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 up
- BB: Grade 3 and up
- Air Rifle: Grade 4 and up
- .22 Long Rifle: Grade 6 and up
- Muzzle Loading: Grade 7 and up
- Shotgun: Grade 6 and up
- Wildlife/WHEP: Grade K and up; Cloverbuds can only participate in Wildlife activities.
Dakota County 4-H has all equipment needed for youth to participate and try each discipline. Once a person starts attending consistently, it is wise to invest in personal eye and ear protection (best comfort, best shooting). Using personal equipment is fine, we just 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 (and meet grade requirements).
Youth do not have to attend all meetings or practices, however, there are minimum hours required in discipline practice and a minimum of eight hours of wildlife education for participation in the MN 4-H State Shooting Sports Invitational held in Sept. Practice and wildlife hours need to be signed off by a SS&W certified instructor.
If you are interested in the SSW project, sign-up for SSW in 4-H Online to ensure you receive communication about upcoming events and schedule changes.
Winter indoor practice:
- Indoor archery practice: at BlackHawk Middle School,1540 Deerwood Drive, Eagan; 2:30-5:00 p.m. Sundays: Dec. 8, Jan. 26, Feb. 9 & 23, March 9 & 16, April 13 & 27
- Indoor Air practice: at the Rosemount American Legion, 14590 Burma Ave. West in Rosemount. Schedule to be announced.
Members are encouraged to use the SPOND app to indicate attendance, so coaches can plan for the space. Five youth must RSVP in order to hold practice.
Wildlife and WHEP (open to any 4-H’er) project meetings are typically held monthly at the Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center, 4100 220th Street West in Farmington. If the location changes, project 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, families will be notified by their respective coaches.