4-H Shooting Sports success

The Carter County 4-H Shooting Stars hosted their seventh Annual Invitational Shoot on February 1st at the Fallon County Indoor Shooting Range and Fallon County Exhibit Hall. There were ninety-four 4-H youth from Carter, Custer, Fallon, Powder River, Rosebud/Treasure, Stillwater and Wibaux Counties that participated. Numerous individuals and businesses in Carter, Custer, Fallon and Yellowstone County offered their support to the youth involved in the shooting sports program.

Additionally, Fallon County 4-H Shooting Sports volunteered their time and knowledge to help with this event. The event would not have been possible without all the volunteers and the community support.

The Carter County 4-H Shooting Sports leaders started this invitational seven years ago because all the 4-H Shooting Sports competitions were on the western side of the state. They thought there would be an interest and the opportunity to host one on the eastern side of the state. It turned out that there was tremendous support from other 4-H Shooting Sports programs and from the 4-H Center in Bozeman.

The invitational is a great opportunity for the 4-H members to practice in a competitive setting before the state shoot in Bozeman which will be held in March. All youth that competed are a part of their local 4-H Shooting Sports programs and have been practicing and learning proper safety procedures throughout the fall and winter. Youth competed in air pistol, air rifle and archery. The majority of the youth were between 9 and 12 years old, but there were also some very competitive shooters in older age divisions.

Carter County Shooting Stars look forward to next year's invitational and growing and improving the 4-H Shooting Sports program in Southeastern Montana.

4-H Shooting Sports is the most popular project in Montana, closely follow by livestock projects. 4-H Shooting Sports projects help youth learn firearm safety, positive youth development and life skills. It also is a great opportunity to build youth-adult partnerships. Shooting Sports competitions are intended to provide a friendly learning atmosphere and to promote the 4-H spirit. For more information about 4-H Shooting Sports or the local 4-H program contact the Fallon/ Carter County Extension Office at (406) 778-7110.