Shooting Sports
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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!
2026 Event Timeline
Event Name |
Location |
Dates |
| Air Rifle Postal Match | At Home | Canceled |
| Regional Air Rifle Match - Upshur | Upshur County | January 3, 2026 |
| Regional Air Rifle Match - Monroe | Monroe County | January 9, 2026 |
| Regional Air Rifle Match - Wayne | Wayne County | January 10, 2026 |
| Regional Air Rifle Match - Jefferson | Berkeley County | January 24, 2026 |
| Regional Air Rifle Match - Marshall | Marshall County | January 31, 2026 |
| State Air Rifle Match | Shell Building - Morgantown, WV | February 14, 2026 |
| Air Pistol Postal Match | At Home | TBD |
| Level 1 Shooting Sports Instructor Training | WVU Jackson's Mill | March 27-28, 2026 |
| State Air Pistol Match | State Fire Academy - WVU Jackson's Mill | March 21, 2026 |
| State Archery Match | WVU Jackson's Mill | April 4, 2026 |
| 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 typically hosts two (2) Level 1 Shooting Sports Instructor trainings each year in the fall and winter. The upcoming March training will be held on March 27 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
- Shotgun
- Shooting Sports Coordinator
- Wildlife/Hunting
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 March 13, 2026.
- Returning Instructors - Only required to attend the single day instructor range training on Saturday.
WHEN
March 27-28, 2026
WHERE
COST
$125
REGISTRATION
Registration will open on December 15, 2025, at 12 p.m. and will close on March 10, 2026, at 11:55 p.m. Tap the button below to register in ZSuite!
Regional Air Rifle Qualifiers
Multiple Events
County level WVU 4-H Shooting Sports programs will host five (5) Regional Air Rifle Matches in January between Jefferson, Marshall, Monroe, Upshur, and Wayne County.
WHO
Attendees must be 9 years or older and an Enrolled 4-H Member.
- Juniors: 9 - 13 Years Old (as of Date of Match)
- Seniors: 14 Years Old (as of 1/1/26) and not older than 19 Years Old (as of 1/1/26)
WHEN
Dates and locations vary, participants are welcome to attend the site/date that works best for them.
- Upshur: January 3, 2026 | Location TBA
- Monroe: January 9, 2026 | Location TBA
- Wayne: January 10, 2026 | Location TBA
- Berkeley: January 24, 2026 | Location TBA
- Marshall: January 31, 2026 | Location TBA
COST
$15
REGISTRATION
Registration information has yet to be announced.
State Matches
Multiple Disciplines
State Shotgun Match
This match has passed and the registration has closed. Stay tuned for news and announcements regarding next year's match!State Muzzleloader Match
This match has passed and the registration has closed. Stay tuned for news and announcements regarding next year's match!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
Registration information for this match has yet to be announced.
Air Pistol Postal Match
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 2026)
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, 2026
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 Stonewall
This event has passed and the registration has closed. Stay tuned for news and announcements on next year's event!