Barton County 4-H members in the archery and small bore rifle participated in shooting sports events at the state level to finish up the 4-H year. For the second year in a row, Sam McGinnis placed first overall in the Bowhunter archery class in the senior division and will get an invitation to shoot at National. Colton McPherson placed first as a junior in Barebow in FITA and second in 3D with a second place overall finish.
The Bowhunter team of Sam McGinnis and Alivia Bautista placed fourth in the state. Alivia placed 13th overall as an individual. Jayla Wyant and Colton McPherson also shot in the junior division in Bowhunter.
At the state small bore rifle competition the team of Katelyn Reh and Parker Smith placed second in the state. Parker Smith placed third overall, third in silhouettes and will get an invitation to shoot at the national competition. Katelyn Reh placed 9th overall and 5th in the kneeling position and has a chance of getting an invite to nationals. Jace Schwager placed 5th in the standing position and 10th overall. Also competing at the state level were Alivia Bautista, Caleb Straub and Aron Vanier.
We are very proud of the success of our 4-H Shooting Sports members. However, the Barton County 4-H Shooting Sports program strives to develop more than just accurate marksmanship skills. The number one goal is to develop the five life skills in youth: develop a positive self-concept, learn to make decisions, develop an inquiring mind, develop a concern for the community and learn to relate to others. The second goal is to provide a safe, controlled environment for the learning of safe and responsible use of firearms and archery equipment.
Third, the program strives to provide competition opportunities for participants who desire to compete. Not all members will choose to be in a competition, but for those who do they definitely have to exhibit their highest levels of safety, sportsmanship and ethical behavior.
Last, but not least, the program hopes to strengthen families through participation in life-long recreational activities. The leaders and members of the Barton County shooting sports program have worked for many years to build the program. It has been a strong and successful program for young people. Over the past fifteen years, Barton County has been represented at many area, state and even national 4-H shooting sports events.
The Barton County 4-H Shooting Sports program is gearing up for the new year. The first meeting for the Air Rifle members is at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at the American Building across the road from Aaron’s Repair. Youth must be enrolled in 4-H and in the shooting sports project to participate, so stop by the Extension Office or go to www.barton.ksu.edu for more information. To enroll in shooting sports, youth must be 8 years of age on Jan. 1, 2017.
The 4-H archery program will begin meeting at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 23, at the 4-H Building between Hoisington and Great Bend. Archery will also meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at the 4-H Building.
Barton County has certified instructors in two disciplines- air rifle and archery.
The leaders for the archery project are Dennis Trapp, Kathy McGinnis, Roger McPherson and Bill Abrams. The air rifle members are led by John Reh, Scott Smith, Jeff Clark, Brian Rowan, Steve Schultz, Frank Ochs, Leland Miller, and Jim Kohman.
It is not too late to get involved. If you are interested in getting your child enrolled in shooting sports please contact the Extension Office or our trained and certified leaders.
Berny Unruh is the 4-H and Youth Development Extension Agent in Barton County. She is a guest columnist for the Great Bend Tribune. She can be reached at 620-793-1910 or at bunruh@oznet.ksu.edu