sports

4-H Shooting Sports Logo

The West Virginia 4-H Shooting Sports Program encompasses the goals of youth development, volunteer leadership, capacity building for youth and their families, and environmental stewardship. Our program is designed to:

  • Offer young people between the ages of 9 and 21 safe and thorough instruction and training in the use of firearms (muzzleloader, air pistol, air rifle including small bore and shotgun), archery equipment and wildlife conservation.
  • Enhance self-confidence, personal development, responsibility and sportsmanship.
  • Create an appreciation and understanding of Natural Resources.
  • Provide volunteer instructors with the safe and proper instructional techniques and information needed to maintain Shooting Sports and Conservation Clubs.
  • Train and certify West Virginia 4-H Adult Volunteer Leaders to be positive role models and mentors for youth in the 4-H Shooting Sports Program.

Goals & Objectives

West Virginia 4-H Shooting Sports provides an outstanding opportunity to promote human growth and development in the many life skills identified by the National 4-H Program. Decision making, teamwork, problem solving, responsibility, and increasing self-esteem are vital in developing our youth to be productive and positive adults in our society. Youth development is the number one goal of the West Virginia 4-H Shooting Sports Program.

Specific objectives of the 4-H Shooting Sports program:

  • To enhance development of participant’s self-concept, character and personal growth through safe educational and socially-acceptable involvement in shooting activities.
  • To strengthen families through life-long recreational activities.
  • To develop leadership qualities in youth and adult participants.
  • To expand 4-H membership and involve additional 4-H adult volunteers.
  • To encourage understanding of natural resource concepts through participants’ interest in shooting and wildlife conservation.
  • To expose participants to the broad array of vocation and lifelong avocational activities related to shooting sports.
  • To teach safe and responsible use of firearms and archery equipment, including sound decision-making, self-discipline and concentration.
  • To promote the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship and ethical behavior.
  • To complement and enhance the impact of existing safety and hunter education programs.
  • To provide 4-H training and certification in the various shooting sports disciplines for adult volunteers.
  • To maintain and expand a state level committee of nationally trained and certified 4-H Shooting Sports Instructors.

Events & Trainings

West Virginia 4-H Shooting Sports Program offers a variety of trainings and events for its members and volunteers at both the county level and state level. For county specific programming, please contact your local county Extension office to learn more about the 4-H Shooting Sports program in your area.

For State and Regional level 4-H Shooting Sports programming, use the links below to learn more!


Instructor Trainings


Level 1 Shooting Sports Instructor Training

Overnight Training

Certification is available in the following disciplines: Air Pistol, Air Rifle, Archery, Muzzleloader, Shotgun, Shooting Sports Coordinator, and Wildlife/Hunting. Registration fee covers materials, meals and overnight dorm lodging as needed.

Location:
WVU Jackson's Mill

Dates:
Friday, February 23, 2024 to
Sunday, February 25, 2024

Ages:
21+ years old

Fee:
$125

Registration:
This training has passed and the registration has closed. Stay tuned for news and announcements regarding the next training!


Regional Air Rifle Matches

Marshall/Monroe/Wayne

Location:
Marshall | John Marshall High School
Monroe | Location TBA
Wayne | Location TBA

Dates:
Saturday, January 13, 2024

Ages:
Juniors | 9 - 13 years old
Seniors | 14+ years old

Fee:
$15

Registration:
Opened on December 6, 2023 and will close on January 4, 2024 at 10 p.m. Tap the button below to register in ZSuite.

Register Here (4-H ZSuite)


Jefferson/Upshur

Location:
Jefferson | Izaak Walton League
Upshur | Buckhannon-Upshur Middle School

Dates:
Saturday, January 20, 2024

Ages:
Juniors | 9 - 13 years old
Seniors | 14+ years old

Fee:
$15

Registration:
Opened on December 6, 2023 and will close on January 4, 2024 at 10 p.m. Tap the button below to register in ZSuite.

Register Here (4-H ZSuite)


State Matches

State Shotgun Match

Location:
WV Sportsman & Firearms Range

Dates:
Saturday, October 7, 2023

Ages:
12+ years old

Fee:
$25

Registration:
This event has passed and registration has closed.


State Muzzleloader Match

Location:
Tygart Valley Muzzleloader Range

Dates:
Saturday, October 21, 2023

Ages:
12-19 years old

Fee:
$10

Registration:
This event has passed and registration has closed.


State Air Rifle Match

Location:
Shell Building - Morgantown, WV

Dates:
Saturday, February 10, 2024

Ages:
Juniors | 9 - 13 years old
Seniors | 14+ years old

Fee:
$TBA

Registration:
This invitational match is reserved for the top Junior and Senior shooters in the regional matches. The registration for this event will not be made public.


State Air Pistol Match

Location:
TBA

Dates:
Saturday, March 16, 2024

Ages:
TBA

Fee:
$TBA

Registration:
Registration information is yet to be announced.


State Archery Match

Location:
WVU Jackson's Mill

Dates:
Saturday, April 6, 2024

Ages:
TBA

Fee:
$TBA

Registration:
Registration information is yet to be announced.


National Matches

National Shooting Sports Invitational

Location:
Grand Island, Nebraska

Dates:
Sunday, June 23, 2024
Friday, June 28, 2024

Ages:
Varies by discipline, invite only.

Fee:
$TBA

Registration:
This invitational match is reserved for the top shooters in the state matches. The registration for this event will not be made public.


Camps & Additional Events

Ultimate Outdoor Weekend

Location:
WVU Jackson's Mill

Dates:
Friday, April 19, 2024
Sunday, April 21, 2024

Ages:
12-21 as of September 30, 2024

Fee:
$150

Registration:
Registration information is yet to be announced.


Air Rifle Postal Match

Location:
At home

Dates:
Friday, December 15, 2023
Friday, December 29, 2023

Ages:
12-21 as of September 30, 2024

Fee:
$3

Registration:
Opened on November 15, 2023 and closed on December 6, 2023.


WV 4-H Shooting Sports Contacts