Goals
- To encourage participation in natural resources and related natural science programs by exposing participants to the content through shooting, hunting and wildlife habitat management.
- To enhance development of self-concept, character and personal growth through safe, educational and socially acceptable involvement in shooting activity.
- 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 expose participants to the broad array of vocational and lifelong avocational activities related to shooting sports and wildlife management.
- To strengthen families through participation in life-long recreational activities.
- To complement and enhance the impact of existing safety, shooting and hunter education programs using experiential educational methods and progressive development of skills and abilities.
Publications
News
LOUISVILLE, Miss. -- The Mississippi State University Extension Service will hold the North Mississippi 4-H Summer Camp Explore July 23-26 in Winston County.
The camp will be at Lake Tiak O’Khata, located at 1290 Smyth Lake Road in Louisville.
Participants will enjoy the outdoors, expressive arts, and STEM and S.A.F.E.T.Y. activities. Archery, canoeing, drama, air rifle, survival skills, first aid, robotics and a service project are among the camp’s offerings. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians will conduct a heritage activity with the campers.
RAYMOND, Miss. -- Brandy Barnes’ excitement is building, but she keeps a cool head at the firing range.
In the summer of 2015, the 17-year-old Hinds County 4-H member scored among the top five .22-caliber rifle participants at the state shooting sports competition. The accomplishment earned her a spot at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Championship set for June 26 to July1, 2016, in Grand Island, Nebraska.
“It’s really starting to hit me now,” said Barnes. “I’m very excited.”
By Mary Grace Eppes
MSU Ag Communications
MISSISSIPPI STATE – Many Mississippi bow hunters eagerly await the first hunt of the season and each year, more of those hunters are women.
Katie Pepper of Canton, a former Mississippi State University student and an ardent hunter, is proof that bow hunting is no longer just a male sport.
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- When Labor Day rolls around each year, friends and family throughout Mississippi head to the fields early in the morning to get the first flights of doves over the fields they planted in the spring.
John Long, 4-H youth development specialist and shooting sports state program leader with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said opening day of dove season is the big kick-off to hunting season and is considered a Southern tradition.
By Karen Templeton
MSU Office of Ag Communications
MISSISSIPPI STATE – Focusing on safety, developing life skills and teaching good sportsmanship have made Mississippi’s 4-H Shooting Sports program popular with youth.
Success Stories
Pearl River County 4-H’er excels at 4-H National Shooting Sports competition
If Dad considers himself a “gun person,” but Mom sees herself as “gun-shy,” what should their son do if he’s dreaming of a career in the military?
Hinds County 4-H’er learns patience, persistence through rifle competition
When a heart condition kept Brandy Barnes from playing basketball, she ramped up her dedication to 4-H shooting sports.
4-H Shooting Sports teaches teen character and generosity
Quitman native Taivon Collins learned an important life lesson when he broke his gun during a 4-H shooting sports competition.
“If life gives you lemons,” he says, “you get a new .22 rifle.
4-H S.A.F.E.T.Y. is Mississippi 4-H’s biggest program. Competitors in the Safe Archery and Firearms Education and Training for Youth program are immersed in essential firearm-safety training to learn maturity, self-discipline, responsibility, and sportsmanship.
Born in Biloxi, Ashley Ward shines as manager of event promotion for Ducks Unlimited and cohost for Ducks Unlimited TV.
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