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New Jersey 4-H Shooting Sports
The Hunterdon Deadeyes 4-H Shooting Sports began in the fall of 2004, today we have over 50 members and certified instructors. Certified 4-H Instructors teach disciplines in Archery, Rifle, Shot Gun and Muzzle Loader. The club’s main focus is safety and safe practices around firearms. Our members are put into small groups and go through training classes and become certified members in the different curriculums.
Archery is one of the main disciplines in the club. Members learn all about safety, range rules, equipment, nine steps to the ten-ring, and how to become a more improved shooter. Club instructors and 4-H coaches teach archery programs at 4-H camp events, township recreation programs, boy scouts, and the fair. It is through our Archery Program at our fair that we are able to support our club with equipment in all disciplines. Our archery members have participated in 4-H competitions and placed 1st overall in the State Invitational in 2007.
The club members enjoy our Rifle program. Three main rules of firearm safety, the range and firing commands, followed by equipment and their uses are the three topics that are discussed prior to shooting. Participants practice safety and range procedures by learning on a laser beam hit. The beam hit is a major teaching tool in this curriculum. It not only allows the member to use all the rules of safety it teaches them how to aim and sight in their target. The members leave the meeting with a print out of their first shots in the club. Members start off in the bench seat position and then to the off-hand position.
Shot gun and Muzzle Loader are now being offered to club members who have been certified in Archery and Rifle curriculums. The class begins with instructional training, safety lessons, and learning about proper eye and ear protection. A range is set up and range rules are used. In all of our curriculums 4-H allows the kids to “learn by doing” using “hands on” teaching methods. It is one of our goals to allow the members to shoot as soon as they understand all the safety involved in firearms. 4-H instructors instruct and coach the kids as they are shooting.
Through club meetings and gatherings the members also learn about respect for firearms, responsibility, self control, and self-discipline. Members participate in record keeping and 4-H presentations. Several of our members have participated in the presentation contest presented included: Types of Shotguns, Hunter Safety Course, NJ and the Civil War (time period firearms), Joining the US Olympic Archery Team, Parts of the Bow and Arrow, and Ariel Archery.
The club participates in community service projects such as cleaning up the 4-H fairgrounds, and the recreation facility. Community outreach and county events are also an important part of how we expose our club. The club attends the County Earth Day celebration and sets up an informational booth on
4-H shooting sports and gives out hand-made turkey calls and gun locks. A booth is also set up in the County Library and the club participated in the 4-H Holiday Workshop selling toy marshmallow shooters.
The Hunterdon Deadeyes is the fastest growing club in Hunterdon County. It is through the support of our 4-H Association, Certified Instructors, Club Leaders, and the NJ Shooting Sports Advisory Council that has made this program a success. Many donations have been made to the club from various supporters and organizations. The club received a grant from the NRA in 2005 which has allowed the club to become equipped in the different curriculums. Through county fundraising efforts and donations made by local sponsors the club has been able to support itself.
The club meets on the 4th Thursday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Quakertown Recreation Gun Club. For information about this club please contact Sherrie and Matt Peterson, (908)782-1862.
Youth development is the primary goal of the 4-H Shooting Sports Program. 4-H Shooting Sports provide an outstanding way of providing human growth and development in the life skills identified by the National 4-H Program. We strive to each safe and responsible use of firearms and archery equipment at home, on the shooting range, or in the field, including sound decision making, self discipline, and concentration.
© 2008 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Last Updated: April 24, 2008 . Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and County Boards of Chosen Freeholders. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.
