Shooting Sports Activities and Events

State Shoot 

Save the Date: August 26, 2023 at Big Springs Shooting Ranch, near Grinnell, IA

​​​​​​​The annual State Shoot is an opportunity for youth in grades 4-12 to test their shooting skills against others from across the state in Compound Archery, Recurve/Longbow Archery, Genesis Archery, Muzzleloader, Air Rifle, Smallbore Rifle, Shotgun, and Wildlifeshooting sports disciplines.

SESS Instructor/Leader Discipline Training 

New discipline training for SESS volunteers will be near Creston, Iowa, on April 1, 2023, from 7:30 AM-5:30 PM. Specific training location details will be emailed to participants.

New Discipline Training

  1. New discipline training for SESS volunteers will be near Creston, Iowa on April 1, 2023 from 7:30 AM-5:30 PM.
  2. New discipline training registration will open through the 4-H Online events section on February 1 and close on March 20.
  3. Cost for new discipline training will be $65 for shotgun, and $60 for Archery, Coordinator, Rifle, and Wildlife.
  4. Training manuals and lunch are included with registration fees.
  5. SESS Volunteer Instructors/Leaders attending a new discipline certification training must view the (4) National 4-H Shooting Sports Modules through 4-HOnline before attending in-person training.
  6. Please use this help sheet for completing the National 4-H Shooting Sports Modules through 4-HOnline.
  7. SESS Instructors/Volunteers must be up to date with all 4-H Volunteer Trainings and be an approved county volunteer.

Recertification Training

  1. Discipline recertification for SESS Instructors/Leaders will be near Creston, Iowa on April 1, 2023, from 7:30 AM-12 PM on April 1.
  2. Recertification training registration will open through the 4-H Online events section on February 15 and close on March 20.
  3. Cost for recertification training will be $20. No food or materials are included.

What to Bring

  1. All equipment will be provided for the SESS new discipline certification and recertification trainings. Please do not bring any personal equipment to a SESS Instructor Training.
  2. Please bring a reusable water bottle and/or coffee mug.
  3. Come dressed for the weather and the outdoors!

Check-In Time for New Discipline and Recertification Trainings is 7 AM-7:30 AM.
 

Check-In Locations for New Discipline and Recertification Training

  1. Archery Check-in will be at the Union County Fairgrounds; Show Building; 301 S Grace St, Afton, IA 50830
  2. ​​​​​​​Coordinator, Rifle, Shotgun, Wildlife Check-in will be at the High Lakes Outdoor Alliance Shooting Range; 2216 130th St, Creston, IA 50801

​​​​​​​Questions? Contact Allison Brundy.

SESS Winter Postal 2022-2023

Registration is available on 4-HOnline

Time frame: November, December, January, February, March

Scores for record: Coaches will enter monthly scores for all disciplines through the “Winter Postal 2022-2023 Score Form.”

*NEW! Archery scores and awards will now be for Compound, Mathews Genesis, and Recurve. All scores shot for record should be submitted by the end of each month, one score per shooter per discipline per month. Late scores will not be accepted. If there are any questions about these rules contact the Coaches listed or Allison Brundy, abrundy@iastate.edu.

Winter Postal Match Rules 2022-2023 

Sample Archery Postal Scorecard​​​​​​​

Any questions regarding  Postal rules and scoring should be referred to the instructors that are listed below:

Instructor Information

The success of 4-H programs relies heavily on dedicated volunteers.  Shooting sports instructors are responsible for the overall coordination and management of the county/area 4-H shooting sports program. If you are interested in being a volunteer or instructor for a shooting sports program, contact your county ISU Extension Office today. 

Responsibilities

  1. Administration: follow state plan, policies, and risk management requirements. Complete reports,  maintain 4-H membership records, and maintain equipment inventories.
  2. Communications: develop good working relationships with members, parents, instructors, volunteers, and Extension professional staff.
  3. Planning: work with other instructors, Extension staff, parents, members, and community partners to develop a county shooting sports short-term and long-term plan to create the best possible program for your county. This responsibility includes setting up a 4-H Shooting Sports Committee that seeks to grow the program.
  4. Volunteer Development: recruit, orientate, and recognize  instructors as well as other adult and teen volunteers (ongoing).
  5. Resource Development: develop resources such as cash, equipment, use of facilities, and keep financial and asset records in accordance with Iowa 4-H policy.
  6. Promote the 4-H SESS program to youth, families, and the community through various ways.
  7. Plan/schedule supplemental learning experiences (tours, special events, service projects, etc.).
  8. Liaison with the Extension Service and county 4-H committee.
  9. Ensure quality control of county program by monitoring club SESS activities.

Qualifications

  1. Age 21 or older and successful completion of the child protection and safety policy screening process.
  2. Willingness to attend ongoing training
  3. Ability to work with adults and delegate responsibility.
  4. Have an interest in the development of youth and shooting sports.
  5. State certification and re-certified as required.
  6. Previous leadership experience.
  7. Organizational, management, communication, public relations, and marketing skills.
  8. Knowledge of networking and collaborating.
  9. Knowledge of overall 4-H program and activities and/or willing to learn about them.
  10. Moral standards consistent with the 4-H philosophy.

Support Provided

  1. 4-H SESS coordinator training workshop.
  2. 4-H SESS curriculum handbook upon completion of the workshop.
  3. Local volunteer training programs.

To Apply
Contact your county ISU Extension Office

Instructor Resources