Washington State University Extension

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4-H Shooting Sports

• Washington State University Extension
• State 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Training
• Edited by Paul Carter and Janet Schmidt , WSU
  Extension Educators
• from Steve Hines, Rifle Instructor in Idaho

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What Is 4-H Shooting Sports?

• Six Project Areas
• Archery
• Rifle
• Pistol
• Shotgun
• Muzzle Loader
• Hunting

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Why Does 4-H Have A Shooting Sports Program?

• As a tool for youth development
• Builds self confidence
• Promotes personal discipline
• Requires responsibility
• Develops team work
• Enhances self esteem
• Encourages sportsmanship conduct

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Why Does 4-H Have A Shooting Sports Program?

• provide a positive experience for youth
• promote safe and ethical use of firearms
• we believe that firearm education reduces gun
  accidents
• promotes a total family involvement in a healthy
  sport

5
4-H is a Life Skills Program

• Shooting sports are just one more way to develop
  kids into capable, competent, productive, caring
  citizens.

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Do Shooting Programs Promote Gun Violence?

• Evidence indicates the opposite!
• Designed to teach good self confidence and build
  character.
• Promotes the highest standards of safety, ethical
  behavior and respect.
• We have a Constitutional Right to possess
  firearms, Therefore
• all members, regardless of age, should be
  adequately trained to ensure safe, ethical, and
  responsible ownership

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Isnt Easy Access To Firearms A Cause Of Violence?

• Evidence indicates the opposite!
• The safest location for responsible gun owners to
  store their guns is at home
• Firearms should be stored so that they are
  inaccessible to unauthorized users

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Isnt Hunting Inhumane And Unnecessary In Modern
Life?

• Four Primary Values arise from hunting
• Societal
• Hunting is a viable and healthy food source
• Promotes good sportsmanship and ethics
• Valued part of our American heritage
• Good mental and physical exercise
• Hunting is an ideal family activity
• Economic
• Hunting reduces road killed animals and crop loss
• Hunters spend millions each year to pursue their
  sport

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Continued

• Ecological
• Hunting is a vital wildlife management tool
• Hunting dollars support wildlife habitat projects
  in every state
• Hunting improves the health of a population
• A well placed shot is more humane than diseases
• Historical
• Hunting was necessary for food and clothing
• Provides a modern connection with our past
• Promotes an appreciation for our heritage

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Arent Shooting Sports Dangerous?

• Studies show there are far fewer injuries in
  hunting and shooting than there are in
• bowling (53 injuries/100,000 participants)
• golf (163.5 /100,000)
• swimming (217.9 /100,000)
• tennis (205.8 /100,000)
• basketball (2300.3 /100,000)
• Hunting (6.7 /100,000)
• does not include archery
• does include all injuries, not only gun related

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National Committee Minimum Standards

• All instructors accept and abide by the Code of
  Ethics
• The 4-H curriculum is the established and
  accepted curriculum
• Leaders have a written risk management plan
• Thrust is teaching life skills, not shooting
  skills
• Other organizations certification is supplemental
• Follow the state instructor guidelines

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Code Of Ethics

• I will respect the participants, volunteers and
  property associated with the 4-H Shooting Sports
  Program
• I will set a good example as a mentor and role
  model for 4-H Shooting Sports youth and volunteer
  leaders
• I will strive to be knowledgeable of the life
  skills embodied in the 4-H Shooting sports
  program and aid positively in the development of
  youth through adherence to those principles

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Code Of Ethics

• I will strive to be technically competent in the
  subject matter I teach
• I will adhere to the National 4-H Shooting Sports
  guidelines and curriculum
• I will respect the dignity of each participant in
  the 4-H Shooting Sports program regardless of
  gender, origin, ability, or achievement

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Washington Idahos Instructor Guidelines

• Age 21 to be an Instructor, 18 to be an
  Assistant Instructor, and 14 to be a Teen Leader
• Must have been screened, trained, and appointed
  as a current 4-H volunteer leader
• Successfully complete 15 hours of Instructor
  Training provided by the State 4-H Office
• Must be trained in the discipline which they are
  instructing

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WSU 4-H Leader Training Requirements

• Application
• Enrollment
• WSP Screening
• Reference check
• Sign behavioral guidelines
• Complete county training guidelines
• Interactive online E-Learning for volunteers

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Volunteer Responsibility

• It is each volunteers responsibility to check
  with your local Extension office to make sure
  that you meet all the volunteer requirements
  prior to working with youth in your shooting
  sports or other club!

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Instructor Training Opportunities

• State level training
• Bid To Host Training
• National level training
• May ?
• Train-the-trainers course
• We need instructors in all disciplines statewide!

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National Training

• Archery
• Pistol
• Rifle
• Shotgun
• Coordinator
• Muzzle loading/Black Powder
• Hunting

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State Training

• Only National Certified Instructors teach at the
  state trainings
• Only one discipline per training
• 15 Hours of Instruction
• Spread across weeks
• Or all in one weekend

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Topics

• Introduction
• Youth Development
• Risk Management
• Leader Training Requirements
• Range Instruction Coach Shooter
• Resources
• Equipment
• Funding

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In Conclusion

• If you have a love of shooting and the outdoors
• If you have a passion to share your skills and
  experience with others
• If you want to have a positive influence on
  youth
• Become a shooting sports leader and help us be a
  POSITIVE influence on our youth and send a
  POSITIVE message about hunting and shooting!!!

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Questions?