Getting Started

Youth Member Eligibility

Youth must be:

• Registered 4-H members in a shooting sports project. Contact your local county office for clubs and programs.
• Age 8–19 as of Jan 1 of current 4-H year. (The 4-H year runs from Sept 1 to Aug 30.)
• Able to handle shooting sports equipment in a safe, responsible manner. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from that project discipline.

Disciplines

Delaware 4-H offers projects in:

• Archery
• Pistol
• Hunting
• Muzzleloader
• Rifle
• Shotgun 

Firearm discipline programs are limited. Not all clubs and/or counties have certified instructors available in all disciplines. Please check with your county 4-H office to find club offerings.

Equipment

Providing your own equipment is recommended, but may not be required; some clubs have a limited supply of equipment for loan. We encourage that club and county-owned equipment be inspected at least once a year by a certified technician.

Most members quickly discover that they want their own equipment. This allows them to choose equipment that fits well, maintain personal sight settings and in some cases to practice between meetings. Ask your instructor for specifications before buying equipment. Below are basic equipment requirements:

• Archery uses recurve or compound bows with a maximum draw weight of 60 pounds; arrows must have field or target points.
• The handgun/pistol and rifle disciplines have divisions for air (.177 caliber) and small bore (.22 caliber rimfire) firearms.
• Shotgun uses any firearm 12 gauge or smaller.

Refer to the Shooting Sports Rules (PDF) for more specific details regarding equipment for each discipline.

Parent Involvement

We encourage parental involvement and support. Parents can help the certified instructor, including monitoring safety. For safety and liability reasons, all members and parents must follow the certified instructor’s directions.

Become an Instructor

Instructor Leadership Levels

Instructor

1. Must be at least 21 years of age, as of Jan. 1 of the current 4-H year.
2. Must successfully complete all steps of the Delaware 4-H volunteer certification process (including application, background check, protecting minors training, etc.) and be appointed as a current 4-H volunteer through their Extension county office.
3. Must successfully complete state-sanctioned (Level 1) training and certification for each discipline in which they will be providing instruction.

Assistant Instructor

1. Must be at least 18 years of age, as of Jan. 1 of the current 4-H year.
2. Must have at least one year of 4-H member experience in that shooting sports discipline, or have sufficient equivalent experience with the instructor’s approval.
3. Can only provide youth instruction under the direct supervision of the instructor and only when the certified instructor is physically present during the instruction.

Teen Volunteer

• Must be at least 14 years of age, as of Jan. 1 of the current 4-H year.
• Must have the approval of the certified instructor.
• Can only assist under the direct supervision of the instructor and when that the certified instructor is physically present.
• Cannot be placed in charge of a live-fire range.

General Bow Rules

Bows: Any bow that does not violate the conventional meaning of the term in target archery may be used in 4-H Archery Events. Separate classes will be designated for Barebow/Basic Compound, Recurve, and Compound within the various events.

Maximum draw weight – The maximum draw weight for bows used in 4-H competition is 60 pounds. Bows may be subject to verification at the discretion of event officials.

*Draw weight will be determined by the peak weight at the maximum draw length of the archer.

Stabilizers - Stabilizers may be used per NGB rules per class designations.

Bow quiver - A bow quiver with or without arrows may not be attached to the bow.

Bow sight - A bow sight may be used in both Recurve and Compound divisions but NOT in the Barebow/ Basic Compound Class.

Electronic devices - No electronic sight or projection device, including laser sights or laser pointers, will be permitted on the range. Sight lights are permissible. Any bow with electronic sights must have the electronic portion of the sight disabled to the satisfaction of the range official during the ENTIRE event.

Failure to do so may result in disqualification at the discretion of the event coordinator.

Equipment limitations within each Bow Class

Further clarifications are provided below. More details can be found within the World Archery Rulebook - Book 3 Chapter 11.

Barebow/Basic Compound - This is a “Hybrid” class combining Barebow with Basic Compound.

A “Basic Compound” is a Genesis Bow (or similar) without a Sight and shot using a finger tab, gloves or the string mounted finger savers.

A “Barebow” is a bow with a rest and free from protrusions, sights or sight marks, which could be of use in aiming. The unbraced bow complete with permitted accessories shall be capable of passing through a hole or ring with a 12.2cm inside diameter +/-0.5mm.

Recurve Bows - Only may be used in any recurve divisions.

• Sights - Aperture - Levels - Magnification - per NGB rules

Compound Bows- Only may be used in the compound bow divisions.

• String peep - Hunting Sights - Optical Sights - Levels - per NGB rules

• Over-draw arrow rests - Archers may use an over-draw if they have displayed competence in shooting with that equipment. Overdraws are limited to a 6 cm or 2.5 inch maximum measured from the pivot point to bearing surface of the arrow rest.

• Release aids - may be used only by compound shooters in the compound division, and the archer must demonstrate competence in shooting with the release for safety requirements.
  

Arrows

Adequate supply - Each archer must provide an adequate number of arrows to complete the required course of fire. Each archer's arrows will be marked, on the shaft, with his or her name/initials to permit identification. The arrows should be the same for the shoot

Safety - Arrows must be sound and properly spined for the bow. This includes the AMO standard of at least five

(5) grains per pound of peak draw weight. Arrow weight may be checked at the discretion of the officials.

