Youth will learn important life skills through safe and educational experiences, and will explore firearms safety and the importance of conserving Minnesota's natural resources. Trained and certified 4-H leaders throughout Minnesota lead this program.
Dakota County offers different activities for many skill levels from newcomer to advanced.
- Archery: Grade 3 and older
- BB: Grade 3 and older
- Air Rifle: Grade 4 and older
- .22 Long Rifle: Grade 6 and older
- Muzzle Loading: Grade 6 and older
- Shotgun: Grade 6 and older
- Wildlife/WHEP: Grade K and older
Cloverbuds can only participate in Wildlife activities.
To participate
- Enroll in 4-H. Learn more about 4-H and 4-H clubs in Dakota County.
- Select Shooting Sports & Wildlife project area, and sign the required consents.
- Complete range safety training prior to participating in range events.
- Participants are required to wear closed toe shoes at practice.
- Eye protection is required for all disciplines.
- Hearing protection is required for .22LR, MuzzleLoading and Shotgun.
- Dakota County 4-H has all equipment needed for youth to participate and try each discipline. Once a person starts coming consistently, it is wise to invest in personal eye and ear protection (best comfort, best shooting).Using personal equipment is fine, however, we ask to be able to look it over before using it on the ranges.
- 4-H provides the first box of ammo for youth to try Shotgun; if a youth continues with Shotgun, that becomes a personal expense.
Those who have never shot with 4-H before will start on BB or Air Rifle, until coaches feel youth are comfortable with firearm safety and ready to move onto another discipline. Youth must meet grade requirements for each discipline.
Youth do not have to attend all meetings or practices, however, there are minimum hours of discipline practice required for competition in the State Shoot. In addition to hours required for each discipline, a minimum of 8 hours of wildlife education must be completed annually, which should be signed off by a SS&W certified Wildlife instructor.
Wildlife Project
Wildlife project meetings are held twice monthly at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Office, 4100 220th Street West in Farmington. Pre-registration is required for each workshop to ensure enough supplies are available for all participants.
Upcoming wildlife workshop dates
November 13, 20; December 11,18; January 8, 22; February 5,19; March 5,19; April 2,16, 30; May 14, 28. June - September: TBA
In the winter
Indoor Archery practice held January - April. Schedule will be posted when dates are finalized.
Indoor Air practice schedule
Indoor air practice is held at the Rosemount American Legion, 14590 Burma Ave. West in Rosemount, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month November through April - Nov. 3 & 17, Dec.1 & 15, Jan. 5 &19, Feb. 2 & 16, March. 2 & 16, April 6 & 20
Members are encouraged to use the SPOND app to indicate attendance, so coaches can plan for the space. Five youth must RSVP by the deadline in order to hold practice.
If the location changes, members will be notified in advance. Watch the weekly Friday Forecast newsletter and project member emails for dates/times.
If practices cannot be held at stated facilities due to weather or conflicting schedules of facilities, SS&W families will be notified by their respective coaches.
Volunteer contact information
SS&W Coordinator: Jill Heldebrant, [email protected]
New Member Coordinator: Cindy Ubelhor, [email protected]
Wildlife Coordinator: Natalie Drescher, [email protected]
Wildlife Coordinator: Anne Claflin, [email protected]
Questions can be directed to volunteer SS&W coordinator: [email protected], or Local 4-H Educator Kris Vatter: [email protected]
Audience
Youth in K + (2025-2026 school year)
Cost
Depends on discipline
Registration
Youth must be enrolled in both 4-H and the Shooting Sports & Wildlife Project in 4-HOnline and consent forms must be completed by an adult before a youth is allowed to participate.