Shooting Sports
Share this
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 areas of archery, air pistol, air rifle, muzzleloader, shotgun, 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 the county, state, and regional 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 and event timeline below to find more information about this year's events and trainings!
2025 - 2026 Event Timeline
Event Name |
Location |
Dates |
| State Shotgun Match | Fairmont Gun Club | October 4, 2025 |
| Level 1 Shooting Sports Instructor Training - Fall | WVU Jackson's Mill | Canceled |
| State Muzzleloader Match | WVU Jackson's Mill | Canceled |
| Air Rifle Postal Match | At Home | TBD |
| Regional Air Rifle Match - Upshur | Upshur County | TBD |
| Regional Air Rifle Match - Jefferson | Jefferson County | TBD |
| Regional Air Rifle Match - Wayne | Wayne County | TBD |
| Regional Air Rifle Match - Monroe | Monroe County | TBD |
| Regional Air Rifle Match - Marshall | Marshall County | TBD |
| State Air Rifle Match | Shell Building - Morgantown, WV | TBD |
| Air Pistol Postal Match | At Home | TBD |
| Level 1 Shooting Sports Instructor Training | WVU Jackson's Mill | February 26-28, 2026 |
| State Air Pistol Match | State Fire Academy - WVU Jackson's Mill | TBD |
| State Archery Match | WVU Jackson's Mill | TBD |
| WHEP Contest | WVU Jackson's Mill | TBD |
| Ultimate Outdoor Weekend | WVU Jackson's Mill | April 17 - 19, 2026 |
| National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational | Grand Island, NE | June 21 - 26, 2026 |
| State 4-H Shotgun Fun Clays Event | Stonewall Sporting Clays | TBD |
Instructor Trainings
Level 1 Shooting Sports Instructor
WVU 4-H Shooting Sports hosts two (2) Level 1 Shooting Sports Instructor trainings each year in November and February. The upcoming February training will be held on February 26 to 28, 2026, with an available, optional, Friday and Saturday night stay. The training for all instructors will begin promptly at 8 AM on Saturday morning, please consider this when making travel arrangements. An in person training for first time certifications will be hosted Friday evening. Those who do not wish to attend Friday night must complete the certification online 2 weeks prior to the Saturday training.
CERTIFICATION
Certification is available in the following disciplines:
- Air Pistol
- Air Rifle
- Archery
- Muzzleloader (TBD)
- Shotgun
- Shooting Sports Coordinator (TBD)
- Wildlife/Hunting (TBD)
WHO
Attendees must be 21 years or older and be a Vetted 4-H Volunteer.
- First Time Instructors - Must complete the required four-hour online training modules before attending the instructor training on Saturday (or attend the in person training Friday night). Deadline to complete the online training modules is February 11, 2026.
- Returning Instructors - Only required to attend the single day instructor range training on Saturday.
WHEN
February 26-28, 2026
WHERE
COST
$TBD
State Matches
Multiple Disciplines
State Shotgun Match
This event is open to all WV 4-H members participating at the county level in 4-H Shotgun discipline activities. This match will consist one round each of Skeet, Trap, and Five Stand Sporting Clays (75 Targets). A relay will take approx. 90 minutes.
The field will be divided into Junior, Senior, and Masters Divisions, with the Seniors qualifying to represent WV 4-H at the 2026 National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships in Grand Island, Nebraska.
WHO
Attendees must be 12 years or older (as of 1/1/25) and an Enrolled 4-H Member.
- Juniors: 12 - 13 Years Old
- Seniors: 14+ Years Old
- Masters: 12 - 20 Years Old and has previously competed at the National Championship
WHEN
Saturday, October 4, 2025
WHERE
Fairmont Gun Club
COST
$25
REGISTRATION
System Registration Link (must be logged into ZSuite):
State Muzzleloader Match - Canceled for 2025
State Air Rifle Match
This event is reserved for the top Junior and Senior shooters from the Regional Air Rifle Qualifiers. This match will follow a 3x20 course of fire with 20 shots from each position (kneeling, prone, standing). Contestants are to bring their guns, eye protection, pellets, shooting mats, kneeling rolls, and spotting scopes, etc. No equipment will be available.
The field will be divided into a Junior and a Senior Match with the Seniors qualifying to represent WV 4-H at the 2026 National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships in Grand Island, Nebraska.
