Montana 4-H Shooting Sports State Plan

Montana Shooting Sports Logo

3^rd Edition

2024

Approved by Montana 4-H Shooting Sports Advisory Committee – July 16, 2024.

This plan is written in alignment to the Minimum Standards and Best Practices set by the National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee. Updated 12/23/2023.

Overview of the State 4-H Program

Focus –

The primary focus of the Montana 4-H Shooting Sports program is the total development of the youth involved in the project. The Shooting Sports and related natural resource activities will be utilized as a vehicle to develop life skills. The Shooting Sports program will be used to attract new audiences and/or enhance the traditional 4-H club program.

The Montana 4-H Shooting Sports project will follow the guidelines established by the National 4-H Shooting Sports Committee. Discipline training will be offered to volunteer leaders in the following areas: Rifle, Shotgun, Archery, Pistol, Muzzleloading, Hunting Skills, Western Heritage, and Program Coordinator.

4-H Shooting Sports Participants must be 9 years of age by October 1 to enroll in the Shooting Sports project at the beginning of the 4-H year. Age division in all 4-H sanctioned events will be established as age on October 1.

Montana 4-H Certified Shooting Sports Leaders are at least 21 years of age, have met all Montana 4-H enrollment requirements, and are actively participating in an approved 4-H program. All local volunteer leaders and state training team members must meet the requirements of and be accepted as a 4-H volunteer leader in their County. Currently certified leaders have also completed a training program offered by the State Training Team.

History – as of 1-19-07

The Montana 4-H shooting sports program is well established in several counties throughout the State. The program has been developed through the utilization of input from a few very dedicated volunteers that have been active in participating in National Training opportunities. There has been a core group of volunteers and MSU State staff that have been the trainers for the Volunteer trainings held in the state. In 2005, reorganization of the state training team resulted in the formation of a state advisory committee and leadership of the program shifted to a new state coordinator.

Montana has several very strong programs supporting a state postal shoot in air rifle, archery, and shotgun. We also have programs which include small bore rifle and pistol, and black powder. There are several counties that are struggling to meet the needs of their youth shooters as they have difficulty in recruiting and training leaders, as well as providing high quality equipment for the youth to use. We have a high rate of leader turnover in the program as most of the leaders are involved because their children are in the program. They leave as their children graduate out of the program.

While initially volunteer leader trainings were conducted at the request of specific County Extension Agents, the state training team schedules at least 3 state workshops annually.

The state program has a limited amount of training equipment that is available for use at state training workshops only. There is also a Montana 4-H Shooting Sports trailer that has been available for use at County Fairs/demonstrations, etc. The State Coordinator oversees use of the trailer.

4-H Mission

To educate youth and adults for living in a global and ever-changing world by using the resources of the Land Grant Universities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

4-H Shooting Sports Program Objectives for Montana

To develop life skills in youth, including Self-esteem, decision-making, communications, concern for community and goal setting.
To teach the safe and responsible use of firearms and archery equipment.
To promote the highest standards of safety, sportsmanship, and ethical behavior.
To strengthen families through life-long recreational activities.
To expose participants to the broad array of vocational and lifelong avocational activities related to the shooting sports.
To complement and enhance the impact of existing safety and hunter education programs.

Program Goals

Develop/update a comprehensive policy and procedures handbook for Montana 4-H Shooting Sports that can be used as a reference for University Extension Staff and 4-H Leaders.
Conduct 3 state-wide leader certification workshops annually, providing training in all disciplines offered by the training team.
Will have by 2026 in each 4-H District a volunteer leader or County staff person trained in the coordinator discipline to oversee the local/district shooting programs.
Will have by 2026 a full contingent of nationally trained individuals to comprise a volunteer training team in each of the 3 Extension administrative areas in Montana.
Develop a tracking and communication system to keep trained volunteers informed of opportunities for their youth and training requirements and opportunities for leaders, etc. Information disseminated via semi-annual newsletter sent to all 4-H leaders and state team participants.
Develop and maintain an easily accessible list of certified instructors.
Develop partnerships with agencies, organizations, individuals, and corporations that will enhance and strengthen the 4-H Shooting Sports program and its objectives. Examples of these representatives include NRA, USAA, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Montana FWP.

Program Administration

The primary responsibility for the Montana 4-H Shooting Sports Program shall be delegated to a State 4-H Shooting Sports Program Coordinator by the Director of the Montana 4-H Center for Youth Development. The State Coordinator will work closely with a State 4-H Shooting Sports Advisory Committee. Final authority, however, rests with the Director of the Montana 4-H Center for Youth Development under the guiding principles of USDA/CREES.

Montana Shooting Sports Team

The state shooting sports team is made of members from the State Training Team, State Instructors, and the State Advisory Committee.

