The Saline County 4-H Shooting Sports range is located on Highway 65 north of Marshall, Missouri. The land was given to the program on a lifetime lease by the late Ed Dysart, an avid outdoorsman and conservationist. Dysart’s generous contribution provides one location to participate in eight of the nine 4-H Shooting Sports disciplines. This opportunity sets the Saline County 4-H Shooting Sports range as a premier destination for practices and competitions.
The program goals of 4-H Shooting Sports include:
- Teach and practice the safe handling of firearms and archery equipment
- Teach sound fundamentals of shooting
- Encourage responsible and socially acceptable use of firearms and archery equipment
- Provide opportunity for a variety of shooting experiences
- Provide opportunity to excel and compete
Youth may enroll in air rifle and archery if they are eight years old by January 1. Participants must complete a six hour safety course and a year of instruction before they can advance to other disciplines. Members must remain in good standing with a local 4-H club and attend the required number of practices to compete at the county and state shoot. Each discipline requires a minimum of 10 hours of instruction under the supervision of a certified 4-H Shooting Sports volunteer.
Participants can expand their involvement by trying new disciplines, creating fair projects, and attending competitions. Individuals age 14 and older are eligible to try out for state teams which compete at the National 4-H Shooting Sports Invitational in June. Overall, 4-H Shooting Sports offers nine disciplines to allow youth ages eight through 18 to gain life skills and become the leaders of tomorrow.
Delmer Croka serves as county coordinator for the Saline County 4-H Shooting Sports Program. Melissa Gann is the secretary and Alvin Moenkhoff is president.
Saline County 4-H Shooting Sports 