The NRA Foundation has awarded the Kingfisher County shooting sports program a grant totaling $500 to fund materials and supplies.

“We are very excited about the shooting sports program,” said Heather Leitner, Kingfisher County Extension educator for 4-H youth development.

“And we’re pleased that the NRA is making an investment in our community.”

Shooting sports continues to be one of the fastest growing projects available to 4-H members in Oklahoma and across the nation.

What began in 1982 with just shotgun (trap) shooting now includes training and competition in air rifle, air pistol, black powder, archery, small bore rifle, small bore pistol and living history.

To become involved in the Oklahoma 4-H Shooting Sports program, youth must meet 4-H enrollment requirements.

Any boy or girl residing in or attending school in Oklahoma may enroll in Oklahoma 4-H after he or she has reached age 9.

A completed 4-H enrollment card must be on file with their local Extension Office.

To participate in 4-H shooting sports-trap shoot, 4-H members must meet the above requirements plus be 10 years old, must be certifi ed through the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Hunter Safety Program and receive a minimum of eight hours of instruction by a certified 4-H shooting sports instructor.

Like other 4-H projects, shooting sports depends on willing adults to work with the youth, Leitner said.

Oklahoma 4-H shooting sports requires adults to be 21 years of age (18 for archery), pass a 12-hour coaches training course and have no felony convictions.

Leitner said 4-H mem- bers learn valuable life skills in the Oklahoma 4-H shooting sports program.

“Gun safety is stressed at every practice and contest. Teamwork, responsibility and commitment are taught,” Leitner said. “4-H shooting sports also strengthens families, as a high percentage of parents and even grandparents are in attendance at practice and contests.”

4-H members also have the opportunity to make and enter projects related to shooting sports in county and state fairs sharing with others what they have learned in this 4-H project.

“Many trap shooters develop speeches and illustrated presentations and give in club meetings or contests,” Leitner said. “They can also report on their shooting sports project in their county 4-H record book and receive awards and recognition including $1,200 scholarships at the state level.”

For more information, contact your local county Extension Office for more information, or go online at http:// oklahoma4h. okstate. edu.