STATE TRAINING TEAM

The 4-H Shooting Sports State Training Team consists of 14 members, 2 representing each of the following disciplines: Archery, Coordinator, Hunting, Muzzleloading, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun. Each member of the State Training Team is expected to teach his or her discipline at 2 statewide training workshops per year. They will work with the Montana State Shooting Sports Coordinator to ensure materials and equipment for state workshops is available. Additionally, each state training team member will assist in one statewide shooting sports activity each year, whether a postal shooting match, state shoot, camp, or other activity. The State Training Team members are also expected to serve on the Shooting Sports Advisory Committee.

STATE INSTRUCTORS

State Instructors have received training at one of the Regional Workshops held by the National Shooting Sports Committee in one or more disciplines. A State Instructor may be called upon to assist in any of the state training workshops. State Instructors will be available to assist in many regional programs. While state instructors must be willing to travel to state workshops, most efforts will be directed towards the regional level. State Instructors must have county 4-H leader experience and must be approved by both their County Extension Agent and the State Coordinator. State Instructors will also serve on the Shooting Sports Advisory Committee.

MONTANA SHOOTING SPORTS ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Montana Shooting Sports Advisory Committee will consist of the State Training Team and all State Instructors. Representatives from organizations such as NRA, USAA, NSSF and state agencies may serve on the committee as well. The committee usually meets two times per year. Each member is expected to attend at least one meeting per year. It is the responsibility of the committee to develop and maintain the state shooting sports plan and make recommendations on various aspects of the Shooting Sports Program in Montana including policy, training, and workshops. The State Shooting Sports Coordinator will chair the Advisory Committee. Youth members will be invited to serve on the State Advisory committee. These Senior youth 4-H Members should have at least 2 years experience in the shooting program. Application for these positions will be reviewed by the State Coordinator and a sub-committee of the State Advisory committee and will require a recommendation from the member’s County Extension agent.

County Program Instructor Certification Requirements

There are three levels of leadership in the 4-H Shooting Sports Program. All instructors must conform to the established policy and procedures for acceptance as a 4-H Volunteer in the Montana State University 4-H youth development program.

Montana 4-H Certified Shooting Sports Leader

Be at least 21 years of age.
Be enrolled as a leader in their respective County. Passed a background check and successfully completed the Montana 4-H Volunteer Training Modules.
All training attendees must complete the four National 4-H Shooting Sports modules on Z-Suites to be certified at the end of the practicum day. The code for Z-Suites will be provided.
Be trained and certified in any discipline(s) that they are teaching at the county level.

Participants must attend the entire training and successfully complete all aspects to receive their respective discipline certification.
Certification is good for seven (7) years. If the discipline is not taught in the first 2 years, the course must be retaken.

Assistant Leader

18 years of age or older
May work with youth only under the direct supervision of a 4-H Certified Shooting Sports Leader.

Youth Leader

Senior (Age 14-19) 4-H youth with shooting sports experience.
Must have approval of 4-H Certified Shooting Sports Leader.
May assist adult volunteers in conducting SS activities.
May work with youth only under the direct supervision of a 4-H Certified Shooting Sports Leader.
May take the 4-H Shooting Sports Leader Certification Workshop conducted by the Montana Shooting Sports Training Team.

Leader Renewal Policy

To keep certification, a leader must teach or assist in teaching a shooting sports discipline course at least every 2 years. Recertification is mandatory after 7 years.

Once certification lapses, a leader must repeat a State Shooting Sports Leader Certification.

Renewal will be required of all leaders when a program change requires an update or is deemed necessary by the State Coordinator.

Shooting Sports Leaders are responsible for reporting teaching activities to the state by turning in an annual activity reporting form.

Leader Training

State Shooting Sports Certification Workshops will include a minimum of 12 - 15 hours of instruction. Four of which will introduce the participant to 4-H in general, and the 4-H Shooting Sports program in particular. The Staff in the volunteer’s county or district will administer this portion. Participants must complete a pre-workshop Shooting Sports test before being admitted into the regular training session. Four hours will be instruction on the general Shooting Sports program structure, administration, and teaching methods. Eight will be discipline specific instruction.

The State Training team will offer three scheduled Statewide workshops per year. Registration will be through the State Coordinator.

Emergency need workshops will be approved in very rare instances by the State Coordinator.

Each workshop will include instruction and training on youth development principles and concepts, risk management, program management as well as shooting and coaching training in each discipline.

A minimum of 3 registered participants 2 weeks prior to the workshop is required to offer certification for that discipline at a state training workshop.

State Shoot

A State Shoot will be hosted annually and will be coordinated through the state team.

Equipment Requirements

All firearms originally manufactured with a safety mechanism installed must have safeties present during all phases of a 4-H Shooting Sports Program. See National Shooting Sports Minimum Standards and Best Practices.