Information about Certified Shooting Sports Coaches

Coach Certification

• 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Certifications offered include: 4-H Certified Coach and Assistant Coach.
• A 4-H Certified Coach must be currently enrolled as a 4-H volunteer and have an updated YPS background check on 4-H Connect. Annual enrollment is required to maintain certification.
• A 4-H Certified Coach must be 4-H certified in the specific discipline (shotgun, rifle, pistol, archery, muzzleloading, hunting & wildlife) in which a shooting sports project is being conducted. A 4-H Certified Coach may be trained and certified in multiple disciplines.
• Only one discipline certification (archery, pistol, rifle, shotgun) is obtainable per participant per regular training.
• Separate specific training’s are offered for the hunting & wildlife and muzzleloading disciplines.
• Training’s occur around the state in various locations and throughout the year.
• Certification is only acquired at this time through a 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Training run either by the Texas 4-H Natural Resources Program Office or one of the 12 District Extension Offices.
• Training’s are 12 hours long or longer and typically run through a weekend.
• Equivalent certifications through other entities (NRA, USA Shooting, USA Archery, etc.) are not allowed to replace 4-H Coach Training at this time.
• 4-H Coach Certification is transferable across the state.
• 4-H Coach Certification is transferable from other states with the approval of the Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Coordinator.
• All Coach Candidates will be required to bring a signed copy of the Waiver Indemnification and Medical Treatment Authorization Form to the training. Original signatures only, please.  No copies.

Minimum Age

• A volunteer must be 21 years of age or older to be a 4-H Certified Coach.

Assistant Coach Certification

• Assistant Coach Certification is offered to those 14-20 years of age who attend 4-H Shooting Sports Coach Training. This certification changes to a 4-H Certified Coach certification on the date of the holder’s 21st birthday. A replacement certificate may be requested by contacting the Texas 4-H Natural Resources Program Office.
• Youth Assistant Coaches must bring a copy of the Youth Assistant Coach Acknowledgement Form signed by both the youth and his/her parent or guardian.  Original signatures only, please.  No copies.

Presence of a 4-H Certified Coach

• A 4-H Certified Coach must be present at the time of any shooting practice and must remain on the range within control of the shooting practice. Non-certified volunteers may assist at the coach’s discretion but cannot act without the certified coach present and in control. Assistant coaches are also able to assist the coach but also cannot act without the certified coach present and in control.

• Any 4-H Shooting Sports project must have at least one 4-H trained and certified coach in each of the disciplines (shotgun, rifle, pistol, archery, muzzleloading, western heritage, hunting & wildlife) offered within that local project. This includes home based projects.

4-H Certified Coach at a Shooting Event

• 4-H Certified Coaches are not required or obligated to attend competitive events involving their discipline or local 4-H membership. Attendance at these events and chaperoning 4-Hers at these events is on a volunteer basis only.

Re-certification

• There is no re-certification requirement for a 4-H Certified Coach. If a coach has been inactive for a period of several years, a county may require attendance to additional training.

Upcoming Training

Date: November 9-10, 2024

Registration October 7-25, 2024
Registration through 4-H Connect at: https://texas.4honline.com/

Cost: $130

Date & Time: Saturday, November 9 – Sunday, November 10, 2024

Location: Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center, Stephenville, TX

Cost: $130 (covers cost of materials, meals, snacks, and curriculum)
Only one discipline certification (archery, pistol, rifle, shotgun, muzzle loading, &western heritage) is obtainable per participant per regular training.

Schedule

Sunday, November 10, 2024

Lodging:
Lodging is on your own at this training. Various lodging options are available in and around Stephenville.  Suggested hotels are listed below.

LaQuinta
105 Christy Plaza
Stephenville, TX  76401
254-918-2444
http://www.laquintastephenville.com/
If you use the code “TX4H” you will get a 15% discount on your room rate and the Texas 4-H Foundation will receive some monetary support from LQ. 

Hampton Inn
910 South Harbin Drive
Stephenville, TX  76401
254-918-5400
http://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/texas/hampton-inn-and-suites-stephenville-DALSVHX/index.html
This will most likely be the most expensive hotel of the three.

There are other hotels in Stephenville, but I would bet these are probably the nicest.  If they don’t work, let me know and I’ll try to get you some more suggestions.  They are all fairly close to one another and our office; it doesn’t make much of a difference as far as distance goes in getting to the office.

What To Bring As A Participant

Everyone attending should bring the following:

• Signed waivers and forms
• 3-ring binder (2″ or larger recommended)
• writing materials and extra paper for notes
• highlighters if you use them for stressed points
• eye protection (shooting glasses or goggles) – recommended for archery, mandatory for all other disciplines
• ear protection (plugs or muffs) -mandatory for shotgun, rifle, and pistol disciplines
• comfortable outdoor clothing, including a cap or hat suitable for the prevailing weather and preparation for inclement weather
• sunscreen
• range chairs if desired
• open mind ready to learn and share

Shotgun discipline participants:

• 20- or 12-gauge shotgun, any action type
• Ammunition pouch or vest
• Ammunition to fit the shotgun, 2 boxes (50 rounds)

Archery discipline participants:

• Recurve or compound bow of any type
• Arrows to fit the bow, 6 or more

Rifle discipline participants:

• .22 caliber rimfire rifle, preferably with iron sights (open)
• .22 caliber ammunition to fit the rifle, 2 boxes (100 rounds)
  • or (depending on your ranges) –
• .177 caliber air rifle
• .177 caliber pellets to fit the rifle

Pistol discipline participants:

• .22 caliber rimfire pistol, preferably with iron sights (open)
• .22 caliber ammunition to fit the pistol, 2 boxes (100 rounds)
  • or (depending on your ranges) –
• .177 caliber air pistol
• .177 caliber pellets to fit the pistol

*All youth participating in pistol, must have a signed permission slip

Hunting and Wildlife

• Shotgun
• Smallbore Rifle or .177 caliber air rifle
• Recurve or compound bow of any type and arrows to fit bow
• Muzzleloading rifle (if time permits at the training)
• Notebook as you will be taking notes

Age Divisions

There will be three (3) age divisions (Junior, Intermediate, and Senior) in the District 8 4-H Rifle Match as listed below.

Only Senior aged members may advance to the state qualifying competition at Texas 4-H Roundup Indoor Rifle Match in June.

Competitive Rifle Match

Follows the Texas 4-H Roundup Indoor Rifle Match Rules with a few District 8 4-H modifications.

We will be using the Orion Scoring System for the Competitive Rifle Match.
Orion Indoor 50-foot rifle target. It is similar in design to the USA-50 (NRA-50) target. The scoring rings are equivalent to the ISSF 50m rifle target reduced to 50ft. This target can be viewed and ordered at the Orion website; (http://www.orionscoringsystem.com/orion/Product.aspx?ProductID=4).

Light Rifle Match

Follows the Texas 4-H Shooting Sports Light Rifle Rules with a few District 8 4-H modifications.

NEW!!! The Orion 50-foot Light Rifle 6 Bull Target will be used.  This target can be viewed and ordered at the Orion website; (https://www.orionscoringsystem.com/orion/Product.aspx?ProductID=59).

Targets will be scored after each relay has completed the course of fire using the Orion Electronic Scoring System.  Scoring will be accomplished in the scoring office.  Targets will be scored by hand pending if deemed necessary by County Extension Agents in the scoring office.

4-H members will shoot from 50 feet as listed below: