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 Tuesday, November 12 at 8 a.m. and closes on December 2. If registration has closed, contact Kim at the Anoka County 4-H office if you are interested in joining to see if there are openings.
Details
Registration will be done in 4-HOnline and opens on Tuesday, November 12 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 12. Final deadline to register will be Monday, December 2. If registration has closed, contact Kim at the Anoka County 4-H office if you are interested in joining to see if there are 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 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 [email protected] or call 763-324-3495 for assistance.
Air Gun/BB Gun – Held at the Bunker Hills Archery Building in Andover. 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 8, 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 January 24, 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 8, 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12, 19, 26
Air Gun 3 & 4 Dates: January 24, 31, February 14, 21, March 7, 14, 21, 28 (no class February 7 or 28)
Air Pistol – Held at the Bunker Hills Archery Building in Andover. 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 seven consecutive Mondays starting April 7 from 6:30 – 8 pm.
Air Pistol Dates: April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12, 19
Archery – Held at the Bunker Hills Archery Building in Andover. 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 10. Archery 2 meets eight consecutive Wednesdays starting March 5. Both classes are the same; just offered on different dates.
Archery 1 Dates: February 10, 17, 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Archery 2 Dates: March 5, 12, 19, 26, April 2, 9, 16, 23
.22 Rifle – Requirement: Must be in at least 6th 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 7 at Beaverbrook Gun Club in East Bethel from 6 – 8:30 pm.
Dates: May 7, 14, 21, 28, June 4, 11, 18, 25
Shotgun – Requirement: Must be in at least 6th 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 9, from 6 pm to dusk at Metro Gun Club in Blaine.
Dates: July 9, 16, 23, 30, August 6, 13, 20, 27
Black Powder - Requirement: Must be in at least 6th 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 May through August at Beaverbrook Gun Club in East Bethel from 8:30 am – 12 p.m.
Dates: TBD
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 eight Thursdays, starting March 6, from 6:30 – 9 pm at the Bunker Hills Activities Center in Andover. Field day is at Beaverbrook Gun Club in East Bethel.
Dates: March 6, 13, 20, 27, April 3, 10, 24 (field day), May 1 (test day) (no session on April 17)
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 1 from 6:30 – 9 pm with a field day on Saturday, April 19 from 9 am – 4 pm at the Bunker Hills Activities Center in Andover.
Dates: April 1, 8, 15, 19
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 9 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 kickoff night on Monday, January 6, 7 p.m. at the Bunker Hills Activities Center in Andover.
Anna Gilbertson, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development
[email protected], (763) 324-3497
Kim Ferguson, Administrative Assistant
[email protected], (763) 324-3499
Natalie Peterson, Principal Office and Administrative Specialist
[email protected], 763-324-3496
Reviewed on March 7, 2025.