Youth and Muzzle Loaders

[cmyoung1956]

I’m in Grand Island NE for the 4-H National Shooting Sports tournament this week. We have about 600 youth from 32 states competing in 9 different disciplines, including 46 in muzzle loading. ML shoots 50 yd bullseye, 25 yd bottles and critters novelty targets and silhouettes. My NC team placed 2nd in bullseye and 3rd in novelty on Tues & Wed, silhouettes on Thurs, always interesting in the NE heat and wind. Proud to be working with 4-H and being able to coach a great group of kids. Takes a lot of weekends, time, resources, but it is great watching the youth mature, and knowing that maybe, just maybe they will remember the smell of smoke and the satisfaction of the work it takes to succeed

 

[Bighorserider]

I took my 8 year grandson shooting for the first time this week. He loved shooting my TC Hawken off sand bags. I'm looking to get him into a 4H program.

 

[cmyoung1956]

Check with your local Cooperative Extension office. 4-H is part of that system through the land grant university system. Every county and state is a little different, some have the shooting sports program and some don't. If they don't, think about becoming a leader/instructor and get the program going in your area.

 

[necchi]

Uhm, "Atta Boy"?

 

[dave951]

Just a word of clarification here between different youth orgs. When we were getting started into working with youth orgs in instructing, every one required each instructor to be certified through either the NRA or NMLRA with one exception. The ONE exception I've come across is 4H. They have their own system and certification. IF you get certified with 4H, that's the only group you are cleared to work with. No other youth org recognizes the 4H instructor certification. I'm not saying don't work with 4H, but know if you want to work with them, NRA and NMLRA certs are invalid. Don't know why, but that's the facts.

 

[Crow-Feather]

I’m in Grand Island NE for the 4-H National Shooting Sports tournament this week. We have about 600 youth from 32 states competing in 9 different disciplines, including 46 in muzzle loading. ML shoots 50 yd bullseye, 25 yd bottles and critters novelty targets and silhouettes. My NC team placed 2nd in bullseye and 3rd in novelty on Tues & Wed, silhouettes on Thurs, always interesting in the NE heat and wind. Proud to be working with 4-H and being able to coach a great group of kids. Takes a lot of weekends, time, resources, but it is great watching the youth mature, and knowing that maybe, just maybe they will remember the smell of smoke and the satisfaction of the work it takes to succeed

Outstanding.

 

[cmyoung1956]

Just a word of clarification here between different youth orgs. When we were getting started into working with youth orgs in instructing, every one required each instructor to be certified through either the NRA or NMLRA with one exception. The ONE exception I've come across is 4H. They have their own system and certification. IF you get certified with 4H, that's the only group you are cleared to work with. No other youth org recognizes the 4H instructor certification. I'm not saying don't work with 4H, but know if you want to work with them, NRA and NMLRA certs are invalid. Don't know why, but that's the facts.

You are correct, 4-H has its own training system. The reason is we are training leaders/instructors in youth development as well as a shooting sports discipline. TO be honest, much of the material for the shooting part is very similar to the NRA, which is what BSA uses, but we spend a lot of time on teaching youth development. Agree or disagree, the 4-H system reaches more than 500,000 youth with 20,000 instructors every year. I am also an NRA, Hunter Ed, CCW instructor, and get the chance to teach others that are also instructors for other organizations. Without fail, even from military and LEO people, they all say that they learn something and understand why we do what we do.The big thing is, all of these groups are trying to involve youth in outdoor activities, including shooting sports, which is what we all want to make happen. I would encourage anyone to try to work with any group teaching youth any kind of lifelong outdoor activity

 

[FiremanBrad]

Nice job! My only female ML shooter was out there for the Missouri team!! Her best day was the first, on bullseyes. She was 15th that day!!!

edit to add, Mo. finished 3rd overall in Muzzleloading!

 

[Whitworth]

Well done Sir.

 

[Mad L]

Love watching the young ones learn. A well brought up youth will be a well standing adult one day.

 

[52Bore]

It’s always great to see youth shooting ML.
Here’s a great example of determination and folks helping her succeed.. She referenced both 4-H and the NMLRA.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z_WmBoQyxnhjgBGi-X-gFyaiDM0SJR0s/view

 

[cmyoung1956]

Nice job! My only female ML shooter was out there for the Missouri team!! Her best day was the first, on bullseyes. She was 15th that day!!!

edit to add, Mo. finished 3rd overall in Muzzleloading!

Great. MO has some great shooters. That team is one we always look toward with careful eyes, they were on top for years.

 

[kje54]

I’m in Grand Island NE for the 4-H National Shooting Sports tournament this week. We have about 600 youth from 32 states competing in 9 different disciplines, including 46 in muzzle loading. ML shoots 50 yd bullseye, 25 yd bottles and critters novelty targets and silhouettes. My NC team placed 2nd in bullseye and 3rd in novelty on Tues & Wed, silhouettes on Thurs, always interesting in the NE heat and wind. Proud to be working with 4-H and being able to coach a great group of kids. Takes a lot of weekends, time, resources, but it is great watching the youth mature, and knowing that maybe, just maybe they will remember the smell of smoke and the satisfaction of the work it takes to succeed