The Anoka County 4-H Shooting Sports/Wildlife Committee offers a variety of shooting and wildlife activities for 4-H youth in grades 3 and up. These classes offer 4-H'ers the opportunity to learn about wildlife and develop shooting skills. Some of these activities involve 16 hours of training and are taught by volunteer 4-H leaders who have gone through certification and extensive training. All activities are both educational and fun. Equipment is provided.
Registration opens on Monday, November 7 at 8 a.m.
Details
Registration will be done in 4-HOnline and opens on Monday, November 7 at 8 a.m. Classes fill quickly and are on a first come, first serve basis. 4-H members must be enrolled and have their enrollment approved before being able to register for classes. This process can take a day or two to complete so do this prior to November 7. Final deadline to register will be Monday, December 5. Registration has closed but you can contact Kim Ferguson at fergu029@umn.edu or call 763-324-3495 to see if there are any openings.
You will have the opportunity when you register to select alternate choices for air gun and archery sessions. Select all classes that you are available for in case your first choice is full.
Register through your 4-H Online account. If not a current 4-H member, you'll need to set up an account.
- If you have a family account in 4-H Online, login and then click on Events on the left side of the screen; event is "Anoka County 4-H shooting sports classes". Then select members name. On the next screen, click “Start Registration”.
- If you are new to 4-H and don't have an account yet, the 4-H Online event registration guide is helpful. Creating an account does not require commitment for future participation. Please select "In-person 4-H Camp/Event-Anoka County" for Club and "Shooting Sports" for projects.
- Contact Kim Ferguson at fergu029@umn.edu or call 763-324-3495 for assistance.
Air Gun/BB Gun – Held at the Bunker Hills Archery Building. Learn about safe gun handling, shooting fundamentals, and range commands. Join in air rifle (4th grade & up) and bb gun (3rd grade) shooting, wildlife programs & recreational shooting. Four classes will be offered this year. The first two will meet eight consecutive Wednesdays, starting January 4, Air Gun 1 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. and Air Gun 2 from 8 – 9:30 p.m. Air Gun 3 & 4 will meet on eight Fridays starting February 17, Air Gun 3 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. and Air Gun 4 from 8 – 9:30 p.m. All four classes are the same; just offered on different dates and times.
Air Gun 1 & 2 Dates: January 4, 11, 18, 25, February 1, 8, 15, 22
Air Gun 3 & 4 Dates: February 17, 24, March 3, 10, 24, 31, April 14, 21 (no class March 17 or April 7)
Air Pistol – Held at the Bunker Hills Archery Building. Learn about safe gun handling, shooting fundamentals, and range commands. Must have completed 2 year of Air/BB gun and be intending to shoot Air Pistol at the State Shoot. State Shoot rules will apply. Taking an Air Pistol class only, will NOT meet the requirements for shooting Air/BB gun at the State Shoot. If space allows those that have completed only one year of Air/BB gun will be able to join. Held at the Bunker Hills Archery Building. Classes meet 8 consecutive Mondays starting April 3 from 6:30 – 8 pm.
Air Pistol Dates: April 3, 10, 17, 24, May 1, 8, 15, 22
Archery – Held at the Bunker Hills Archery Building. Learn proper techniques for shooting the bow and arrow. For youth in grades 3 and up. Two classes will be offered this year. Both classes are from 7 – 9 pm. Archery 1 meets eight consecutive Mondays starting February 6. Archery 2 meets eight consecutive Wednesdays starting March 1. Both classes are the same; just offered on different dates.
Archery 1 Dates: February 6, 13, 20, 27, March 6, 13, 20, 27
Archery 2 Dates: March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, April 5, 12, 19
.22 Rifle – Requirement: Must be in at least 7th grade and have completed one year of air gun. Learn to shoot target rifles, pistols, scope rifles, and silhouettes. Shooters will be required to provide their own ammunition. Instructors may have ammo for sale. Training is eight consecutive weeks beginning Wednesday, May 3 at Beaverbrook Gun Club in East Bethel from 6 – 8:30 pm.
Dates: May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, June 7, 14, 21
Shotgun – Requirement: Must be in at least 7th grade and have completed one year of air gun. Learn basics of shotgun and trap shooting. Shotgun shooters will be required to provide their own shells and the cost of clay targets will be extra. Instructors may have ammo for sale. Classes meet eight consecutive Wednesdays, starting July 12, from 6 pm to dusk at Metro Gun Club in Blaine.
Dates: July 12, 19, 26, August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Black Powder - Requirement: Must be in at least 7th grade and have completed one year of air gun. Learn basics of muzzleloader rifles and pistols and throwing tomahawks. Classes meet for a total of ten Saturdays from April through August, from 8:30 am – 12 p.m. at Beaverbrook Gun Club in East Bethel.
Dates: April 22, May 6, 20, June 3, 17, 24, July 15, 22, August 12, 26
Firearm (Hunter) Safety - Receive a Firearm Safety Certificate upon completion of the course and passing the state test. To be eligible to receive your Firearm Safety Certificate, you must be 11 years of age or older. Classes meet nine Thursdays, starting March 2, from 6:30 – 9 pm at the Bunker Hills Activities Center. Field day is at Beaverbrook.
Dates: March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, April 13, 20, 27 (field day), May 4 (test day) (no session on April 6)
Trapping Class - Shooting Sports/Wildlife committee and the Minnesota Trappers Association have teamed up to provide an outdoor training and learning session on trapping. The session will include actual setting of traps and trapper certification. Classes meet on three consecutive Tuesdays, starting April 4 from 6:30 – 9 pm with a field day on Saturday, April 22 from 9 am – 4 pm at the Bunker Hills Activities Center.
Dates: April 4, 11, 18, 22
Wildlife Activities - A variety of wildlife sessions will be offered as part of the 4-H shooting sports/wildlife project. Non-shooting sports members can attend. More details to come.
There is a fee for each class. Fees need to be paid after you are confirmed in your classes. Payments must be received by Monday, December 12 or you will be removed from the class. Do not send in payment until you receive a confirmation email from Kim Ferguson letting you know how much you owe.
- Air Gun – $22
- Air Pistol - $22
- Archery – $22
- Shotgun – $10 (plus ammunition & targets)
- .22 Rifle – $22 (plus ammunition)
- Firearm Safety – $10
- Black Powder – $25
- Trapping – $5
All youth and their parents should plan on attending the Shooting Sports Kick-off night on Tuesday, January 3, 7 p.m. RESCHEDULED to Tuesday, January 10, 7 p.m.
Contacts
Anna Gilbertson, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, Anoka County
annag@umn.edu, (763) 324-3497
Kim Ferguson, Administrative Services Assistant, Anoka County
fergu029@umn.edu, (763) 324-3499
Jen Graham, Office Support Assistant, Anoka County
jlgraham@umn.edu, (763) 324-3496