State Archery Match
This event is open to all WV 4-H members participating at the county level in 4-H Archery discipline activities. This will be a half match mimicking the National 4-H match. Participants will be expected to shoot Field, FITA and 3-D.
The field will be divided into Junior, Senior, and Genesis class divisions with the Seniors qualifying to represent WV 4-H at the 2026 National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships in Grand Island, Nebraska.
Postal Matches
Multiple Disciplines
Air Rifle Postal Match
WV 4-H Shooting Sports hosts an Air Rifle Postal Match each December. This event is open to all WV 4-H members participating at the county level in 4-H Air Rifle discipline activities and will mimic the CMP National Air Rifle Postal Match.
This event is a 10-meter three-position (3X10) air rifle competition. All teams and individuals must register for this event. Officials targets will be mailed, and after firing, targets must be returned to Zona Hutson for official scoring by December 29, 2024. Firing instructions will be sent to each team or individual with the targets.
WHO
Attendees must be 9 years or older (as of 1/1/25) and an Enrolled 4-H Member.
- Juniors: 9 - 13 Years Old
- Seniors: 14+ Years Old
WHEN
Sunday, December 15, 2024 - Sunday, December 29, 2024
WHERE
At Home/Local Range
COST
$3 per Shooter
REGISTRATION
Registration information for this match has yet to be announced.
Air Pistol Postal Match
WV 4-H Shooting Sports will host an Air Pistol Postal Match for the first time this February. This event is open to all WV 4-H members participating at the county level in 4-H Air Pistol discipline activities and will be governed by National 4-H Championship Match protocols.
All teams and individuals must register for this event. Officials targets will be mailed, and after firing, targets must be returned to Zona Hutson for official scoring by February 20, 2025. Firing instructions will be sent to each team or individual with the targets. Two targets (2x5) will be recorded for each Slow-Fire and Rapid-Fire shoot.
WHO
Attendees must be 9 years or older (as of 1/1/25) and an Enrolled 4-H Member.
- Junior: 9 - 10 Years Old (Seated, Two-Handed)
- Intermediate: 11 - 13 Years Old (Standing, Two-Handed)
- Senior: 14+ Years Old (Standing, One-Handed)
WHEN
Saturday, February 8, 2025 - Thursday, February 20, 2025
WHERE
At Home/Local Range
COST
$3 per Shooter
REGISTRATION
Registration information for this match has yet to be announced.
Additional Events
WHEP Contest
The Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP) is the only national youth program that teaches wildlife and fish habitat management with a scientifically-based curriculum created and managed by wildlife and fisheries professionals.
During the contests, students compete in individual and team events on species identification, management practices, general species knowledge, a written management plan, and an oral defense of the written plan.
WHO
Active WV 4-H and/or FFA Members: See Judging Contest General Rules for specific team composition, entry, state eligibility, etc.
WHEN
TBD (April 2025)
WHERE
COST
$TBD
REGISTRATION
Registration information for this event has yet to be announced.
Ultimate Outdoor Weekend
Ultimate Outdoor Weekend is held at Jackson's Mill full of 4-H Shooting Sports and Outdoor skills. Campers will learn new skills and gain confidence in multiple outdoor disciplines. The first evening of camp features the ultimate adventure program where campers form small group teams to adventure through the Jackson's Mill facility.
Day two features Shooting Sports and additional class discipline training throughout the day. Participants are encouraged to earn up to 14 Skill Badges through their participation across all years attending (REWORD). We wrap up with a guest/feature speaker and camp service project. We look forward to novice and experienced youth joining us to learn and hone their outdoor skills.
WHO
West Virginia youth ages 12 to 21 as of September 30, 2025
WHEN
April 17 - 19, 2026
WHERE
COST
$TBD
REGISTRATION
Registration information for this event has yet to be announced.
4-H Shotgun Summer Clays at Stone Wall
This is an intended Fun Match! Though we'll offer recognition for higher results, this is a great practice session for instructors who may be limited in their ability to practice sporting clays.
Coaches and parents are encourage to participate! We will also have a self provided cook-out following the match.
WHO
Attendees must be 12 years or older (as of 1/1/25) and an Enrolled 4-H Member.
- Juniors: 12 - 13 Years Old
- Seniors: 14+ Years Old
WHEN
Saturday, August 30, 2025 (Shotgun Start at 10:00 a.m.)
WHERE
Stonewall Sporting Clays, Weston (Roanoke) WV
COST
$30/Youth | $60/Adult
REGISTRATION
Registration information for this event has yet to be announced.