Anoka county 4-H Youth Development has a variety of hands-on learning programs for your family. Find detailed information on major local programs including the Horse, Dog, and Shooting Sports and Wildlife project areas.
Horse and horseless information
Congratulations to Shelby A. and her multi-county judging team on their successful trip to Arabian Nationals in Tulsa, OK. We are so proud of her and the team!
Everyone is welcome to come to horse committee meetings! Youth are especially invited to learn more about our decision-making processes. Meetings are typically held on the third Tuesday of the month (no meeting in December). Go to the Anoka County 4-H events calendar for details.
Horse committee work (agendas, minutes, etc.)
Every year, the horse committee hosts a meeting that is required for all youth planning on participating in the horse show at the county fair. We will go over general rules, expectations, and everything you need to know to show at the fair. There are two dates for these meetings to accommodate all members, but only one meeting is required. These meetings will take place at the Bunker Hills Activities Center in Andover.
Dates for 2024:
April 4 - more information and registration details
April 9 - more information and registration details
In Anoka County 4-H we have programs for youth who own their own horses as well as educational opportunities for those who don’t.
In some cases, youth can “lease” a horse from an existing horse family if your child is interested in riding events. This means your youth would be partnered with another 4-H mentor and horse to learn with. Finding a 4-H horse is a bit complicated due to lots of kids wanting to lease and limited families who have horses available. However, our volunteers to their best to make connections between families! There are two clubs in Anoka County that have many youth that participate in horse. One club is the Wranglers who meet in Oak Grove and the other is the Dandy Linos who meet in Lino Lakes. Kellie Ostertag is the coordinator for the horseless horse program on the county level. Start with her with any questions that you have. She will share with you about the program and help guide you with some next steps. She is best reached by phone- 763-213-8489 but does also email at [email protected].
The MN 4-H page has some great resources about the horse project including educational materials.
The purpose of the horse handbook is to help you understand how the Anoka County 4-H Horse project operates. This includes program structure, expectations and deadlines, who to contact, etc. This handbook is a place where you can find the Anoka County Horse Committee’s goals and activities. It also provides basic information about the MN 4-H State projects and activities associated with those projects.
Dog
The Anoka county 4-H dog project provides year round opportunity for youth. You can learn dog project knowledge as part of the Dog project bowl which runs in the fall and winter, there is winter training for returning youth, and summer dog training for youth grades 3 and older in the areas of agility, obedience, rally and showmanship.
View the Anoka County 4-H Dog Project Handbook for more information about the dog project and dog training including project resources and policy information.
Registration typically opens in late January with registrations due by early March. Dog training starts in early April and runs through July.
The Dog Committee is the group that oversees the yearly dog training and any other dog related activities within Anoka County. New members are always welcome. Youth are especially invited to learn more about our decision-making processes. Meetings are typically held once a month. Go to the Anoka County 4-H events calendar for details.
Dog committee work (agendas, minutes, etc.)
Dog Committee adult chair - Will Larson, [email protected]
Animal science (large livestock, rabbit, poultry, and llama and alpaca)
The Animal Science committee is the group that oversees animal science related activities within Anoka County. New members are always welcome. Youth are especially invited to learn more about our decision-making processes. Meetings are typically held once a quarter. Go to the Anoka County 4-H events calendar for details.
Animal Science committee work (agendas, minutes, etc.)
Shooting sports and wildlife
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 in mid-November. Classes fill quickly and are on a first come, first serve basis. Registration information will be posted in early October.
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. Classes typically offered in January and February on Wednesdays or Fridays.
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. Classes typically offered in April on Mondays.
Archery – Held at the Bunker Hills Archery Building. Learn proper techniques for shooting the bow and arrow. For youth in grades 3 and up. Classes typically offered in February - May on Mondays or Wednesdays.
.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. Training is eight weeks typically in May on Wednesday evenings.
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. Training for nine consecutive Wednesdays typically July thru August.
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 April thru August on Saturdays.
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. Training typically held in March and April on Thursday.
Trapping Class - Shooting Sports/Wildlife committee and the Minnesota Trappers Association have teamed up to provide an outdoor training and learning session on trapping. Training for 4 weeks typically held in April.
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 information to come.
4-H shooting sports and wildlife leader certification
To run a county shooting sports and wildlife program, instructors must be certified by Minnesota 4-H. Leader certification training is designed to cover the essential knowledge and rules to become a certified 4-H county instructor. The training is designed for adults and youth (9th grade and up) that lead or would like to lead training in shooting sports or wildlife. Classes will be offered in the disciplines of coordinator, archery, rifle/pistol, shotgun, muzzleloading, and wildlife.
State 4-H shooting sports and wildlife invitational
4-H Shooting Sports and Wildlife Invitational (State Shoot) is typically held the weekend after Labor Day. Young people from across Minnesota have the opportunity to compete in events including archery, muzzleloader, shotgun, air rifle, .22 rifle and air pistol. Skillathon, wildlife calling and conservation projects also available. Youth that have participated in our local Anoka County 4-H program will receive registration information in mid-June.
Contacts
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