Shaft Size - No arrows with shafts 23/64ths or 9.3 mm in diameter or larger is permitted.

Arrowheads - Only target or field points may be used in 4-H archery events unless other point types are specifically required.

Nocks - NO Light up nocks (ex: brands such as Luminocks) may be used.

Shooting Accessories

Shooting Tab or Glove - Required for any archer using a finger release. Finger protection is required for participation in Delaware 4-H Archery Events. *Note: “Finger Savers” are acceptable mediation for this.

Arm guard - An arm guard is required to be used in ALL divisions and classes.

Hip Quiver - A hip quiver is required to be used in ALL divisions and classes.

Clothing - Shooters may wear any clothing suitable for the climatic\weather conditions.

*Note: Archers are required to adhere to the 4-H Dress Code.

Shoes - Closed Toed Shoes must be worn on the archery field when participating in the event. Shoes must cover toes and be secured to the heel with a closed formed back. No Crocs, sandals, or shoes with individual toes may be worn on the range. No shoes with designed or manufactured holes or other characteristics that constitute a safety hazard as determined by the officials are allowed on the range.

Additional equipment that does not interfere with other shooters or the management of the firing line may be permitted at the judgement of the range official(s).

Inspection of Equipment

Archery equipment to be used in a 4-H Archery event may be inspected by coaches prior to the event and must be in compliance with all 4-H rules.

Officials typically have equipment inspections as part of the registration when arriving on the day of the event and may have other processes in place for a multi day event.

The Officials may inspect any equipment, at any time, at his/her discretion.

* Failure of an inspection may result in disqualification at the discretion of the officials.

Unsafe Shooting Practices

Practices deemed unsafe will result in corrective actions being made that can include warnings and/or disqualification at the discretion of the officials. These activities may including but are not limited to: Arrow Twirling, Sky Drawing, Failure to follow Range Commands, Shooting after Time Expires, etc.

Note:

Delaware 4-H competitions operate in accordance with rules established by the National Governing Bodies (“NGB's”) of each sport. The Official Delaware 4-H Rules are intended to modify, where necessary, NGB rules. In cases where NGB rules are in conflict with the Official Delaware 4-H Rules, the Official Delaware 4-H Rules shall apply.

All of the rules outlined here are a summarized version of the National Governing Body (NGB) Rules for Archery with the additional Delaware 4-H Rules.

The full version can be found here: https://worldarchery.sport/rulebook

DELAWARE 4-H SHOOTING SPORTS  VOLUNTEER JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Discipline Instructor (Air Pistol, Archery, Rifle, Shotgun, Muzzleloading, Hunting & Wildlife) – 4-H Shooting Sports Program

TIME COMMITMENT: Length of service is one year. Renewable. Three-year Commitment preferred. Program ranges from 8 – 36 hours (preparation time is not included).

LOCATION: Serve within the country/area. TYPE OF

POSITION: Volunteer key leader; no direct salary.

SUPERVISION: Shooting sports coordinator and Extension professional in charge of 4-H (youth) programs. GENERAL

PURPOSE:  Be responsible for the overall teaching of knowledge and skills related to a specific discipline to 4-H members, ages 8-18.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBLITIES:

1. Stress shooting safety. Teach the program following the National 4-H curriculum as provided.

2. Coordinate activities with shooting sports coordinator.

3. Coach members on proper shooting techniques.

4. Attend all shooting club meetings and activities.

5. Recruit and train assistant instructors as needed.

6. Inform Coordinator about and help secure needed equipment and facilities.

7. Recruit parents and members.

8. Participate in all additional training programs the local shooting sports committee decided to include (i.e. Hunter Education, Red Cross First Aid, 4-H Leadership).

9. Help plan the yearly program.

10. Actively encourage and support members by working with them individually to review project work and related records.

11. Encourage members to participate in other 4-H events and activities.

12. Publicize 4-H Shooting Sports activities and results.

13. Maintain records on activities or project work.

14. Assist on obtaining, screening, appointing and utilizing project and activity leaders for the club. Revised 2/18

15. Communicate regularly with the 4-H Office.

16. Provide transportation for 4-H members to related events and activities.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

1. Age 21 or older for all disciplines.

2. Ability to work with youth and adults.

3. Have an interest in shooting and some knowledge of shooting techniques.

4. State certification in specific discipline and recertified is required.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

1. Be familiar with 4-H objectives and philosophy and/or willing to learn about them.

2. Moral standards consistent with the 4-H philosophy.

SUPPORT TO BE PROVIDED:

1. 4-H shooting sports instructor training workshop (20 hours minimum).

2. 4-H shooting sports curriculum handbook upon completion of the workshop.

3. Local volunteer training programs.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: It is the policy of the Delaware Cooperative Extension System that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, sex, disability, age or national origin.

TRAINING: 4-H Faculty will provide: - - - - - - Leadership training Program and resource materials including projects, films and books as available. Newsletters to leaders and club members. Country-wide activities which are open to all 4-H participants (camp, fair, communication, workshops, etc.) Leader manuals for projects. Project books for youth.

CONTACT PERSON: Kristin Cook Kent County Extension Agent kristin@udel.edu